Gavin McKenna reveals what really happened during NHL debut

The Toronto Maple Leafs kicked off their season Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens, and all eyes were on the player they selected first overall back in June. The spotlight didn't produce fireworks for Gavin McKenna, who candidly acknowledged after the Maple Leafs’ 3-2 loss that his first taste of NHL action left plenty of room for improvement.

"Not great," McKenna told reporters. "I had a couple turnovers. ... I'm glad we're playing again (Wednesday) so I can bounce back and regroup. Obviously Montreal is a really good team. They don't give you a whole lot of time and space."

The rookie winger finished with a minus-2 rating across just over 15 minutes of ice time. He registered a single shot on goal and was tagged with two giveaways on the stat sheet.

McKenna was forthcoming about the mental side of the evening as well, suggesting the magnitude of the occasion may have gotten to him.

"Maybe had a little bit of nerves tonight or something," he said. "It's fast out there."

Still, even with the on-ice struggles, McKenna was able to appreciate the significance of suiting up for his first NHL contest. The pregame rituals alone left a lasting impression on the young forward, even though his teammate and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is getting a lot of heat for sticking to his superstitions and getting on the ice before McKenna for the traditional rookie lap.

Toronto made McKenna the top selection in the 2026 NHL Draft after a dominant collegiate campaign at Penn State, where he racked up 51 points in just 35 games. The highly skilled forward arrived with enormous expectations, and one quiet night against a strong Canadiens squad is unlikely to dampen the long-term enthusiasm surrounding his potential.

McKenna won't have to wait long for a chance to settle in. The Maple Leafs are right back at it later tonight when they host the New York Islanders in the second half of a season-opening back-to-back, giving the young forward an immediate opportunity to find his footing at the NHL level.