Why McKenna’s Offence Makes the Defensive Stuff Forgivable

Gavin McKenna is likely to be the Toronto Maple Leafs’ choice as the first overall draft pick. His defensive game raises eyebrows, but his offensive upside is the kind of thing you build a team around. That said, I get the hesitation. People point to his defensive lapses, the nights he kinda disappears, and worry he won’t ever be a reliable two-way guy. Those concerns aren’t wrong.

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There Are Defensive Holes in McKenna’s Game

There are reliable scouts who see holes and wonder how much he can truly clean up his defence. But the jump he made going to college at Penn State and the way he finished the season matter far more than the shaky start. The second-half growth shows adaptability and resiliency. That’s important. Early struggles are a throwaway sample compared to a late surge that proves he can adjust.

When Justin Bourne and JD Bunkis watch McKenna, they don’t see a clueless defender. He has decent defensive awareness and doesn’t always panic in his zone. The real issues are consistency and his willingness to grab a game by the scruff of the neck. And sometimes, when he’s not in the pocket, he can drift. That’s annoying, and it costs you some nights.

But elite offensive talent changes that equation. Players who can truly create offence can put up two- and three-point nights out of nowhere. These players are incredibly valuable. Teams build the supporting cast around that threat. You start with scoring, then patch the rest around him.

The Bottom Line Is that McKenna Works Hard

Also worth noting: McKenna isn’t lazy or entitled. Having watched him since he was a teenager, Bunkis noted that he has a strong work ethic and humility. He’s not the type to shrug off defensive responsibility. That suggests room for improvement. Players don’t always flip from minus-defender to Selke candidate, but they can get noticeably better. They’ll learn smarter positioning, a higher level of competition, and clearer reads. Those are coachable if the player actually wants them, and McKenna seems to.

He might have cold nights. But he’ll also have nights where he’s the reason you win. Teams need those game-changers. If you can accept some growing pains on the defensive side while you nurture elite offensive talent, you win more in the long run. McKenna feels like a player you bet on. That’s not because he’s perfect. It’s because elite offensive talent is rare, and McKenna has the kind of ceiling organizations spend years trying to find.

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