It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for top 2026 draft prospect Gavin McKenna. He began the month with some legal trouble as he was arrested, but later returned to the ice and scored eight points in a single game against Ohio State. McKenna’s season has been subject to quite a bit of conversation, with many speculating that the Canadian winger, who had long been considered this year’s top draft prospect, might be losing his grip on his status as the presumptive No. 1 overall pick. It’s unclear how the events of the past month – both the legal issue and the uptick in production – will impact McKenna’s draft stock, but at least one team appears to now hold an improved view of the player. Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reported today that the Chicago Blackhawks “have noticed McKenna improving his all-around game,” and that “they were skeptical about him earlier this season,” but “that’s no longer the case.”
In addition, Pope reports that McKenna’s “felony charge is unlikely to affect his NHL draft stock now that it has been dropped.” Whether the Blackhawks will be in a position to draft McKenna is, of course, not clear at this time. They are No. 27 in the league standings, and would likely need some lottery luck to have a shot at McKenna. Regarding other options for their top draft choice, Pope noted that the Blackhawks “have also long been interested in Canadian center Tynan Lawrence,” who is widely ranked as one of the top centers in this year’s class. While Pope’s reporting only relates to one team, it does shed some light on how other NHL scouts might view McKenna given the events of the past month, assuming the Blackhawks are not alone in their reported view of things.
Other notes from the Central Division:
- St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas is one of the key names as the league rapidly approaches the trade deadline, with The Athletic’s Chris Johnston listing him No. 5 on his trade board. Complicating what would already be a complex trade to pull off is the recent injury suffered by Thomas. Jeremy Rutherford, Johnston’s colleague at The Athletic, relayed word from Blues head coach Jim Montgomery who said that Thomas underwent a “minor leg procedure” and currently has an unclear return timeline. Rutherford noted that Thomas did skate on Friday, but it remains unknown when Thomas will be fit to return in full. The 26-year-old center scored 21 goals and 81 points in 70 games last season and has 11 goals and 33 points in 42 games this year.
- Veteran Blues winger Oskar Sundqvist had a minor procedure during the Olympic break, reports Rutherford. He skated alongside Thomas on Friday, but like his teammate, is currently dealing with an uncertain return timeline. The 31-year-old veteran has 14 points in 43 games this season and when healthy is a regular bottom-six contributor for the Blues, including on both sides of special teams.
I’m just wondering if the Hawks might decide to take a run at acquiring a guy like Thomas. They surely have the assets to go get him if the Blues are serious about moving him. It also wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen if the Hawks had McKenna either fall to them or actually had some lottery luck and just got him anyway. If the Hawks ended up with McKenna, Thomas and Kantserov and Frondell come over, This could be a decidedly different team next year. Not to mention it wouldn’t be horrible at all if the Florida draft pick conveyed in a future year. That might be the total best case scenario for the Hawks.
Thomas’s return is not known. The TDL is 2 weeks away. Wouldn’t that put a serious damper on your wet dream scenario?
Why? Do the Hawks really need Thomas to put them into the Playoffs this year? Who cares when he comes back? He can take his time. Long as he’s back next year I’m cool.
The hawks? You think the Blues would trade once hawks? Then do you think by luck they’ll get the first overall pick and acquire McKenna? Oh, and I like how you say “ actually have some lottery luck” even though it was clearly rigged the year they won the first overall pick and got the highly overrated, Bedard.
Did you just say IF Chicago games some lottery luck???
How do you think they got Bedard?
Don’t look now but there is a fat guy in a red suit on your roof. Clown show.
If it was clearly rigged, you must able to provide some evidence that proves it. And evidence is actual, tangible proof, not the crazy thoughts blasting around your cranium.
Or from Trust Me Bro University …
Just curious but exactly how is the Hawks having the best odds in the lottery and ending up with the #1 pick a conspiracy, When the team with the 11th best odds getting the #1 pick and drafting he home town hero OK? If you want a true conspiracy, Let’s talk about how the Hawks had all the shots they did and only ACTUALLY came away with it ONCE? That’s more of a conspiracy than the other way around.
lol how about the odds? The had like a .0001% chance of getting it but somehow they did once their door shut, Bernard “randomly” came on the scene. lol
The Blues would be fools to move Thomas, Or Kyrou.
Not if he doesn’t want to stay it doesn’t. Has he said either way? I don’t remember hearing he wanted to be dealt exactly. I’m just saying the Hawks have more than enough bullets to go get him if it happens. I didn’t say he wanted to go, The article did. As far as the author or the Atlantic goes though their credibility isn’t exactly the best with me.
Agreed with Thomas. Not so much with Kyrou
This I do not get. Thomas is a star, he’s still only 26, he’s under team control for five more seasons at what will be an increasingly team-friendly deal, and even if the Blues tear the team down to the studs, he’ll still be in his prime at the back end of a rebuild. What possible reason could they have to trade someone who already IS the real deal for speculative prospects and picks?
Agreed. Even if a team paid a first + for him, it would be an awesome get. Doesn’t make sense to let a guy like that go. Barring some catastrophe or secret injury he’s likely got a good decade plus in him as a definite top 6 C, plus the 5 years at a good price as you mention. It just doesn’t make sense.
What you people have to realize is that this is a story by the Athletic. Their credibility is somewhere between the gutter and a ditch. Then there is this writer of this piece who inspires as much confidence as the Big Orange Blowhole telling the truth someday. I just said if it were remotely true this is a guy the Hawks should empty the tank for. As for the Bedard conspiracy crap we all see it for what it is-Complete nonsense. I mean if you want a conspiracy how about the Islanders if you wanna talk crap I can do that too. That’s all just sour grapes anyway. Those people believe in Santa Claus too.
Why is Ben Pope writing this. The Blackhawks need to move out 5 of there veteran players , to make room for Frondell, Levshunov,Del Maestro,Korchinski, and Kantersov.Plus Floridas pick which the Blackhawks own is top ten protected . McKenna is out of range right now.
Just as well Chicago has four forwards and two defensemen on expiring contracts, and only five guys on their NHL roster signed after 2027. The space will be there.
There is no earthly reason the Blues should want to move away from Thomas. The only way it should even be an issue is if he’s unhappy with the direction the team is going, And I’m not even sure they know which way it’s going right now. If he was so unhappy why re sign then? This would have been the poster child for ” Betting on Himself” in FA. The Atlantic is to truth in reporting, What Elon Musk is to parenting.
I think it comes down to sportwriteritis. Let’s face it, who really cares (other than we Springfield locals, who just saw our leading scorer dealt) about St Louis dealing Matt Luff? Logan Mailloux? Meh. Otto Stenberg? Hasn’t done anything yet. Binnington? On the block for most of the last five seasons, seemingly. Faulk? At his age, he’s not going to get all that much of a return. A whole lot of stale or boring rumors.
But dealing Thomas? Whoa, now THAT’s a headline, a real blockbuster in the making. That’d rake in so many picks! What excitement! Now THAT’s something that might perk interest and get the sports editor to stop yawning.