Prospect Info: [2026] 1st rd - #1 - LW, Gavin McKenna - Penn State Nittany Lions, B1G (5'11", 170lb)

[NJG]

 

[HavocWreaker]

If hes healthy, getting max oppertunies aka pp1 and playing with Matthews all year I say 70+ points.

 

[Anthrax442]

I would assume like Gary Roberts, they have guys/companies who run private camps and then the players pay for their own training.

As far as I know team facilities still need to remain closed through the summer in the CBA because teams were pissed the Leafs were doing it. I doubt it would then allow teams to pay for the same set up off-site.

I been to Gary Roberts's camp facility once. I think 9 or 10 years ago. He was in the St. Andrew's College in Aurora.

 

[PromisedLand]

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

 

[Stephen]

The future of Canadian hockey right there.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Can we start calling him Shooter McGavin yet?

This gif is perfect for his goals

 

[TMLAM34]

The future of hockey Canada!

 

[Kazparov]

Can we start calling him Shooter McGavin yet?

This gif is perfect for his goals

View attachment 1272684

Yes.

 

[sunstersun]

If he's got a game breaking shot on top of his playmaking woof.

Work on his straight line explosiveness and speed a bit and we're looking at the NHL's next superstar.

 

[hockeeyyy]

If he's got a game breaking shot on top of his playmaking woof.

Work on his straight line explosiveness and speed a bit and we're looking at the NHL's next superstar.

His shot is no muffin, there’s zip and heaviness to it. Well see what he can do with it. I can definitely see 30-40 in his future.

 

[Stephen]

His shot is no muffin, there’s zip and heaviness to it. Well see what he can do with it. I can definitely see 30-40 in his future.

He's got the next gen wrist curl mechanics.

 

[arso40]

He's got the next gen wrist curl mechanics.

Aka the Matthews special

 

[HockeyVirus]

If hes healthy, getting max oppertunies aka pp1 and playing with Matthews all year I say 70+ points.

One thing making me nervous every clip he's dangling with his head down.

 

[weems]

If he's got a game breaking shot on top of his playmaking woof.

Work on his straight line explosiveness and speed a bit and we're looking at the NHL's next superstar.

I think is a good take.
His hands, playmking ability, shot all scream star but I think it will come down to his feet and just how dominant he becomes.
How good are his first few steps and how hard is he willing to work on weaknesses will determine his career because the crazy talent is very obvious.

 

[HavocWreaker]

One thing making me nervous every clip he's dangling with his head down.

Tbh In my viewing hes a really heads up player overall. Im not saying he doesn't look down to stick handle per se. However his head is up and almost always looking at the play. Part of what makes his IQ so high. Look at almost any scouting report, they tout his vision, spatial awareness etc..

 

[TimeZone]

I think is a good take.
His hands, playmking ability, shot all scream star but I think it will come down to his feet and just how dominant he becomes.
How good are his first few steps and how hard is he willing to work on weaknesses will determine his career because the crazy talent is very obvious.

His edges are already elite.

His first step is above average....he's got a great base already, and this is a kid who didn't get a proper skating coach until he was 13.

Don't be surprised if he becomes a high level skater within a few years, his edges are already incredible.

 

[Leafs87]

One thing making me nervous every clip he's dangling with his head down.

I really think we should have prioritized a proper enforcer this year. Johnson was available. The Atlantic is tough. Almost every team has a true enforcer except us. Also most have upper end enforcers

 

[hockeeyyy]

I really think we should have prioritized a proper enforcer this year. Johnson was available. The Atlantic is tough. Almost every team has a true enforcer except us. Also most have upper end enforcers

 

[HavocWreaker]

I feel like most people are being conservative his comparables are Celebrini and Bedard. His stats or adv stats puts him right there esp his 2 or more years leading up to the draft. They both paced for 74 points in there rookie seasons. He should be in the realm of 70 or more. Imho.

 

[mikeyz]

Can we start calling him Shooter McGavin yet?

This gif is perfect for his goals

View attachment 1272684

I f***ing love it buddy!!!!

 

[HockeyVirus]

I feel like most people are being conservative his comparables are Celebrini and Bedard. His stats or adv stats puts him right there esp his 2 or more years leading up to the draft. They both paced for 74 points in there rookie seasons. He should be in the realm of 70 or more. Imho.

He struggled a bit early in college and for some reason that is enough to downgrade him from generational like he was talked about last offseason to a mid first OA pick to many (doesn't help Leafs got him either lots decided he sucked right then).

That shows the opposite for me. He could have just destroyed the WHL, won the memorial cup, been hyped to hell and then had to struggle to adapt to the pro game. Or he can put his ego aside and say I need to address this and go to college and play against stronger older men many of whom are NHL prospects and allow himself to "fail" and risk his 1stOA status.

All that says to me is he is willing to make himself uncomfortable to get better. Sky is the limit for him and especially if Matthews finds his game again oh man

 

[Stephen]

He struggled a bit early in college and for some reason that is enough to downgrade him from generational like he was talked about last offseason to a mid first OA pick to many (doesn't help Leafs got him either lots decided he sucked right then).

That shows the opposite for me. He could have just destroyed the WHL, won the memorial cup, been hyped to hell and then had to struggle to adapt to the pro game. Or he can put his ego aside and say I need to address this and go to college and play against stronger older men many of whom are NHL prospects and allow himself to "fail" and risk his 1stOA status.

All that says to me is he is willing to make himself uncomfortable to get better. Sky is the limit for him and especially if Matthews finds his game again oh man

This is the hype before he went to college:

 

[RoadWarrior]

He struggled a bit early in college and for some reason that is enough to downgrade him from generational like he was talked about last offseason to a mid first OA pick to many (doesn't help Leafs got him either lots decided he sucked right then).

That shows the opposite for me. He could have just destroyed the WHL, won the memorial cup, been hyped to hell and then had to struggle to adapt to the pro game. Or he can put his ego aside and say I need to address this and go to college and play against stronger older men many of whom are NHL prospects and allow himself to "fail" and risk his 1stOA status.

All that says to me is he is willing to make himself uncomfortable to get better. Sky is the limit for him and especially if Matthews finds his game again oh man

Key phrase there is “struggled a bit early”. In other words he adapted and came on strong in the second half of the season. He scored 33 points in 19 games or 1.74 pts per game in the second half of the season generating a whopping 20 shots attempts per 60 minutes and even more playmaking opportunities. In terms of offense generation he was creating at a nearly unprecedented level in the NCAA while markedly improving his defensive play. All while playing on a very mediocre team without much help.

 

[Stephen]

Key phrase there is “struggled a bit early”. In other words he adapted and came on strong in the second half of the season. He scored 33 points in 19 games or 1.74 pts per game in the second half of the season generating a whopping 20 shots attempts per 60 minutes and even more playmaking opportunities. In terms of offense generation he was creating at a nearly unprecedented level in the NCAA while markedly improving his defensive play. All while playing on a very mediocre team without much help.

It’s really mind boggling to me that people point to his early season “struggles” as evidence to down rate him even though he adapted and thrived at a high level as the season wore on. Yeah of course recency bias and everything but it matters when you’re mapping out a trajectory in development.