Toronto Maple Leafs

A Skill the Maple Leafs Can’t Keep Ignoring in Big Games

The Maple Leafs power-play struggles vs McKenna’s elite offence: why picking him first overall feels like a no-brainer for Toronto.

by
Old Prof
May 19, 2026

Should the Toronto Maple Leafs choose Gavin McKenna after watching playoff power plays? Short answer: yes. Here’s why it’s a no-brainer.

Special Teams Help Win Playoff Series; And, McKenna Shines

Watch any tight playoff series and one thing jumps out: special teams win games. Luke Gazdic told JD Bunkis that McKenna isn’t just another skilled forward; he’s the kind of guy who turns power plays into punishment. In today’s NHL, refs aren’t putting their whistles in their pockets. They’re calling the play like the regular season.

That means more time on the power play. When you actually get the chance, you want someone who makes the other team pay every single time.

Look at Toronto’s playoffs over the last few years. A lot of the pain comes from a sputtering power play. Regular-season goals can hide flaws, but in the postseason, those extra-man chances are amplified. McKenna brings dynamic playmaking and finishing that can turn a power play into a scoring threat every time. That changes how opponents defend, how you get set up on the attack, and how momentum swings in a series.

Gavin McKenna Team Canada — Gavin McKenna on Team Canada.

McKenna Is a Dominant Young Player

Then there’s the production. McKenna’s numbers aren’t inflated. He’s dominated at multiple levels and maintained elite output even after stepping up the competition. People across Canada and the hockey world have been talking about him for a reason. Late in the season, his points-per-game stacked up better than some peers who get more hype, like Macklin Celebrini. McKenna adapts, finds seams, and has a nose for finishing that doesn’t look fluky.

Scouts will argue about defensive polish or long-term projection — that’s draft life. But when you’re picking first overall for a team that desperately needs a reliable, fear-inducing power play specialist, you don’t overthink it. You take the player who changes close games now. McKenna’s blend of elite offence, special-teams impact, and consistent production makes him the safe, exciting pick.

Why So Much Hand-wringing Over McKenna’s Selection?

If the Maple Leafs want to stop replaying the same playoff heartbreaks and start owning moments, the decision’s pretty clear: pick the guy who makes the power play feel like punishment. Take Gavin McKenna — he’s the kind of player who actually makes you believe extra-man chances will swing a series.