​The first season of Gavin McKenna’s NHL career may have started out slow, but things ramped up quickly. The 18-year-old picked up his first career goal and first career assist in a two-point effort for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the team’s 5-4 comeback win over the Nashville Predators.Hockey fans and media personalities took to social media on Tuesday to comment on the No. 1 pick’s first true breakout performance at the NHL level.”Guys I think Gavin McKenna is going to be just fine,” @RealPaulRoss posted on X.McKenna failed to record a point in his first three NHL games, and Maple Leafs fans were anxiously waiting for the Whitehorse native to get on the scoresheet.Tensions were relieved when he picked up his first point, an assist on John Tavares’ goal in the second period to cut the Maple Leafs’ deficit to two. Fans at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto gave the youngster a standing ovation for his accomplishment.Mckenna’s first career goal came later in the period to pull the Maple Leafs within a goal, rifling a shot over the shoulder of Predators goaltender Juuse Saros with an assist from former first-overall pick Auston Matthews.Gavin McKenna has his 1st NHL point! An assist on John Tavares’ goal pic.twitter.com/AvjymEcEPe— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) October 7, 2026″A first career goal fit for a future super star,” Sportsnet’s Sam McKee (@SamAMcKee) posted. “Absolute laser beam.””Back to overreacting to McKenna in a positive way,” Sportsnet’s JD Bunkis (@JDBunkis) added.”Looks like a Calder favourite,” @StickEFingrs said of McKenna’s play.While it’s far too early to be handing out any individual awards, McKenna’s performance was an early sign that he has the talent to meet the high expectations that come with being the first pick in a hockey market as passionate as Toronto.First NHL Goal Alert. pic.twitter.com/M3LWjqnDDm— David Alter (@davidalter) October 7, 2026″McKenna with his first. 2 points tonight now happy for him kid is going to be so nasty,” Spittin’ Chiclets host and former NHLer Ryan Whitney (@RyanWhitney6) said.”This kid’s gonna be a treat to watch,” @Jonah_Fleischer said of McKenna.Matthews stole the show after the Maple Leafs forced overtime against the Predators, firing in his second goal of the season on a rebound from William Nylander.Despite Matthews ultimately completing the comeback, it was McKenna who was named the first star of the game.”Not a Leafs fan but pretty damn happy Gavin McKenna shut a lot of people up tonight.” TSN’s Jesse Pollock (@JPolly22) posted.”The Gavin McKenna era has officially arrived,” @JoeyFerg declared.For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community foru