Kristen Shilton Oct 6, 2026, 04:05 PM ET Close Kristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN.
Gavin Mc Kenna is experiencing firsthand the pressure of being a first overall pick -- one who still hasn't scored an NHL point. The Maple Leafs forward is looking to hit the scoresheet as Toronto heads into its fourth game of the season Tuesday against Nashville. Failing to register offensively so far -- with three shots on net and a minus-3 rating -- hasn't gone unnoticed.
"Especially in the Toronto media, putting up zero points in three games, I think you hear about it," Mc Kenna said. "So maybe that's my welcome to the league [thing]. And then I think just [realizing how] hard it is. You come in; you believe in yourself [to produce]. And I still believe in myself ... but it's obviously not where you want to be."
Mc Kenna will have another chance when Toronto takes on the Predators, projected to stay on the Leafs' second line with John Tavares and William Nylander. Tavares -- a first overall pick himself in 2009 -- has taken Mc Kenna under his wing, inviting the 18-year-old to live with him. "He's been awesome," Mc Kenna said. "When he points things out that we can both work on, I think it helps me a lot."
Mc Kenna previously overcame a slow start at Penn State last year, finishing with 15 goals and 51 points in 35 games. "I had a tough start to college last year and then started to figure things out there," he said. "I know it's going to come, so just keep working and have confidence."
Source: ESPN NHL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing