Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna isn't upset that a returning John Tavares is bumping him off the top power-play unit.
"I'm 18. There's a lot of guys in this team who've been in this league for a long time and know how to play power play," McKenna said, according to TSN's Mark Masters. "When you see a guy like John come on and take your spot, you're not too butthurt about it. ... Even being on a second power play in the NHL, that feels pretty good."
Tavares, 36, is set to play Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens after missing nine games due to a lower-body injury.
Toronto's top unit at Friday's practice consisted of Tavares, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Jack Roslovic, and Darren Raddysh, while McKenna played alongside Nick Paul, Easton Cowan, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Morgan Rielly, according to Masters.
McKenna had featured on the unit in Tavares' absence. The 2026 first overall pick has three goals and five points on the power play, posting five goals and 11 points overall through 17 games.
Meanwhile, Tavares has one goal and four points on the man advantage in seven contests this season. He has two goals and seven points overall.
The Leafs' power play has converted at a 28.8% rate, good for sixth in the NHL.
