The Maple Leafs‘ No. 1 draft pick Gavin McKenna made his NHL debut tonight in the season opening clash against the Montreal Canadiens. Coming into this season, the expectations for McKenna were to be a 50-60 point player for the Buds, and play solid second line minutes with John Tavares and William Nylander.
Gavin McKenna played a total of 15:19 minutes in his first NHL game, and was unable to get on the board from his one SOG. His performance pulled in some negative reaction on social media, as he ended the game with a -2 rating and 2 giveaways.
“Worst debut for a first overall,” wrote @Darcyokemow29 on X.
The Toronto Maple Leafs opened their 2026-27 NHL campaign with a nail biting 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. William Nylander gave the Maple Leafs a 1-0 lead just 48 seconds into the game. Josh Anderson equalized for the Habs at 10:53 in the first period.
Zachary Bolduc gave the Canadiens a 2-1 lead at 4:52 in the second period. Alexandre Carrier gave the Habs a 3-1 cushion when his shot from near middle ice took Maple Leafs goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky by surprise.
William Nylander gave Maple Leafs fans in attendance a glimpse of hope when he netted his second goal of the game with 4:14 left in the game. But, the Canadiens held onto their lead and handed the Auston Matthews-led Maple Leafs a loss in the season opener clash between the two Original Six franchises.
Gavin McKenna vowed to end Maple Leafs, Canada’s Stanley Cup drought
While it’s usually the passionate Maple Leafs fanbase and media that have huge expectations from a rookie of Gavin McKenna’s calibre, the 18-year-old himself put a huge target on his back for criticism when he declared it was time to end the Maple Leafs and Canada’s long Stanley Cup drought.
“This is the year we end the drought,” said Gavin McKenna during an interview with KiSS92.5.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a 59-year-long Stanley Cup drought ongoing since 1967 when the NHL had six teams playing. If Gavin McKenna keeps his promise and the Maple Leafs somehow win it all this season, it will be the first time since 1993 that a Canadian franchise lifts the Stanley Cup, when the Montreal Canadiens last won it.
Edited by Srihari Anand
