Gavin McKenna’s confidence will be ‘unbelievable’ for Maple Leafs
· Yahoo Sports
The Toronto Maple Leafs believe they have landed a franchise cornerstone after selecting Gavin McKenna first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. While his talent has never been questioned, NHL analyst Jonny Lazarus believes the 18-year-old’s confidence could be just as important to his future success.
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Speaking on Daily Faceoff, Lazarus compared McKenna’s mindset to recent first-overall selections who quickly became franchise faces.
“First overall picks, you don’t really see such a glaring difference between all of them,” Lazarus said.
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Lazarus pointed to the unique pressure surrounding Connor Bedard in Chicago, Macklin Celebrini‘s rapid development, and Matthew Schaefer’s confidence before explaining why McKenna stands out.
“Now you have Gavin McKenna, who has this quiet swagger and confidence to him, going into the loudest market in the NHL,” Lazarus said.
He added, “He doesn’t seem nervous at all. I don’t know if you can feel that through the TV, but sitting next to him and talking to him, he just has no nerves.”
Maple Leafs need more than talent from its newest star
NHL prospect Gavin McKenna during the 2026 NHL Draft at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn ImagesMcKenna has already embraced the expectations surrounding the organization. After being drafted, he made his priorities clear by focusing on team success rather than individual awards.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to win a Stanley Cup,” McKenna said. “That’s all I want, to win a Stanley Cup in Toronto.”
Lazarus believes McKenna’s personality is built for the pressure that comes with playing in Toronto.
“I think he’s going to be unbelievable in Toronto,” Lazarus said. “I think his personality is going to be unbelievable for Toronto.”
He continued, “His confidence is very, very, very impressive when you talk to him.”
The timing could not be better for the Maple Leafs. Toronto is coming off a disappointing season that ended with the team finishing last in the Atlantic Division. General manager John Chayka has responded with sweeping changes across the roster and coaching staff.
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McKenna’s confidence matters because elite prospects often face intense scrutiny in Toronto. Skill alone rarely carries a player through that environment. If his composure matches his talent, the Maple Leafs may have found a player capable of leading the organization’s next chapter while helping restore belief throughout the franchise.