{"id":900056,"date":"2026-09-18T05:24:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T05:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/900056\/"},"modified":"2026-09-18T05:24:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T05:24:09","slug":"mckenna-turns-heads-while-skating-beside-tavares-nylander-in-first-leafs-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/900056\/","title":{"rendered":"McKenna turns heads while skating beside Tavares, Nylander in first Leafs practice"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> held the first practices of training camp on Thursday at the Ford Performance Centre. <\/p>\n

First overall pick Gavin McKenna<\/a> is starting on the second line. The 18-year-old left winger slotted in beside centre John Tavares<\/a> and right winger William Nylander<\/a> during Thursday\u2019s first on-ice session at Maple Leafs training camp. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels good knowing that the staff has confidence in me and [is] putting me with those type of players,\u201d McKenna said. <\/p>\n

Newly minted head coach Jim Hiller insists there\u2019s not one big reason why McKenna is starting in that spot although he did highlight the fact that the rookie will be living with Tavares this season. <\/p>\n

\u201cJohn\u2019s detailed, so that probably helps him,\u201d Hiller noted. \u201cThey can go home and talk about anything, if he has any questions for him at the end of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hiller admits the biggest challenge for the new combination will come in the defensive zone. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s really going to be on John and Willy to do their job extremely well and help Gavin along the way,\u201d Hiller said. <\/p>\n

At the other end of the ice, McKenna should be able to help Tavares, who led the Leafs in goals last season, and Nylander, who led the team in points, create plenty of offence. <\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, the playmaking is elite,\u201d gushed Tavares. \u201cYou can already see times when he gets out there and you think he doesn\u2019t have much room, time and space, and his ability to make a play out of nothing. The puck control and the puck skill is off the charts.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cWe had some very good opportunities just today in practice when we were out there,\u201d Nylander noted.<\/p>\n

Earlier this week, TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reported that the Leafs decided not to immediately play McKenna on the top line with Auston Matthews<\/a> because they didn\u2019t want to put too much on his plate early on. <\/p>\n

Matthews was flanked by Matthew Knies<\/a> and free-agent addition Jack Roslovic on Thursday. Matthews and Roslovic also played together during their junior days at the U.S. National Team Development Program. <\/p>\n

\u201cAuston really likes Rosie\u2019s game,\u201d Hiller said. \u201cHe likes the skill. He likes how he can complement him. He carries the puck through the neutral zone, a really good skater.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new combinations will debut on Saturday when the Leafs open the pre-season schedule with split-squad games against the Montreal Canadiens<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou spend all summer doing this and then, as you guys know, the second period of the second game, it looks different,\u201d Hiller cautioned. \u201cThis is the plan for now, but nothing is set in stone.\u201d<\/p>\n

‘It feels good’: McKenna starts Leafs camp on a line with Tavares, Nylander Gavin McKenna got his first official practice out of the way at Maple Leafs training camp and he assessed how it went for him on Thursday. William Nylander spoke about continuing to build the chemistry and taking things day-by-day while John Tavares noted his elite playmaking which was on full display. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Nylander celebrated the Leafs draft lottery win while attending a Toronto Marlies game with Knies on May 5. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a game changer and we were fired up,\u201d Nylander recalled. <\/p>\n

McKenna is already showing off some of his game-changing ability at training camp. One play, in particular, stood out for Hiller on Thursday. McKenna appeared to be cornered by defensive stalwart Chris Tanev<\/a> during a drill. <\/p>\n

\u201cI saw him dance away and make a nice little backhand sauce pass into space,\u201d Hiller said. \u201cThat jumps out at you. I thought Tanev was going to contain him. I thought, \u2018This will be interesting to see.\u2019 He was able to elude him and make a play out of that. So those are the things that you\u2019re just standing there and you see them and you go, \u2018OK, that\u2019s a high level.\u2019 That\u2019s what he\u2019s going to have to be able to do against veteran NHL defencemen when the real games start.\u201d <\/p>\n

Tavares and Nylander have played together a lot in recent years, but they\u2019ve never really had a playmaker quite like McKenna on their line. <\/p>\n

\u201cGavin\u2019s ability to make plays through traffic is elite,\u201d Tavares said. \u201cThat is, I think, what makes him really special is his ability to make plays not just when he has time and space, but in traffic.\u201d<\/p>\n

McKenna also appears to be stronger than his 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame suggests. <\/p>\n

\u201cEven though he\u2019s not the biggest guy, you know, you can tell how firm he is on the stick,\u201d Tavares observed. \u201cI think he\u2019s got some of that natural hockey strength.\u201d<\/p>\n

McKenna perked up when that comment from Tavares was relayed. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s obviously a good compliment from John,\u201d the Whitehorse, Yukon, native said. \u201cHe\u2019s got one of the best sticks I\u2019ve ever seen. That\u2019s something I tried to work on this summer. Coming to the NHL, guys are going to be heavy on their sticks and it\u2019s going to be hard to strip pucks and be hard on that stick. I think it\u2019s also smarts. You need to know where to put your stick and when to move it. It\u2019s something I\u2019ve developed over the years and it\u2019s a big key to the game if you want to have the puck on your stick.\u201d<\/p>\n

