Jim Hiller benches Gavin McKenna

Eight games into 2026-27 season

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 54m1 min read

The Talking Point with @martybiron43: Jim Hiller benched Gavin McKenna... How? Why? And who's to blame? https://t.co/ Via @TSNHockey on X

What happened: The benching came eight games into the 2026-27 season. McKenna entered the NHL as the 2026 No. 1 pick.

Why it matters: Early-season scratches shape a top pick's development path and lineup trust. Deployment choices now set expectations for his responsibilities the rest of the season.

What to watch: The next lineup decision determines McKenna's role going forward.

Sources

@TSNHockey 2026-10-16T17:46:48.383103+00:00

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