Gavin McKenna is going to be able to follow a similar development blueprint to Sidney Crosby by having access to the same trainer and veteran presence as he did.
McKenna's debut is a highly anticipated one, though fans may need to wait until the preseason as his status for the Prospect Showcase is up in the air. When he does get on the ice though, it's going to be the first time we get to see him in game action for the Maple Leafs and see just exactly what he has to offer.
But Toronto can't rush him into high-pressure situations right away and make sure they get him acclimated and comfortable before they start to decide if he should help run the offence.
There's no doubt he has the talent to do so, but as an 18-year old just stepping into the NHL - it's not an easy task. It's a good thing then that McKenna is able to follow a similar development path of one of the greatest players of all time: Sidney Crosby.
Toronto hired both ends of Pittsburgh's development system
The Maple Leafs hired Crosby's longtime trainer Andy O'Brien to head their Sport Performance department, and having spent time working with Crosby since he was a teenager himself, he's been a trusted voice who has kept the Penguins captain able to thrive even at 39 years old and spent six years as Pittsburgh's Director of Sports Science and Performance.
Alongside O'Brien they also added Jason Martin as their Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. He previously spent the last three years in Pittsburgh developing their prospects physically and making sure they can endure the grind of the NHL season.
With O'Brien's knowledge of kinesiology and over 25 years of experience as a personal trainer and fitness and strength coach combined with Martin's ability to develop a younger body to be NHL-ready and durable, the hope is that together they can give McKenna a program and routine that builds an NHL-ready player now, and one that lasts for the next two decades.
O'Brien's staff is one that is expected to work in tandem with each other, so McKenna is always going to have access to a staff that has his best intentions in mind and as he grows under the same people, he'll learn more about what his body can withstand - and hopefully have as long a career as Crosby has.
McKenna arrives with a veteran shield much like Crosby did in Pittsburgh
But not only will McKenna have access to some of the best fitness minds in hockey, but also a former first overall pick, veteran, and mentor - Auston Matthews.
McKenna is coming into Toronto with Matthews able to help settle him into things and maybe take away some of that spotlight if it gets too bright.
Crosby had the luxury of having the legendary Mario Lemieux in his locker room to start his career and beyond, as the two even lived together which gave Crosby daily access to Lemieux and his advice.
Lemieux and Crosby were first overall picks, so the former could help manage the expectations of the latter. In Toronto we have the same thing with Matthews and McKenna both being first overall selections, so Matthews can do the same thing and help ease the rookie's mind and get him to play his game - and not worry about outside expectations.
The two have already been in contact, and both Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman believe that Matthews is going to be a great mentor for McKenna.
There's also the media aspect which will be a tough one for McKenna to navigate given that there's much more attention in Toronto compared to other markets - Matthews can help give him tips on how to stay calm in front of the cameras.
The parallel isn't that McKenna is Crosby and Matthews is Lemieux, but rather that both rookies had a veteran presence who had to manage the same expectations. Crosby had just as much pressure as McKenna, but much like Crosby - he doesn't need to do it alone.
Will Gavin McKenna end up having as long a career as Sidney Crosby?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
The Maple Leafs have been given information on Sergei Bobrovsky other teams did not have