Passing on Gavin McKenna would cost the Maple Leafs more than fans realize
Photo credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
If Toronto were to passion Gavin McKenna they wouldn't just lose a generational talent but MLSE loses the chance to capitalize on the money he's going to bring in.
While there's always a chance that the Maple Leafs could 'go off the board' and select Ivar Stenberg with the first overall pick, the likely choice is Gavin McKenna. Considering he's already getting pretty close with some of his prospective teammates, it seems almost certain he's going to be chosen come June.
No doubt someone who could elevate the team now and for years to come, the chance to get someone like McKenna only comes around once every decade or so; and it would be a pretty foolhardy mistake for John Chayka and company to pass him up.
Losing Gavin McKenna hurts the chequebook as much as it hurts the lineup
Not only that, but if Toronto weren't to nab McKenna at #1, it could have some serious ramifications for not only the Maple Leafs - but MLSE as a whole.
Looking at the optics the situation, MLSE and Rogers would love to keep making as much money as possible and getting McKenna on the team would only increase their already record-breaking revenue.
The ticket sales alone would suffice and knowing corporate, they are going to raise prices again regardless because well; there's a phenom in town now. Couple that with a stunning amount of jerseys, shirts, and other merchandise and suddenly he's making you tens of millions.
Then you start to factor in endorsements from pretty much everyone as the entire corporate world is going to want a franchise-changer like McKenna. We're talking Reebok, Gatorade, Gillette, CIBC, DraftKings - you name it, they'll want him.
It's just going to increase the stranglehold MLSE has on Toronto sports, and the ability to market and feature McKenna at every given moment is going to make them a lot of money.
What could be at stake if the Maple Leafs pass on Gavin McKenna
Take a look at Auston Matthews for example. In 2018 he had the highest number of jerseys sold, and we'll say for argument's sake an estimate for number of jerseys sold was 500,000. Going based off prices nowadays, that would be $100-million in jersey sales alone; a staggering amount of money.
You also run the risk of alienating your fanbase slightly because of the hype surrounding McKenna. They want him to be the saviour of the franchise and if a player like Stenberg or even Chase Reid/Carson Carels are chosen instead - expect the boo birds in full effect.
For a franchise who already lacks a lot of fan trust, it would be a horrible start for John Chayka and company to waste that pick after so much turmoil. It would turn a struggling franchise into a completely broken one, and one that no doubt sees the end of Auston Matthews in blue and white.
A lot can be said about drafting Stenberg first overall, and it's not like he would be a bad player at all. But without Gavin McKenna the Toronto Maple Leafs lose a lot more than a generational talent; they lose a lot of money.
For a management side that only wants to deepen their pockets - there's only one choice to make.
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