Jack Hughes believes Gavin McKenna is set up for success better than other recent first overall picks

The pressure on Gavin McKenna will be sky-high this season, as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft is set to take on the spotlight that comes with wearing the Toronto Maple Leafs’ jersey. 

That isn’t stopping any momentum for him, though, nor the belief of New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, who admitted that he believes the Whitehorse, Yukon, native is better suited for instant success than other more recent top picks.

“I think of all the first-overall picks in that last bunch of years, he might be a guy that might have the spotlight on him the most, but might be in the best spot because they should have a good team — the Leafs probably shouldn’t have had the first-overall pick — and on top of that he has Auston Matthews and John Tavares, who were both first-overall picks before,” Hughes told reporters on the NHL Player Media Tour, including Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin. “He should have more than enough experience and guys to lean on and who he can talk to about the situations that he’s going through.”

While it has been a decade since Matthews entered the NHL with a bewildering four-goal debut after being picked first overall in 2016, his experience from then, and since, could offer that cushion to McKenna, who will look to come near the captain’s rookie totals of 40 goals and 69 points in 82 games. 

Tavares, now 35 years old, is also familiar with the pressure, having been the top pick by the New York Islanders in 2009. His first season saw him score 24 goals and 54 points in 82 games, and will serve as a lesson for McKenna, who plans to live with Tavares as he adjusts to NHL and Toronto life. 

The Maple Leafs are set to open the 2026-27 regular season on Oct. 3 against the Ottawa Senators, the same team Matthews faced in his NHL debut a decade ago.