Gavin McKenna excited to potentially play with Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews

It is safe to say that the Toronto Maple Leafs have Gavin McKenna on their minds after winning the 2026 NHL draft lottery on May 5.

The lottery determined the first 16 selections in the draft, and the Canadian franchise won the draw to secure the No. 1 overall pick.

Since then, there has been considerable speculation regarding Toronto’s plans to strengthen its roster ahead of next season, but it would be truly surprising if the Maple Leafs chose anyone other than McKenna.

The 18-year-old Penn State University forward is the overwhelming favorite to be selected by Toronto.

As the 2026 NHL Draft approaches, McKenna has already spoken about the possibility of playing for the Maple Leafs. He recently discussed the prospect of joining forces with Auston Matthews in Toronto during an interview with TSN reporter Gino Reda.

Gavin McKenna excited by potential partnership with Auston Matthews

“My game is a playmaker. I can think the game very well, and I can find guys in spots where not many people can find them," McKenna said initially. 

When asked about the possibility of partnering with Matthews, he said, "If you put me with a shooter, it could be pretty lethal. I think that’s who Auston Matthews is: he’s a shooter. He’s got experience in the league, and that would give me a lot of confidence. Just having a guy like that, and guys like (John) Tavares, who have been through it, could help me a lot, if that’s the case."

During the 2025-26 season, McKenna appeared in 35 games for Penn State University, recording 15 goals and 36 assists for a total of 51 points.

That same season, he also competed at the World Junior Championship, representing Canada’s under-20 national team. He played in seven games, scoring four goals and adding 10 assists for 14 points.

McKenna was also part of the Canadian squad at the International Junior tournament, where he appeared in three games, scoring two goals and registering five assists for a total of seven points.