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Gavin McKenna's Maple Leafs contract details revealed
Gavin McKenna reacts after being selected with the first pick in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Gavin McKenna's Maple Leafs contract details revealed

The Toronto Maple Leafs went from being one of the biggest disappointments last season to one of the most exciting teams heading into the 2026-27 campaign.

The Canadian franchise has made numerous changes in both the front office and the roster, and expectations for next season are already quite high.

In one of the most significant moves made by new general manager John Chayka, the Maple Leafs selected consensus No. 1 overall prospect Gavin McKenna, an 18-year-old forward from Penn State University, in the 2026 NHL Draft.

McKenna is expected to play an important role for Toronto from the start. However, although his signing with the Maple Leafs had already been made official, the contract details had not yet been disclosed.

On Friday, the Canadian franchise shared photos of McKenna signing his contract, and details have since emerged of what appears to be a three-year entry-level contract.

Gavin McKenna's Maple Leafs deal includes $10.5M in performance bonuses

According to salary-tracking website PuckPedia, McKenna’s three-year deal carries a $1.075 million annual cap hit and a $4.575 million average annual value.

In the first year, he will earn a $922,000 base salary, receive a $102,500 signing bonus, be eligible for up to $3.5 million in performance bonuses and earn $87,500 in minors pay.

The second year is structured with a $967,500 base salary, a $107,500 signing bonus, up to $3.5 million in performance bonuses and $87,500 in minors pay.

The third year includes a $1.025 million base salary, a $112,500 signing bonus and, like the previous two years, up to $3.5 million in performance bonuses, along with $87,500 in minors pay.

The guaranteed minimum value of the three-year contract is $3.225 million.

McKenna could earn up to $10.5 million in performance bonuses, bringing the maximum total value of the contract to $13.725 million over the three-year term.

Manuel Meza

Manuel Meza is a sports journalist specializing in soccer (MLS, Liga MX, European leagues) and the NHL. With a writing career launched in 2020, he has contributed to industry leaders like Sports Illustrated, GRV Media, and Roundtable Sports. He is dedicated to providing news and analysis for Yardbarker's audience.

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