F Gavin McKenna - Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL (2026 Draft)

[57special]

Yes and while 26 is going to be a great draft I don't see any legitimate challenge to McKenna for the #1 spot.

Who do you think will be #2?

 

[wetcoast]

Who do you think will be #2?

Man that's too early to tell really but in a pinch right now I think one of Preston/ Roobroeck/Verhoeff have strong cases but there are probably 4 or 5 other guys who could emerge as we are far ways out still.

Belchetz and Reid from the OHL could really take off next year as well.

 

[JPeeper]

Ended the game with 7 points, looks like he's trying his best to win the CHL scoring title. 37-84-121 on the year, 5 points back of Misa, 4 points back of Cristall. Amazing player.

Has 18 points in his last 4 games. Insane numbers for a guy in his D-1 year. Curious to what his goal total will look like next year.

 

[CLW]

Has 18 points in his last 4 games. Insane numbers for a guy in his D-1 year. Curious to what his goal total will look like next year.

I'm much more impressed with this kid's talent than some other very high recent picks (that shall remain nameless for now), fine players as they are.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Man that's too early to tell really but in a pinch right now I think one of Preston/ Roobroeck/Verhoeff have strong cases but there are probably 4 or 5 other guys who could emerge as we are far ways out still.

Belchetz and Reid from the OHL could really take off next year as well.

Gonna disagree.

There will 100% be some type of challenge.

He’s a winger only and not particularly big or a great defensive player. He’s great at what he does, but his value is limited to scoring (the most important part of hockey).

Lafreniere was just as hyped and bigger and better defensively at that age, and even he faced some type of challenge from Byfield. There were some people who preferred a big player at a premium position who skated better.

Whether it’s Verhoeff or Reid or a center emerges, someone will at least be preferred by a minority of people. And potentially more than a minority of people.

 

[wetcoast]

Gonna disagree.

There will 100% be some type of challenge.

I get that every year there is some pushback to the frontrunner,it's HF Boards 101 after all and sure someone will close the gap but the gap is so large right now and McKenna's skillset is so good that I highly doubt it but sure it might happen.

He’s a winger only and not particularly big or a great defensive player. He’s great at what he does, but his value is limited to scoring (the most important part of hockey).

Lafreniere was just as hyped and bigger and better defensively at that age, and even he faced some type of challenge from Byfield. There were some people who preferred a big player at a premium position who skated better.

Whether it’s Verhoeff or Reid or a center emerges, someone will at least be preferred by a minority of people. And potentially more than a minority of people.

I don't think the Laf example is the greatest but I always thought he was over rated as a prospect a little bit.

McKenna has flat out elite offensive processing and prowess are exceptionally good and the only thing really keeping him from being "generational" is that he doesn't have elite skating but he is by no means a poor skater.

Verhoff and Reid simply don't have that all around game yet to really compete with McKenna in 26 but who knows some players can really explode in their draft years.