The Maple Leafs created a Gavin McKenna lineup problem before camp even starts

Gavin McKenna will be looking to earn a role with the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, although John Chayka may have made that pursuit a lot more difficult.

This offseason, the Maple Leafs focused on adding depth pieces to give their middle six a bit more grit and some extra scoring.

Meanwhile, Gavin McKenna was taken with the first overall pick in the NHL draft. This has created some intrigue as to where McKenna will fit in. A crowded roster makes that more complicated, although there are still some solid options for his development.

Toronto built enough forward depth that every McKenna role pushes someone else down<

As it stands, the projected top nine is slated to include Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, John Tavares, Nick Paul, Jack Roslovic, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger, and McKenna.

The Maple Leafs could either leave him as a sheltered winger on the third line alongside guys like Nick Paul and Jack Roslovic, or they could place him next to Matthews/Knies or Nylander/Tavares.

On the third line, McKenna would face easier matchups and would be under less pressure to contribute right away. However, on the top lines, he would be playing with skilled forwards who can feed him passes and finish off plays. However, this path would put him under the spotlight, thus making his development more complex.

Chayka and the Maple Leafs have added enough depth to where McKenna's development can go in multiple directions. It creates a dilemma, but it also creates options.

If McKenna earns top-six minutes, one of Toronto's summer additions immediately becomes overqualified for the role left behind

Suppose McKenna makes his way into the top six; someone has to get pushed down the lineup. When looking at Chayka's free agent signings from this Summer, the most likely option is Jack Roslovic, who was projected by The Daily Faceoff to be a top-line player.

If McKenna earns a permanent top-six role, Roslovic could be the player most affected. That would not automatically make his $4-million cap hit a problem, but it would change the value Toronto expected from the signing if he ends up playing fewer offensive minutes than planned.

Ultimately, it is more than just a question of competition for McKenna. The Leafs also have to worry about paying too much for players who are already redundant because of the team's first overall pick.

The problem is not whether McKenna can make the Leafs. It is whether Toronto built too much veteran insulation around a player who may not need it.

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