Penn State forward Gavin McKenna appears prepared for the spotlight if the Toronto Maple Leafs use the first overall pick on him at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo on Friday. The 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, is widely viewed as the favorite for No. 1, though Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg of Frolunda is also in contention and nothing is certain until the selection is announced.
Gavin McKenna: Ready for the Toronto Maple Leafs
McKenna signaled comfort with the attention and scrutiny that come with playing in Canada’s largest market during media availability with top prospects on Thursday. He conveyed enthusiasm about the possibility of joining Toronto and seemed at ease handling questions, offering natural, unscripted answers.
The scale of the moment became clear soon after Toronto won the draft lottery on May 5. At Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Second Round between the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres, a Maple Leafs fan drew boos at KeyBank Center by wearing a custom Toronto jersey with McKenna’s name and number on the back — in the same arena where the draft will be held.
McKenna acknowledged that being chosen by Toronto would bring immediate, intense attention and said he would welcome it. He also indicated he would embrace the role of a rival in Buffalo if the Maple Leafs call his name, a nod to the proximity and longstanding edge between the two fanbases.
The Buffalo–Toronto dynamic is fueled by the 99-mile distance between Scotiabank Arena and KeyBank Center. The teams have met only once in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, in 1999, but the rivalry lingers. This would be the second time in a decade the Maple Leafs hold the top pick at a draft in Buffalo; in 2016, Toronto selected Auston Matthews first overall to a chorus of boos in the arena.
In recent weeks, McKenna has experienced a taste of public recognition. He attended a World Cup soccer match in Toronto between Croatia and Panama on Tuesday and was approached by a few fans while taking in his first-ever soccer game with his parents and grandparents.
Toronto’s new general manager, John Chayka, visited McKenna in Whitehorse several weeks ago, a trip that included a scenic off-road ride. McKenna has spoken about carrying Yukon pride and was glad to share a bit of home with the executive, believing the visit went well.
While many around the league expect the Maple Leafs to choose McKenna, Toronto’s leadership — including Chayka and advisor Mats Sundin — has shown a willingness to surprise, as seen with the unexpected hiring of coach Jim Hiller, introduced on Thursday. With the first round about to begin, the wait to see whether McKenna becomes the next No. 1 pick in Toronto ends soon.