The 18-year-old Toronto forward went pointless through his first three games, then recorded a goal and an assist against Nashville. He had joked that Toronto’s media quickly noticed his early statistics.
2026 NHL Draft first overall pick Gavin McKenna recorded his first two league points in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ game against the Nashville Predators on October 6. He scored a goal and added an assist in the second period, the NHL said.
The performance came after McKenna went pointless in his first three regular-season games. Questions about the rookie’s start and his absences from optional morning skates had drawn attention from Toronto media. McKenna himself acknowledged that his early statistics were quickly being discussed in the city.
The 18-year-old forward had called his previous game his strongest so far and said he was becoming more comfortable as he gained experience against NHL competition. Three games were a small sample, but his status as the top draft pick made every early result a talking point.
McKenna had also missed several optional sessions while focusing on his fitness and preparation for games. Since those sessions are not mandatory, the absences alone do not indicate a problem with the team.
The rookie had dealt with a difficult start during the previous college season. He told reporters that patience and work can turn an early slump around. His first multi-point NHL game has now ended the debate over when he would score, while his longer-term development remains more important than his opening games.