Gavin McKenna had a clear message for Matthew Schaefer before Jim Hiller's Maple Leafs face the New York Islanders on Saturday.
The matchup brings together the NHL's last two first-overall draft picks, with McKenna and Schaefer preparing to face each other in a highly anticipated early-season showdown.
But before puck drop, McKenna made it clear that there's much more connecting these two young stars than their draft status.
Speaking with NHL reporter Mike Morreale, the Toronto forward opened up about his relationship with Schaefer and delivered a message that quickly caught attention.
"I know him well. We've gotten close over the years playing in tournaments together. We're good buddies, and it's always exciting to see your buddy succeed. Looking forward to playing him again tonight."
A McKenna and Schaefer friendship needs to be set aside before Leafs face Islanders
Those words reveal a friendship built long before either player became a first-overall NHL selection. And Saturday gives both youngsters another opportunity to measure themselves against familiar competition.
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McKenna also explained that the two have stayed in contact after facing each other, exchanging messages and congratulating one another following their games.
Their friendship adds another dimension to a matchup already carrying considerable attention, particularly with both players beginning their NHL journeys under enormous expectations.
Schaefer has already made an impact on the Islanders' blue line, collecting 6 assists through his first 7 games of the season.
McKenna, meanwhile, has registered 2 goals and 3 assists through 8 games with Toronto, giving the Maple Leafs an exciting young offensive weapon.
The contrast between their positions makes Saturday especially interesting. McKenna brings offensive creativity and puck skills, while Schaefer must handle the defensive responsibilities that come with facing dangerous forwards.
For Islanders head coach Peter DeBoer, Schaefer's early offensive contributions offer encouraging signs. Across the ice, Hiller has another opportunity to evaluate McKenna against a young defenseman who knows his tendencies.
There's mutual respect between the two, but that friendship won't make their individual battles any less competitive once the puck drops.
And with both youngsters carrying the expectations attached to being selected first overall, Saturday's meeting offers an early glimpse of a matchup hockey fans could be watching for years.
Will Gavin McKenna outperform Matthew Schaefer in Saturday's matchup?
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