'Future Superstar': Social Media Reacts To Gavin McKenna's Breakout Performance For Maple Leafs

Nick Turchiaro-Imagn ImagesNick Turchiaro-Imagn ImagesOct 7, 2026 2:35 AMPublished Oct 7, 2026 2:35 AMUpdated Oct 7, 2026 2:40 AMToronto Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna picked up the first two points of his NHL career against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, and fans had plenty of praise for him on social media.The first season of Gavin McKenna's NHL career may have started out slow, but things ramped up quickly.Hockey fans and media personalities took to social media on Tuesday to comment on the No. 1 pick's first true breakout performance at the NHL level."Guys I think Gavin McKenna is going to be just fine," @RealPaulRoss posted on X.Featured storiesMcKenna failed to record a point in his first three NHL games, and Maple Leafs fans were anxiously waiting for the Whitehorse native to get on the scoresheet.Tensions were relieved when he picked up his first point, an assist on John Tavares' goal in the second period to cut the Maple Leafs' deficit to two. Fans at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto gave the youngster a standing ovation for his accomplishment.Mckenna's first career goal came later in the period to pull the Maple Leafs within a goal, rifling a shot over the shoulder of Predators goaltender Juuse Saros with an assist from former first-overall pick Auston Matthews."A first career goal fit for a future super star," Sportsnet's Sam McKee (@SamAMcKee) posted. "Absolute laser beam.""Back to overreacting to McKenna in a positive way," Sportsnet's JD Bunkis (@JDBunkis) added."Looks like a Calder favourite," @StickEFingrs said of McKenna's play.While it's far too early to be handing out any individual awards, McKenna's performance was an early sign that he has the talent to meet the high expectations that come with being the first pick in a hockey market as passionate as Toronto."McKenna with his first. 2 points tonight now happy for him kid is going to be so nasty," Spittin' Chiclets host and former NHLer Ryan Whitney (@RyanWhitney6) said.Matthews stole the show after the Maple Leafs forced overtime against the Predators, firing in his second goal of the season on a rebound from William Nylander.Despite Matthews ultimately completing the comeback, it was McKenna who was named the first star of the game."Not a Leafs fan but pretty damn happy Gavin McKenna shut a lot of people up tonight." TSN's Jesse Pollock (@JPolly22) posted."The Gavin McKenna era has officially arrived," @JoeyFerg declared.For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.