Gavin McKenna makes Toronto Maple Leafs preseason debut against Montreal Canadiens after 2026 NHL Draft No. 1 selection
Image accompanying the official NHL announcement.TORONTO — Gavin McKenna made his preseason debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday in a 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena.
McKenna, selected No. 1 in the 2026 NHL Draft, played 20:39 and recorded three shots. On his third shift of the first period, at 4:44, he took a hooking penalty that Toronto killed off.
He generated a couple of notable chances in the second period. At 5:32, he kept the puck on a 2-on-1 with Willy Nylander and shot from the right faceoff dot. Near the end of a power play at 10:42, he beat a defender and shot from the bottom of the right faceoff circle.
Coach Jim Hiller said McKenna was “in on three or four chances,” calling it a positive start in a game with limited offence. Hiller also said McKenna should “not overthink it” and that the team would watch how he adjusts in the next game.
McKenna played mostly at left wing with John Tavares at centre and Nylander on the right side at even strength, and he also saw time on the second power-play unit. Late in the third, with Toronto trailing 2-1 and Anthony Stolarz pulled for a 6-on-5 advantage, McKenna was on the ice as the Leafs tried to tie it.
Reporting source: NHL official update