John Tavares has seen this movie before: a young player comes into his orbit, settles into his home, and starts learning what life looks like inside the Maple Leafs’ world. But Gavin McKenna is already leaving a strong impression.
Tavares spoke about welcoming McKenna into his house and came away focused on more than just the rookie’s talent. What stood out to him first was the person.
“First and foremost, you can see that he comes from a great family. You see it in how he carries himself, his maturity, the values he has as a person, and how he treats people.”
That maturity, Tavares said, shows up everywhere - in how McKenna sees the moment, in how he handles attention, and in the way he is taking in everything around him without losing himself in it.
“He is extremely aware of his environment and what is going on around him, but he is still soaking it all in and enjoying all of the steps along the way.”
Tavares said he has been struck by how comfortable McKenna already seems in his own skin, even with a spotlight that has followed him for a long time. The Leafs veteran believes the rookie will handle the next stage just fine.
“He is very comfortable in his own skin. He has had the spotlight on him for a long time.
This will be new and different, but it is what he has been dreaming about, especially in this market and with the attention that comes with it. He is going to handle it extremely well.
I have been really impressed.”
For Tavares, the experience has already become a family affair. Having McKenna around his home has been part of the adjustment, and part of the fun.
“It has been a lot of fun getting to know each other and having him at the house, around my family, and around each other.”
He also made clear that the relationship is not one-way. Tavares expects to help McKenna, but he knows the rookie will give something back, too.
“I have said it a few times already: Hopefully, I can do him a lot of good, but I know it is going to do me a lot of good as well.”
Tavares said he is eager to watch McKenna begin the next phase of his career.
“He has an incredible future ahead of him. I am excited for him to get started officially today and tomorrow and experience each step of the way. It is always exciting.”
That same sense of responsibility carried over when Tavares was asked about the Maple Leafs’ new coaching staff, including Jim Hiller and the other assistant coaches. He sees the changes as a chance for fresh ideas, but not as a reason for the players to sit back and wait.
“There is obviously some familiarity and some newness as well with some of the staff and the people coming in. It gives some new perspectives and fresh ideas.”
Tavares and Auston Matthews, along with other veteran leaders, are not ducking what happened last season. Tavares said the group has to own it, especially in areas like the power play.
“Auston and I, along with some of our other leaders and key guys, take a lot of responsibility and ownership for the way things went last season, both as a whole and in certain areas, such as the power play and certain areas of our game.”
With the talent on hand and the continuity in place, Tavares said the bar has to be higher.
“With the continuity, high skill level, and the talent we have, we have to improve and be a lot better.”
He said the new coaches are bringing ideas that should help in different parts of the game, but the leadership group has to establish the standard.
“The coaches coming in will bring new ideas to different aspects of the game, which we are excited about. We have to lead the way on it and set the standard for the team. We have a responsibility to be difference-makers, not only with the puck but in a lot of areas of the game.”
Tavares also pointed to the energy around the team as camp opens under a shorter schedule and with fewer preseason games. That means every day matters more.
“As Auston said, the energy has been great, and the conversations have been really good. We are excited to get going.”
“It is new not only for us but for the league as a whole, with the shorter camp and fewer preseason games. There is the importance of every day and more emphasis on getting ourselves geared up and ready to go for the season opener and home opener.”
For Tavares, this is a fresh start with real potential, but nothing will be handed to the group.
“It is a new journey and a new year. A lot has happened, but clearly, with the moves that have been made and the people and players brought in, we have an opportunity to become a really good team.”
Still, he made the point that opportunity is only the beginning.
“We have to go out and earn that and want to do something special, so we are excited about what is ahead.”
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