Toronto Maple Leafs prospects Gavin McKenna tops NHL ranking as team revisits 2015 draft miss

Gavin McKenna, a 21‑year‑old winger in the Toronto Maple Leafs system, was placed No. 1 in The Athletic’s latest top‑100 NHL prospect ranking. Scout Scott Wheeler praised his skating, puck handling and playmaking, noting the need for greater physicality and consistency in five‑on‑five play. McKenna is projected as a first‑line power‑play winger. The ranking also listed fellow Maple Leaf prospect Easton Cowan at No. 70.

Analysts also recalled the Leafs’ 2015 draft, when the team passed on future two‑time All‑Star Travis Konecny, selecting defenseman Travis Dermott (29th) and forward Jeremy Bracco (61st) instead. Konecny has become a cornerstone for the Philadelphia Flyers, while Dermott and Bracco have struggled to secure regular NHL roles. The discussion highlighted how that missed pick still haunts the franchise and noted that current prospects such as McKenna, Cowan and Matthew Knies could help the team move forward.