NHL · 3 days ago

ESPN’s Post-Lottery NHL Mock Draft: Gavin McKenna a Lock at No. 1?

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

16. Washington Capitals
Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Liiga)

Skipping the junior ranks to play a full Liiga season as a teenager, the 6-foot-3 Finnish center offers the Capitals an incredibly mature, defensive-minded presence who excels at winning grueling battles along the boards.

"The Capitals haven't taken a center in the first round in years, and there is a need for one in their prospect pool." — Kryshak
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State University (NCAA)

The consensus No. 1 overall prospect, McKenna, made the jump to heavy NCAA competition look effortless. After starring in the WHL, the Yukon native recorded 51 points (15G, 36A) in just 35 games for Penn State. There's little doubt he's ready to inject game-breaking offense into the Maple Leafs' system.

"There is going to be a lot of ink spilled, and airwaves filled with takes about drafting a defenseman or Ivar Stenberg. The Leafs should not do either of those things." — Rachel Kryshak
2. San Jose Sharks
Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

Complete on both sides of the puck, Reid pairs elite transitional ability with the kind of poise that's rare at his age. He should immediately become the foundational anchor the Sharks so desperately need on their blue line.

"The Sharks have a lot less in the pipeline on the right side, with only Eric Pohlkamp projected to play in the NHL. Reid gives the Sharks a tremendous skater and puck mover on the right side who can partner with Sam Dickinson or drive a pair on his own." — Kryshak
4. Chicago Blackhawks
Carson Carels, D, Prince George (WHL)

A 6-foot-2 left-handed defenseman known for his heavy, competitive style and impressive offensive instincts, Carels offers Chicago a stabilizing defensive prospect to build around alongside Connor Bedard.

"There is little doubt that Chicago would love for Stenberg to fall to them, and while that is a possibility, it shouldn't happen. Instead, Chicago lands Carels, who has comparables such as Zach Werenski and Cale Makar." — Kryshak
5. New York Rangers
Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL)

Brantford's playoff run brought out the best in Malhotra, who emerged as a dominant two-way force when it mattered most. Standing 6-foot-2 with exceptional hockey IQ and a relentless 200-foot motor, he gives the Rangers a premier talent down the middle.

"The Rangers desperately need a play-driving forward. Their track record of forwards drafted in the top five hitting their ceiling is poor, and they would have to hope that Malhotra is the exception." — Kryshak
6. Calgary Flames
Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert (WHL)

Offering premium right-handed shot value and a 6-foot-2 frame, Rudolph utilizes his tremendous vision and puck-moving capabilities to command the blue line for the Flames confidently.

"The Flames are going to get an excellent player at sixth overall, and they will have the opportunity to continue to build their blue line. Adding Rudolph as a potential partner for Zayne Parekh -- or to have each drive their own pairing -- is a tantalizing thought." — Kryshak
7. Seattle Kraken
Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota (NCAA)

Making a highly successful jump to the college ranks with North Dakota this season, the towering 6-foot-4, 212-pound defenseman brings immense strength and battle-tested maturity to solidify Seattle's right side.

"To win, you need a top defenseman, and Verhoeff has the chance to be exactly that, with comparables to Aaron Ekblad and Thomas Harley." — Kryshak
8. Winnipeg Jets
Nikita Klepov, F, Saginaw (OHL)

Fresh off a massive 97-point campaign where he earned OHL Rookie of the Year honors, Klepov injects top-line scoring upside and a lethal one-timer into the Jets' forward pipeline.

"We're talking about star potential here. Jets fans will be familiar with his statistical comparable, Kyle Connor." — Kryshak
9. Florida Panthers
Alberts Smits, D, Jukurit (Liiga)

Smits has surged up draft boards for good reason. The 6-foot-4 Latvian rearguard logged an incredibly mature season playing against grown men in both Liiga and the DEL, giving the Panthers a physically imposing, high-floor defensive presence they can count on.