‘It’s a game changer’: McKenna’s magic on display early in Leafs camp William Nylander skated on a line with Gavin McKenna Thursday at Leafs camp but he still remembers where he was when the team won the NHL draft lottery. John Tavares spoke about how McKenna’s arrival brings a certain energy to the team while head coach Jim Hiller picked out a moment at practice that stood out. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Living with Tavares may help McKenna maintain his strength amid the grind of an 84-game season. Tavares, who will turn 36 on Sunday, is well known for his off-ice recovery routines. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s got everything you need,\u201d said the 24-year-old forward Brendan Brisson, who is also living with the Tavares family during training camp. \u201cI mean, he\u2019s got the saunas, the cold tubs, the Normatec [compression therapy], the red light [therapy], everything to help your game and it\u2019s awesome to watch his every-day routine. Me and Gavin are maybe making a few jokes about it but we\u2019re also following along a bit too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brisson, who signed a one-year deal with the Leafs earlier this month, skated in the group with players destined to start the season in the American Hockey League. He is the son of agent Pat Brisson, who represents Tavares. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s pretty dialled,\u201d Brisson said of life in the Tavares household. \u201cHe\u2019s very structured. It\u2019s cool for me and Gavin to see that.\u201d<\/p>\n

‘He’s got everything you need’: What’s it like to be a young guy living with Tavares? Brendan Brisson has joined Gavin McKenna as a guest in the John Tavares household, and even though he won’t be there for the whole season, the young Leafs forward is soaking up all he can from the veteran. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

McKenna had his moments on Thursday, but Hiller identified another young player as the stand-out performer at the first practice. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf I had to say who was the player that just jumped out at you in this morning\u2019s session, for me it would be Easton Cowan<\/a>,\u201d Hiller declared. \u201cHe made some plays with the puck, but he was a puck hound. He was everywhere. And, you know, we talked to him about that. He\u2019s got tremendous skill but where he can help us best is be a puck hound and then use that skill. To me, he was all over the ice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cowan, who produced 29 points in 66 games as a rookie with the Leafs last season, skated beside newcomers Nick Paul and Colton Sissons<\/a> on the third line. That trio could be an effective checking line. <\/p>\n

\u201cI see it as more than that,\u201d Hiller stressed. \u201cThat\u2019s a line that should be able to play against the other team\u2019s best players, but also push them offensively because those three players, they can score goals. Easton can be the straw that stirs the drink from an offensive perspective and keep the other team\u2019s best line honest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cowan, 21, projects to be the second youngest player on the Leafs this season behind only McKenna.<\/p>\n

Hiller calls Cowan the stand-out performer in first Leafs practice Easton Cowan skated on a third line with Nick Paul and Colton Sissons and according to head coach Jim Hiller, Cowan was a ‘puck hound’ and the standout skater from Thursday’s morning session. Hiller also explained what he expects from that third line and how Cowan can be the catalyst for them. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Tanev practised with the Leafs for the first time since sustaining a season-ending injury in December. The 36-year-old defenceman underwent core muscle surgery in March and was cleared to play again on the eve of training camp. <\/p>\n

Tanev skated alongside Jake McCabe<\/a> at practice. That duo formed a dominant shutdown unit during the 2024-25 season. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe really feel like, if we [want to] create a shutdown pair, who are two defencemen that, if you\u2019re the other team\u2019s best line, you would least like to play against,\u201d Hiller said. \u201cAnd I think it\u2019s probably those two.\u201d<\/p>\n

Big off-season acquisition Darren Raddysh<\/a> paired up with Oliver Ekman-Larsson<\/a>. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Morgan Rielly<\/a> skated in a separate group while wearing a red no-contact sweater. General manager John Chayka announced on Wednesday that the defenceman will be ramped up slowly after dealing with a \u201cviral condition\u201d recently. <\/p>\n

When is the 32-year-old expected to rejoin the main group? <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Hiller said. \u201cI\u2019m hoping he\u2019ll be back out there next week but we\u2019ll play it by ear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leafs Ice Chips: Tanev and McCabe reunite; Rielly skates in red The Maple Leafs kicked off their training camp on Thursday where Chris Tanev made his return, skating alongside Jake McCabe. TSN’s Mark Masters has more on what head coach Jim Hiller hopes to see with that pairing and the timeline for Morgan Rielly’s return as he deals with a viral condition. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Sergei Bobrovsky<\/a> practised while wearing a plain white mask on Thursday. The free-agent signing is still awaiting a new design as he gets to work with his new team. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe just met and we spoke a little bit,\u201d said Leafs goalie prospect Artur Akhtyamov<\/a>. \u201cHe\u2019s kind of a great guy. I like him. Probably he still my favourite goalie. I like to see him and I like how he works hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like many in the hockey world, Akhtyamov was surprised to see Bobrovsky leave the Florida Panthers<\/a> and join the Leafs in the off-season. He\u2019s grateful for the chance to learn from his countryman.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably I am still nervous when I see him,\u201d Akhtyamov said. \u201cHe\u2019s a superstar. He\u2019s one of the best goalies in this league.\u201d <\/p>\n

