Gavin McKenna Scores Twice on the Power Play With Kirill Marchenko and John Tavares Out: The Maple Leafs' Fantasy Reshuffle

The Toronto Maple Leafs' injury list keeps growing, and Gavin McKenna is making the most of it. With Kirill Marchenko and John Tavares both out week to week with lower-body injuries, the rookie was promoted to the top line next to Auston Matthews and onto the first power-play unit for Wednesday's game in Seattle. He responded with two power-play goals and an assist, his first multi-goal and first three-point game in the NHL, though the Leafs lost 5-4 when Brandon Montour scored with about 33 seconds left.

For fantasy managers, McKenna has gone from a stash to a must-start in the span of a week. Here is how the Leafs' depth chart has changed and what to do about it.

The injuries

Marchenko was hurt Monday in a loss to Calgary when Flames forward Yegor Sharangovich knocked him off the puck and he crashed into the ice. He did not return, and the Leafs listed him as week to week on Wednesday. One report citing TSN suggested he could miss the next few weeks and might be moved to injured reserve. Marchenko had been one of Toronto's most productive forwards, with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 14 games, third on the team.

Tavares has been out since Oct. 15, when he was hurt in an overtime loss to Buffalo. He was placed on week-to-week status two days later and has missed six games. Reports on his timeline vary: one outlet suggested the designation could mean up to six weeks, while TSN's Darren Dreger suggested a shorter absence of two to three weeks.

McKenna's breakout night

McKenna's first goal tied the game 1-1 on a power play late in the first period, and his second, also on the power play, tied it 2-2 early in the second. Matthews assisted on both. McKenna then set up Matthews' tying goal later in the game. According to the NHL's public relations department, he became the youngest Maple Leafs player in more than 80 years to score twice in a game.

The line deployment was the key. McKenna played left wing with Matthews and Jack Roslovic and took Tavares' spot on the top power-play unit. That is the most valuable real estate in Toronto's lineup, and he showed he could finish when given it.

Fantasy fallout

Gavin McKenna: start him everywhere. A top-line, PP1 role with Matthews is a starting role in every format. His power-play production is the key; he scored both goals with the man advantage, and the first unit generates a large share of Toronto's offense. Even when Tavares and Marchenko return, it will be hard for the coaching staff to take McKenna off the top unit if he keeps producing.

Auston Matthews: unaffected, possibly better. Matthews assisted on both McKenna goals and scored himself. A dynamic young winger who can finish should only help his assist totals.

Jack Roslovic: short-term streamer. Riding with Matthews and McKenna gives Roslovic a fantasy-relevant role while the injuries last. He is a deep-league add for as long as the top line holds.

Kirill Marchenko: hold if you have IR space. A week-to-week designation with a possible IR move suggests he will miss a meaningful chunk of time, but he was producing at a point-per-game pace before the injury. Do not drop him in standard leagues.

John Tavares: hold, but temper expectations. At 36, Tavares will return to a lineup that may have moved on in some roles. He is likely to land on the second line and second power-play unit when healthy.

The goaltending problem

The other storyline from Seattle is Sergei Bobrovsky, who struggled in the loss. Toronto's skaters were not much better in their own zone, and the Leafs blew a late chance at a point. Toronto has lost consecutive games, and its goaltending is the most important variable for fantasy and betting purposes. Check Daily Faceoff for confirmed starters before streaming either Leafs goalie.

Betting angle

Toronto's offense remains dangerous even with two top-six forwards out, largely because Matthews and the power play are intact. The defensive side is the concern. With uneven goaltending and a thinned lineup, Leafs overs have a better case than Leafs moneylines until the team stabilizes.

McKenna's player props are also likely to move. Rookies often carry low point and shot lines early in a season, and his power-play role makes the over on points worth considering while the market catches up.

How long will the reshuffle last?

The answer depends on Tavares more than Marchenko. If Dreger's two-to-three-week estimate holds, Tavares could return in early November, and the Leafs would have to decide whether to restore him to the top power-play unit or keep McKenna there. Tavares has been one of the best net-front power-play players of his generation, which gives him a strong claim to the spot, but McKenna's finishing on Wednesday makes the decision harder.

Marchenko's timeline appears longer. If he lands on injured reserve, Toronto will need to fill a top-six wing spot for at least a couple of weeks, which should keep McKenna in a prominent role even after Tavares returns. Either way, the rookie's role is secure for the near term, and fantasy managers should not expect a demotion any time soon.

The Verdexed angle

Verdexed's NHL model accounts for lineup changes and confirmed goalies in its game predictions, so Toronto's injuries are reflected in its daily projections. For the model's view on upcoming Leafs games, see the NHL predictions page.

What's next

Watch for two updates: whether Marchenko lands on IR, which would confirm a multi-week absence, and Tavares' return timeline as he approaches the three-week mark. Until then, McKenna's role is secure, and fantasy managers should treat him as a weekly starter.