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Gavin McKenna: Why the Canucks Can’t Overthink This Year’s Pick

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated Feb 23, 2026 2:44 PM ET

Gavin McKenna is once again beginning to emerge as the #1 draft choice. For months, everyone’s been circling the edges of this draft class, kicking tires on Ivar Stenberg or Keaton Verhoeff, wondering if one of them might sneak into the top spot. Meanwhile, McKenna just packed his stuff, headed off to Penn State, and has spent the last few weeks absolutely lighting up anyone who tries to check him.

The Canucks Have a Chance for McKenna If They’re Lucky

The Vancouver Canucks, sitting dead last coming out of the Olympic break, suddenly look like they’re watching the early chapters of their own scouting report unfold in real time. Nine goals, 21 points, and 44 shots in eight games is one thing. A ten-point weekend against Ohio State University, including a seven-assist night and an overtime winner where he made a Buckeyes defender look like he needed jumper cables?

That’s something else entirely. Even Guy Gadowsky, the head coach of the Penn State University men’s ice hockey team, was left shrugging at the microphones afterward, saying he’d run out of superlatives. Coaches don’t usually say that unless they mean it.

McKenna Is Rising Up the Draft Board Again

Beyond the highlight reel, McKenna’s year at Penn State reads like a player deciding to take full ownership of the draft board. There were some thoughts that he might not make the top. However, those seem to be receding. He’s up to 43 points, sits near the top of NCAA scoring, and broke the school’s single-game records for both points and assists in one go.

And for a kid carrying some real-life weight. It was his first home weekend since his assault charge was reduced and the felony dropped (although the misdemeanor charges remain), and he showed a level of composure most 18-year-olds don’t have yet. The arm-flapping celebration didn’t hurt his case either. Confidence, personality, and swagger are things that scouts notice.

McKenna’s Background Is Unique and Interesting

This is a player from Whitehorse with B.C. ties thanks to his time at Rink Academy Kelowna, a kid who jumped from the Medicine Hat Tigers the moment the NCAA cracked open the door for WHL players. He put up 129 points last year in junior. Now he’s doing it against college players who are three or four years older.

The Canucks have never actually held the No. 1 pick. Not once. Their closest brush came when Brian Burke turned the 1999 draft into a Sudoku puzzle to land the Canucks with Daniel and Henrik Sedin at picks two and three. This year, they might not need theatrics.

The Canucks have the best odds in the draft lottery, and McKenna’s doing everything short of buying a billboard to announce he’s the guy. If he keeps going like this, the debate may already be over.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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