Gavin McKenna has found the scoresheet, found another gear and given the Toronto Maple Leafs a rookie storyline worth tracking six games into the 2026-27 season. The No. 1 selection in the 2026 NHL Draft carries a three-game point streak into a busy week that closes with a visit to Utah before Toronto settles in for two home dates.
McKenna’s first NHL points arrive in a hurry
- McKenna went scoreless in his opening NHL week, then broke through against the Nashville Predators on Oct. 6. Toronto won 5-4 in overtime, and the rookie collected his first League point by helping set up John Tavares in the second period.
- Later in that same period, at 14:31, McKenna took an Auston Matthews feed and fired from the right circle, beating Juuse Saros for his first NHL goal.
- He kept the streak moving Oct. 8, recording an assist in Toronto’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
- Against Colorado two nights later, McKenna threaded a pass through the seam to William Nylander for a power-play goal in a 6-3 Leafs victory.
McKenna now has one goal and three assists through six games while averaging 14:39 per night. His 23.34 mph burst during the third period against Vegas also put him among the NHL’s quickest skaters early in the season: it was tied for ninth-fastest overall through Saturday’s games and tied for eighth among forwards.
The rookie has produced two speed bursts above 22 mph, placing him in the 92nd percentile among NHL forwards, and has logged 13 bursts between 20 and 22 mph, good for the 86th percentile.
Road trip finale comes in Frozen Frenzy
- Toronto finishes its three-game trip Tuesday against the Utah Mammoth at 9 p.m. ET. The game is part of Frozen Frenzy, with all 32 NHL clubs on the ice. Utah16 and TSN4 will carry the matchup.
- The Maple Leafs return to Scotiabank Arena on Thursday to face the Buffalo Sabres at 7 p.m. ET, with TSN4 and MSG-B providing coverage.
- The New York Islanders visit Toronto on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. SNO, SNW, SNP and MSGSN will air the game.
The Buffalo game gives McKenna another chance to play in front of the Toronto crowd after his first goal came at Scotiabank Arena against Nashville. It also matters in the Atlantic Division picture, with the Leafs and Sabres expected to contend for a top-three position. Toronto went 1-2-1 against Buffalo last season.
Schaefer rematch waits on Saturday
The Islanders date will bring an early second meeting between McKenna and defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the top pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. New York won their first matchup 2-1, with neither young player registering a point.
McKenna played 15:32 in that game, his highest ice-time total of the season, and put one shot on net. Schaefer had three shots, including two while McKenna was on the ice. With the Leafs rookie now producing offensively, his workload will be worth watching when the two top picks meet again.
Matthews sees confidence in the rookie
Matthews said McKenna already believes in his game, adding that scoring his first NHL goal only reinforces that confidence. The Leafs captain called the milestone a deserved moment and said it was good to watch McKenna enjoy it.
