Maple Leafs Sign Top Draft Pick Gavin McKenna to Three-Year Entry-Level Contract

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed forward Gavin McKenna to a three-year entry-level contract on Friday. McKenna was selected first overall in the 2026 NHL draft held in Buffalo, New York, one week earlier. The contract pays $1.025 million in the first year, $1.075 million in the second year and $1.125 million in the third year.

It carries the maximum salary permitted under the NHL collective bargaining agreement. McKenna can earn up to $3.5 million per season in performance bonuses, including $250,000 each for reaching 20 goals, 35 assists, 60 points or 0.73 points per game. McKenna initially selected jersey No.

72 during the team's development camp but relinquished the number after the Maple Leafs signed goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to a three-year, $21 million contract on Wednesday. Bobrovsky has worn No. 72 throughout his NHL career.

McKenna recorded 15 goals and 51 points in 35 games during his freshman season at Penn State. He set program records for a freshman with 36 assists and 51 points, led the Big Ten with 38 points against conference opponents and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Before college, McKenna tallied 79 goals and 244 points in 133 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League.

In 2024-25 he recorded 129 points in 56 games to lead the CHL, earned league Player of the Year honors and posted nine goals and 38 points in 16 playoff games to help Medicine Hat win the WHL championship. With the contract in place, McKenna can prepare for training camp in the fall.