The Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t even started the 2026-27 season yet, and already there’s a jersey number controversy that’s been resolved before it really got going.
Sergei Bobrovsky, the two-time Stanley Cup winner who signed a three-year deal with the Leafs this offseason, will wear No. 72. That number belonged to Gavin McKenna, the top overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. And McKenna is giving it up.
According to NHL insider Mark Masters, Bobrovsky said he spoke with McKenna last night about the switch. “He gave that number to me. We had a little chat last night. He’s a bright guy. He’s got really positive energy. I’m excited to watch him develop into a big superstar in this league,” Bobrovsky told Masters.
Why This Matters Beyond the Number
Let’s be real: jersey number swaps happen all the time in sports. But this one carries a little extra weight because McKenna hasn’t even played a regular-season game yet. He was the first overall pick, the guy the Leafs are betting their future on. And he’s already giving up his number to a 37-year-old goalie who just signed a three-year deal.
That’s not a bad thing necessarily. It shows maturity. But it also means anyone who bought a McKenna No. 72 jersey before the Bobrovsky signing is now holding onto a piece of memorabilia that’ll never see an NHL game. Unless they hold onto it for the novelty.
McKenna will start his career with a different number. He hasn’t announced what he’ll wear yet, but he’s got time. His debut is expected in September, and there’s plenty of offseason to sort it out.
McKenna’s College Résumé Speaks for Itself
This kid isn’t just some draft lottery hype. McKenna put up 15 goals and 51 points at Penn State last season, leading the Big Ten in scoring and winning the conference’s Rookie of the Year award. That’s not a fluke. That’s a statement.
And the Leafs might not ease him in. There’s buzz around the organization that McKenna could slot onto the first line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. That would give Toronto a line that’s hard to play against, fast, skilled, and physically tough. Matthews is a goal-scoring machine. Knies brings size and net-front presence. McKenna brings creativity and vision. It’s a combination that could give defenses headaches for years.
For now, though, the biggest story is that the kid gave up his number before he ever pulled on the jersey. Bobrovsky gets his familiar 72. McKenna gets the chance to build his own identity with whatever number he picks next.
The Leafs have a lot of pressure on them this season. They haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967. Bringing in a veteran goalie like Bobrovsky signals they’re all-in. And having a top rookie like McKenna ready to contribute right away makes that bet a little less risky.
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