McKenna Would Be Honoured to Be Maple Leafs’ First Overall Selection – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

It may be exactly what he is supposed to say as the potential number one pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft, but on Wednesday night Gavin McKenna spoke to the TSN panel on the potential of being the first overall selection come June’s draft.

Of course, any other response would’ve likely been highly criticized, but the young Canadian made it clear that he’s spoken to people about the city of Toronto, about playing for the Maple Leafs and that he would be happy as the first pick in the John Chayka era.

McKenna Looks Ahead to Hockey’s Biggest Market

Asked by former Maple Leafs forward and current panelist for TSN, Jeff O’Neill about the potential of being taken first overall by the blue and white, McKenna had a quick and perfect answer for the media-driven market of Toronto.

“Obviously, it’s the biggest hockey market in the world, so that’d be pretty cool,” he said without hesitation. “I’d be very honoured. I hear good things about Toronto. I’ve talked to some people and it sounds like an amazing place.”

While it was a seamless answer from the young star, there is still no definitive indicator that the Maple Leafs are going to take McKenna with the first pick – or even that they have decided fully to hold onto the selection.

Maple Leafs Still Have Decisions to Make

While most expect the pick to be used by Chayka and the Maple Leafs, some speculation from The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, suggests that the Maple Leafs could have a little willingness to move the first overall pick. Albeit it’s quite unlikely.

Even if they keep the pick, however, the McKenna and Ivar Stenberg debate remains a discussion given Stenberg’s recent run at the World Championships with Sweden. Regardless of the outcome, there’s one thing that Maple Leafs fans can take note of – McKenna may have just displayed some of his ability to already tackle the highly scrutinizing Toronto media if he becomes a member of the Maple Leafs.