Michigan-Bound McKinney Set to SOLIDIFY Sharks’ Bottom Six | How Long Until He Comes To San Jose?

Michigan-Bound McKinney Set to SOLIDIFY Sharks’ Bottom Six | How Long Until He Comes To San Jose?

After Michael Mesa, Cole McKenna might be the safest player from the 2025 Sharks draft class. You’re Locked On Sharks, your daily podcast on the San Jose Sharks, part of the Locked On Network, your team every day. Hello, welcome to Locked On Sharks, the premier hockey podcast covering your favorite team in the Bay Area. My name is JD Young, caretaker at the Reef, also the co-host of Locked On NHL. Want to thank you for making Locked on Sharks your first listen. Proudly part of the Locked Onet. We cover your team every day or like three days a week right now because we’re in the offseason. So, if you want to be in every day, all you have to do just follow along wherever you get podcasts and of course you can watch on YouTube as well. And today we’re going to be kind of finishing up these deep dives from the 2025 class as we look at Cole McKini, the uh Sharks second round pick. Uh and why I feel like he is other than Michael Misa the safest player for the Sharks uh when it comes to kind of projecting uh one being an NHL player and two projecting what their kind of role is going to be. So, uh, we’re going to dig into the stats and analytics of McKenna, uh, review what the scouts said, plus what I saw when I watched his tape, and then kind of discuss the long-term and impact when we might see, uh, McKenna making his NHL debut. So, before we get to all that, do want to let you guys know that today’s episode is brought to you by Game Time. Download the Game Time app. create an account and use code locked on NHL for $20 off your first purchase. All right. Uh Cole McKenna, uh a very intriguing player and again I call him the safest player uh other than Michael Misa because uh Michael Misa is ridiculous. But when it comes to kind of projecting what you expect from these players and where they’re going to kind of land, McKenna feels extremely safe, especially compared to some of the other guys, right? We did recently, you know, we did the how she Wang or Wong podcast last week. Uh we talked about the upside with him, but it’s such a raw raw talent. Um and it’s a lot of kind of projecting what you expect him to be. Um, we talked about Joshua Ravensburg in the week before and uh, again, right, with goalies, it’s a little bit of voodoo and you never know kind of how these guys, but you again, you like all the skills and you like all um, kind of the attributes that he brings to the table. McKenna has a very, I don’t want to say clear path, but you kind of know exactly what he is going to be for the San Jose Sharks uh, when he gets there. and he already is kind of fitting that bill uh in his playing with the USNDTP class and uh what as he goes on to Michigan like you really kind of feel like he is on the path to success of what you expect him to be kind of going forward. So let’s get to know uh Mr. McKini here a little bit uh more. So, uh, from Chicago, USA kid, uh, born March 2007, 6 foot, uh, anywhere I’ve seen 190 pounds, I’ve seen 201b. So, kind of around that, uh, range, 190 to 200 lb. Uh, was picked 53rd overall this year in the 2025 draft. Um, right-handed shot. uh played mostly in like grew up in Chicago, played with Chicago uh like in his uh prep days before going to the national team program where he spent the last couple seasons with the national team. Um again, right, they kind of U8 team and the U7 team kind of split their time there depending on age and who you’re playing and all this fun stuff. So, um, but, uh, and this year played, uh, like I said, played with the US team. Um, is also, you know, kind of fighting for a spot on the, uh, United States World Juniors team this this upcoming, uh, winter, right? And we, we know right now they’re doing the world’s uh, the summer showcase and has looked pretty good so far there. But, um, and then is going to be going to the University of Michigan uh, next season. So, um, looking at his his season though this year, uh, he played 51 games for the, uh, USN TDP team, um, 24 goals, 31 assists, 108 shots on goal. Not like eyepopping numbers, right? Not like the Will Smith numbers that we saw and such. And but that not kind of the same player, much more of a two-way player. We’ll get to that a little bit more uh here later on. Looking at from uh elite prospects kind of what his elevator pitch trustworthy two-way bottom six center projection uh who outworks almost everyone is a capable play connector and offers a physical netfront presence with scoring threat uh out of a scale of one to nine. Uh his skating rated at a 4.5, shooting at a five, 5.5 passing, 4.5 handling, senses