Gavin McKenna's message to the Toronto Maple Leafs fans is causing a stir give that the rookie has high hopes for the team, specifically mentioning the Stanley Cup.
As the NHL regular season kicks off on Tuesday for the Toronto Maple Leaf, that means that Gavin McKenna will take the ice for the first time in games that count - no preseason, no Prospect Showcase, everything starts to get real in only a few days.
McKenna understands the pressures and expectations that come with being the first overall pick, and despite not having the most explosive preseason scoring-wise, he has shown the utmost confidence in his immense talent.
Gavin McKenna promises to end Toronto's near 60-year Cup drought
Not only has he shown that he feels confident that he can turn the Maple Leafs' fortunes around, but he believes that the team is capable of much, much more. Taking time to speak to KISS 92.5 FM Radio, McKenna had a simple message for the Toronto faithful:
This is the year we end the drought. I can't wait to be playing in front of you guys for the whole year.
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If there were any fans who were perhaps concerned about McKenna's dedication to the team, they can put all fears aside. Obviously, McKenna is shooting for the stars, but for someone who has such high hopes and expectations already - what's another lofty goal?
Now it isn't just up to McKenna to decide if the Maple Leafs are going to not only get back into the playoffs, but finally exorcise their second round demons and finally make it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in over 20 years.
Can Gavin McKenna be the answer to Toronto's playoff failures?
In a word, yes. But it's more complicated than that. It seems like McKenna is going to act as more of a catalyst that wakes up the rest of the team. If he can translate that early chemistry with John Tavares into strong early-season production, then that puts less pressure on Auston Matthews to carry the load.
In turn, he can focus on getting back to the level we know he can reach, and it also gives the Maple Leafs a chance to run with Matthews and Jack Roslovic a bit more; a duo that had some real magic at times this preseason.
But McKenna isn't just going to help on the ice. There's a different vibe this season when it comes to Toronto. It's not just the group we've expected to line up, or feeling like the same faces are just going to come up short. McKenna brings hope, something that Maple Leafs fans have tried to have for years.
That hope is going to give fans more of a reason to show up, cheer for McKenna and the rest of the Leafs, and use their diehard passion and loyalty to motivate their beloved team and agitate the opposition.
If Gavin McKenna believes that this is the year that Toronto ends the drought, we'll have to wait and see just how much he'll take personal accountability in accomplishing that.
Do you think Gavin McKenna is overconfident in his belief in the Maple Leafs?
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