Bobrovsky “Disrespects” McKenna In Rookie Debut, and Fans Aren’t Happy

Tuesday night was Gavin McKenna‘s first night as an NHL player in a regular-season game. The tradition is to let a rookie take a lap on his own, and for the Toronto Maple Leafs, letting McKenna hear the support and have his moment was a big deal. Only, he didn’t exactly get it. His NHL debut was supposed to be his night, but a pregame moment involving Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Sergei Bobrovsky ended up drawing much of the attention online.

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As McKenna, the No. 1 overall pick, prepared to take his ceremonial rookie lap, Bobrovsky stepped onto the ice first, following his usual pregame routine. Sportsnet wrote that it was a superstition thing, but fans on social media quickly pounced, with many arguing the veteran netminder should have paused his ritual for one game.

Many argued the rookie should have had the moment to himself. Some critics — many of whom saw an opportunity to troll the Maple Leafs and took it — went further, calling it a sign of a problem with the team’s culture. They described the moment as embarrassing, and joked that Bobrovsky already hates the Leafs and McKenna.

Stu Cowan of The Montreal Gazette wrote: “This was unbelievable. Leafs goalie Sergei Bobrovsky couldn’t let No. 1 overall draft pick Gavin McKenna have his own moment for his rookie skate. Something really wrong with that team culture.” We can assume Cowan was being facetious, but fans responded with retorts like, “I mean it’s one guy who is a known superstitious freak. That doesn’t speak at all to the team’s culture, which, by all accounts, has been said is good.. especially for a team with half new players.”

This was unbelievable. Leafs goalie Sergei Bobrovsky couldn't let No. 1 overall draft pick Gavin McKenna have his own moment for his rookie skate. Something really wrong with that team culture. https://t.co/peZq2GooyK

— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) September 30, 2026

Should Bobrovsky Have Let McKenna Have His Moment?

Goalies are famously particular about their pregame routines, and there’s no indication Bobrovsky meant any disrespect. The reality is, McKenna likely told Bobrovsky to do so, and the team discussed it beforehand. Still, the optics gave the internet plenty to chew on.

On the ice, McKenna’s debut was mixed. He finished without a point, recording one shot, a minus-2 rating and two giveaways. Advanced numbers weren’t kind either: his expected goals percentage at five-on-five sat at 23.2, the lowest on his line.

McKenna was candid afterward. “Obviously, you want to get the win, but yeah, to get that first one under my belt, it feels good,” he said. He was honest about his performance, admitting he had a couple of turnovers, and said he was glad the team plays again tomorrow so he can bounce back and regroup. “It was a lot of fun… I’m glad we’re playing again tomorrow so I can bounce back.”

Debut nerves are hardly unusual for a highly touted rookie, and McKenna will get another chance almost immediately. For a player with his pedigree, the only direction from here is up.

Next: 3 Reasons Leafs Fans Should Actually Be Excited This Season