realgm
Gavin McKenna has officially signed his entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, formalizing his arrival after becoming the franchise's third No.
1 overall pick last month.
The 18-year-old forward received the maximum entry-level deal allowed under the 2025 memorandum of understanding, according to terms of the contract.
McKenna is guaranteed $1,025,000, $1,075,000 and $1,125,000 in base salary over the next three seasons.
Beyond his guaranteed pay, McKenna can earn up to $3.5 million annually in performance bonuses.
That total includes as much as $1 million through "Schedule A" incentives, which pay $250,000 for hitting individual marks like 20 goals, 35 assists, 60 points or a 0.73 points-per-game average.
McKenna also has a path to an additional $2.5 million per season tied to league-wide awards or finishing among the top 10 forwards in goals, assists, points or points per game.
The contract positions McKenna to make an immediate impact as a rookie and an early contender for the Calder Trophy.
He projects to spend significant time alongside Auston Matthews, a pairing that could pay off quickly given McKenna's playmaking and Matthews' finishing ability.
If not skating with Matthews, McKenna could line up with John Tavares, another former No.
1 pick, and possibly William Nylander on the opposite wing.
McKenna's physical transition to the NHL as a teenager remains an open question, but his power-play potential looks immediate.
Toronto's revamped top unit already includes Matthews, Tavares, Nylander and offseason addition Darren Raddysh, giving McKenna a clear setup role to grow into.