Toronto Maple Leafs' Top Overall Pick Gavin McKenna Expected on Top Line with Auston Matthews

Gavin McKenna has been widely regarded as the top prospect in the 2026 class for several years (Image via Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs' top overall pick, Gavin McKenna, is yet to play his first NHL game, but there are expectations that he could be playing on the top line this season alongside Auston Matthews, and he's expected to fill the void of Mitch Marner. NHL analysts believe that the highly touted winger could produce a rookie campaign comparable to the Philadelphia Flyers star Matvei Michkov, who delivered in her first season. It is to be noted that Gavin McKenna was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and signed a three-year, entry-level contract.

Toronto Maple Leafs' top overall pick Gavin McKenna to play on the top line of the club alongside Auston Matthews

Toronto Maple Leafs' top overall pick Gavin McKenna is about to play on the top line of the club and is widely expected to compete on the top line of the club alongside Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. While speaking on the possibility of playing with the top stars of the team, McKenna stated, "I’m going to have to prove myself to be able to play with a player like that. But that’s my goal,” McKenna said. On playing alongside Auston Matthews, he added, “I think he’s a special player. If I got the opportunity to play with him, I think my game is obviously being a playmaker, and he’s a shooter—I think we could complement each other pretty well. But like I said, I’ve got to work towards that, and that’s my goal.” Besides, according to The Athletic's Dom Luszczyszyn, McKenna has the potential to make an immediate impact in Toronto's lineup and could significantly improve the team's outlook for the upcoming season. The analyst projected McKenna's rookie performance to be close to Michkov's debut campaign, in which the Flyers forward recorded 26 goals and 37 assists for 63 points in 80 games. Analyzing Gavin McKenna’s potential, the NHL analyst wrote, “There are two things not included here: A new phenom and a new voice. Both Gavin McKenna and Jim Hiller have real potential to dramatically change Toronto’s outlook going into next season.” Luszczyszyn further wrote. “I have McKenna’s projected impact next season close to Matvei Michkov’s rookie season, while Hiller’s coaching impact with the Kings was surprisingly strong (and there’s no way he’s worse than Craig Berube). With those two in the fold, it’s difficult to see the Leafs falling to last year’s depths.” (source: Heavy.com) Luszczyszyn looks forward to an impressive season due to McKenna's arrival and new head coach Jim Hiller, as two major reasons for optimism after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign. According to PuckPedia, Gavin McKenna is signed to a 3-year, $3,225,000 contract with a cap hit of $1,075,000 per season, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He will play till the end of the 2028-29 season, making McKenna a Restricted Free Agent. His base pay for the upcoming season is expected to be around $922,500. McKenna will certainly prove to be a good player due to his past performance. Previously, McKenna recorded 15 goals and 36 assists for 51 points in 35 games at Penn State last season and was a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the top NCAA men's hockey player, as per the NHL.