Kelly wrote that McKenna “seems to like the camera”, an observation that may matter almost as much as his performances during the early stages of his career.
Toronto has no shortage of talented players. The challenge is surviving the noise that follows them. A prospect who appears comfortable speaking publicly, handling attention and embracing the market can become a powerful part of the club’s identity.
That comfort will be tested once expectations turn from excitement to demand. The Maple Leafs’ next great star will not simply need to produce; he will need to live with constant questions about whether he can lead the franchise to its next defining era.
Matthews remains Toronto’s leading figure on the ice, but McKenna’s selection inevitably introduces a longer-term question: how quickly can the new arrival become central to the club’s public image?
That is not a prediction that McKenna will immediately replace Matthews. It is recognition that elite organisations must prepare for change before it becomes unavoidable. His development could gradually reshape how Toronto presents itself to supporters, opponents and the wider Canadian sporting audience.
Morgan Rielly offers a different model. Kelly described him as an affable, composed presence capable of handling the demands of playing in Toronto.
If McKenna can combine that same accessibility with high-level production, the Maple Leafs may have found more than a future star. They may have found a successor capable of carrying the conversation when Matthews’ era eventually moves towards its next stage.
The next storyline will be McKenna’s transition from celebrated draft pick to everyday professional - and how quickly Toronto decides he belongs at the centre of its future.