The Toronto Maple Leafs have the well-documented longest active Stanley Cup drought in the NHL at 59 years, but an offseason full of additions has some feeling like this could finally be the year it ends in 2026-27.

Whether expectations of winning it all are realistic or not in Toronto, there’s no doubt excitement has reached a new level with the moves made this summer, and none stand out more in that sense than drafting Gavin McKenna.

McKenna’s dynamic skill set has already been on full display through the preseason, and when asked about ending the Maple Leafs’ lengthy drought this season, he certainly played to his audience.

McKenna said to Maurie Sherman of Kiss 92.5:

“Yeah, this is the year we end the drought. I can’t wait to be playing in front of you guys for the whole year and make sure you’re loud out there,”

The 18-year-old McKenna was, of course, drafted first overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2026 NHL Draft in June after they won the lottery despite having just an 8.5% chance of doing so. He produced 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games played for the Penn State Nittany Lions last year.

While McKenna is clearly just having fun and not trying to cause a stir, people around the hockey world will certainly file those comments away and bring them out if Toronto flames out at any point next season.

McKenna, Darren Raddysh and Sergei Bobrovsky have raised expectations again for the Maple Leafs, although FanDuel doesn’t necessarily see it that way, giving Toronto the 17th-best odds to win the Stanley Cup heading into 2026-27.

We won’t have to wait long to see how it all plays out with those new faces in Toronto, as the Maple Leafs kick off the new campaign on Tuesday with their signature home opener against the rival Montreal Canadiens.

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