Leafs Sign McKenna To ELC, Ink Andrae

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The Toronto Maple Leafs did not dilly dally with getting 2026 top pick Gavin McKenna signed to his entry-level deal, as one week after being selected first overall, the Leafs inked the 18-year-old to his three-year, entry-level contract. This is departure from a decade ago, when former GM Lou Lamoriello played around and haggled on the bonus structure of Auston Matthews rookie deal until surrendering in late July. 

Lamoriello’s hard line was one of the seeds planted with agent Darren Ferris and Mitch Marner in 2015 and later led to the former Leaf’s demands on his second deal. On his ELC, McKenna has $3.5 million in attainable bonuses, with the entry-level AAv rising above $1 million because of the increasing salary cap. 

In more trivial news, the young winger was diplomatic about his jersey number, as it was assumed he would wear #72. After the Leafs signed Sergei Bobrovsky, McKenna surrendered that number to the veteran goalie, and, according to TSN’s Mark Masters, he will wear #92 next season. That number has been worn three times in the history of the club: by O-Dog Jeff O’Neill from 2006 to 2007 (which assuredly we will hear about on the radio this fall), Russian blueline import Igor Ozhiganov in 2019, and current Marlie Alex Nylander in 2025. 

The Leafs also announced the signing of defenseman Emil Andrae to a two-year contract extension worth $3.1 million ($1.55 million AAV). The 24-year-old, who was acquired from Philadelphia in the Joseph Woll/Simon Benoit deal, had 13 points (2 goals, 11 assists) in 61 games for the Philadelphia Flyers last season, and added one assist in four playoff games.