The Maple Leafs have reportedly given Gavin McKenna their word that he's going to be drafted first overall in the 2026 Draft as we're less than three weeks away.
Gavin McKenna said he would look forward to being drafted by the Maple Leafs, and he was one of the top athletes at the NHL Draft Combine. Toronto would seem a bit foolish to go another direction given how much they've invested in him, and word out of the Combine shows that both parties have seemingly come to an unwritten agreement.
McKenna wasn't atop the leaderboards of every exercise during the Combine but he did end up being one of the best overall athletes in the entire thing.
He was listed at only 170 pounds so people were a bit worried, but it won't be long or take much for an 18-year old to gain a bit more muscle - especially with the best resources in the world.
But that size shouldn't deter Toronto from drafting him considering that some smaller players like Patrick Kane and Nikita Kucherov have carved out legendary careers; and McKenna projects similarly.
The Hutcheon report indicates Toronto intends to use the first overall pick on McKenna
Those are players you build around to win Stanley Cups and for the Maple Leafs they seem to be well aware, and have already given McKenna their word that he's hearing his name called first on June 26th.
Bruins insider Shawn Hutcheon revealed that he was told at the Combine that there was an agreement put in place between Toronto and McKenna that they intend on drafting him first overall:
A source close to the situation, who was part of the NHL Combine, tells me Toronto told Gavin McKenna during their interview with the player that they intend on drafting him with the first overall pick.
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Given that Toronto took a trip to Whitehorse to talk to him, and he's meeting again with them following the Combine, barring any extenuating circumstances or a drastic change of heart, it seems that McKenna is a Maple Leaf.
McKenna is no doubt a player that you can count on to not only give you a lot of buzz from the fanbase but also bring in a lot more faces, and he's arguably one of the most marketable names to ever come into the NHL; the jersey sales alone should make MLSE salivate.
It follows weeks of mutual interest including Chayka's visit to McKenna's hometown
You don't take a 19+ hour flight to the absolute north of Canada if you're not invested heavily in a player, and the fact he wants to meet again is a great sign.
It's not really in the cards for Toronto to pick someone else because a) they already spent all this time and money and effort and it's a waste but also b) you're going to alienate a lot of different people.
How can Toronto be trusted if they have promised McKenna first overall and then turn around and draft Chase Reid? That not only would spit in the face of everything Toronto has said about McKenna but also make other free agents or prospective players hesitate about coming over.
If they can't be trusted to keep their promises to someone like McKenna, then what hope do they have?
John Chayka gushed heavily about McKenna's character and loved every interaction thus far. The only thing that could chance it is if forces above Chayka decide otherwise, but as stated previously - the marketability is too high to pass up.
So we shouldn't really need to worry about Gavin McKenna and the Maple Leafs because on June 26th it's going to be an obvious choice, but it's a choice that holds a lot of weight behind it.
Do you think the Maple Leafs have already decided to draft Gavin McKenna?
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