Projected No. 1 Pick Gavin McKenna opens up about Maple Leafs fit ahead of 2026 NHL Draft

With less than three weeks remaining before the 2026 NHL Draft, projected No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna appears increasingly comfortable with the possibility of becoming the next cornerstone of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

>Speaking at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, McKenna discussed the prospect of joining Toronto after the Maple Leafs secured the first overall selection despite entering the lottery with just an 8.5% chance.

>“Going to a Canadian market would be pretty special,” McKenna said, according to Toronto Sun reporter Terry Koshan. “The situation the Leafs are in right now, it’s pretty crazy that they got the first overall pick, their team is probably going to be fighting for the playoffs next year. I’d be pretty fortunate to go there.”

>The 18-year-old enters the draft as NHL Central Scouting’s top-ranked North American skater. He is coming off a standout freshman season at Penn State, where he recorded 15 goals and 51 points in 35 games while earning recognition as a Hobey Baker top-10 finalist.

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>McKenna has also spent time speaking with distant cousin Connor Bedard about handling the pressure that comes with being viewed as a franchise-changing prospect.

>“We’ve gone through similar things with media and the pressure,” McKenna said to the media. “He’s always a brain I like to go to… He kinda just tells me to trust the process and stay confident. Sometimes it’s hard, but hockey is a big confidence game.”

Why the Maple Leafs could be an ideal landing spot?Penn State Nittany Lions forward Gavin McKenna (72) in action at Mullett Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn ImagesMcKenna’s comments reflect a unique situation that rarely exists for a first-overall pick. Most top prospects join rebuilding organizations expected to spend years climbing the standings. Toronto’s outlook is different.

>The Maple Leafs are coming off a disappointing 32-36-14 season, but management believes the roster remains capable of a quick turnaround. Auston Matthews is expected to return healthy after a major knee injury, William Nylander remains a top offensive weapon, and new general manager John Chayka has more than $22 million in salary-cap space to reshape the roster.

>So, McKenna would not be asked to carry the franchise immediately. Instead, he could develop alongside established stars while contributing to a team pushing for a playoff return.

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>That setup could accelerate his transition to the NHL. Elite prospects often face overwhelming expectations when they enter rebuilding environments. In Toronto, McKenna would still face intense media scrutiny, but the on-ice burden would be shared.

>Unless a surprise trade emerges, the Maple Leafs appear positioned to add the draft’s most dynamic prospect.