Gavin McKenna Went Minus-2 in His Debut and Toronto's Power Play Went 0-for-4

Gavin McKenna's NHL debut was ordinary, and he said as much afterward, calling it not his best night. The No. 1 overall pick played 15:19 over 18 shifts in Toronto's 3-2 opening-night loss to the Montreal Canadiens, finishing with one shot on goal, two giveaways and a minus-2 rating. He also played 2:33 on a power play that went 0-for-4.

It was one game, and McKenna is 18. For fantasy managers who drafted him early, the details of his deployment matter more than the result.

How Toronto used McKenna

McKenna started on the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander, a strong spot for a rookie. As the game went on, he also saw time on the third line when Easton Cowan moved up to the second unit. That kind of shuffling is normal for a first-year player, but it shows the coaching staff is still figuring out where he fits best.

The power-play minutes are the good news. McKenna played more than two and a half minutes with the man advantage, which is where most rookie fantasy value comes from. If he stays on a power-play unit, his point totals will come, even if his even-strength play takes time to develop.

Fantasy advice: hold McKenna in all formats. He is a long-term asset in dynasty leagues and should produce in redraft once he settles in. Do not start him in weekly lineups over proven scorers until he shows consistent production, but do not panic after one quiet game either.

Nylander carries the offense

William Nylander scored both Toronto goals and was the Leafs' best player. He remains the most reliable fantasy option on the team, and playing on a line with McKenna and Tavares should give him plenty of chances. He is a top-30 fantasy forward in points leagues and a weekly start.

The Leafs power play is the concern. Going 0-for-4 on opening night against a division rival is not a disaster, but Toronto missed the playoffs last spring for the first time in a decade, and a lot of changes followed. The power play will be a key factor in whether the new-look Leafs bounce back.

Bobrovsky's first game in Toronto

Sergei Bobrovsky made 21 saves in his Maple Leafs debut. He allowed three goals on 24 shots, not a strong save percentage, but he was not the main reason Toronto lost. The Leafs actually outshot Montreal and could not finish against Jakub Dobeš.

Bobrovsky is the clear starter in Toronto, and his value depends on how well the team in front of him plays. He is a solid fantasy starter with upside for wins but carries some ratio risk behind a defense that is still coming together.

Montreal's balanced win

The Canadiens got scoring from depth players. Josh Anderson and Alexandre Carrier each had a goal and an assist, and Zachary Bolduc also scored. Dobeš made 25 saves and looked comfortable in the opener.

For fantasy, Dobeš is the name to watch. If he keeps playing like this, he will earn a heavy share of starts, which makes him a useful pickup in deeper leagues. Montreal's depth scoring is a good sign for a team that relies on its young core.

Elsewhere on opening night

Panthers 1, Hurricanes 0 (OT): Gustav Forsling scored with 4.3 seconds left in overtime to spoil Carolina's banner night. Jacob Markstrom made 15 saves for the shutout in his first game back with Florida, and Aleksander Barkov looked like himself in his first game since major knee surgery. Brady Tkachuk made his Panthers debut and looked at home.

Canucks 6, Oilers 5 (OT): Evan Bouchard had a hat trick and five points, but Paul Cotter won it for Vancouver in overtime.

Golden Knights 5, Blackhawks 2: Vegas opened with a comfortable home win over Chicago.

The betting angle

Opening-night results can overreact in the market. Toronto's loss and McKenna's quiet debut could push the Leafs' lines slightly in the wrong direction for bettors backing them in the next few games. The Leafs have enough talent that one loss to a division rival should not change the outlook.

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What realistic expectations look like

Even elite prospects rarely dominate from the first night. Rookies need time to adjust to the speed and physicality of NHL defenders, and the ones who become stars usually find their footing over the first month. McKenna's 15 minutes of ice time and power-play role are signs the Leafs trust him, which is the most important thing for his fantasy value.

A reasonable target for McKenna's rookie season is a 50-point pace once he settles into his role, with more upside if he earns time on the top power-play unit. That is a strong rookie season and would make him a useful fantasy player in most formats, even if he does not reach the level of the league's top young stars immediately.

What it means

Hold McKenna and give him time. Start Nylander every night. Bobrovsky stays a solid fantasy goalie, and Dobeš is worth adding in deep leagues. The Leafs have a lot of new pieces, and it will take a few weeks before their fantasy values settle.