Gavin McKenna has lost nearly five minutes on average the past three games and it's nothing to do with coaching or performance - but one key absence.
If you were to ask Maple Leafs fans how they would rate Gavin McKenna's start to the 2026-27 season, you'd get a mixed bag. Some are worried that he hasn't exploded for offense but many would say that so far it's been successful - though he could do with more seasoning for sure.
He's going to have his ups and downs, and his recent benching against Buffalo seemed to be a bad sign for the rookie early on, but he earned his time back quickly the next game.
McKenna's lack of ice time is due to a lack of John Tavares
But it didn't last, as McKenna's TOI has dropped off hard the last three games, averaging only 12:44.
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Compare that to his 14:23 in his nine games prior, and you can see a near two-minute drop-off with him basically losing five or more minutes of time the past three games - with under 11 minutes plated against New York.
But it's not that head coach Jim Hiller has lost him in the shuffle, or his performance has been bad - he has two points. Rather, there's something else that is preventing McKenna from getting more ice time and it has everything to do with his mentor and landlord - John Tavares.
Losing Tavares against the Sabres and having McKenna play under 7 minutes that same game is hardly a coincidence, and as much as Hiller says he wanted to put McKenna out there, clearly he didn't feel comfortable putting him there without his veteran support.
It's also hardly a coincidence that McKenna has dropped to the third line and is playing on a fairly odd group of himself, Colton Sissons, and AHL standout Vinni Lettieri. The latter has had some chances with the rookie, but it's a bit of a mashup that comes due to the loss of Tavares - and the need to stick Nick Paul in the 2C.
A Tavares return won't move McKenna off the third line
Tavares actually has McKenna to thank for helping on one of his two goals this season (and Anthony Stolarz who shockingly has assists on both goals) and without McKenna's quick pass and chemistry, Tavares may not have scored that goal vs. Nashville.
But when Tavares comes back eventually, that doesn't mean McKenna is going to jump up immediately. Kirill Marchenko exists, and he has been stellar as has Easton Cowan.
Toronto will likely move Paul back down with Sissons and McKenna and send Lettieri back, but instead they should try something a bit creative and put Tavares as the 3C instead of Paul. It can exploit matchups a lot easier, there's elite face-off and defense with Tavares and Sissons, and you have the offensive dynamic of McKenna and Tavares.
This lineup is one that Jim Hiller should at least experiment with, especially with how good Paul has been alongside Nylander and Marchenko:
Cowan - Matthews - Roslovic
Marchenko - Paul - Nylander
McKenna - Tavares - Sissons
Duhaime - Blueger - MacEwen
All four lines have a purpose and people who are meant to play a specific role, while also providing more than enough offensive talent through the entire lineup - yes even the fourth-line players...they just put up 7 points combined against New York.
Change is scary, but change is also necessary. When Tavares comes back, maybe the Maple Leafs should try a brand new third line, because frankly of all the ones they need to figure out it's that one.
Do you think that the Maple Leafs should put John Tavares on the third line?
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