at a 5.5, and a 5.5 physical. Uh again, nine is like super duper like elite skills that nobody ever really gets. Um you know, and five is kind of usually that that middle of the class type of of of ro there. So, uh he’s known for his motor, uh his finishing ability, and his versatility. And the first one, the motor and the versatility are the two, I think, driving forces for Cole McKini. Um, they had him going kind of in the range, elite prospects had him going in the range of 40 to 65. They ranked him 51st overall and and the Sharks picked him 53rd. There was a lot of people who thought McKenna could be a late first round, beginning of the second round pick, and of course, the Sharks got him 53rd overall. Um looking at kind of some of his uh again from elite prospects his uh tracking data 60th percentile in the USHL games that he played this year. Uh offense 39th percentile transition 75 percentile defense 81st percentile. though, uh, good defensively at kind of killing plays, limiting shot attempts, um, you know, and then his transition game, which is we’ll talk a little bit more about later on, but like I didn’t see in the games that I watched, and again, I’m just watching, you know, a handful of games here, wasn’t really the primary puck carrier, but when he did it, he did it effectively um, you know, for for the US team. So, um, NHL Foley, who does a great job on Twitter with his cool prospect cards, um, his kind of rankings and and metrics and stuff, they are much more kind to Mckin’s offense than kind of some of the other ones. The goals per 60 is very high. Uh, plus per 60 is also extremely high. Uh, goals above expected and and kind of the primary assist per 60 or kind of middle of the pack. um generation, which is kind of that uh his your ability to actually generate the offense, not just score. Um you know, kind of 46 percentile. And again, that’s an area where uh when you’re watching the tape, you you definitely it’s he’s not a play driver. Like that’s not his bread and butter is he’s not going to be the one kind of driving plays and creating offense. That that’s not what Cole McKini does. Can he finish? He 100% can finish. Um but it’s just not his like he needs someone else out there to kind of create for him. Uh defensively very good at kind of limiting shot attempts against uh very good at like the battles one per 60 like he’s again that motor right where he is out there he knows what his job is to do and he was utilized a lot by the US national team uh to kind of be one of those play killing player uh players for them. um transition turnovers per 60 is pretty good line uh his ability to actually get the puck in the other zone are really good as well. Uh he just didn’t really do it as much as some of the other player like line mates and uh Golant who the Sharks picked uh later in the draft was one of his uh line mates at least in the games that I watched uh with him and it felt like other guys were kind of asked to do a little bit more in that department. Um, looking at advanced hockey stats, uh, they have him as a 4% uh, player to chance to become a star player for them. A star player is in the top 18.5% of wins above replacement or war uh, per 82 games. Again, like it’s a lot of scoring basically. Uh, and I don’t think that’s going to be Mckin’s role. Um, but they do have a 23% chance to become an NHLer. Uh, which was 34th overall in their rankings. uh when they’re uh becoming NHL play 200 games are they positive wars is kind of what they um that’s how they they relate that. So um and then looking at Byron Baders same thing with very much kind of scoring a little bit more um I guess um I want to say positive or um anyway but they have a 22% chance to become a star. Uh again, his is at a.7 career point per game as a forward um and a 52% chance to become an NHL. And that’s a guy who just plays 200 games. Um so I do think McKenna is going to be an NHLer. And that was kind of my my big takeaway from doing this deep dive is uh I think Cole McKenna is going to be an NHLer because of uh a couple different reasons. and one is his defense and details and kind of what he would bring to the Sharks third line projected third line role. Uh which is kind of where I I see him settling in and especially with with Celibbrini/Misa Smith down the middle having a guy like Cole McKini I think would be a perfect third line center. So we’re going to dive into this a little bit more. Uh we’re going to read what the scout different scouts say, what I saw when I watched his games this year or this uh during this project, and then of course we’ll talk about uh kind of the timeline and why I think it we might be seeing McKini in San Jose a lot sooner than maybe you expect. So uh we’ll get to that here in just one