Who will be tanking for Gavin McKenna in 2025-2026?

[LeProspector]

He’s literally playing at their level. He’s surpassed them already statistically I believe. The kid will be a notch above Taylor hall

I think he’ll peak as a Taylor Hall like winger. You can disagree and that’s the great thing about watching prospects. People have differing opinions.

 

[rahad]

If they are still bad in 2026, then their kids have not developed in the way that they hoped. Cronin would be in year 3 in 25/26. Ducks likely clean house with Verbeek and Cronin if they are bottom 3.

Since 2019, they have had extra 1st rounders in 19, 20, 22, and 24. And 3 extra 2nds. And finished bottom 5 in 4 of the past 5 years.

Will they be a PO in 2026? Unlikely, unless multiple of the kids hit quickly. But, they shouldn't be bottom 3 bad.

Exactly! Leo Carlsson will be a great player in the league. Adding Cutter this year. Maybe Senneck next year. They are building a elite team. I will be very surprise to see the ducks in the bottom 3 in 2026.

 

[DitchMarner]

I think he’ll peak as a Taylor Hall like winger. You can disagree and that’s the great thing about watching prospects. People have differing opinions.

Do you think he'll be in contention for the Hart (and maybe win) in his best season but not in any other years?

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Watching Hlinka Gretzky Cup right now, the tank for McKenna is going to be incredible stuff.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I think he’ll peak as a Taylor Hall like winger. You can disagree and that’s the great thing about watching prospects. People have differing opinions.

He's a tier above Hall IMHO. Plays with an aggression in terms of attacking downhill that Hall never consistently had IMHO.

 

[These Are The Days]

Pittsburgh is an absolutely f***ing not from me dawg

 

[SheldonJPlankton]

Cannot rule out the tank culture in Toronto.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Pittsburgh's total free fall lines up pretty well with McKenna's draft. They're awful this year and will only be a year older the next.

 

[JPeeper]

Flames will also be another year older and if Ras is traded we'll for sure be in the race.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Flames will also be another year older and if Ras is traded we'll for sure be in the race.

Dustin Wolf specifically might just keep you out of the McKenna Tank Race.

 

[BB88]

Pittsburgh's total free fall lines up pretty well with McKenna's draft. They're awful this year and will only be a year older the next.

Yes and with how bad luck they’ve had they totally deserve the 1st overall!

In reality with Dubas at the helm and still having Crosby they’ll try to compete because what kind of message would that send to players if they tried to tank/rebuild..

 

[Brookbank]

Chicago or Pittsburgh will probably get him. Even if they're trying to be better.

 

[Score08]

Bruins seem to be making a run at the tank this year.

 

[Dread Clawz]

I don't think Pittsburgh is gonna be bad enough.
Right now the top 6 contenders look like:

San Jose
Montreal
Chicago
Anaheim
Columbus
Calgary

 

[LAkings1990]

A lot of teams are improving and will try to get out of their rebuild/muck they're in before then (Chicago, San Jose, Columbus, Montreal, Anaheim, Ottawa), others should still be contending (Florida, Carolina, Edmonton, Dallas, Toronto, New York Rangers).

So who will fall off a cliff and unintentionally tank (New York Islanders, Pittsburgh, Washington, St Louis, Tampa, Boston, Los Angeles, Winnipeg), who will outright tank (Calgary, others listed previously), or who could be good but won't be and tank (Seattle, Utah, Philadelphia, Buffalo)?

Really interested who will end up in McKenna range, since he looks to be the truth.

Well LA looks good this year, lets see how long it can last. We are not that bad for a top 5 pick so hoping we can squeeze into the playoffs. Byfield has been very good so far, hope it continues.

 

[Buffalo Preds]

Going to Gehenna for McKenna

 

[zizbuka]

I don't think Pittsburgh is gonna be bad enough.
Right now the top 6 contenders look like:

San Jose
Montreal
Chicago
Anaheim
Columbus
Calgary

You forgot the worst team in the league right now...........

 

[oconnor9sean]

This season would be a good year for teams in need of a rebuild to start tearing it down. No incredible generational prize this year, but if you can really suck starting next year you’ll have two cracks at generational-type guys in 26 and 27 drafts.

Not sure who totally fits the bill though. Calgary and Pittsburgh?

 

[Dread Clawz]

You forgot the worst team in the league right now...........

I think Philly will rebound next season. It'll be Michkov's sophomore year. In reality they're somewhere between last season and this season.

 

[squashmaple]

I don't think Pittsburgh is gonna be bad enough.
Right now the top 6 contenders look like:

San Jose
Montreal
Chicago
Anaheim
Columbus
Calgary

This is about next season’s draft. I’ll be shocked if half of those teams are still in the bottom five. What a lazy post.

 

[BB79]

....I'm not going to be able to watch this kid without thinking of Steve McKenna..

 

[Dread Clawz]

This is about next season’s draft. I’ll be shocked if half of those teams are still in the bottom five. What a lazy post.

How are they going to get dramatically better? The other 26 teams exist

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

Pittsburgh are saying hello

 

[Brookbank]

Crashin for Gavin.

We need some rhymes

 

[SomeDude]

The Pens are back to teach you kids how tanking is really done.