The Toronto Maple Leafs’ preseason schedule has given fans their first real clue about when Gavin McKenna might make his first appearance in blue and white.
Toronto announced its four-game preseason slate, and the setup points to an early look at the 2026 No. 1 overall pick. The Leafs will play split-squad games on September 19 against Montreal, with one group at home and the other on the road, then do the same thing against Ottawa on September 23.
That means McKenna’s first on-ice action for Toronto could come in one of those games, with the club’s home date on September 19 looking like the likeliest spot. The team has not yet revealed how the split squads will be arranged.
The preseason schedule is shorter this year because the NHL is moving to an 84-game regular season, a change that takes effect this upcoming season. Toronto’s tickets go on sale starting July 23.
There’s already plenty of buzz around McKenna’s NHL debut, and for good reason. His playmaking and vision have people imagining the ways he could set up teammates, including Auston Matthews. The Leafs also appear eager to get the two together as soon as possible, which only adds to the anticipation around that September 19 date.
If McKenna does suit up, he should be in the mix offensively right away as he gets his first taste of NHL action. And judging by the reaction already building, plenty of fans will be trying to get in the building to see him for the first time.
With tickets set to go on sale in just a couple of weeks, demand is expected to be heavy. There could be a scramble for the last available seats as Toronto fans wait for their first chance to watch McKenna take the ice.
In Other News...
Why The Leafs Clearly See More In Brandon Duhaime
Brandon Duhaimes arrival gives the Maple Leafs a very specific kind of depth piece, one they clearly believe can do more than just fill out the bottom six. Signed to a three-year deal, the forward brings a reputation for being hard to play against, and Toronto is betting that edge matters as much as any skill he adds to the lineup.
What makes the fit interesting is the way Duhaime is being cast around the roster, not just as a grinder but as a physical presence who can help keep younger players from getting pushed around. His history of dropping the gloves and his willingness to play a rugged game suggest the Leafs see a tougher, more useful version of the old-school deterrent, with enough offensive touch to contribute if everything clicks. [Read more 🡒]
Bobrovskys Arrival Just Changed Everything For The Leafs Goalie Future
Sergei Bobrovskys arrival in Toronto immediately reshapes the Maple Leafs goalie picture, and not just for the present. Signed to be the starter, Bobrovsky also brings the kind of veteran presence that can matter to a young prospect like Artur Akhtyamov, who still looks like part of the organizations long-term plan. For a club that has been searching for stability in net, the move gives Toronto a proven option while also setting a very different timeline for its next wave of goaltending.
Akhtyamov remains a promising name in the system, but the path to real NHL minutes just got a lot narrower. Bobrovsky is expected to handle a heavy workload and stay durable enough to keep the crease mostly spoken for, which means Akhtyamovs chances could be limited to spot duty if injuries open the door. For now, the Leafs get the security they wanted, while their prospect may have to spend a lot more time waiting for the opportunity that once looked much closer. [Read more 🡒]
Leafs Just Settled A Depth Question Fans Have Been Watching
The Maple Leafs quietly wrapped up a small but important bit of business by locking in three depth pieces for the next stretch of roster planning. Forwards Jacob Quillan and Ryan Tverberg each landed one-year extensions, while defender William Villeneuve got a two-year deal, giving Toronto a little more clarity on the back end of its organizational depth chart and in the group of forwards pushing for AHL and NHL opportunities.
Villeneuve stands out as the most immediate insurance policy, a right-shot defender with limited NHL experience who is viewed as an injury call-up option when the Leafs need help. Quillan and Tverberg come with their own roster-management wrinkles, including waiver and arbitration considerations that matter if Toronto wants to keep shuffling players between the big club and the Marlies. For a team that has been watching its depth decisions closely, these were the last relevant RFA boxes left to check. [Read more 🡒]