The 2026 NHL Draft has a chance to be a very special class. One of the biggest names in this year’s class is Gavin McKenna. His name has been linked to being the potential number one pick in the 2026 NHL Draft for the last couple of years.
McKenna has the potential to be a generational talent. He is 18 years old. McKenna this season is playing for the Penn State Nittany Lions. He has scored 14 goals and has recorded 36 assists, in 33 games played. His plus/minus rating is -1.
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Before playing for Penn State, McKenna played for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL. He was dominant in that league, and he has proven to be dominant at the NCAA level as well. Is McKenna the top ranked prospect in this year’s class or not?
Gavin McKenna Ranked Second Best Prospect In 2026 NHL Draft by Corey Pronman
Penn State Nittany Lions forward Gavin McKenna (72) warms up before a college hockey game.Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
(Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images)
Corey Pronman of the Athletic ranked his prospects for the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft. At number one, he has defenseman Chase Reid from Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and has McKenna ranked as the second-best prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft.
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It is interesting that McKenna is ranked number two here instead of number one. Pronman said, “McKenna possesses off-the-charts puck skills, vision and overall offensive creativity. He’s a strong skater who can generate a ton of chances with pace. He’s a pass-first player who projects to run a power play at a high level due to his elite playmaking ability. He’s not overly physical and can be pushed to the outside too much. He projects as a top-line winger who can run a PP1, but may frustrate his coaches at times, too.”
Pronman thinks that Reid could go number one overall instead of McKenna because of this being a strong defenseman draft. It will be interesting to see who will have the number one pick and that could decide if Reid or McKenna goes first.
There is no way that he will slip past number two in the 2026 NHL Draft. With McKenna averaging over a point per game in the NCAA this season, he should no doubt be ready to crack an NHL lineup next season.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.