The Toronto Maple Leafs endured a disappointing season, but that frustration quickly turned into optimism when they won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery and selected Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick.
With new general manager John Chayka leading the organization into a new chapter, the 18-year-old phenom is expected to become one of the cornerstones of the franchise alongside Auston Matthews.
And judging by the reaction from one former Maple Leafs winger, the excitement has already reached another level.
Former Maple Leafs Forward Ushers In Gavin McKenna Era
When McKenna arrived at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase in Chicago, he immediately attracted plenty of attention.
The young forward stepped onto the ice wearing a Maple Leafs jersey with “McKENNA” stitched across the back and a brand-new No. 92 on his shoulders. Among those who noticed the number was former Toronto forward and current TSN analyst Jeff O’Neill, who was the first player in franchise history to sport those digits.
O’Neill didn’t hesitate to embrace the moment.
Taking to social media, he sent a message to former NHL player Paul Bissonnette while making it clear that he was passing the torch to the organization’s newest star. “It’s his time now!!,” O’Neill said.
It’s his time now!!@BizNasty2point0
— Jeff O’Neill (@odognine2) July 29, 2026
The message quickly gained attention among Maple Leafs fans, many of whom see McKenna as the player capable of leading the franchise into its next era.
The Story Behind No. 92
McKenna’s decision to wear No. 92 wasn’t made by chance. Throughout his junior career, he wore No. 72. However, after Toronto signed veteran goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky in free agency, McKenna decided against rivaling the two-time Stanley Cup champion for that number.
His other preferred numbers, 9 and 27, were unavailable because they had already been retired by the organization.
That left McKenna searching for an alternative. He eventually combined the two numbers and settled on No. 92, but not before reaching out to O’Neill himself. McKenna FaceTimed the former Maple Leafs forward to ask for permission to wear the number.
O’Neill’s response was immediate. “It’s the only way to go, son. LFG.”
The gesture quickly won over fans, who appreciated the teenager’s respect for both the team’s history and the players who came before him.
A Bright Future in Toronto
McKenna gives Toronto a second elite offensive engine alongside captain Auston Matthews. While Matthews anchors the top line as the game’s premier goal-scorer, McKenna’s high-speed playmaking and elite vision allow Toronto to stack two lethal scoring lines or combine them on a top power-play unit.
With Matthews, William Nylander, and veteran additions absorbing the brunt of Toronto’s intense media spotlight, McKenna enters a rare situation for a No. 1 overall pick: he won’t have to carry the franchise single-handedly from the jump.
For O’Neill, the significance of the moment was clear. The number may have belonged to him once, but he believes it is now time for a new generation to take over.
And if McKenna lives up to the expectations, the No. 92 sweater could soon become synonymous with a new era of Maple Leafs hockey.
