‘No reason to panic’: Maple Leafs patient despite McKenna line’s rough start

TORONTO — Gavin McKenna's family and friends came to Toronto to watch his first three home games in a Maple Leafs uniform.

“Hopefully, I can get my first something for them,” the 2026 first-overall draft choice said ahead of Saturday’s 3-2 loss the Ottawa Senators.

Unfortunately for McKenna and his travelling support club, the Wizard of Whitehorse begins Week 2 of his pro career still hunting that first something.

McKenna’s stat line through three games: no goals, no assists, no blocks, no hits, three shots, five attempts, one takeaway, four giveaways, with an average ice time of 14:32.

This despite skating on a sheltered scoring line alongside the team’s two top point-producers in 2025-26 and seeing 80 per cent of his shifts begin in the O-zone.

The Maple Leafs are certainly doing a better job defending the kid than their talented-loaded second line is, well, defending.

“He’s doing really well. Like, he’s young, and he just seems unflappable to me. I’m sure he wishes he had more right now. Of course. That’s obvious. But I haven't seen it affect him,” said Leafs head coach Jim Hiller. “When I talk to him, he’s got a smile on his face, and he walks around here the same as he did two months ago and two weeks ago.” 

John Tavares, McKenna’s centreman-slash–billet dad, points out what a unique challenge it is to jump into the rigours of the NHL straight from college. 

McKenna is only 18, after all. At 164 pounds, he’s a contender for lightest player in the league. He was slow to produce at Penn State last season before tearing up the NCAA. And three games, plus two pre-season contests, doesn’t make for a great sample size.

“Continue to support him through it, and that's on me and Willy to help him out,” Tavares said. “He’s good. I think his smile and the joy being at the rink every day has been excellent.”

Although no one is seriously questioning the high-IQ McKenna’s ability to adapt and excel at the highest level, the composition of his line is already under fire.

Despite Auston Matthews’ top line drawing the opposition’s attention and Nick Paul’s third unit tackling some tough assignments, the McKenna–Tavares–William Nylander unit has been outshot 19-10, out-attempted 35-18 and outscored 3-0. Worse: high-danger chances favour the opposition 11-1, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.

Still, Tavares sees “good underlying things” and “no reason to panic” as the trio struggles without the puck and to sustain a cycle game.

And, to be fair, McKenna has made some nifty slip passes and dekes that foreshadow excellence. He’s looked particularly comfortable zipping pucks on PP2.

“We’re trying to establish more of an offensive game down below the goal line and not just be one and done,” Nylander said. “We’ve been moving the puck well a few shifts. So, I mean, it takes some time. But I feel in practice and through training camp it’s been there. And, obviously, when it becomes a game, it’s a little bit different. But we just want to keep building off that.”

McKenna did not participate in Sunday’s optional practice and has not spoken with reporters since Friday. He was requested Monday. The Maple Leafs are trying to ease his responsibilities on the ice and off.

“There’s no pressure to produce. He’s going to be a great player," Nylander said. "It’s going to happen. And when it does, it’s going to come in waves. A lot of waves.”

Hiller is emphasizing a hard forecheck and puck support in the O-zone. He wants his three forwards — on all lines — tighter together to help puck retrievals, then driving to the next quicker once they get the puck.

McKenna is an elite passer figuring out when it’s best to dump and run. Tavares, 36, is seldom first on the puck. And Nylander is better known for his ability to transport the puck. Defence isn’t their strongest suit.

So, the question becomes: Is their line set up for success?

“Can we do this better? Are there better combinations based on what we've seen so far?” Hiller said. “But what does that do? There’s always unintended consequences.” 

“Fixing” the Tavares line entails altering either a dangerous-looking Matthews line, Paul’s inciting checking line, or both.

Which means Hiller will be patient with his 1-2 lineup heading into Tuesday’s home date versus the Nashville Predators, a non-playoff squad last season.

“Had a good practice, so let’s see it translate,” Hiller said. “And then, you know, we can only be patient for so long. But we’ll stick with it for now.”

One thing is certain: The Maple Leafs’ patience for Line 2 will run out much quicker than its patience for Pick 1.

“He’s going to continue to adapt really well,” Tavares said. “Be a matter of time before you just really see him do some things that are pretty special. And it’s what made him first pick.”

Maple Leafs projected lineup Tuesday vs. Nashville

Marchenko – Matthews – Roslovic
McKenna – Tavares – Nylander
Cowan – Paul – Sissons
Duhaime – Blueger – Groulx

McCabe – Tanev
Rielly – Raddysh
Ekman-Larsson – Stecher

Bobrovsky 
Stolarz