The 2026 NHL Draft is shaping up to be a historic battle for the top spot. While Swedish sensation Ivar Stenberg is ranked first on The Win Column’s consolidated 2026 NHL Draft rankings, Gavin McKenna is the presumptive first-overall pick for many hockey analysts.
Who is Gavin McKenna?
| Player | Position | Handedness | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gavin McKenna | LW | L | 6’0” | 170 LBS |
Born in Whitehorse, Yukon, McKenna is the cousin of Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard. In the WHL Prospects Draft, the Medicine Hat Tigers drafted McKenna first overall when he was 14. In his final WHL season, McKenna led the Tigers to the Ed Chynoweth Cup. Additionally, he was named both the WHL and CHL Player of the Year. McKenna would then make the rare jump to the NCAA to play for The Penn State University in his draft year. He was recently named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and is a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
McKenna’s on-ice production
| Year | Draft Relative | League | Team | GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | D-3 | WHL | Medicine Hat | 16 | 4 | 14 | 18 |
| 2023-24 | D-2 | WHL | Medicine Hat | 61 | 34 | 63 | 97 |
| 2024–25 | D-1 | WHL | Medicine Hat | 56 | 41 | 88 | 129 |
| Memorial Cup | Medicine Hat | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||
| WJC | Canada | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2025-26 | Draft year | NCAA | Penn State | 34 | 15 | 36 | 51 |
| WJC | Canada | 7 | 4 | 10 | 14 |
In his first full WHL season, McKenna led the Tigers in scoring with 97 points in 61 games, earning him both the WHL and CHL Rookie of the Year awards. In 2024–25, he recorded a remarkable 129 points in just 56 games. This is extremely notable because it surpasses Bedard’s D-1 production in the WHL. Furthermore, McKenna participated in both the Memorial Cup and the World Juniors in 2025. McKenna has continued to excel at the collegiate level, posting 51 points in 34 games for Penn State. He would return to the World Juniors in 2026, where he led Canada in scoring and helped the team earn a bronze medal.
McKenna’s strengths
Elite Playmaking
McKenna’s biggest strengths are undoubtedly his vision and hockey intelligence. He’s always thinking two steps ahead, and he’s often able to make creative plays that no one else on the ice can even see. This elite level of awareness allows him to dictate the pace of the game, often identifying passing lanes before they even fully develop. Whether he is operating off the rush or from the half-wall, his ability to disguise his intentions makes him a constant threat to opposing defences.
Heavy Shot
McKenna’s playmaking abilities are incredibly strong, yet he also likes to shoot the puck. When you’re an elusive player who’s always looking for passes, sometimes just putting it on net can catch a goalie off guard, especially when your shot is quick and well-placed.
McKenna’s areas of improvement
Overreliance on skill
At times, McKenna’s game is built purely on talent and high-risk creative plays. To succeed at the NHL level, McKenna will need to adjust his play. He will have to learn when to play a more consistent, simpler game, especially against tight-checking NHL systems.
Lack of intensity
Many scouts have criticized McKenna for giving up on plays early and avoiding contact in all situations. This lack of physicality often manifests in him not playing with enough heart or effort throughout a full sixty minutes.
McKenna’s NHL comparable
An NHL-comparable for McKenna is Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov. They are both elite playmakers who prefer to manipulate defenders with deception and skill rather than raw power or physicality.
McKenna’s fit with the Flames
McKenna is absolutely a fit with the Flames because he will instantly become the cornerstone of the Calgary Flames’ franchise. He provides the game-breaking offensive talent that the organization has craved for years. As a player who has reportedly expressed a desire to play in Calgary, he would be a franchise-altering piece that fans could rally around for a decade or more.
Summary
Overall, McKenna projects as a top-line NHL winger who has the potential to win the Art Ross Trophy in the future. Both his outstanding production in the WHL and his impressive transition to the NCAA make him a strong contender to be first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Risk: 1/5
Reward: 5/5
Projection: Top-line NHL winger
