Maple Leafs preseason takeaways: First impressions of Gavin McKenna and more

After one of the worst and most embarrassing seasons in franchise history and an offseason full of dramatic change, the Toronto Maple Leafs returned for their first preseason games on Saturday night.

In split-squad games against the Montreal Canadiens, a lineup full of mostly Leafs players lost 4-1 in Toronto. In Montreal, a lineup with largely Marlies and prospects fell 4-3 in overtime.

Here's what we saw from the Leafs as one of the most interesting seasons in recent memory gets underway:

Gavin McKenna debuts

The Gavin McKenna experience is underway in Toronto. It started with perhaps the loudest crowd pop of the night when the No. 1 pick was announced as a Leafs starter. It continued when he took on Canadiens defenders with the puck in one-on-one situations and hardly ever hesitated. McKenna smoothly sniffed out smart passes to make in the offensive zone, connecting well with Nylander shift after shift. Those two could end up having a lot of fun together on the ice if Saturday was any indication.

There were moments when McKenna bobbled the puck and hesitated when he could have been more decisive. But his high hockey IQ suggests that he could clean up those mistakes soon enough.

What was perhaps most enduring about McKenna's first preseason game is how the crowd in Toronto hung off his every move. There were McKenna jerseys seen throughout the crowd. The noise in the arena grew with every one of his rushes. It's been a long time since there's been a shiny new toy wearing blue and white. McKenna could end up providing a sense of optimism this town and its hockey fans need.

Players fight to make a name for themselves

A common theme of the preseason is players fighting for roster spots. On Saturday, multiple Leafs quite literally fought to make a name for themselves in front of curious Leafs coaches. In Montreal, Michael Pezzetta barely played after picking up an instigator penalty, a fighting major and a misconduct just 5:32 into the first period. New Leaf Teddy Blueger, who might have to drop the gloves in a fourth-line role, then fought Canadiens defenceman Ethan Samson.

Down Highway 401, the best fight of the evening came when 'tweener defenceman Marshall Rifai stepped in for Nylander and fought Canadiens pugilist Florian Xhekaj. Xhekaj had previously taken a run at Nylander, and Rifai wasn't happy about it. Rifai and Xhekaj are both trying to fight their way into the NHL and proved they can entertain a crowd in the process. Once in the penalty box, Rifai earned plenty of love from a smiling Nylander.

It remains to be seen if any of the three Leafs who fought can indeed fight their way higher up the depth chart. But a Leafs team that was lifeless for large stretches last season appeared far different in their first preseason game.

Power play falls short, for now

The new-look Maple Leafs power play was the biggest talking point before the game, with new winger Jack Roslovic landing a spot on the top unit and Matthew Knies -- formerly of PP1 -- and offensively gifted No. 1 draft pick Gavin McKenna both being stuffed on the second unit.

The early returns weren't exactly positive. Yes, it's worth a reminder that Saturday was the first night of preseason and the second unit featured the likes of Tinus Luc Koblar and Bo Groulx, for example. But against a depleted Canadiens team, the Leafs didn't exactly capitalize with the man advantage. With new defenceman Darren Raddysh manning the point, Auston Matthews and William Nylander on the flanks, John Tavares net front and Jack Roslovic in the bumper on the first unit, the Leafs went 1 for 6 on the power play.

There was some decent puck movement, but the conversion rate will need to improve come the regular season. A middling 21.3 percent conversion rate on the power play last season was one of the many reasons the Leafs' season went off the rails.

We're likely looking at a group of players -- some brand new to the team -- who will need some time to develop some synergy. The issue is that in a shortened training camp and preseason, that time is hard to come by.

The goal the Toronto-based Leafs did get came when a Raddysh shot deflected off a stick and then was redirected accidentally by Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson into the Canadiens' goal. So, yes, it will technically go down in the record books as a coveted Raddysh power-play bomb from the point; it wasn't the kind of shot that's easily replicable.

In Montreal, the Leafs power play was far more effective. Henrik Rybinski, a Marlies-bound forward, scored with the man advantage, as did likely third-liner Colton Sissons. The Leafs in the Bell Centre ended up going 2 for 4 on the power play.

Sergei Bobrovsky debuts, Anthony Stolarz returns

Sergei Bobrovsky only faced 11 shots in his 28:36 of work. But he didn't look much like an almost 38-year-old who has plenty of questions about whether he can rebound from a disappointing 2025-26 campaign. In his first game as a Leaf, the future Hall of Famer was compact and smart with his movement and athletic when he needed to be. Bobrovsky allowed just one goal, off a two-on-one that Leafs defenceman Emil Andrae could have handled better.

It's so, so early in the process and things could go a number of ways for Bobrovsky in Toronto. But few would complain if he can put up the .909 save percentage he did on Saturday through most of the season.

Midway through the game in Toronto, Anthony Stolarz took over. There will be worry early in the season over whether Stolarz can stay healthy. But there were no grave concerns about his game. Stolarz allowed two goals on 17 shots in his half-game of work.

Auston Matthews: Breathe a sigh of relief: the Leafs captain looks completely recovered from the MCL injury that ended his season. He was pacey in all areas of the ice and got his shot off well. There were moments when he looked like his dynamic old self. Matthews had a primary assist on the Leafs' lone goal. His dangerous dangle in front of Canadiens' AHL-bound goalie Kaapo Kahkonen was somehow stopped. But there's clearly lots to build on for Matthews going forward.

Chris Tanev: I was skeptical about how well Tanev would move in his first game since December 28, 2025. Multiple injuries and core muscle surgery ended his season. But credit to the 36-year-old: Tanev skated with purpose and looked spry as he logged heavy minutes against the Canadiens.