Gavin McKenna flipped the script on Toronto and said he is the one who would be lucky

While the Maple Leafs would be lucky to have Gavin McKenna, it sounds like the presumed #1 overall pick is equally feeling lucky if he were to be drafted by Toronto.

Gavin McKenna is currently in the middle of the NHL Draft Combine ahead of June 26th's NHL Draft and with the presumed first overall pick likely headed to Toronto; there's a lot to be excited about. Toronto is lucky to find themselves in this position however McKenna's recent comments show that the feeling is mutual.

McKenna has gotten pretty much every positive endorsement you can get leading up to the draft, and with how successful the meeting between John Chayka and McKenna was (with one in the near future) it feels like almost a formality that he's being picked first overall and we're all just counting down the days.

Toronto would find themselves with a generational player if they draft McKenna and actually bring hope and excitement to a franchise that has seen a lot of loyal fans start turning their backs recently.

McKenna would feel 'fortunate' to be drafted by the Maple Leafs first overall

But you can also say that McKenna would be equally excited not only because of who he gets to play with, but the potential to be competitive right away is something he's looking forward to.

Speaking to the media at the Draft Combine, McKenna was asked how he felt if he were to be drafted by Toronto and wasn't shy about his excitement regarding what the future holds should he be a Maple Leaf:

If that was the case I'd be pretty pumped. The situation the Leafs are in right now, it's pretty crazy they got the first overall pick, a team who's probably fighting for playoffs next year. I'd be pretty fortunate to go there.

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That's everything Maple Leafs fans want to hear and more, and it doesn't sound like there is any regrets or resentment on McKenna's behalf and we are happily able to avoid a potential Eric Lindros-esque situation.

For context, Lindros refused to suit up for the Quebec Nordiques and was shipped off to the Philadelphia Flyers for a package that included Peter Forsberg and Ron Hextall.

Most Maple Leafs fans would also feel fortunate to have McKenna on their team and knowing that he can be not only an offensive force but also someone who adds an air of toughness and aggressiveness to go along with a humble character off ice - he's the complete package.

McKenna's focus is getting into the NHL and his leap from WHL to NCAA is going to make it a lot easier

However it was McKenna's comments about moving from junior hockey to the NCAA that should give fans a lot of hope that his transition into the NHL is going to be a smooth one.

McKenna explained that he quickly needed to learn to mature and adapt to each game, as the competition made it feel like each time he was on the ice it was a playoff atmosphere:

It's a big jump and a different level of hockey. Every game is like a game 7. You learn a lot and I do think it really matures your game.

When you have that type of mentality it forces you to always on your best, and though McKenna didn't necessarily explode offensively, but he managed 51 points in 35 games which is nonetheless impressive.

That should make his transition easier as he was already playing against much bigger and older competition is the NCAA and with that should be a little smooth jump however that isn't guaranteed. First, they still need to draft him. But more importantly we need to see how he fares in the preseason against real NHL players.

Only then will we have a better idea of how Gavin McKenna's going to pan out in the NHL but it seems like both parties are going to be happy the moment his name is called on June 26th.

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