Prospect Info: '24-'25 Prospects Thread: Generation Z

[Gurglesons]

I agree. He looked legitimately obscene at the U18 last year though.

Quieter WJC20

I don't think he's a generational player. And he's like distinctly a winger.

I don't know. I'd be happy if we get him, but I don't think he's a player I'd destroy the franchise for.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I don't think he's a generational player. And he's like distinctly a winger.

I don't know. I'd be happy if we get him, but I don't think he's a player I'd destroy the franchise for.

I am not sure on generational/etc but those tags are so dumb. Can he be a Kane/Kucherov where who cares he’s a wing because can be the 1 forward on a Cup team?

Idk yet. I think he should go to the NCAA next year.

He completely blew me away at the U18 and is toying with the CHL as a 17 y/o… but so is Misa and he may not go 1OA in his own draft.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Word is Michigan is trying to lure McKenna there, so we'll see. Couple months ago there was a report Michigan was courting McKenna and Martone, and Boston U was courting Misa.

 

[Jared Grayden]

Word is Michigan is trying to lure McKenna there, so we'll see. Couple months ago there was a report Michigan was courting McKenna and Martone, and Boston U was courting Misa.

I cannot grasp how a prospect as dominant as McKenna would be best served in his development by returning to the WHL for next season. 2.3 pts/game is absurdly dominant. NCAA would definitely be a more appropriately challenging environment.

 

[Gurglesons]

I am not sure on generational/etc but those tags are so dumb. Can he be a Kane/Kucherov where who cares he’s a wing because can be the 1 forward on a Cup team?

Idk yet. I think he should go to the NCAA next year.

He completely blew me away at the U18 and is toying with the CHL as a 17 y/o… but so is Misa and he may not go 1OA in his own draft.

I mean like I said, he'd be a fine addition, but I thought Bedard was going to be hitting 100 pts this season.

Similar play style, similar body type. I just question if McKenna will actually be this unbelievably impact player in the NHL.

Now if he goes to a team like San Jose, Buffalo, or Anaheim that already has the insulation, probably pops off.

 

[PensFutures]

Nothing earth shattering, but heres a brief interview with Pietila/Macdonald about his debut.

AHL: Pietila turns pro with WBS Penguins

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I mean like I said, he'd be a fine addition, but I thought Bedard was going to be hitting 100 pts this season.

Similar play style, similar body type. I just question if McKenna will actually be this unbelievably impact player in the NHL.

Now if he goes to a team like San Jose, Buffalo, or Anaheim that already has the insulation, probably pops off.

I think McKenna is a lot better of a skater than Bedard too which should help

 

[PensFutures]

 

[lokomotiv15]

I wonder how much the general weakness of the WHL is playing into McKenna's numbers.

He's put up some big games against Red Deer and Regina, but has consistently put up similar numbers against all teams on average, so at least he is feasting on the entire league and not putting up 8 spots on the same bad teams all season.

I love the skillset and he should only get bigger, faster and stronger, but it's tough to really gauge just how good he is at this age relative to his contemporaries considering some of the 2nd rate goaltending and defense I've seen him compete against this year in that porous Eastern conference.

 

[Gurglesons]

He's put up some big games against Red Deer and Regina, but has consistently put up similar numbers against all teams on average, so at least he is feasting on the entire league and not putting up 8 spots on the same bad teams all season.

I love the skillset and he should only get bigger, faster and stronger, but it's tough to really gauge just how good he is at this age relative to his contemporaries considering some of the 2nd rate goaltending and defense I've seen him compete against this year in that porous Eastern conference.

I think it's just weird to see WHL record numbers going crazy the last few years.

Either we are entering an age where every prospect is a knockout or the league quality is tempering in the W more so than it has in the past.

McKenna doing what he is doing in the W in the NCAA next year will influence my decision.

 

[Gurglesons]

TAHS was talking up Joona Vaisanen today.

 

[Gurglesons]

Got some insight from someone I know that is connected to the fighting saints.

"joona is an excellent defender, great on puck retrievals, great 1st pass

i love his game

i actually think the best style comp is like gus forsling. again not comparing what he will be/what his upside is, just the way he plays

every game you watch him and he doesn't do anything that's super exciting but he doesn't make mistakes"

"a little bit of a late bloomer from what i understand but he is coming into his own physically right now. really smooth, elite hockey IQ. he's a little bit of a tweener being a 6' guy who i don't think has elite offensive upside, but by the end of last season he was by far our best defenseman, and probably our best player overall"

 

[chethejet]

Pens will have a couple prospects on RD going to WB for some AHL time. Interested to see Brunicke play and see how he hangs with a higher level of play.