second. We’ve all been there. Logging on early, waiting forever for concert tickets to go on sale, only to lose your spot for a show you’ve been dying to see. Uh, right? Internet goes out. You’re waiting in line and you’re like 17,000th person in line, whatever it is. Uh, live music should be about making memories, not dealing with the stress of ticket shopping. That’s where Game Time comes in. Game time makes getting concert tickets faster and easier than ever. Prices actually drop as it gets closer to Showtime. You can save up to 60% off with killer last minute deals. Um my wife my wife uh she got tickets to go see Backstreet Boys in Vegas. Uh of course as every millennial, you know, person of of her age, uh grew up a huge Backstreet Boys fan. Never got a chance to see them growing up. Finally getting to live out that dream and use games time to be able to get the perfect tickets for her and her friend as they’re going to make a whole weekend in Vegas and go check out uh Backshi Boys. So, take the guesswork out of buying uh concert and show tickets with Game Time. Download the Game Time app, create an account, and use code lockdown NHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again, create an account, redeem code lockdown NHL, O C E D O NHL for $20 off. Download Game Time app today. Last minute tickets, lowest price, guaranteed. All right, before we continue, do of course want to thank you for making Locked on Sharks your first listen. Uh again, I know we’re down to three episodes a week, but that still doesn’t mean we have uh we’re not pumping out great content. Uh we have a fun guest scheduled for later on this week. Uh so make sure you keep an eye out for that. Um and we’re going to start to kind of build towards the start of the season because training camp is going to be here sooner than you realize. Uh so make sure you follow along wherever you get podcast and of course you can watch on YouTube as well. All right. Uh Cole McKenna right you see like maybe not not the most kind of productive or eye popping I guess the best play like offensive numbers but what does he do well and what do the scouts see uh when watching him? So, our good friend Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff, uh, McKenna was one of the US NTDP’s top fours all year long, and he was also one of the most aggressive. McKini is a midsize, two-way center who can play on the penalty kill, block shots, and win a ton of faceoffs. He’s not going to be a play driver in the NHL, but he’s detail- oriented and astute. McKini is also not afraid to land a big hit to channel some energy. Hope he gets stronger when he heads to college to really maximize his peer power. But the overall package right now is a solid base to build around. And again, right, we’re we’re thinking long term with the Sharks in the building, right? Um celebrating 1C like that. That’s you can kind of write that in stone for the next, you know, 15 years hopefully. Um Misa Smith, whoever kind of wins that position, right? And Misa, we’ve talked about more of a a 200 foot player than Will Smith. And again, that’s not a knock on Will Smith, just different players. But, uh, you know, if you do have Will Smith win that job long term, like having a guy like a Cole McKenna, playing that 3C takes pressure off your top two boys there, right? where they’re not having to kind of do uh you know kind of play a lot of these penalty kill minutes or and again if you want Melbourne to play penalty kill minutes you can. Um if you want Michael Misa to play penalty kill minutes you can but just giving you more options and I think McKenna can play a lot of those tough defensive minutes that open things up for a guy like Misa or Celibbrini or Smith or Ekin or whomever, right? um you have going in. Again, not a not a play driver. That’s something they’re gonna have to try to find uh you know, but I think though a play connector is probably the best way to describe Cole McKenna. Um looking, you know, at elite prospects what they said. Um night in night out, McKenna brings the same high energy attention to detail and determination, forcing turnovers after turnover. He never stops engaging opponents. He brushes uh pushes them into support uh to the walls, traps them with proactive physicality and a strong stick. He rips away possession from bigger opponents and puts his team right back on the attack. Offensively McKenzie is a play builder and supporter most effective around the net. He wins battles, creates space, and frees his stick for loose pucks and extends the cycle and flashes on playmaking at times, especially off the rush. Uh pace was consistently high with McKenna passing, relocating, attacking the speed. Uh Mitch Brown discussed in one of his viewings starting a give