A brand new NHL season is set to be underway in only a matter of weeks. While there could still be some questions left out in the open about the new campaign for the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of them has just been answered. Where will Gavin McKenna stay?
According to Michael Traikos of The Hockey News, the 2026 first overall pick will bunk with John Tavares, at least for his rookie year. While this might not seem like much of a big deal at first, it certainly will be for McKenna, as his NHL career is just getting started.
Maple Leafs’ first overall pick Gavin McKenna is set to move into John Tavares’ house for his rookie season in Toronto, per @Michael_Traikos
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) September 9, 2026
Tavares has played host to some young Maple Leafs in the past before, and he’ll now host the No. 1 overall pick
A great leader on and… pic.twitter.com/2J6WrgOFF4
Sharing a house with Tavares would give McKenna an up-front look at how an NHLer lives, prepares for games and much more. Living with a seasoned veteran and former first overall pick like Tavares, who is also an eight-time 30-plus goal-scorer in the NHL, would help him grow his skills and possibly push his development to reach his maximum potential.
Living with Tavares would also give McKenna the opportunity to learn leadership skills, as the 35-year-old has been a main leader for the team since his arrival in Toronto prior to the 2018-19 season. While he may not have led with physicality, his leadership on the scoresheet is just as important and is something that McKenna can learn quite easily.
McKenna is not the first youngster to live in a Tavares household
With the living arrangement made, McKenna is now on a short, yet not too shabby list of Maple Leafs young guns who have stayed with Tavares at some point. Easton Cowan spent last season, his rookie year, with the Leafs' alternate captain. Cowan put together a decent 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in 66 games in his rookie season.
Fraser Minten is another player who had previously bunked with Tavares. The 22-year-old did not spend much time in the organization, playing in only 19 career NHL games wth the Leafs. In that time, he recorded four points (two goals and assists) and spent 26 games in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies, where he tallied 13 points (six goals, seven assists). Now, Minten was just rewarded with a nice contract with the Boston Bruins.
The final piece on the list of those who lived with Tavares is Matthew Knies. The 23-year-old has now evolved into a key player for the Maple Leafs in the present and heading into the future. Knies is coming off an impressive season where he tallied 66 points (23 goals, 43 assists) in 79 games played.
As mentioned before, being on a list among the young players above might not seem that big of a deal, but with all three of them showing genuine promise while or after staying with a player like Tavares makes the McKenna situation more exciting.
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