Gavin McKenna faces Matthew Schaefer in the season opener in Toronto

Gavin McKenna and Matthew Schaefer, the last two No. 1 picks in the NHL draft, will face off on Wednesday when Matthew Schaefer’s New York Islanders open the 2026-27 season against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. The game promises an early showcase of two talents expected to play major roles in the sport’s future.

As the NHL reports, McKenna’s clash with Schaefer comes just a day after his debut in the NHL regular season, in a game in Toronto against the Montreal Canadiens. The two are friends and played together on Canada’s national teams; a special moment was the first national-team goal at the 2025 World Juniors in Ottawa, before Schaefer was sidelined by a fractured clavicle that kept him out later in the tournament.

The two players share a close relationship: Schaefer has said he got to know McKenna during national-team tournaments, and McKenna has praised his energy and leadership on the ice. At the draft ceremony, Schaefer was among the first to greet McKenna and even interviewed him after his selection as No. 1, a moment that eased the nerves of the newly picked youngster.

McKenna has received advice and support from many former first-overall picks and veteran club players, who according to those around him help him handle the pressure of Toronto’s hot market. Meanwhile Schaefer, who won the Calder Trophy for 2026, continues to be seen as one of the most promising names on the blue line.

Beyond the sporting aspect, Schaefer has also shown humility off the ice: recently he and his family organized a thank-you dinner in his hometown for the people who supported him along his journey. According to the NHL, Wednesday’s clash will be not only a duel between two talents, but also a chance to see how they fit into teams looking for immediate impact.