2026 NHL Mock Draft Shock: Gavin McKenna Tops Corey Pronman’s List—But Can He Live Up to the Hype?
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The mock draft order is based on betting lines for the 2025-26 season. There are 31 selections in the first round, as the Ottawa Senators have forfeited their pick due to the Evgenii Dadonov trade mishap.
1. San Jose: Gavin McKenna, LW, Medicine Hat (WHL)
McKenna was one of the very best players in the CHL this season. He’s an electric forward with truly elite skill and offensive sense. He’s one of the most creative and skilled players I’ve seen in recent years. That McKenna is also a high-end skater who can make his difficult plays at quick tempos gives a lot of confidence about how his game could fare in the NHL. If teams were going to pick him apart, it would be that he’s an average-sized winger who doesn’t have a super high motor, but his talent and scoring are so good that it’s nitpicking. I wouldn’t call him a Macklin Celebrini/Connor Bedard level prospect, but he’s not far off.
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