Leafs’ McKenna expects to give number up to Bobrovsky
One of the most important debates in Toronto has been settled…Sergei Bobrovsky will get to keep his number, if he wants.
When speaking to the media at development camp on Thursday, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Gavin McKenna was asked whether he would wear No. 72 during his rookie season. He answered, “Probably not,” citing that if the former Florida Panthers goaltender wants to keep his number, the No. 1 overall pick will happily oblige.
"Bob, he's won two Stanley Cups. If he wants that number, he's going to get that number." Gavin McKenna says he doesn't expect to wear No. 72 for the Leafs next season 👀
“[Bobrovsky’s] won two Stanley Cups,” McKenna said. “If he wants that number, he’s going to get that number.”
McKenna added that he’d have to figure out what other numbers are left, as his two backup numbers, 9 and 27, are both hanging in the rafters at Scotiabank Arena, honoring franchise legends and former captains Ted Kennedy and Charlie Conacher (9), as well as Darryl Sittler (27).
The conversation of who would get to wear what number next season arose after Leafs general manager John Chayka made a big splash on the opening day of free agency, signing Bobrovsky to a three-year contract, with an AAV of $7 million. The move gave a sense of hope in Toronto, as the team now has an exceptional tandem with Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz, who were a tandem when the Panthers won its first of two straight championships in 2024. Stolarz signed with the Leafs the following offseason, with the Russian backstop winning another title the next spring, beating Toronto en route to the Cup.
McKenna and Bobrovsky are expected to lead the Leafs as they try to bounce back after an abysmal 2025-26 season, as the team finished last in the Atlantic Division, missing the postseason for the first time in 10 years.