Gavin McKenna hasn't played for Jim Hiller yet, but Toronto's prized rookie is already giving the Maple Leafs an off-ice decision.
A summer clip posted on social media shows McKenna riding a dirt bike through sandy terrain while wearing a helmet, jeans and no visible upper-body protective gear.
It's not the first glimpse of that side of McKenna. He previously took Maple Leafs GM John Chayka on an ATV ride, making his interest in off-roading fairly clear.
For Toronto, the issue isn't whether a young player should be allowed to enjoy his summer. It's how much risk the organization is comfortable accepting with its first-overall pick.
McKenna arrives carrying enormous expectations before his first NHL game. An offseason injury tied to a recreational activity would create exactly the kind of headache Toronto wants to avoid.
The clip shows McKenna leaning the bike through the sand as the back wheel slides and throws up a cloud behind him.
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Gavin McKenna controversy puts Maple Leafs at a crossroads
Telling McKenna to stop altogether isn't necessarily a simple answer. Off-roading appears to be something he genuinely enjoys, and the Leafs also have to manage the person rather than treating him like an asset under glass.
There is a middle ground. Toronto can discuss safety, protective equipment and what types of activities carry unnecessary injury exposure without trying to control every part of his offseason.
The timing makes that conversation more important. McKenna hasn't even reached his first regular-season game with Toronto, meaning the organization hasn't yet received anything on the ice from its biggest young investment.
And this isn't about questioning his commitment. Nothing in the clip suggests McKenna was skipping training or disregarding team instructions; it simply shows a recreational activity with obvious physical risk.
That distinction matters because teams routinely balance player freedom against protecting availability. McKenna's profile only makes every decision around him more visible.
Hiller will want his rookie healthy when camp begins, not answering questions about an offseason mishap. Toronto's management group has the same incentive before McKenna starts competing for his role.
The Leafs don't need to turn one dirt-bike clip into a major controversy. But with so much riding on McKenna's development, a quiet conversation about where summer fun meets unnecessary risk would make plenty of sense.
Should Toronto ask Gavin McKenna to stop dirt biking?
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