- Gavin McKenna moves to the Maple Leafs’ top line with Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic against Seattle
- Kirill Marchenko’s week-to-week injury opened the spot for the No. 1 pick
- Read below for what McKenna and Jim Hiller said about the move
Gavin McKenna is getting the biggest look of his rookie season.
The No. 1 pick will skate on the Maple Leafs’ top line alongside Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic on Wednesday night against the Seattle Kraken. Toronto made the change after Kirill Marchenko left Monday’s loss to Calgary with a lower-body injury.
McKenna was asked Wednesday morning in Seattle what it meant to see his name next to Matthews on the lineup card.
“When you see that, I think a little bit of a boost of confidence,” McKenna said. “When you’re playing with two guys like that, you’ve got to make sure you’re working. I want to make the most out of this opportunity, so I’m looking forward to it.”
He also talked about what he has noticed from Matthews, who is known more for his shot than his passing. McKenna said the playmaking is what has stood out to him most.
“I didn’t really know how good he was at making those plays coming into the league,” McKenna said. “When he’s got the puck on his stick, you’ve got to be ready as well.”
Head coach Jim Hiller was asked how comfortable he thinks McKenna will be on a line with Matthews.
“I hope he just feels comfortable playing with Auston,” Hiller said. “Sometimes the first few times it’s, ‘Hey, you’re playing with Auston. What do I got to do? I got to get him the puck.’ I think probably by now he’s played enough with him and enough in the league that he just has to go out and play his game.”
Watch the full Leafs pre-game media availability from Seattle:
McKenna has three goals and five assists in 14 games. His first came against Nashville earlier this month, and he has been steady on the third line since.
Marchenko was a big part of the Leafs’ offense before he went down. He has 14 points in 14 games, including a hat trick against Buffalo, and we had the news when Toronto made it official:
Toronto is also without John Tavares, Nick Blankenburg and Marshall Rifai, all week-to-week. Chris Tanev is day-to-day and won’t play against Seattle. The Leafs are 7-5-2 and head into Climate Pledge Arena with Sergei Bobrovsky in goal.
Easton Cowan, Nick Paul and William Nylander make up the second line. Puck drop is 10 p.m. ET.
