Since being selected first overall, the hype around Gavin McKenna has been non-stop. Everyone is excited to see what the 18-year-old from Whitehorse can do in his freshman season. While fans will be hoping for a good first year from McKenna, he is only one achievement shy of Toronto Maple Leafs and NHL history -- winning the Calder Trophy.
For context, the team itself has 10 total winners of the Calder -- the most in the history of the NHL. Until Connor Bedard, the Chicago Blackhawks' first-overall pick in 2023, won it in his rookie year, which now ties the two teams with the same number of winners.
Should McKenna win the award, he would push the Leafs to 11 total Calder winners. Of course, the last Leafs to secure the prize was Auston Matthews, who took it home after his 69-point rookie year, where he potted 40 goals and 29 assists. Aside from Matthews, McKenna would join other household, legendary Leafs such as Syl Apps, Dave Keon and Frank Mahovlich.
Apps won the Calder for the 1936-37 season, the first Leaf to ever win the award. He recorded 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists) in 48 games played. Keon won it for the 1960-61 season when he had also tallied 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists) in 70 games, and Mahovlich won it in 1957-58 with a stat line of 36 points (20 goals, 16 assists) in 67 games.
While these totals were fairly low, given they were achieved pretty much in the Original Six era, the game has changed, and if McKenna tallies at least between 60 and 70 points, he could very well be a lock for the award.
Can McKenna realistically take home the award?
The short answer is yes. However, there is no doubt that some other talents can sneak up on McKenna to grab it from him. An easy and quick one that comes to mind is Ivar Stenberg, this year's second overall pick for the San Jose Sharks.
Another top candidate for the silverware is Porter Martone, the 2025 sixth-overall pick of the Philadelphia Flyers. He did not play a full rookie season last year due to electing to play for Michigan State. However, Martone did finish the season with the Flyers, where he recorded 10 points (four goals, six assists) in nine games played. Just from that small preview, he could very well be the favourite to win it this season.
While it will be a competitive race for the Calder Trophy, there is no doubt and no reason that McKenna can't win it. The only obstacle is, of course, to fight off anyone who dares try to take it from him. Having him win and etching his name into the long-lasting legacy of the Leafs and the NHL to start his career.
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