Pundits Need to Drop the Criticism of Maple Leafs’ McKenna

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Gavin McKenna recently recorded both his first point and goal in a 5-4 overtime win against the Nashville Predators, four games into his NHL career. It was definitely a feel-good moment for McKenna as he was able to find the score sheet.  

Though, there’s already a lot of criticism to start his career from pundits in the media. From missing an optional skate to not producing as a first overall pick should, McKenna heard it. Even though his play wasn’t terrible to start. That game alone is reason why he always proves everyone wrong. While we shouldn’t be this critical this early on, the criticism surrounding McKenna isn’t warranted as he continues to get accustomed to the NHL.

McKenna Going at His Own Pace

There’s always pressure and expectations with being a first overall pick and McKenna is no stranger to that coming into a major hockey market like Toronto. Everyone has been following him ever since he was granted exceptional status. 

He dominated the Western Hockey League with 244 points in 133 games and impressed with 51 points in 35 games in the NCAA as a freshman. While he produced, it definitely wasn’t a smooth transition as he was good last season but he wasn’t great, until the second half. It’s a tough transition from junior hockey to college and McKenna felt and knew that. That’s why he wanted to challenge himself. It took a while, but he adjusted to the level and cemented himself as the first overall pick. 

When the Maple Leafs selected him, I wondered how McKenna’s transition to the NHL would be as it could’ve been a more difficult one. Other first overall picks like Jack Hughes and Juraj Slafkovsky took longer to find their footing. Through his first four games, McKenna still impressed even though he didn’t produce. He wasn’t going to have an Auston Matthews-like debut or even see the level of play that Connor McDavid displayed. For McKenna, he showed the promise and upside. 

It definitely would’ve been great for him to have produced early on and he was honest about how his first game went as there were some nerves. Though, he managed to get better with not just each game, but each period, looking more comfortable and confident with each game. The dynamic play, creativity and deceptiveness were evident and he’s generating and creating plays at a high rate. At times, it felt like maybe he was a step or two ahead of line mates John Tavares and William Nylander. 

Which is why, to have this much of an overreaction to a rookie’s play this early on is completely ridiculous. It’s not like it took him an entire month to get his first point; it was four games. To top it all off, it was definitely his best performance and there’s bound to be more going forward now that he’s getting more comfortable. 

McKenna’s going at his own pace and although the transition from junior to college was a big one for him, I thought that he has adjusted quicker than he did in his draft year. The dynamic play, creativity and deceptiveness is evident and he’s generating and creating plays at a high rate. He thrives on pressure and it shows that when people talk, he delivers in a big way. 

Being Moved to Third Line is Non-Issue

The underlying numbers for the Maple Leafs’ second line were definitely a stark contrast to the top line. Even in the comeback game against the Predators, McKenna was at his best and the second line looked better. With head coach Jim Hiller getting desperate, he put his lines into the blender and the results still showed. 

McKenna was shifted down to the third line with Easton Cowan taking his spot on the second line. When McKenna was with Nick Paul and Colton Sissons, they had an expected goals percentage of 73.27% at five-on-five. Every line was going including the newly formed third line. While McKenna was on the third line against the Vegas Golden Knights, I’m not seeing this as a demotion for him, but more so with Hiller going with what secured the win. 

McKenna still stuck to his strengths and even added another assist against the Golden Knights and the third line had an xGF% of 66.70 at 5v5. While it isn’t ideal, this shouldn’t be an issue where it’s going to hamper his development. After all, they want to put him in the best position to succeed. He’s sticking to what got him to this point and eventually he will get back into that top-six role. 

McKenna is now five games into his career but people are already complaining. It’s completely unwarranted. Although his play was average to start, he hasn’t really looked out of place. There really should be no panic to his game as he continues to learn and adjust on the fly. Given how he performed as of late, he sure is making every naysayer look foolish now.

Statistics from Natural Stat Trick.