The Toronto Maple Leafs just released their preseason schedule and fans get their first official date where we may see Gavin McKenna play his first game.
No doubt there's a lot of hype surrounding Gavin McKenna's NHL regular season debut, as there's certainly a buzz in the air for the 2026 #1 overall pick and with his playmaking ability and vision he'll be able to find some creative ways to get the puck to his teammates and he may unlock the Auston Matthews of old.
But the real question is when will we see him take the ice for the first time in a real game, as there is still preseason to worry about and a bit of time before the regular season, he's gotta get his feet wet first though we haven't a clue when that will be.
Maple Leafs announce preseason schedule where fans may get their first glimpse at Gavin McKenna
Until now that is, as the Maple Leafs announced their preseason schedule with the tickets for games going on sale starting on July 23rd:
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Toronto plays four games however with two on the same day as both games are split-squad contests. Toronto takes on Montreal both in Toronto and on the road on September 19th, then they follow that up with the same format against Ottawa on September 23rd.
The reason the preseason has been shortened is due to the NHL implementing a new 84-game schedule that is coming into effect this upcoming season and it honestly will be a breath of fresh air as the NHL looks to start their season a little bit sooner.
We have no idea how the teams are going to be split, but if McKenna's going to be featured then it's likely that he'll have at least a few players he's going to be playing consistently with in his first game like Auston Matthews.
McKenna's first on-ice appearance for the Maple Leafs will have fans salivating
The Maple Leafs are keen on putting the two together ASAP so there's a very good chance they line up together on the 19th in some capacity; with Toronto the likeliest destination for their appearances.
Be on the lookout for McKenna to be immediately in the fold offensively as he looks to get acclimated as quickly as possible.It's unlikely he takes his foot off the gas at any point, and we'll get a good look at what to expect from a full season of him.
It doesn't matter though because you're going to have a mountain of people getting in to try and look at McKenna for the first time. Tickets are going to sell out fast and with them only being two weeks away from starting to sell, and you best believe that fans are going to be refreshing their browsers and trying to get the best seats possible.
There very well could turn out to be a fight for those last few seats given the excitement level.
It shows how important Gavin McKenna is to the city and how much hype there is around him in Toronto and we only have a couple of months before he takes the ice for the first time in blue and white.
Are you going to any of the Maple Leafs preseason games?
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