Maple Leafs' Gavin McKenna reveals how he learned about Auston Matthews' best skills

Maple Leafs’ Gavin McKenna reveals how he learned about Auston Matthews’ best skills originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Gavin McKenna feels a bit like he already knows Auston Matthews.

They’re set to become a lot closer as key teammates for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

But at least in some ways, McKenna already knows Matthews’ game. 

Why?

Because he’s played as Matthews in NHL video games.

“I have played as Auston Matthews in EA Sports NHL 25, and his shot is overpowered,” McKenna said after being drafted, via NHL.com. “I always try to get him when playing.”

McKenna, the No. 1 overall pick in Friday’s 2026 NHL Draft, might be making Matthews feel old by saying this.

But it’s also the truth that a young Canadian winger like him probably got plenty of excitement out of watching the talented Leafs goal scorer.

“For me, still being a young kid, Auston Matthews is kind of a guy I’ve watched a lot,” McKenna said. “He’s, if not the best, one of the best goal scorers in the league, so to have the opportunity to play with him, play alongside him, and learn from him… I can’t wait.”

MORE: What the Gavin McKenna pick means for the Maple Leafs

It’ll be up to this talented duo to make each other better and to help lead the Maple Leafs into a brighter future.

The 2025-26 season was a major step back in Toronto, but it came with the unexpected benefit of drafting McKenna.

Now that the Maple Leafs have him, and seemingly Matthews is content to stay in town, they’ve got to get this right.

If that pair can put up video game numbers, Toronto could bounce back in a hurry.

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