The 24-year-old is already being inspired by Bobrovsky\u2019s work ethic. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe does lots of workout, lots of stretching,\u201d said Akhtyamov. \u201cWhen I came in our gym room, he\u2019s every time here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Akhtyamov, who backstopped the Toronto Marlies to a Calder Cup title last spring, is No. 3 on Toronto\u2019s goalie depth chart. He made his NHL debut last season posting an .877 save percentage in three games with the Leafs. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think I play not really well my first games in NHL,\u201d he said. \u201cI try to work hard this season, this preseason, and I hope I\u2019m going to be ready for next chance.\u201d <\/p>\n

‘Still nervous when I see him’: Leafs prospect Akhtyamov learning from ‘superstar’ Bobrovsky Leafs goaltender Artur Akhtyamov said he just met fellow countryman Sergei Bobrovsky and has been trying to pick up as much as he can to learn from the veteran netminder. Coming off a Calder Cup win with the Marlies, Akhtyamov hopes to be ready when his next NHL opportunity presents itself. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Thursday\u2019s practice was the first one for new Leafs associate coach Daniel Alfredsson. It was strange to see the former Ottawa Senators<\/a> captain wearing a blue tracksuit and coaching up Matthews, Tavares and Nylander. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe past is the past,\u201d said Hiller. \u201cHe was obviously a great player for Ottawa but now he\u2019s going to be a great coach for the Maple Leafs and that\u2019s all that really matters.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s different, but it\u2019s exciting,\u201d Tavares said with a smile. \u201cHeck of a career. Helluva competitor. Really excited to learn from him and have him impact the group in a lot of ways.\u201d <\/p>\n

Alfredsson, whose contract as a Senators assistant coach concluded after last season, surprised the hockey world by switching sides in the Battle of Ontario and joining Hiller\u2019s staff. <\/p>\n

\u201cI was shocked as well,\u201d said Nylander. \u201cWe have a mutual friend in common and he never said anything about it so it came as a complete shock, but I was obviously very happy that it happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Alfredsson helped out on the ice, Mats Sundin watched from the sideline with the rest of Leafs management. Sundin signed on to serve as a senior executive advisor as part of the front-office makeover.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s pretty crazy, actually, I mean, to be honest, seeing two Swedish legends every day,\u201d Nylander said. \u201cActually, I haven\u2019t really thought about it, but it\u2019s pretty crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n

‘It’s pretty crazy’: Nylander shocked to see Alfredsson switch sides in Battle of Ontario William Nylander is excited to be able to see two Swedish hockey legends everyday with the team in Mats Sundin and Daniel Alfredsson. The Leafs forward admitted his shock that the former Senators great joined the team. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

The Leafs emergency back-up goalie this season will be 27-year-old Mississauga, Ont. native Brendan Bonello. He last played in the 2021-22 season when he suited up in a handful of games with York University and the Cincinnati Cyclones in the ECHL. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Lines at Thursday\u2019s practice: <\/p>\n

Group 1<\/p>\n

Knies – Matthews – Roslovic<\/p>\n

McKenna – Tavares – Nylander<\/p>\n

Cowan – Paul – Sissons<\/p>\n

Joshua – Blueger – Duhaime<\/p>\n

Lorentz<\/p>\n

Ekman-Larsson – Raddysh<\/p>\n

McCabe – Tanev<\/p>\n

Andrae – Danford<\/p>\n

Blankenburg – Stecher<\/p>\n

Bobrovsky<\/p>\n

Stolarz<\/p>\n

Bonello<\/p>\n

Group 2<\/p>\n

Groulx – Koblar – Lettieri<\/p>\n

Quillan – Haymes – Tverberg<\/p>\n

Sim – Johnstone – Pezzetta<\/p>\n

MacEwan – Rybinski – Brisson<\/p>\n

Rifai – Myers<\/p>\n

Mermis – McWard<\/p>\n

Chadwick Borgesi<\/p>\n

Smith – Bilecki<\/p>\n

Akhtyamov<\/p>\n

Hlavaj<\/p>\n

Bonello<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Toronto Maple Leafs held the first practices of training camp on Thursday at the Ford Performance Centre.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":900057,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[712,309249,43,44,41,39,42,40,74650],"class_list":["post-900056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-apple-news","tag-gavin-mckenna-sports-hockey-player-player-nhl-api-8486067","tag-headlines","tag-news","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories","tag-toronto-maple-leafs-sports-hockey-team-team-nhl-api-10"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/900056","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=900056"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/900056\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/900057"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=900056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=900056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=900056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}