Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller left Gavin McKenna on the bench for most of last night's game against the Buffalo Sabres, and the media wants answers.
Gavin McKenna has had a decent start to his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, although last night against the Buffalo Sabres, he was benched halfway through the second period.
With the Leafs losing 5-4 in overtime, there was some confusion as to why head coach Jim Hiller would make this kind of decision.
After the game, Hiller was asked about it by the media, and his response just led to even more confusion. Essentially, he wanted McKenna to get out there, but he never found an opportunity, and eventually, it was too late.
You know what? That was my decision. We went for a stretch. I think we had those penalties. I wanted to get him out there. He sat through the penalties, and then I didn't get him out there. You know, through that stretch, and then in the last few minutes of the period, we're just trying to, you know, get out of the period. I guess you would say. And then now, as I've sat him for so long, and he sits in the intermission, so I probably should have got him out there early in the third. I didn't. So I'll talk to him about that.
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It's an answer that makes you question Hiller's decision-making and lineup management. This is something that could have been rectified in the second period, but Hiller just let time pass without putting his talented rookie on the ice.
What does this mean for Gavin McKenna's development?
This one game doesn't mean McKenna's development is in jeopardy. However, it does bring about questions concerning what Hiller thinks of the first overall pick.
In order for McKenna to get better, he needs to be on the ice. Being placed on the bench for 30 minutes isn't going to make him a better hockey player.
Even some ice time in the bottom six would have been infinitely more beneficial than just leaving the kid on the bench, only to wonder what he may have done wrong.
With the Leafs losing high-scoring games early in the season, it remains clear that firepower is what's going to bring this team over the edge.
McKenna has proven that he can score and deliver beautiful assists at the NHL level. Going forward, Hiller needs to utilize the forward and make sure he gets ice time. Otherwise, things can turn ugly fast.
Was Jim Hiller wrong for benching Gavin McKenna?
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