In stunning fashion, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, and will have the chance to select presumptive first overall pick Gavin McKenna out of Penn State.
The announcement stunned fans not only of the Maple Leafs, but hockey fans in general considering that it was Toronto’s first year out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2016. Ironically, that was the most recent year that they won the NHL Draft Lottery, and used the first overall pick on future captain Auston Matthews.
McKenna knows that it’s a distinct possibility that he’ll be taken by the Leafs, and he’s now addressing the subject directly.
Gavin McKenna Speaks Honestly On Potentially Being Drafted By The Toronto Maple Leafs
During the intermission of a game between the Kelowna Rockets and Everett Silvertips, McKenna joined TSN for a conversation and he said it would be an “honor” to be taken by the Maple Leafs.
“ Obviously, it’s the biggest hockey market in the world, so that’d be pretty cool,” he said. “ I’d be very honored. I hear good things about Toronto, and I’ve talked to some people. It sounds like an amazing place, so it’d be cool.”
He also said that while it was an adjustment for him at the college level as opposed to the WHL, it was a good learning experience for him, and that Penn State will hold a special place in his heart moving forward.
“ I thought after World Juniors, I just got my confidence back and kind of adjusted to the league a little bit. Our team was dealing with some injuries to start the year, and I was playing with new line mates almost every weekend, so it was kind of hard to get in a groove there,” he said. “ I think after Christmas time, I was feeling confident and it was fun. I think obviously it didn’t end the way we wanted it to end pretty early on there, but it was a fun ride with Penn State and I’ll remember that place forever.”
McKenna scored 15 goals with 36 assists in 35 games played for Penn State this season.
Is Gavin McKenna Coming To The Maple Leafs?
The Maple Leafs, who finished on the outside looking in of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2016, made major changes to their leadership group.
On March 30, they dismissed general manager Brad Treliving, and later named former Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka as his official successor, with former captain Mats Sundin also returning to the organization in an executive role.
One of Chayka’s first major decisions was the dismissal of head coach Craig Berube, who was just the second coach since 2004 to lead them to a Stanley Cup Playoff series victory last spring, but missed the playoffs this season.
While there is speculation surrounding the future of Auston Matthews with the club, the Maple Leafs certainly got a major boost with the announcement that they’d won the NHL Draft Lottery and the right to select first overall in late June.
Gavin McKenna Gets Honest About Potential Draft By Maple Leafs