The justifiable hype surrounding Gavin McKenna has essentially already anointed him into the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top-six forward group. Despite the evident high-end talent the 18-year-old boasts, there is an argument to be made for starting him in the team’s bottom six.
This isn’t a permanent move we’re talking about. It’s more of a precautionary measure. In fact, there’s a simple reason why the Maple Leafs don’t need to start McKenna in the top six: They don’t have to.
Yes, McKenna is the shiny new toy in Maple Leafs Nation. And yes, it would be cool to see him do his thing alongside fellow first-overall pick Auston Matthews.
But there’s a reasonable argument for starting McKenna in a sheltered role. The Leafs’ top prospect is still a teenager, and playing under the Toronto spotlight comes with its share of pressure.
So, why lay that burden on a prospect right off the bat? There’s little doubt that McKenna will make the team this fall. Unless he somehow has a terrible showing in training camp, it’s a given that he’ll be in the Opening Night lineup.
That’s why it would be best for McKenna to start further down the lineup and work his way up into the top six. By the time he’s ready, he’ll be flying all over the ice, showing the entire league why he’s the game’s top prospect.
McKenna could form a new sort of Kid Line for Maple Leafs
Inserting Gavin McKenna into the third line, for example, could give the Maple Leafs a Kid Line of their own.
As it stands, 21-year-old Easton Cowan figures to start on the third forward unit. Throw McKenna into the mix, and the Cowan-McKenna combo could be something really special to watch.
Having a veteran center like Teddy Blueger, meanwhile, gives the team a responsible adult in the room. It’s kind of like having an older brother who can keep an eye on the Leafs’ best prospects.
That sort of situation is the type of environment in which McKenna’s confidence can grow and solidify. Moving forward, that’s the sort of thing the Maple Leafs would want to see in their prized rookie.
The likeliest outcome is that Jim Hiller will roll with Gavin McKenna on the second unit with John Tavares and William Nylander.
That’s a fine idea, too. But the organization might want to rethink its plans to start McKenna in the top six. Taking the spotlight away from him should do wonders to help him develop in the early going.
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