TORONTO (AP) — No. 1 draft pick Gavin McKenna opened his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday on the left side of a forward line with John Tavares and William Nylander — and he didn’t disappoint.
McKenna at one point found himself in a tight space along the boards against hard-nosed defenseman Chris Tanev. He was up for the challenge.
“I saw him dance away and just do a nice little backhand sauce pass into space — that jumps out at you,”
coach Jim Hiller said. “I thought Tanev was going to contain him … those are the things that you’re just standing there and you go, ‘OK, well that’s a high level.‘ That’s what he’s going to have to be able to do against veteran NHL defenseman when the real games start.”
McKenna, a Yukon native who played college hockey at Penn State, had some other memorable moments, including the setup on a Tavares goal and a battle sequence against big forward Matthew Knies where the youngster ended up with just one glove — and the puck behind goaltender Anthony Stolarz.
“The playmaking is elite,” Tavares said of the five-foot-11, 170-pound McKenna. “You can already see times when he gets out there and you think he doesn’t have much room … the puck control, the puck skills are off the charts. Even though he’s not the biggest guy, you can tell just how firm he is on his stick. He’s got some of that natural hockey strength.”
Toronto last season missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade before beating May’s lottery odds for the right to select McKenna, who is living with Tavares and his family.
“It feels good knowing that the (coaching) staff has confidence in me,” McKenna said of his placement on the Tavares line. “Both super smart players, and with John, he’s a workhorse, and with Willie, he’s so skilled. Just make my plays and try to get toward the net. Pucks will find me with those types of players.”
McKenna said he knows nothing is set in stone one practice into his NHL journey.
“We have so much talent,” he said. “I’ve got to earn that to stay there."
Captain Auston Matthews, coming off a chaotic offseason, endorsed a series of moves by general manager John Chayka, who took over in May. Matthews is coming off surgery to repair a serious knee injury.
“I really like what he’s done,” Matthews said. “Brought in some great people, some great players, great outside hires … super positive, great energy at the rink.”
Matthews, who has two years left on his contract, added: “My intent was always to be here."
Hiller, who has a history with Matthews from his time as an assistant in Toronto, said he’s had some good conversations with the star center.
“I’ve really appreciated where our relationship is today, how it’s grown over the years, and he gives me confidence right now when I speak with him," he said. "But when you talk to your captain and your captain instils confidence in you, then I would say you’re in a pretty good place.”
Matthews knows that microscope well as the team looks to rebound from a stunning 30-point drop in the standings.
“A frustrating year,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of time to think about it … going into this year feeling as good as possible. New group of guys, a lot of new people. Exciting to come to the rink and have that energy, have that excitement again.”
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