Although the 2025 NHL Draft is only a few days away, the projected first overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft is already making waves. The expectation is that Gavin McKenna, currently rostered with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, will play in the NCAA for the 2025-26 season.
In this week’s rendition of 32 Thoughts, podcast host Elliotte Friedman shared that McKenna has completed interviews with Penn State University, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Denver. Friedman lists the former two as the perceived favorites, but all four programs are expected to compete for a National Championship next season.
Any program that lands McKenna will have successfully recruited a generational talent. McKenna scored 41 goals and 129 points in 56 games for the Tigers this season, with another nine goals and 38 points in 16 postseason contests en route to a Memorial Cup Final finish. To put McKenna’s season into perspective, Connor McDavid scored 28 goals and 99 points in 56 games for the OHL’s Erie Otters in his age-17 season, with another four goals and 19 points in 14 postseason games.
Other snapshots:
- According to Frank Seravalli in the DFO Rundown podcast, the Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders have had loose trade negotiations regarding forward JJ Peterka and defenseman Noah Dobson. A one-for-one swap would fill an area of need for both organizations, with the Sabres prioritizing a right-handed defenseman and the Islanders looking to jumpstart a lethargic offense. Still, both teams are continuing to gauge the market for each player, and a trade isn’t considered imminent.
- Nick Alberga of The Leafs Nation reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs remain interested in re-signing winger Max Pacioretty for next season. Despite a solid postseason performance, Pacioretty should warrant a relatively cheaper contract, given he missed more than half of the season due to injury. Still, Alberga notes that Pacioretty is prioritizing remaining close to his family in Michigan, meaning his desired employer will come down to the Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings.
Thats wild. The Islanders should lock up Dobson.
U r absolutely right on that statement lock up for along time
With due respect to a pretty good player’s career, Pacioretty is 36 with declining production. Redwings don’t need yet another 2 year retirement project with little upside potential at this point. How long will the Wings ignore their needs to be a playoff contender? What was the use of building the AHL rosters and picks if not to pull them into the NHL as soon as they are ready. Some are getting a little ripe already. McClellan is in need of some hard working, energetic and hungry players, start feeding them in to the roster instead of hiring retreads on the back side of their careers.
I tend to agree with this sentiment. I don’t see any reason for the Red Wings to pursue Pacioretty this offseason. To be fair, I don’t think Alberga was either; he was simply noting that Pacioretty still resides in Michigan (UofM alumnus), and may prefer the Red Wings as a destination if it doesn’t work with Toronto. Alberga didn’t articulate if Detroit would reciprocate the interest.
Yeah I always liked him but at this point he’s got so much wear and tear on him. I don’t know that it’s a good use of a roster spot for TOR. He also fits the DET model perfectly so expect the Yzerplan to continue to look into him.
Don’t win for Gavin.
Wonder where Gary will have McKenna play? :)
How much better is McKenna than, say, Misa or Hagens? Bedard? And why?
Also, why are we the only team that seems ready to tank for this generational talent? I appreciate it, but….it seems odd.
The projected talent gap between McKenna and Misa is like… MacKinnon vs. Tage Thompson. One is an era-defining talent, the other a perennial All-Star candidate. Not drawing comparables for either player there, just a difference in value.
Pacioretty is useless at his age, Who would be stupid enough to pay a guy to sit on IR for weeks at a time? Besides Toronto. Lol.
Yzerman hired a good coach in McLellan, not a magician. He needs to start adding some more real talent to the roster for McLellan to work with, not a bunch of hasbeens. The Wings already are stacked in the mediocrity category. Adding more of it ensures another season without the playoffs.
McKenna, Bedard, Celebrini all generational talents in a 4 year span? How long is a generation again?
Redwings should check the points per game played for their forwards as a start. There are 3 or 4 who are bottom dwellers. Need to free up those spots for more productive players either from the AHL ranks or from the trade market. But then , its always easier for me to do someone else’s job without the responsibilities.