and go turned into a sim simultaneously receive the pass protect the puck and shoot between the legs. He also showed some advanced vision hitting tricky passes through traffic in transition and using a trailer on the weak side option. While McKenna’s puck handling lack of shooting threat might limit his overall scoring upside is a straightforward projection into a bottom six wall providing he got a bit more explosiveness physicality and get off the wall more often again. Right. Uh what is you know uh you don’t need 12 mac and celebrities or 12 Will Smith. Well I mean I would love to have 12 Mac celebrities because I think he could play whatever role you put him into but uh uh Cole McKenna feels like again if you you have a star-studded top six that the Sharks are building you need guys like Cole McKenna who can play dirty greasy hockey but also be effective at doing so. Right. You can’t just be uh play dirty, greasy hockey and don’t like score or do anything else. Um and I think McKenna is well on his way to being a player that can fit what the Sharks are looking for. Uh Cory Proman of the Athletic McKenna has been the best player in the US NTDP this season. He doesn’t generate a ton of highlight plays, but he’s a lot of substance to his game and does a lot of things well. He’s a hardworking center who wins a lot of battles, can play in traffic effectively despite being average size. McKenna has solid speed, hands, and vision, and a decent shot from range. He doesn’t project as a major score at the top level, but he could chip in offense. He projects as a bottom six, fourthline center. Again, you’re hearing a lot of the same stuff for McKenna. So, when I watched McKenna and it’s for me, it’s it’s a lot of the details, right? And yes, you know, he does a lot of good stuff offensively, but his play in the defensive zone is kind of what caught my eye, right? And his ability to be that help. And if you know, if a defenseman is kind of wandering off, maybe attacking someone, McKenna recognizes and reads the play and goes and kind of covers for that defensive spot, which is what uh right as the center you’re supposed to do, right? you’re kind of that guy who uh you you just kind of you’re the floater help to cover in the middle of the ice there. And he does an effective job of again using his size. Not the biggest guy, but I think he uses his size very well to kind of clear the path and basically play defense for, you know, almost entire shift. uh because the defenseman kind of gets caught out somewhere. Um but his ability to support um play defense, be aggre to be aggressive but not like overly you’re crazy aggressive about it. And I think he is uh again if Michael meets that you feel is is about as safe as a pick as you’re going to get, McKenna is extremely safe. And right, you’re not getting a top six player out of Cole McKenna, but you don’t need a top six player out of Cole McKenna, right? You you have a ton of guys that you spent a very high draft capital to be, right? Uh Misa Celibbrini Smith, Ecklan, you’re hoping a guy like Musty or Haltonin or Shernes, one of those guys can help kind of fill in the role. And that’s just all homegrown talent, right? Um, and for the Sharks again at the end of the second round with your your fourth pick of this draft, trying to find more answers in your bottom six of guys who can be cheap, homegrown talent. Um, because these guys like McKenna, these are the players that teams are always looking for at the trade deadline, right? guys who can kind of perfectly come in and fill a role, who can play on the PK, who can win faceoffs and do all the dirty work that makes life easier for your top six. And that’s exactly what the Sharks are getting with Cole McKenna. And that’s why I think Cole McKenna is uh going to be in the NHL probably sooner than you think. So, uh that’s what we’re going to discuss here uh in just a second. and we’re going to talk about his timeline, what he needs to work on, uh, why I think Michigan is going to be a great program for him to kind of do what he needs to do to make it to the NHL. So, uh, we’re going to finish up here in just one second. All right, before we finish up with McKini in the timeline, do of course want to thank you for making Locked on Sharks your first list. And when you’re done with this episode, go check out the Locked on Angel podcast. Even though we’re down to three episodes a week here at Locked On Sharks, we’re still pumping out five a week over at Locked on NHL. Uh we get to hear from local hosts covering the biggest stories around the NHL and start to get you ready for uh for the next season uh with the local coverage you love from Locked On. Find Locked on NHL on YouTube, wherever you listen to podcast. All right. uh Cole