Gavin McKenna Watch: No. 1 pick, Maple Leafs ready to host Schaefer, Islanders

Gavin McKenna, the No. 1 pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2026 NHL Draft, has taken the NHL by storm just a few weeks into his professional career. Each Monday, NHL.com will take a look at what McKenna has done and what’s ahead for him with the Gavin McKenna Watch.

WHAT HE'S DONE

After finishing his first week in the NHL without a point, he ended his second on a three-game point streak. The week began with him getting his first NHL points, in a 5-4 overtime win against the Nashville Predators on Oct. 6. He set up John Tavares' second-period goal for his first point, then at 14:31 of the period, he took a pass from teammate Auston Matthews and snapped a shot from the right face-off circle past Juuse Saros. McKenna followed that with an assist in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 8, and two days later against the Colorado Avalanche he made a beautiful seam pass to set up William Nylander for a power-play goal in a 6-3 win. Through six games, McKenna has four points (one goal, three assists) and is averaging 14:39 of ice time.

WHAT'S AHEAD THIS WEEK

McKenna and the Maple Leafs will look to finish their three-game road trip with a win at the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET; Utah16, TSN4), one of the marquee games of Frozen Frenzy, when all 32 teams will be in action. Then they return for three games at Scotiabank Arena, beginning against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; TSN4, MSG-B) and then the New York Islanders on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; SNO, SNW, SNP, MSGSN).

MOST INTRIGUING MATCHUP

McKenna vs. Schaefer, round 2

It's an early rematch between the top picks of the 2025 and 2026 NHL Draft. McKenna went head-to-head against Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer a few times during the Islanders' 2-1 win but neither had an impact on the score sheet. McKenna had one shot on goal in his 15:32 of ice time, while Schaefer had two of his three shots on goal while on the ice against McKenna. The game against the Islanders was the most McKenna has played this season; now that he's contributing on the score sheet maybe his ice time continues to rise for this one.

MOST ANTICIPATED GAME

Thursday vs. Buffalo Sabres

After a week on the road, McKenna and the Maple Leafs play in front of their home fans again. Scotiabank Arena was good for McKenna the last time he was there, when he scored his first goal against the Predators on Oct. 6. It's also an important game between two teams expected to be in the battle for a top-three spot in the Atlantic Division. Last season the Maple Leafs went 1-2-1 against the Sabres.

EDGE STATS OF THE WEEK

McKenna is doing the most with the open ice he's been able to find, hitting 23.34 mph during the third period against the Golden Knights on Oct. 8. Through games Saturday, it's tied for the ninth fastest speed burst among NHL players, and tied for the eighth fastest among forwards. He also ranks in 92nd percentage among forwards for 22-plus mph speed bursts (two) and in the 86th percentile with 20-22 mph bursts (13). For all McKenna NHL EDGE stats, click here.

THEY SAID IT

"He's got all the confidence in the world in himself, in the best way possible. But when you find the back of the net it helps. It was great to see him get that moment and enjoy it. It was very well deserved." -- Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, after McKenna's first NHL goal