'It Was Pretty Special': Gavin McKenna Feeling The Love From Maple Leafs' Fans, Teammates React To His First NHL Goal

TRENDINGYamamoto, Dodgers beat BravesMessi's Argentina farewellPadres avoid NLDS sweepNFL Power RankingsGauff decries racist postsStory byStory by'It Was Pretty Special': Gavin McKenna Feeling The Love From Maple Leafs' Fans, Teammates React To His First NHL GoalAndre LealWed, October 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC·3 min readAbout Our AdsRecommended StoriesTop draft pick Gavin McKenna picks up first NHL goal, assist for Toronto against Predators1 draft pick Gavin McKenna scored his first NHL goal with the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 5-4 overtime victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night.McKenna scored on goaltender Juuse Saros in the second period of his fourth professional game.Associated PressNHL Fans and Pundits Reacts to Maple Leafs’ Gavin McKenna’s First GoalFans and pundits reacted after Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna scored his first NHL goal in Toronto's 5-4 victory over the Predators. The post NHL Fans and Pundits Reacts to Maple Leafs’ Gavin McKenna’s First Goal appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYGavin McKenna stuns Predators with first NHL goal, spurs Maple Leafs comebackThe Toronto Maple Leafs took a big step back from a competitive standpoint last season, but that could ultimately lead to a massive leap forward. No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna will one day be tasked with leading this franchise past its longstanding Stanley Cup Playoff woes and into genuine title contention, but for now, he is just trying to […] The post Gavin McKenna stuns Predators with first NHL goal, spurs Maple Leafs comeback appeared first on ClutchPoints.ClutchPointsAdvertisementAdvertisementGavin McKenna Reacts After Scoring 1st Goal for Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs prospect Gavin McKenna shared his reaction to scoring his first goal in the National Hockey League.McKenna, the first-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, was held scoreless in his first three career games. But he got on the board in a big way in his fourth game as he scored a […] The post Gavin McKenna Reacts After Scoring 1st Goal for Maple Leafs appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYMaple Leafs’ Gavin McKenna Snipes Home 1st NHL GoalFor the first time since 2016, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the NHL Draft Lottery, and the rights to select with the first overall pick; they used the pick on Penn State Nittany Lions forward Gavin McKenna.While McKenna had gone pointless in each of his first three NHL contests, that wasn’t the case on Tuesday […] The post Maple Leafs’ Gavin McKenna Snipes Home 1st NHL Goal appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVY'Future Superstar': Social Media Reacts To Gavin McKenna's Breakout Performance For Maple LeafsToronto 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 Hockey News'In Toronto Media, You Hear About It': Maple Leafs’ Gavin McKenna Eyes First NHL PointStill searching for his first NHL point through three games, Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna is already learning that in Toronto’s relentless media spotlight, “you hear about it”The Hockey News - Toronto Maple LeafsMaple Leafs’ Jim Hiller Offers Blunt Impression of Gavin McKennaFollowing their first year of missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a decade, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the NHL Draft Lottery and the rights to select forward Gavin McKenna with the first overall selection.Coincidentally, the last time the Maple Leafs won the Draft Lottery was 2016; they used the first overall pick on future […] The post Maple Leafs’ Jim Hiller Offers Blunt Impression of Gavin McKenna appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYMaple Leafs’ Gavin McKenna Praised by Jim Hiller & John TavaresToronto Maple Leafs prospect Gavin McKenna was praised by head coach Jim Hiller and alternate captain John Tavares. McKenna, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, is three games into his rookie season. Though he has been held off the scoresheet to this point, he is getting his feet wet in […] The post Maple Leafs’ Gavin McKenna Praised by Jim Hiller & John Tavares appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYMaple Leafs Provide Several Positives in OT Win over PredatorsThe Toronto Maple Leafs provided plenty of bright spots in their thrilling 5-4 win over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night. The post Maple Leafs Provide Several Positives in OT Win over Predators appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYMaple Leafs Star Makes Honest Comments About Gavin McKennaToronto Maple Leafs 2026 first overall pick, Gavin McKenna had strong expectations heading into the 2026-27 season. Through the rookies’ first three games he has yet to produce a point and is statistically the worst forward on the team. The Maple Leafs find themselves with a 1-2-0 record to begin the regular season and have […] The post Maple Leafs Star Makes Honest Comments About Gavin McKenna appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYGavin McKenna just got a rude awakening from Toronto fans and mediaThe rookie just realized that life in Toronto comes with a level of scrutiny unlike anywhere else.HockeyFeed'That Line Could Do It Better': How Maple Leafs Coach Jim Hiller Thinks Second Line Can Improve, Players On What's Gone WrongThe Toronto Maple Leafs' second line has room to improve considering the personnel. Here's what head coach Jim Hiller believes the line needs to do better, and what John Tavares and William Nylander think the trio can improve on.The Hockey News - Toronto Maple LeafsMatthews scores OT winner, McKenna gets his first NHL goal, as Maple Leafs beat Predators 5-4TORONTO (AP) — Auston Matthews scored with 14 seconds left in overtime and had three assists in regulation and the Toronto Maple Leafs erased a three-goal deficit in a 5-4 win over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna — with his first as a professional — John Tavares and Jack Roslovic had the other goals for Toronto, which got 21 saves from Anthony Stolarz.Associated PressMaple Leafs Fans Starting to Question A Troubling Trend With Gavin McKennaGavin McKenna’s rookie season in Toronto is off to a rocky start, and it’s not just his personal production that is drawing attention. The 18-year-old has missed multiple optional morning skates in less than a week, and the pattern is raising eyebrows among Maple Leafs fans, the media, and hosts like Sid Seixeiro. Gavin McKenna […] The post Maple Leafs Fans Starting to Question A Troubling Trend With Gavin McKenna appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYSteven Stamkos Sends Strong Message to Maple Leafs RookieThe Toronto Maple Leafs are set to face off against Steven Stamkos and the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, with top prospect Gavin McKenna looking to find the back of the net for the first time in his career.Stamkos spoke to the media ahead of puck drop on Tuesday and touched on the pressure a first […] The post Steven Stamkos Sends Strong Message to Maple Leafs Rookie appeared first on HEAVY.HEAVYReport: The Explanation For Why Gavin McKenna Skipped Optional Skate Ahead Of NHL DebutThe Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly managing 18-year-old Gavin McKenna, refraining him from enduring a heavy workload as he goes throught the start of his NHL career.The Hockey News - Toronto Maple LeafsMaple Leafs’ Gavin McKenna faces early criticism over practice absencesGavin McKenna’s early practice absences in Toronto raise eyebrows.The Big LeadPredators Unable to Handle Gavin McKenna, Auston Matthews, Lose 5-4 in OvertimeThe Nashville Predators were on the road for the first time in the 2026-27 season, as they visited the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night.The Hockey News - Nashville PredatorsNashville Predators fall 5-4 in OT to Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews has 4 pointsThe Nashville Predators lost 5-4 to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 6. Auston Matthews scored the overtime winner.The Tennessean