McKenna um headed to Michigan next year and I think Michigan is a perfect place for him to continue his development because of what we have seen Michigan kind of like the NHL players that we have seen Michigan kind of pump out recently, right? And again, I am not putting Cole McKini in like like listen to me. I’m not putting Cole McKenna in the same talent bucket as some of these players, but there’s again like you you can see paths and growth and development from these guys. Again, I’m not putting Cole McKenna in the same bucket of talent as some of these players, but you look at some of the players who have come out of Michigan recently, especially as centers, right? Um, Mattie Beneers, very good two-way center. Uh, Adam Ventilly, excellent two-way center, one of my favorite young players in the NHL. Um, you know, you look at uh, and again, I’m not putting him in the same bucket. uh Frank Nazar, you know, again, Nazar, all these guys are more talented players than uh than Cole McKenna, but these same defensive traits and the way they they play the game, that is still very like McKenna can learn and continue to be in the same type of environment from these guys, right? And Michigan’s going to continue to play big-time hockey because they’re in the Big 10 this year and the Big 10 this year is going to be ridiculous. uh especially with Michigan State, Michigan, Penn State, like there there’s going to be a lot of big-time hockey that uh is will be played this this year. McKenna is going to be playing in big time games, right? And that is what you want to see young players do, right? And that was like Cam Lun didn’t get to, you know, like played on a really stinky team this year and got to play some big-time hockey games at the end of the season because his team went on a miraculous playoff run. Um, but like a team like Michigan, like you’re going to be playing big-time uh opponents on a very good team all season long. And you know, even some of the players who again not as talented, but you look at guys like Gavin Brimley, you know, a second round pick, of course, uh, much smaller, but that same kind of all motor, all heart, we’re going to continue to like he’s just going to out hustle. if if Gavin Brinley was, you know, 4 in taller, he’s like a top 15 pick. Um, but Gavin Brinley is was 5 foot n um or is 5’9. He didn’t change his size. But you look at like some of the forwards and and players who have come out of Michigan and are starting to make an NHL impact now. And I think that puts if if M Cole McKenna can kind of simulate what these guys went through, right? and um how their development went. I think he’s in a really good position to succeed. Um you know, as as you heard, right, he needs to get stronger, which of course every 18-year-old kid needs to get stronger, but uh Michigan’s got a worldass facility where he’s going to be uh able to work on his body and continue to get bigger, stronger, faster. And I I do think for Cole McKenna, I can see him just there for two years. like I think two years is a very realistic outcome for him before he’s making signing as ELC, right? And again, with these these college players, um as soon as you sign your ELC, you’re done, right? You you have to turn pro. Uh we don’t have to worry about him, you know, with the if he can play in the AHL or NHL or like any of that like none of that CHL business, right? Because he’s going the college route here. But, um, I think for Cole McKenna, if he has two good years at Michigan, and I I don’t see why he shouldn’t have two good years at Michigan, um, playing on a a very good team, playing against top competition in the Big 10. Um, and he continues to get stronger, I can see the Sharks two years from now. inside that ELC and let’s get you playing uh professional hockey here because you know we’re hoping by then the Sharks are starting to kind of turn the corner and for a guy like McKenna um you know like well one the Sharks will be in a good position where if they feel like they need him you can sign him and bring him in or if you feel like you know what like let’s give you another year to marinate because maybe Zach stops up or maybe a I um you know beaded kind of fills his role or they find somebody like a veteran free agent like whatever it is the Sharks do um they’re not in a rush. That’s a good thing. They’re not in a rush with McKenna and they’re not counting on Cole McKenna to be a hit u because of one how deep their prospect pool and two you know they they have plenty of different options. But uh I I do think McKenna is going to be a guy who because of the way he plays defense already, right? and the way he plays, the attention to detail in his own zone, all that stuff is very translatable and that it’s easy to see how