Toronto Maple Leafs rookie got his first point as a member of the franchise, and it was a beauty that sent a strong message to the rest of the National Hockey League.
In the first period of tonight's preseason game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators, Gavin McKenna registered his first NHL point.
It was a beautiful assist in which he tipped the puck along the glass before it got picked up by William Nylander, who then sauced a puck cross-crease over to John Tavares, who buried it.
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This point does not count towards McKenna's career total. However, it does send a message to the rest of the league: McKenna belongs, and he is going to be productive.
Overall, McKenna is someone who has come into the league with huge expectations, and understandably so given his status as a first overall pick.
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However, you can't always predict how these kids are going to handle the bright lights. So far, McKenna has proven that he has incredible hands and even better instincts. This will give the Leafs a leg up going forward.
This is a scary sight for the rest of the NHL, as now McKenna is being added to a team that already has Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares.
What are Gavin McKenna's expectations?
Gavin McKenna's expectations this season should be tempered. He is still young and undersized, which means he is going to have to bulk up and figure things out.
When he went from the WHL to the NCAA, it took him a few months to figure it out. Leafs fans should expect something similar this season.
However, that doesn't mean 50 or 60 points are out of the question. If he remains on a line with Tavares and Nylander, he could do some real damage.
Whatever the case may be, Leafs fans should be very happy, and teams around the NHL should be running scared.
Is Gavin McKenna going to be a superstar in the NHL?
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