It’s hard to imagine that Gavin McKenna being too good from the get-go could become a problem. But when looking at the way the Toronto Maple Leafs’ lineup could shape up, it might just be.
Even before the beginning of training, there’s plenty of talk surrounding McKenna’s potential place in the Leafs’ lineup. While most fans posit that McKenna could almost immediately become Auston Matthews’ running mate, the most logical starting point for the first-overall pick is in a more sheltered role.
For example, McKenna would likely slot alongside John Tavares and William Nylander on the Leafs’ second line.
But if McKenna proves he’s ready for prime time right from the start, it may lead to a bit of a complex situation. In particular, who would McKenna squeeze out of the top line?
Assuming that Matthews starts the season with Jack Roslovic and Matthew Knies, the question would be who could McKenna displace on the Leafs’ top line?
Would Jim Hiller drop a proven veteran piece like Roslovic down the lineup? Or would Knies be the one to get a look on the second line?
The answer to that question depends largely on how well everyone performs at training camp.
Maple Leafs would do well to shelter McKenna early on
The Maple Leafs should consider what the New York Islanders did last season with Matthew Schaefer. The Islanders sheltered their first-overall pick by placing him on the third pairing with a veteran defense partner.
That’s what the Leafs should be looking to do. Placing McKenna on the second line with a proven veteran leader like Tavares would greatly help McKenna find his footing in the NHL without thrusting him directly into the spotlight.
Even if McKenna doesn’t light up the scoreboard early on, the most important thing would be to create an environment in which the former Penn State star can thrive.
If McKenna pushes his way to the top of the lineup, well, that’s another story. Having McKenna force his way into the top line would create a much better situation for everyone, as opposed to trying to wedge McKenna into the top line from the start.
What happens if McKenna struggles early on?
A legitimate question would be: What happens if McKenna struggles early?
Honestly, the answer is that it doesn’t matter. It’s unrealistic to expect the Leafs’ top prospect to score 40 goals in his rookie season.
Yes, he can do it. But it’s not reasonable to place such a burden on the 18-year-old rising star. That’s why allowing McKenna time to develop is the best path forward.
Perhaps something more along the lines of what Macklin Celebrini did might be a more reasonable and sustainable path. Celebrini had a very good rookie season, followed by a massive explosion in his second year.
So, if McKenna can have a great rookie season, regardless of point totals and so on, it wouldn’t be unrealistic to imagine him exploding in his sophomore season. While Gavin McKenna may not top 100 points just yet, at least seeing a natural progression towards legit top-line status is what Maple Leafs fans want to see.
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