"I would trade down from this pick, and I think it is more likely than not that the Panthers do so. But if they do keep it, the need for a building block on the blue line who fits the mold of big, mobile, and competitive is present for Florida." — Kryshak
10. Nashville Predators
Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor (OHL)

Standing at a massive 6-foot-5 and nearly 230 pounds, Belchetz blends shockingly soft hands with punishing physicality to give the Predators a dominant power forward.

"If the draft falls this way, the Predators will get a gift here: the ability to take a player who was in the top five to start the season, who is big, competitive, and has a high-end skill set." — Kryshak
11. St. Louis Blues
Viggo Bjorck, C/RW, Djurgardens IF (SHL)

The frame may be slight at 5-foot-10 and 172 pounds, but Bjorck's game is anything but small. Cerebral tactics and elite passing allow the tenacious Swede to dominate play, giving the Blues a highly competitive, high-IQ offensive weapon.

"The Blues need high-end talent, and though Bjorck gets docked in the model for his size, he fits the mold of a St. Louis Blue." — Kryshak
12. New Jersey Devils
Adam Novotny, LW/RW, Peterborough (OHL)

Racking up 65 points and a staggering volume of shots for Peterborough this season, the Czech winger provides New Jersey with a powerful, net-driven offensive engine who thrives in tight spaces.

"This feels like the area where teams should start to think about Novotny. By selecting him, the Devils get a versatile winger with a scoring profile that developed over the course of the season." — Kryshak
13. New York Islanders
Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA)

Known for his explosive bursts and relentless work rate, Lawrence utilizes his elite hockey sense and physical, two-way motor to give the Islanders a highly dependable top-six pivot.

"The Isles desperately need a right-handed defender in the prospect pool, making Ryan Lin a legitimate possibility with this pick. However, if Lawrence or Wyatt Cullen get to them, they may opt for a player with a profile who is more likely to be an impact NHL player." — Kryshak
14. Columbus Blue Jackets
Wyatt Cullen, F, USNTDP

After dominating the U18s with his two-way play, Cullen's first-round stock has skyrocketed, and rightfully so. Remarkable speed paired with a heavy-checking game makes him a dynamic, versatile addition to the Blue Jackets' forward group.

"The Blue Jackets should seriously consider trading this pick for more immediate help, but in the event they keep their pick, Cullen is the type of impactful forward that Columbus can confidently slot into the middle six." — Kryshak
15. St. Louis Blues (from DET)
Mathis Preston, F, Vancouver (WHL)

Boasting top-end speed and electric puck-handling skills, Preston is a dynamic, shoot-first threat capable of energizing the Blues' offensive rush.

"The Blues get good value with Preston at No. 15 by the model's estimation, and with it, a winger with the potential to become a top-line forward." — Kryshak
16. Washington Capitals
Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Liiga)

Skipping the junior ranks to play a full Liiga season as a teenager, the 6-foot-3 Finnish center offers the Capitals an incredibly mature, defensive-minded presence who excels at winning grueling battles along the boards.

"The Capitals haven't taken a center in the first round in years, and there is a need for one in their prospect pool." — Kryshak
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State University (NCAA)

The consensus No. 1 overall prospect, McKenna, made the jump to heavy NCAA competition look effortless. After starring in the WHL, the Yukon native recorded 51 points (15G, 36A) in just 35 games for Penn State. There's little doubt he's ready to inject game-breaking offense into the Maple Leafs' system.

"There is going to be a lot of ink spilled, and airwaves filled with takes about drafting a defenseman or Ivar Stenberg. The Leafs should not do either of those things." — Rachel Kryshak

‌

ESPN’s Post-Lottery NHL Mock Draft: Gavin McKenna a Lock at No. 1?

Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Liiga)

Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State University (NCAA)

Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

Carson Carels, D, Prince George (WHL)

Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL)

Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert (WHL)

Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota (NCAA)

Nikita Klepov, F, Saginaw (OHL)

Alberts Smits, D, Jukurit (Liiga)

Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor (OHL)

Viggo Bjorck, C/RW, Djurgardens IF (SHL)

Adam Novotny, LW/RW, Peterborough (OHL)

Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA)

Wyatt Cullen, F, USNTDP

Mathis Preston, F, Vancouver (WHL)

Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Liiga)

Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State University (NCAA)

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