Maple Leafs Track Gavin McKenna's Early NHL Impact

Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna has become one of the NHL's biggest early-season storylines after the 18-year-old forward recorded three points in his first five games, while advanced tracking data highlighted his speed and offensive role in Toronto.

According to NHL EDGE stats, McKenna reached 23.34 mph against the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 8, the fastest skating burst by an 18-year-old in the League's tracking era since 2021-22. He also scored his first NHL goal against the Nashville Predators on Oct. 6.

NHL EDGE reported McKenna's first goal came on a mid-range shot and made him the youngest Maple Leafs player to score his first career NHL goal since Luke Richardson on Oct. 16, 1987. He had 51 points in 35 NCAA games with Penn State last season.

Maple Leafs coach Jim Hiller has given McKenna a prominent role, including power-play time and frequent offensive-zone starts. Hiller said before the season that the team would avoid limiting McKenna's potential.

"We’re not going to set any ceiling on him at all," said Jim Hiller, Maple Leafs head coach.

After McKenna went without a point through his first three NHL games, he responded with a goal and two assists in the next two contests. NHL EDGE noted his puck-possession numbers improved after early struggles.

"It was great. That goal was a goal scorer’s goal. We know he’s a playmaker.

By trade, he’s a playmaker, but that was a goal scorer’s goal. Got his feet around it on the strong side, and he had some zip on it," said Jim Hiller, Maple Leafs head coach.

Hiller also praised the importance of McKenna's first goal during Toronto's 5-4 overtime comeback win against Nashville, where Auston Matthews recorded a four-point performance.

"The guys were excited for him, but I think more importantly, it was a big goal in the hockey game. That’s the one you remember. It was really important.

It wasn’t the first goal of the game. It was an important moment, and he came up big in an important moment. I like that," said Jim Hiller, Maple Leafs head coach.

McKenna entered the season as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and has played mostly alongside John Tavares and William Nylander at five-on-five, while Toronto continues adjusting its lineup.