Does Maple Leafs' Jim Hiller Have a Gavin McKenna Problem?

Sometimes a coach makes a decision that gets people talking. Sometimes he makes one that leaves people scratching their heads. Toronto Maple Leafs coach Jim Hiller managed to do both Thursday night when Gavin McKenna, the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, spent the final 32 minutes and 54 seconds of a 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres watching from the bench. Hiller later admitted he intended to get McKenna back into the game but simply didn’t. That's an honest admission, but it doesn't make the decision any less curious.

Here's what interests me, though. I'm less concerned about whether McKenna deserved more ice time than I am about what this says about the relationship between a coach and a young player who's supposed to be an important part of the Maple Leafs' future.

Sometimes the Message Gets Lost.

Hiller explained that a series of penalties interrupted his plans to get McKenna back onto the ice. By the third period, the rookie had been sitting so long that the coach decided not to use him. Meanwhile, Toronto blew a two-goal lead, managed just four shots in the third period, and eventually lost in overtime.

I'm not going to pretend McKenna would have changed the outcome. We don't know that. But the Maple Leafs needed somebody to make a play when Buffalo started pushing, and they left a talented young forward watching. Hiller acknowledged the mistake, which is better than trying to explain it away. Coaches are human, too. Still, when you're coaching an 18-year-old who's learning the league, communication matters. You don't want a young player wondering whether he's being punished, whether he's lost the coach's trust, or what he needs to do differently.

What Does This Mean for McKenna?

I actually think there's a useful lesson here for both sides. McKenna has to learn that NHL ice time isn't guaranteed, even for a first overall pick. Coaches will sometimes sit young players when they don't like what they see. That's part of the job. But there's a difference between a deliberate coaching decision and a player effectively disappearing from the game because the bench got busy.

The Maple Leafs have enough problems without turning one bad decision into a season-long controversy. They've surrendered another lead, struggled to generate offence late in games, and given their coach plenty to think about. Hiller doesn't need to be perfect, and McKenna doesn't need to be treated like a star before he's earned it. They need a clear understanding of what the young forward can contribute and how he’ll be developed.

Last Night Was Likely Not a Career-Defining Moment for Anyone.

One night on the bench won't define McKenna's career. But how Hiller handles the next few games might tell us more than Thursday's mistake did. Sometimes the best coaching move isn't putting a player back on the ice. It's making sure he understands why he belongs there.