Scout’s Analysis: How good is top 2026 draft prospect Gavin McKenna?
While there is some intrigue for the 2025 NHL Draft, right now there is little doubt as to who will go first in 2026. Jason Bukala looks at consensus pick Gavin McKenna, who is tearing up the WHL.
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This week, my colleague Sam Cosentino presented his most recent rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft. This draft cycle is unpredictable, but I firmly believe Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer is at the top of the class. Beyond Schaefer, however, I’m expecting a lot of surprises come June.
The 2026 draft class, on the other hand, is unlikely to provide any sort of unpredictability at the very top as Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna is the consensus No. 1 pick. The electric talent is second in WHL scoring (37G-84A), trailing Spokane Chiefs forward — and Washington Capitals prospect — Andrew Cristall by five points heading into the last weekend of the regular season. McKenna has produced his 121 points in only 54 games.
Over the next year, McKenna’s trajectory as a prospect will undoubtedly be compared to recent first overall selections Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini. One of the immediate differences is the fact McKenna plays the wing while Bedard and Celebrini play centre. NHL teams will generally select a centre over a winger when prospects present equal upside. High-end offensive talents who play the middle have the advantage of using the entire length and width of the ice to impact the game.
When it comes to McKenna, however, he’s the kind of winger who corrals pucks and works to find open ice in all three zones. He always seems to be around the play and he’s simply the most talented prospect in his draft class.
Here’s a closer look at 2026 top prospect Gavin McKenna:
SCORING PROWESS
McKenna is currently riding a 38-game point streak, scoring 28 goals, 64 assists and 92 points since Nov. 6. He is averaging 2.42 points per game during the streak and doesn’t look to be slowing down as the Tigers head into the playoffs as one of the top teams in the WHL.
Over McKenna’s last 10 games has produced 9G-19A while averaging 22:04 of ice time and being deployed in all situations. He’s scored goals at even strength (four), on the power play (four) and while shorthanded (one). He’s an impressive plus-16 in the segment.
McKenna is uber aggressive directing pucks on net. In the 10-game segment he attempted 105 shots, connecting on 67, while 14 were blocked and 24 missed the net all together. His shot map reveals how he attacks the middle of the ice offensively. The majority of his scoring chances come from between the circles.
ELUSIVE
The most elite offensive talents in the game are elusive and creative. They attract pressure from opponents and have the ability to spin off checks and open up space for their teammates.
The following clip didn’t result in a goal for Medicine Hat, but McKenna does exactly what I am describing. He works off the half wall, moves across the offensive zone and distributes the puck to his teammate. The entire sequence opened up several offensive options as a result of McKenna’s ability to create open space.
QUICK STICK
Players with the offensive upside that McKenna has are gifted with unbelievable hand/eye coordination, puck touch, and the ability to read how plays are developing a step ahead of their opponents.
The following sequence displays all of the above. Watch closely as McKenna corrals a puck in mid-air before attacking up ice with speed, avoiding contact and finally making a quick dish to Tigers defenceman, and Nashville Predators prospect, Tanner Molendyk who finishes the play off the rush:
MOTION
Opponents prioritize attempting to kill McKenna’s offensive zone entries before they become dangerous scoring chances against. It can lead to mixed results and, at times, chaos in the defensive zone. McKenna is always looking to find open space by keeping his feet moving after distributing pucks to teammates.
Here’s an example of what I’m describing:
DEFENSIVE DETAIL
Like any developing prospect, especially ones with an elite offensive element, McKenna has some work to do defensively. He isn’t a liability in his zone, but there are times he loses track of his responsibilities.
Here’s an example of a defensive zone scenario that involved McKenna having to step in to take the face-off after his centreman, Oasiz Weisblatt, was kicked out of the dot. McKenna is tasked with trying to win the draw off Winnipeg Jets top prospect Brayden Yager:
COMPARISONS
By the time McKenna’s name is called next year, several comparisons will have been made between him, Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini. With McKenna’s regular season coming to an end this weekend, his stats are very impressive and stack up well next to these other two first overall picks.
Here’s a look Bedard, Celebrini and McKenna’s stats before being drafted. Reminder that McKenna still has one season left to play before he’s draft eligible. So his stats this season are more comparable to Bedard in 2021-22 or Celebrini in 2022-23:
Gavin McKenna
Connor Bedard
Macklin Celebrini
TRAJECTORY
McKenna has experienced playing for Team Canada at the U17, U18 and U20 levels in addition to his already impressive career at the WHL level with Medicine Hat. By the time he is drafted he should be prepared to go straight into the NHL in 2026-27.
He has top line winger written all over him and a real chance to impact the game in a similar fashion to Patrick Kane when he broke into the league with the Chicago Blackhawks. He’s a different type of player than Kane, but the potential is certainly in place.
WHAT OTHER SCOUTS SAY
I don’t usually poll my colleagues about players, but since McKenna is still a year away from being drafted I thought I would reach out for some feedback. Here’s a couple of quotes from crossover scouts who travel throughout North America and Europe in their current roles with their organizations:
“Elite prospect. A special player. Very few prospects I have viewed in my career, at any level, think the game the way he does. His vision is elite. Some players slow the game down, while others speed it up, but he is a rare prospect who does both. He’s an effortless skater whose top end speed and lateral agility is deceiving. He processes the game at another level compared to his peer group.” — Western Conference NHL Amateur Scout.
“McKenna is a dynamic, play driving, winger who makes everyone around him better. Turns pucks up ice quickly and challenges opponents in transition. Slippery. Hard to check. Shifty in small areas. His agility makes him elusive and difficult to contain. Creates off the rush and the cycle. Draws opponents to him which opens up space for his linemates. Top line upside at even strength and first power play unit all night long.” — Eastern Conference NHL Amateur Scout.
