TORONTO — Gavin McKenna is expected to make his NHL debut against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, giving the Toronto Maple Leafs’ first overall draft pick an immediate introduction to one of the league’s longest-running rivalries.
The 18-year-old enters opening night after preparing on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander. The matchup at Scotiabank Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern, with Toronto beginning its attempt to return to the playoffs after finishing last in the Atlantic Division.
McKenna’s place alongside two experienced forwards has been one of the clearest features of camp. New coach Jim Hiller used that combination from the first team practice, allowing the rookie to develop relationships with players expected to carry substantial offensive responsibilities.
Speaking before his final preseason appearance, McKenna said he wanted to keep building chemistry with his linemates and reduce turnovers, according to Sportsnet’s coverage. He also described the prospect of making his debut against Montreal with friends and family attending as a source of excitement.
The Whitehorse, Yukon, forward has been living with Tavares and his family as he settles into Toronto. That arrangement gives him support away from the rink as well as an established teammate beside him during games.
Hiller’s stated approach has been to place McKenna in a position to succeed while considering the needs of the full lineup. His camp combinations also put Auston Matthews between Matthew Knies and offseason addition Jack Roslovic.
Those arrangements provide an early outline, although a regular-season lineup remains subject to the coach’s decisions and game-day availability. The first weeks will give Toronto a better measure of how McKenna handles the pace, physical demands and defensive responsibilities of NHL competition.
The Maple Leafs won the draft lottery after a disappointing 2025–26 season and selected McKenna in June. Tuesday will begin the next stage of that transition, turning the anticipation surrounding the pick into shifts that count in the standings.
For McKenna, the immediate assignment is familiar from camp: work with his linemates, protect the puck and make the plays that earned him the opportunity.
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This page is an original Sporting Page summary. The reporting remains with NHL opening-night preview.
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