he’s going to be an NHL player. And if he’s just a sick PKer who, you know, kind of that Nico Stern type of role, uh, where, right, you you’re just you’re awesome on the PK, you win a bunch of, uh, faceoffs, uh, you make life easier for your top guys, and you pot, you know, 15 goals a season. I think that’s a very realistic kind of place for Cole McKenna. And again, guys like that are extremely valuable come playoff time. And if we’re looking, you know, two to three years from now, you’re going to hope that a guy like Cole McKenna is necessary because the Sharks are in the playoffs and trying to uh, you know, start to win playoff games, not just be happy to be there type of scenario. So, um, yeah, I think McKenna I think he’s he’s going to I would be if five years from now if McKin like I’d be shocked basically if McKenna is not has not carved out a role for himself on the Sharks as just this like sick defensive guy. Oh man, like a McKini, Colin Graph, PK duo is going to be absolutely like sick here in a couple years because uh just the way that those two guys play hockey and that relentless uh motor uh from both those guys and the smarts, especially from Colin Graph, like those two guys on your PK uh 100% sign me up because I think that is a dynamic penalty killing unit right there. And if those guys end up being linemates too and then maybe you put a a score like a Casper Halton in on your third line where you have a Halton and McKenna Graph line. I think that line can do a lot of damage between Graph and and McKenna. Maybe neither one of them are like outstanding play drivers, but I think they could play off each other enough. And then you feed it to Halton who’s just crushing one-times. Yeah. And then Halton is just, you know, like four check one type of guy just goes in and and yeah, like you you can see the path there for for Cole McKenna to be an NHL. And yeah, I think he is 100% unless something goes catastrophically wrong, I think Cole McKenna is going to be a very good uh NHL player. Again, not going to put up sexy uh numbers, but he’s a guy that you need to win. uh especially in in how the NHL is getting played now where you do need that kind of rat type of player and Cole McKenna. He’s got a rat written all over him. So uh yes, very excited about Cole McKenna. I’m excited to see what he does with Michigan this year. And again, I don’t I don’t think he’s I think two years at Michigan and the Sharks are probably going to be really thinking about uh what’s next for him and whether that’s AHL time, NHL time, whatever it is. Uh I still I think it’s not going to be too long before he’s in San Jose. So, um, that’s going to be it for me today. Uh, we’ll be back most likely, uh, Wednesday night. We got a guest coming up later this week and then we’re also going to spend some time. We’re probably actually going to get four episodes from you this week. So, uh, going to be probably looking at where the sharks got better this off season. So, uh, make sure you’re following along wherever you get podcast. And of course, you can watch on YouTube as well. Follow the show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram at walked on Sharks. Follow me on Twitter and Blue Sky Fryhold. Until later. Bye, friends.

Could Cole McKinney be the San Jose Sharks’ secret weapon for future success? This second-round pick from the 2025 NHL draft is turning heads with his two-way play and defensive prowess.

Dive into McKinney’s journey from Chicago to the US National Team Development Program, and his upcoming stint at the University of Michigan. Explore scouting reports that highlight his motor, finishing ability, and versatility on the ice. Uncover the analytics behind McKinney’s impressive goals per 60 and defensive metrics, painting a picture of a potential third-line center who could complement the Sharks’ top prospects like Macklin Celebrini and Michael Misa.

Get an in-depth look at McKinney’s projected role with the Sharks, including his potential to become a key penalty killer and face-off specialist. Examine how his development at Michigan could fast-track his path to the NHL, and why he might be compared to players like Nico Sturm in the future.

Tune in to hear why McKinney might be the “safest player” from the Sharks’ 2025 draft class and how he could shape the team’s future defensive strategy.

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-sharks/

Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Gametime
Today’s episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year.
FanDuel
Today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new FanDuel customers can get $150 in Bonus Bets if your first $5 bet wins!
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

#NHL #Sharks #SanJoseSharks