Overview
- The Toronto Maple Leafs used the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to select Gavin McKenna, a high-scoring Penn State winger known for playmaking.
- Auston Matthews publicly welcomed McKenna to the team and McKenna said he already admires Matthews and has practiced learning his shot by playing as him in video games.
- McKenna told reporters that Patrick Kane texted him after the draft and called Kane his idol, a detail that has fueled conversation about fit and mentorship.
- Scouts and analysts praise McKenna’s elite offensive skill but note concerns about his smaller frame and defensive play, which will shape how the Leafs plan his NHL development.
- Several outlets report that Toronto is expected to be among teams to pursue Kane if he reaches free agency, though any signing or formal plan to pair Kane and McKenna remains unconfirmed.