McKenna Signs ELC with Performance Bonuses

Gavin McKenna is officially a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He signed his three-year entry-level contract (ELC) on Friday. According to puckpedia.com, McKenna will carry a salary cap hit of $1.075 million per season, but he will earn $4.575 million in average annual value (AAV).

In the first year of his contract, the 18-year-old will have a $922,000 salary with a $102,500 signing bonus. He can earn up to $3.5 million in performance bonuses. His pay in the minors would be $87,500.

The second year of the ELC will see McKenna earn a $967,500 salary with a $107,500 signing bonus. Just like in year one, he can earn up to $3.5 million in performance bonuses. His minor league salary would still be the same as year one at $87,500.

In the third and final year of his deal, McKenna will receive a salary of $1.0125 million. His signing bonus in year three will be $112,500. There is also another $3.5 million in performance bonuses available. As in the first two years of the deal, his minor league salary would be $87,500.

In total, the newest sensation on the Maple Leafs will earn $3.225 million over three years in guaranteed money. He can earn up to $10.5 million in bonuses. This would give McKenna a max of $13.725 million in total earnings. That’s pretty good for a kid who will be 21 when his ELC finishes.

McKenna Shouldn’t Have Trouble Achieving Bonuses

As of Friday night, I have no idea what all of McKenna’s performance bonuses are. However, if he does get the opportunity to play on the top line with Auston Matthews, he should be able to achieve most, if not all, of them.

I would have to assume at this point that his bonuses will be based on games played, goals, points, and maybe even some for playoff performance. Either way, the young kid is going to be well compensated during his first three years with the Maple Leafs.

McKenna is currently taking part in Toronto’s developmental camp. He recently had dinner with the Maple Leafs’ newest goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky. The two discussed their shared jersey number (#72). McKenna agreed to give up the number for the veteran goaltender.

Many think he should choose the number 12. It is the lucky number during the NHL draft lottery, which awarded Toronto the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL entry draft. The pick that the Maple Leafs used to draft McKenna.

Early Point Projections for McKenna

During his freshman year at Penn. State, the 18-year-old finished tied for fifth in NCAA scoring. He registered 15 goals and 36 assists for 51 points in 35 games last season. McKenna also had 14 points in seven games for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship.

His early NHL point projections are 22 goals and 41 assists for 63 points. I’m sure any rookie would be thrilled with those numbers. Again, as I mentioned earlier, if he plays on the top line, anything is possible. A top line of McKenna – Matthews – William Nylander could be very fun to watch.