What happened: Veteran defenseman Erik Johnson addressed head coach Jim Hiller's deployment of Gavin McKenna, noting that young players must earn their ice time. Johnson stressed that establishing coaching trust is a standard part of development for high-profile rookies early in the season.

Why it matters: Hiller's management of McKenna has drawn attention following Toronto's recent decision to shift the forward to the second power-play unit. General manager John Chayka previously voiced support for Hiller's bench management as the Maple Leafs balance immediate regular-season expectations with long-term roster development.

What to watch: Watch McKenna's ice time and power-play deployment over Toronto's upcoming schedule as Hiller continues calibrating his forward combinations.