Leafs make surprising Gavin McKenna decision ahead of training camp

Toronto Marlies head coach Steve Sullivan put an end to the speculation on Friday, confirming that Gavin McKenna will not be traveling to Gatineau for this weekend's Prospects Challenge.

The 18 year old was actually included on the roster the Maple Leafs released earlier in the week, but the franchise has decided his time is better spent staying with the NHL group ahead of training camp.

McKenna did take part in Thursday night's opening dinner and Friday's practice session with the rest of the prospect pool, so his absence isn't about any injury concern.

It's simply a matter of the Leafs wanting their top pick working alongside NHL veterans instead of playing exhibition games against other organizations' prospects this early in the process.

Sullivan pointed to McKenna's deception, his ability to execute under pressure and his knack for making plays outside of structure as reasons why the teenager doesn't need extra reps against AHL and junior level competition.

He's already shown in practice that his skill translates, and Toronto would rather protect him from unnecessary risk than showcase him in Gatineau.

McKenna became the first overall pick after Toronto won the draft lottery in May, a stroke of luck that also let the Leafs keep their own first rounder instead of sending it to Boston.

He followed a monster final junior season with the Medicine Hat Tigers with 51 points in 35 games as a freshman at Penn State last year.

Ben Danford, Tinus Luc Koblar and Alexander Bilecki are among the names expected to lead Toronto's group without McKenna in the lineup.

The Maple Leafs prospects face the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night before wrapping up the tournament against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday afternoon, with all eyes shifting toward training camp once the weekend wraps.

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