The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to select Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft after his standout performance in the playoffs, where his elite offensive skills could finally solve the team’s long-standing special teams struggles.
Special teams have been a deciding factor in tight playoff series, and McKenna has proven to be a game-changer on the power play. Luke Gazdic told JD Bunkis that McKenna is not just a skilled forward but a player who turns power plays into scoring threats. With the NHL calling games more strictly in the postseason, teams are getting more chances on the man advantage, and the Leafs need a player who can capitalize on them.
Over the past few seasons, the Leafs have struggled on the power play in the playoffs, and it has cost them crucial games. In the 2025 playoffs, Toronto ranked 24th in power-play efficiency at just 14.3%, compared to their regular-season mark of 19.8%. That drop-off is unacceptable for a team that wants to win championships.
McKenna’s offensive production is elite and consistent. In the 2025-26 OHL season, he recorded 42 goals and 37 assists in 60 games, leading the league in points per game at 1.58. That number outperformed players like Macklin Celebrini, who averaged 1.33 points per game. McKenna’s ability to adapt to higher competition and maintain his output shows he’s ready for the NHL.
Scouts may debate his defensive game or long-term projection, but when you’re picking first overall and desperate for a power-play fix, you don’t overthink it. The Leafs need a player who can change close games now, and McKenna fits that role perfectly.
Luke Gazdic’s quote about McKenna being “the kind of guy who turns power plays into punishment” is spot on. The Leafs must take him to finally fix a unit that has been a weakness in the biggest moments.
The Maple Leafs will announce their first-round pick on June 21. With the team’s playoff struggles fresh in mind, the decision should be clear: take McKenna and build around his elite offensive talent.
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