Gavin McKenna, the first overall pick in the June NHL Draft, opened Toronto Maple Leafs training camp skating on a top-six line with veteran forwards John Tavares and William Nylander, according to reports from Sportsnet and CityNews Toronto. The 18-year-old rookie from Whitehorse wasted no time making an impact under new head coach Jim Hiller during Thursday’s session at camp.
Top-Six Deployment Under Head Coach Jim Hiller
Head coach Jim Hiller kept media and fans guessing before camp regarding where the rookie would land, declining to publicly divulge his line combinations prior to Thursday’s skate. Approximately thirty minutes into the session, the lineup revealed McKenna skating alongside Tavares and Nylander, providing the first clear look at Hiller’s early vision for the forward group. According to Sportsnet, Hiller addressed his approach to managing the young forward’s workload ahead of camp. “Our goal is to put him in the best position to succeed, while accounting for all the other players on the team that we want to put in the best position to succeed as well,” Hiller said as reported by Sportsnet. “It’s a team, and he’s going to be an important part of the team. We’ve really been thoughtful about where exactly he starts.”
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Flashy Moments on the Ice
McKenna quickly turned heads during the morning skate with several high-skill sequences. According to coverage from both Sportsnet and CityNews Toronto, the teenager set up a goal for Tavares in the slot and later showcased his competitive edge during a battle drill against physical forward Matthew Knies. The drill ended with McKenna losing a glove but successfully sliding the puck past goaltender Anthony Stolarz. Outside of the rink, McKenna is living with Tavares and his family for his debut professional season to help him acclimate to the National Hockey League.
Training Camp Line Combinations and Schedule
While McKenna skated with Tavares and Nylander, other notable forward groups took shape on the opening day of camp. Auston Matthews centered a line flanked by Matthew Knies and free-agent addition Jack Roslovic, according to Sportsnet. Additional combinations featured Easton Cowan with Nick Paul and Colton Sissons, alongside a unit comprising Dakota Joshua, Teddy Blueger, and Brandon Duhaime. The Maple Leafs enter training camp looking to rebound after finishing last in the Atlantic Division during the 2025–26 campaign before winning the draft lottery in May. Toronto opens its pre-season schedule on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens, followed by a regular-season opener against the same rival on September 29.
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