BEING NO. 1

Schaefer isn’t the only previous No. 1 pick who understands the pressures of coming into the NHL with such high expectations. As such, NHL.com surveyed a number of former No. 1’s about dealing with outside expectations and how they feel McKenna will handle them in the spotlight of Toronto.

Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks (2024)
“The attention makes it a blessing and a curse. When you’re doing well, they’re going to treat you like royalty. But also, every little mistake will be focused in on more and more. I trained with him this summer and got to know him a bit and don’t think it’ll affect him that much. And he’s got a lot of guys there to help him through it.”

Juraj Slafkovsky, Montreal Canadiens (2022)
“The pressure of being picked into a hotbed hockey market? I don’t know. For me, I didn’t really feel it because I couldn’t understand (French) and what half the people were saying or writing about me. (Laughs). So I didn’t know if it was anything bad.”

Owen Power, Buffalo Sabres (2021)
“I think for him, he’s obviously got the skill and the talent and the ability. So just go out there and, you know, really just have fun with it. I mean, he’s playing in one of the best places to play hockey, and I think he’ll be just fine.”

Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils (2019)
“I think of all the places he could have gone, Toronto’s got to be one of the better spots. He’s got (Auston Matthews) to lean on. I don’t think anyone understands where he is right now more than ‘AMats’ just because he was that guy. He’s been the first overall pick. He was the guy that had to take them out of the gutter. He was the guy that went through all those playoff series. That will be someone he can really lean on. Of course the microscope is pretty big in Toronto but there’s a reason he was the first overall pick. He’s a kid that can handle it.” 

Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs (2016)
“We’re obviously so excited to have him. He’s a special player. He’s a special person. It’s awesome to get to spend some time with him (and) get to know him. He’s going to be an incredible player in this league. And he’s going to do a lot of great things for this team, this organization.”

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers (2015)
“He’ll have his hands full in Toronto, but he seems like he’s prepared for it. He’ll have a good support system there too, obviously with Auston (Matthews), and he’ll have lots of support around him, so he should be fine.”

John Tavares, New York Islanders (2009)
“From one game to the next, you see a massive improvement, and just how quickly can you get comfortable.  The hockey IQ, the puck play, playmaking is exceptional. So that’ll only continue to get better and better, and each checkpoint for him.”

Mats Sundin, Quebec Nordiques (1989)
“It’s a veteran team that he’s coming into. Sometimes a No. 1 pick comes in and they’re joining a team that’s in a complete rebuild, a much younger team. So he’s going to be able to soak lessons in from some really, really true professionals and great players. So that’s going to be great for him.”

Wendel Clark, Toronto Maple Leafs (1985)
“That first year, or at least the time when you’re 18 to 19 or 20, you’re doing a lot of growing, not just as a hockey person but a person in general. So we’re not expecting McKenna to come out and (dominate). I mean, if he does, awesome. But really, just come and grow and be part of the team and become a better hockey player and better person.”