2026 NHL Draft

[Carl Yagro]

What a puck hog.

Tsk. Tsk.

[Hockey Widow]

Maybe he doesn’t want to get drafted 1st overall. Of maybe he plays his 4 years and goes FA. Maybe he just wants more control over where he goes or doesn’t go.

[Chef Boi RD]

McKenna’s NCAA season is getting the big time gears right now. Kinda saw this coming with all the hype he was getting. His season in the NCAA at the same age as Celebrini’s NCAA season is like night and day. Seems we all underestimated Celebrini’s game and overestimated McKenna’s.

One thing McKenna seriously needs to overcome is his pass first mentality. He’s getting big time ripped for it. Kid needs to start getting selfish, especially being a winger.

Verhoeff is giving McKenna serious competition for first overall honours. Verhoeff is looking great in North Dakota

[donlever]

By the time Verhoeff stops growing he could be close to Pronger size.

With "hot" wheels.

And a right shot.

Potential stud.

[BCExpat]

Great year for the Flames to be drafting top 3 (good chance 1st overall). They should get a bona fide future NHL star in June.

[donlever]

I wonder if he will have soccer skills?

[Megaterio Llamas]

McKenna gives off that Mike Ricci/Shane Wright draft year vibe. As Chef points out, he's about half a Macklin Celebrini.

[Cousin Strawberry]

I hear good things about his work with psychedelics

[Chef Boi RD]

McKenna’s comparisons have now been downgraded to Panarin/Marner potential ceiling. Not the generational “next one” he had been getting before his Penn State season. Apparently having a hard time with the physicality of the NCAA and has been pushed to playing on the perimeter. Also has a frustrating pass first mentality.

Personally I feel he is nowhere near the level of Celebrini. Look at Celebrini’s ncaa season compared to McKennas season, same age. Not even close

[Carl Yagro]

Agree about Verhoeff, gentlemen.

Would not surprise me if he went first overall.

I love our pluckiness, but I keep looking at game summaries and wonder how we keep pulling points out of our butts?

It's so Hockey Gods to remove the speed bumps so this franchise can never bottom out at the crossroads.

Does that seem negative?

Sorry, but, check the sig... 55 years and going strong.

[Megaterio Llamas]

The McKenna numbers for context:

[donlever]

What his NIL deal?

3/4's of a mill or so?

[Megaterio Llamas]

What his NIL deal?

3/4's of a mill or so?

I don't know, but Charlie Cerrato is looking like a very shrewd second-round pick as a double overage by Carolina.

[donlever]

Now you know...


....a reported NIL package worth around $700,000 for the season, which is believed to be the most lucrative college hockey NIL deal in history.

[Megaterio Llamas]

Now you know...


....a reported NIL package worth around $700,000 for the season, which is believed to be the most lucrative college hockey NIL deal in history.

Not bad. It seems though, that he will wind up regretting the decision. In hindsight, he could have filled the net for another year playing against boys, and scouts would have been none the wiser.