Gavin McKenna doesn't fit the mold of the Toronto Maple Leafs' veteran players' button-downed, reserved, professional approach over the past decade. Current captain Auston Matthews, former captain John Tavares, and longest-serving player Morgan Rielly have all been very business-like and courteous during their years in Toronto, almost straining to be guarded, not saying anything remotely controversial.
It's safe to say none of the three Maple Leafs' leaders would perform a Conor McGregor goal celebration. None of them would publicly reveal their joy at being a villain. None appear overly comfortable in showing off their personalities.
With Gavin McKenna now being a Maple Leaf and Conor McGregor returning to the UFC for the first time in five years this weekend…
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) July 10, 2026
Throwback to this gem from last year, when McKenna hit the McGregor strut celebration after McGregor’s bar incident at Penn state, where he punched a… pic.twitter.com/FPjW2ZnCmz
While McKenna has yet to set foot on the ice, he appears to be built a little differently from his new Leafs teammates, and it might be just what the team needs for a fresh beginning under the new management of John Chayka and Mats Sundin.
How McKenna's Rock-Star Confidence Can Boost the Maple Leafs
From his "pressure is a privilege" mantra to embracing being booed as a villain and quieting his detractors, McKenna is welcoming the spotlight as the No. 1 overall pick in hockey-crazed Toronto. Provided he controls his confidence appropriately, it could be a welcome boon for the Maple Leafs organization.
That topic was a point of discussion on a recent episode of TSN's OverDrive with Bryan Hayes, and guest hosts Keegan Matheson and Dave Feschuk. The trio talked about how McKenna displays a different makeup than other Leafs players.
Matheson praised the "attitude" and "edge" of the first overall pick. "This is not your, you know, soft, sheltered kid coming out of the junior hockey machine. Like, there's some attitude. There's some edge there, and I think people are going to love that in this market," said the MLB writer.
"Like, there is some attitude. There is some edge there and I think people are going to love that in this market."Keegan Matheson describing Gavin McKenna
Hayes added, "He's a Yukon boy, and he went down to Penn State. He's getting in bar fights. There's some wild stuff going on with Gavin McKenna." The OverDrive host remarked that it will be an interesting case study to watch as McKenna's time in Toronto unfolds, suggesting that the market's magnitude wins over time and players become more guarded and careful. He suggested players eventually become less free in their words and actions.
The host observed that early on, McKenna had been very active in the city, going to a Blue Jays game and a World Cup match. "He's having a great time, and he should," Hayes commented.
"I think that is something that is incredibly needed with this team," suggested Hayes. "All of their players, all of their best players, do not show any personality publicly," said Hayes. He and Feschuk described Matthews, William Nylander, and Tavares as "very robotic."
"I think that is something that is incredibly needed with this team."Hayes on McKenna showing his personality
Hayes offered, "A little bit of personality would go a long way. People want that." He went on to say that the Maple Leafs have always tried to mute their players from being a "freewheeling, talking machine." He opined that if McKenna is not deterred by misinterpretations and reactions to his actions, then fans will love him for it.
Feschuk indicated that as long as McKenna is competitive on the ice, he can also be a showman. The trio mentioned being a good teammate and not airing team secrets as obvious musts. Hayes finished by saying having the ability to laugh, talk about different things, or call your shot like, "Ya, we're winning, tonight," are elements that have been missing with the Maple Leafs.
Matheson suggested the Toronto market is starving for the kind of "rock star" attitude that McKenna can bring. The panel all encouraged McKenna to continue having fun with being the first overall pick of an organization like the Maple Leafs and embrace it, within respectful limits.
The Maple Leafs' new beginning doesn't just start with Chayka and Sundin, but McKenna can help usher in a new culture shift. As the OverDrive panel rightly highlighted, the No. 1 overall pick brings a rare blend of elite talent, unfiltered swagger, and a self-proclaimed "villain" mentality that this franchise has sorely lacked. If his bold attitude translates to the ice, the safe, predictable era of Leafs hockey is officially over.
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