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As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue evaluating franchise-changing talent ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, projected No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna keeps separating himself from the field.
The offensive numbers already place McKenna in rare territory, but former Medicine Hat Tigers head coach Willie Desjardins believes McKenna’s mindset may be his most valuable trait.
Speaking with NHL insider David Pagnotta, Desjardins shared a story that revealed how driven McKenna became during his rookie WHL season.
“He came back at Christmas, he said, ‘That’s not good enough. I gotta get better,’” Desjardins explained. “So he said, ‘I gotta start watching video, and I gotta start working out after practice, skating.’”
McKenna was already averaging 1.3 points per game at the time, ranking third among WHL rookies. Instead of settling, he pushed harder. According to Desjardins, McKenna spent the next month studying video daily and skating intensely after practice.
“He started skating himself after practice, and really hard,” Desjardins said. “Like, really hard. He went for this month of January, averaged, I think, 2.6 points a game, which led the league. So, that was all in him. That wasn’t coach-driven.”
MORE: Maple Leafs’ No. 1 pick has not ‘changed’ Auston Matthews’ mindset
The numbers behind McKenna’s rise support the growing hype around him. Across two WHL seasons with Medicine Hat, he produced 226 points and captured both WHL MVP and CHL Player of the Year honors. His 54-game point streak became one of the defining junior hockey stories of the decade.
He then carried that momentum to Penn State Nittany Lions, where he dominated older competition during his draft-eligible season. McKenna posted 51 points in 35 NCAA games and shattered Division I records with an eight-point performance against Ohio State.
MORE: Auston Matthews and Maple Leafs face long-term uncertainty
What stands out from an NHL evaluation standpoint is how complete his offensive game has become. McKenna processes the ice quickly, attacks with pace, and creates offense from difficult areas. Those traits usually translate well at the professional level.
Penn State’s Gavin McKenna, center, arrives with the team at Beaver Stadium. Credit: Imagn Images.
For Toronto, the attraction goes beyond raw talent. The Maple Leafs already possess high-end skill, but their playoff failures have consistently raised questions about consistency, structure, and internal drive during pressure moments.
McKenna’s approach addresses those concerns directly. Desjardins described a player who demands more from himself without outside pressure. NHL organizations value that trait because development becomes player-led instead of coach-dependent.
MORE: Maple Leafs cast wide net amid Toronto’s coaching hunt
The physical adjustment to the NHL will still take time, especially against stronger defenders and tighter defensive systems. But elite habits often determine whether a top prospect becomes a star or a franchise cornerstone.
McKenna’s production and his work ethic may ultimately help him lead a winning culture for the next decade.
Continue reading...
The offensive numbers already place McKenna in rare territory, but former Medicine Hat Tigers head coach Willie Desjardins believes McKenna’s mindset may be his most valuable trait.
Speaking with NHL insider David Pagnotta, Desjardins shared a story that revealed how driven McKenna became during his rookie WHL season.
“He came back at Christmas, he said, ‘That’s not good enough. I gotta get better,’” Desjardins explained. “So he said, ‘I gotta start watching video, and I gotta start working out after practice, skating.’”
McKenna was already averaging 1.3 points per game at the time, ranking third among WHL rookies. Instead of settling, he pushed harder. According to Desjardins, McKenna spent the next month studying video daily and skating intensely after practice.
“He started skating himself after practice, and really hard,” Desjardins said. “Like, really hard. He went for this month of January, averaged, I think, 2.6 points a game, which led the league. So, that was all in him. That wasn’t coach-driven.”
MORE: Maple Leafs’ No. 1 pick has not ‘changed’ Auston Matthews’ mindset
Gavin McKenna’s production already looks generational
The numbers behind McKenna’s rise support the growing hype around him. Across two WHL seasons with Medicine Hat, he produced 226 points and captured both WHL MVP and CHL Player of the Year honors. His 54-game point streak became one of the defining junior hockey stories of the decade.
He then carried that momentum to Penn State Nittany Lions, where he dominated older competition during his draft-eligible season. McKenna posted 51 points in 35 NCAA games and shattered Division I records with an eight-point performance against Ohio State.
MORE: Auston Matthews and Maple Leafs face long-term uncertainty
What stands out from an NHL evaluation standpoint is how complete his offensive game has become. McKenna processes the ice quickly, attacks with pace, and creates offense from difficult areas. Those traits usually translate well at the professional level.
Why Gavin McKenna’s mentality matters for Maple Leafs
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Penn State’s Gavin McKenna, center, arrives with the team at Beaver Stadium. Credit: Imagn Images.
For Toronto, the attraction goes beyond raw talent. The Maple Leafs already possess high-end skill, but their playoff failures have consistently raised questions about consistency, structure, and internal drive during pressure moments.
McKenna’s approach addresses those concerns directly. Desjardins described a player who demands more from himself without outside pressure. NHL organizations value that trait because development becomes player-led instead of coach-dependent.
MORE: Maple Leafs cast wide net amid Toronto’s coaching hunt
The physical adjustment to the NHL will still take time, especially against stronger defenders and tighter defensive systems. But elite habits often determine whether a top prospect becomes a star or a franchise cornerstone.
McKenna’s production and his work ethic may ultimately help him lead a winning culture for the next decade.
Continue reading...
