Gavin McKenna’s latest stretch is making it harder and harder to keep him off the Maple Leafs’ top power-play group.
After a quiet start that sparked questions about his work ethic, the 18-year-old has answered with a three-game point streak and a bigger role in Toronto’s win over the Avalanche. He helped set up a key William Nylander goal, then added another strong sequence by getting back defensively and creating the chance that turned into an Auston Matthews goal.
McKenna was out there with Matthews, Nylander, Kirill Marchenko, and Darren Raddysh, filling the spot John Tavares would normally hold but could not because of the birth of his child. The rookie looked right at home with Toronto’s stars, and his comfort on the power play stood out.
It was the kind of individual effort that puts a player on the map, especially for an 18-year-old still settling into the NHL.
After the game, Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller made it clear the opportunity wasn’t handed to McKenna. It was earned.
He's playing good. You know what I mean?
We're not just giving that to him. He's earned that.
You can see down the road where this is going to go with him. But for now, at that young age, if he's earned it, we're going to give him a crack to do that. It doesn't mean he'll start there every night, but when he's playing well and he's on, then he's going to get those shifts.
Hiller’s message was measured, but the direction is obvious. McKenna’s speed and playmaking make him dangerous when he finds open ice, and that showed up again on the setup with Nylander.
If this keeps up, McKenna could become a real fixture on power play one for Toronto. And when Tavares returns, there’s a case for the Leafs to keep McKenna with the top unit while letting Tavares run a second group that includes Easton Cowan, Nick Paul, Jack Roslovic, and Morgan Rielly.
That setup would give Toronto a different look. Tavares could work face-offs against a weaker opponent, Cowan and Paul could battle down low, Roslovic could stretch the ice with his speed, and Rielly would still give that unit a puck-moving threat from the back end.
It would also let the Maple Leafs split their special teams into two different identities: one loaded with shooting and creativity, the other built around pressure, grit, and constant movement.
Hiller has already shown he’s willing to adjust during games, and this would be another tweak worth making. For now, McKenna has forced the conversation.
He earned the role. Now it’s on him to keep it.
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For Toronto, the question is no longer just whether Edvinsson could be available, but what kind of return Detroit will demand if it decides to move him. The interest is not limited to one rival, and that kind of competition tends to drive the price up fast, especially for a young defender with his profile. If the Leafs want to stay in the race, they may have to decide how much they are willing to sacrifice for the chance to add him to a group that has been searching for more steadiness on the back end. [Read more 🡒]