Gavin McKenna's poor NHL start is now drawing public support from teammates as Jim Hiller decides how long to stay patient.
The Toronto Maple Leafs' prized rookie has opened his first NHL season without a point through 3 games. He has also gone minus-3, an uncomfortable opening for the 2026 first overall pick.
Now his linemates are answering questions about it. William Nylander pushed back against the idea that McKenna needs to start producing immediately.
“There's no pressure to produce,” Nylander said. “He's going to be a great player, so it's going to happen in waves. A lot of waves.”
That support matters, but so does the fact the conversation has already reached this point. McKenna arrived in Toronto carrying expectations few teenage players ever face, and the spotlight hasn't taken long to tighten.
John Tavares also stepped in, saying it's a “matter of time” before McKenna begins showing the special qualities that made Toronto select him at No. 1.
Toronto is already facing an early McKenna test
The numbers have made the scrutiny harder to avoid. Toronto is 1-2-0 through its opening 3 games, sitting near the bottom of the Atlantic Division before Tuesday night's matchup with Nashville.
The Maple Leafs have scored 6 goals while allowing 7. That isn't a disastrous team start, but it leaves little room for McKenna's quiet opening to disappear beneath a winning streak.
And this is where Hiller's handling of the rookie becomes worth watching. McKenna was drafted to become a major offensive piece, but forcing the issue this early could create an entirely different problem.
Nylander's message was designed to lower the temperature. Tavares went further, reminding everyone why McKenna carried such enormous expectations into his first NHL locker room.
Still, reassurance from veteran linemates usually becomes a story only after questions start being asked. McKenna's opening stretch has now reached that stage.
Toronto doesn't need panic. It does need signs that its most important young player is settling in, especially with the pressure around a first overall pick growing every scoreless night.
McKenna has plenty of runway. But after 3 games without a point, his teammates are already being asked to defend that runway.
Should the Maple Leafs consider reducing Gavin McKenna's role if his scoreless start continues?
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