Story Summary
Gavin McKenna, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, will make his pre-season debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs when they host the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; TSN2, RDSI, TSN4). Head coach Jim Hiller said he will keep his approach simple – encourage and let experienced teammates take a larger mentoring role – and expects McKenna to play left wing on a line with centre John Tavares and right wing William Nylander. McKenna has practised on that trio in the first two on-ice sessions since training camp opened, and captain Auston Matthews praised the 18-year-old’s confidence and how quickly he has settled in.
Key Facts
- Gavin McKenna is the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
- McKenna will make his pre-season debut when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; TSN2, RDSI, TSN4).
- Toronto coach Jim Hiller said McKenna would speak with teammates before the game and that he would simply tell him: “Go enjoy the night.”
- McKenna is expected to play left wing on a line with centre John Tavares and right wing William Nylander.
- McKenna skated with Tavares and Nylander at the first two on-ice sessions since training camp began on Thursday.
- Hiller said he initially worried McKenna might be overly deferential to veteran linemates but added, ” I haven’t seen that at all… he’s confident in his own way, certainly not cocky. But when he gets on the ice, he knows how good he is… he’s not selfish, he just makes the right play when it needs to be made.”
- Captain Auston Matthews said of McKenna: ” He’s great, he plays with a lot of confidence… that line seems to have meshed really well over the last few days.”
IHM Discussion
The Maple Leafs have given McKenna a prominent early-camp look alongside two highly established NHL forwards in John Tavares and William Nylander. After skating with the pair in Toronto’s first two on-ice sessions, he is expected to remain on their line for his pre-season debut.
Hiller’s comments point to a low-pressure introduction. Rather than overloading McKenna with instruction, the coach wants him to draw on the experience around him and enjoy the occasion. Hiller also said an early concern that McKenna might become too deferential to his veteran linemates has not materialised, praising the 18-year-old’s confidence, unselfishness and ability to make the right play.
Matthews offered a similarly positive assessment, saying McKenna has quickly found his groove and that the line has meshed well. Saturday gives Toronto an opportunity to see whether that early practice connection carries into pre-season game action.
Why It Matters
McKenna’s debut offers an early game setting for the Maple Leafs to assess the chemistry seen in practice with Tavares and Nylander. Hiller and Matthews have both highlighted his confidence and decision-making, and Saturday will provide the first pre-season look at how those qualities translate alongside established NHL teammates.
Mini Q&A
When will Gavin McKenna make his pre-season debut for the Maple Leafs?
McKenna will make his pre-season debut when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; TSN2, RDSI, TSN4).
Who is McKenna expected to play with in his debut?
He is expected to play left wing on a line with centre John Tavares and right wing William Nylander.
What has coach Jim Hiller said about how he will handle McKenna on debut night?
Hiller said he will largely let teammates guide McKenna, saying he will ” tap him on the back, look him in the eye and shake his hand and say, ‘Go enjoy the night.'”
Has McKenna practised with Tavares and Nylander before the pre-season game?
Yes. McKenna skated with Tavares and Nylander at the first two on-ice sessions since training camp began on Thursday.
Coach Mark Comment
Pairing McKenna with Tavares and Nylander gives him skilled options on both sides of the puck. The key will be keeping the same confidence and decisiveness Hiller has seen in practice, while reading the pace and spacing of a pre-season game with veteran linemates.
What Comes Next
McKenna’s immediate checkpoint is the pre-season game on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena, when he is expected to play on the left wing with John Tavares and William Nylander.
IHM Final View
McKenna’s pre-season debut is an early opportunity to carry encouraging camp work into a game setting. The praise from Hiller and Matthews has been positive, while Saturday should offer a clearer first look at his connection with Tavares and Nylander.