Leafs given worrying McKenna verdict ahead of NHL – Sports News
Gavin McKenna has been ranked by a number of NHL scouts earlier than the draft (Image: Getty)
The Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly advised Penn State prospect Gavin McKenna that he will probably be chosen first general within the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, however scouts have supplied differing opinions on the Canadian ahead.
The Maple Leafs have been the shock winners of the NHL Draft Lottery, an sudden optimistic on the finish of a disastrous season. Toronto received simply 32 video games and fired normal supervisor Brad Treliving earlier than parting methods with head coach Craig Berube.
It’s believed that a number of members of the roster may very well be on the commerce block, and Maple Leafs followers have been compelled to watch former star Mitch Marner dominate within the Stanley Cup Final for the Vegas Golden Knights. While McKenna’s arrival seems imminent, not each NHL scout is satisfied.
McKenna scored 51 factors (15 targets, 36 assists) in his freshman 12 months with Penn State, after a 129-point season with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League. The 18-year-old has additionally starred for Canada on the World Juniors and has been on the radar of NHL groups for some time.
According to NHL reporter Shawn Hutcheon, McKenna was advised on the NHL Scouting Combine that he can be chosen first general on June 26. “A source close to the situation, who was part of the NHL Combine, tells me Toronto told Gavin McKenna during their interview with the player that they intend on drafting him with the first overall pick,” Hutcheon wrote on X.
McKenna on the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine (Image: Getty)
The Maple Leafs have held the No. 1 decide within the NHL solely twice, and used their choice on Wendel Clark (1985) and Auston Matthews (2016). McKenna is anticipated to be subsequent, and new normal supervisor John Chayka has already made his emotions clear.
“Gavin is a really nice young man. Really quality family. Spent some quality time with them, got to know them,” Chayka stated. “He’s a small-town kid. It’s a remote area of the world. Very peaceful, but beautiful.
“Within that, I believe there’s some actual resolve round who he’s, and what his profession means to him and his household, and I discover it spectacular.” However, despite Chayka’s confidence, some NHL scouts have their doubts about the Penn State star going first overall.
McKenna has been a star prospect since high school (Image: Getty)
The Athletic spoke with a number of nameless scouts, with one saying, “He’s an wonderful participant. In the center of the season, I’m sure you’ll see some highlight-reel performs, and a few four- or five-point nights. But when issues get powerful, if that’s the man you’re leaning on within the playoffs, our guys can be so excited to play towards him.”
Another added, “He’s going to attain a ton within the NHL. He’s particular with the puck and on the ability play. My concern is he’s like Artemi Panarin. He’ll get his accolades, however he’ll even be on three to 4 groups and by no means make actual noise within the playoffs.”
A 3rd stated, “He’s received to be one of essentially the most uncommon high Canadian prospects I’ve seen. You can’t discover him some nights, and he may be so irritating, however his expertise is freakish. He can’t actually try to nonetheless have three factors.”
The Maple Leafs front office have reportedly decided on McKenna (Image: Getty)
Some scouts disagreed, saying that Chayka could lose his job if McKenna isn’t selected first overall. “I might have a actually laborious time passing on the particular ability,” another said. “That’s the sort of stuff that will get you fired.”
One scout stated, “I’m usually the primary one who places facilities and defensemen ahead of wingers on my checklist, however I believe there’s a separation between McKenna and the remainder.”
One scouting director was on the fence, but thought that the Maple Leafs would have no choice but to select McKenna on June 26. “I get the considerations, and I’ve them as effectively, however there may be a reasonable probability he’s Patrick Kane or Nikita Kucherov. His mind and fingers are that particular… McKenna had a great season.
“He deserves to be in this conversation. The issue is his profile isn’t amazing, and there are guys who are close to him. But if you don’t take him and he becomes what some think he can, you look like an idiot.”
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