Toronto’s newest potential superstar is putting in visible work this summer, and fans are taking notice. New footage has surfaced of Gavin McKenna training alongside Macklin Celebrini in Vancouver, with the Maple Leafs’ first-overall pick grinding through skating and skill work as part of an offseason clearly built around refining every part of his game.
While not everyone is impressed — the easy thing to do is try not to oversell his potential impact and put a ceiling on expectations so as not to be disappointed — there are solid signs here that this kid is going to be pretty good.
The clips are generating buzz for good reason — pairing with Celebrini, already an established NHL star after his own No. 1 overall selection in 2024, gives McKenna a proven measuring stick and training partner as he prepares for his rookie campaign. And, some of the moves he’s pulling off, showcasing his shot and skilled offensive hands, make it hard not to be excited.
What Might McKenna Be Capable Of Next Season?
For those that want to think positively, there’s reason for optimism. Numbers-driven projections suggest he could have a solid 2026-27 NHL season.
The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn wrote that he has “McKenna’s projected impact next season close to Matvei Michkov‘s rookie season” — a notable bar, given Michkov’s rookie year was one of the more electric debuts in recent memory. (26 goals and 63 points in 80 games). Luszczyszyn also credited new head coach Jim Hiller‘s surprisingly strong track record with the Los Angeles Kings, suggesting that with Hiller behind the bench it’s only good news for McKenna. Had Craig Bergube still been the coach, perhaps McKenna wouldn’t have had as strong a season.
“It’s difficult to see the Leafs falling to last year’s depths,” wrote the scribe.
Could McKenna get 50-60 points in his rookie year? Beside Auston Matthews, that seems plausible.
The Knock On McKenna
Not everyone is convinced the early video footage is enough to erase the questions about McKenna coming into his rookie campaign. The most consistent knock on the forward remains his skating — evaluators have flagged a lack of top-end speed relative to his other tools, and skeptics argue that gap could cap his ceiling at “good NHL player” rather than legitimate star.
Perhaps speed is an early hurdle, but that’s something that can be worked on and improved. His early run in the NCAA was rocky. Once he got adjusted, the second half of the season was another story. The same might have to happen in the NHL.
So which read wins out — the skating concerns or the underlying model that has him tracking like one of the league’s more dynamic recent rookies? Early returns like this offseason footage won’t settle the debate, but there’s a good reason to remain excited about his debut.
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Laughs at Lemmings
July 21, 2026 at 12:31 pm
Wow….he just blew by a player who was standing still….lol