NHL Mock Draft: Maple Leafs select Gavin McKenna #1 overall

The Toronto Maple Leafs have started the John Chayka and Mats Sundin era off with a fortunate bounce.

The ping pong ball combination came out in the Leafs favor, and they'll select first overall at the NHL Draft next month in Buffalo. It's the third time the Leafs will select first, and the first time since Auston Matthews was brought into the organization.

There's going to be lots of debates about Gavin McKenna vs Ivar Stenberg, and with Sundin in the mix now with Leafs' management, there's certainly something to chew on considering his ties to Swedish hockey. However, every one and their mother know the Leafs need to select the potential generational talent in McKenna, and add him immediately to their top six. It gives the Leafs a chance to replace Mitch Marner at under $1 million for the next few seasons.

Daily Faceoff's prospect guru Steven Ellis published his first mock draft of the season on Tuesday night, and here's how Ellis see's the top pick playing out:

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW (Penn State University, NCAA)

Oh. My. Gosh. Toronto, you did it. This is the guy who’ll sell jerseys and get fans to love the team again. He’s the most skilled player in the class, and most of the concerns around his game started to disappear after the World Juniors. Does Ivar Stenberg outperform him in the two-way sector? Absolutely. But in terms of raw, game-changing skill, nobody has what McKenna has in this class. He still needs to bulk up to truly succeed in the NHL, but an NHL coaching staff will help. You’d hate to be the team that passes on McKenna this year. Toronto, just make it happen.

McKenna to the Maple Leafs. What a time to be alive.