There’s no nice way to put it: McKenna’s urgency is too low. He’s cheating for offence, gliding on backchecks, taking looping defensive routes that put him out of the play, and disengaging when the play isn’t directly in front of him. It’s the same story on the forecheck, as he regularly coasts to the puck carrier in a half-hearted attempt to angle, without ever touching the opponent.
These have a direct impact on McKenna’s offensive impact. He's not creating much offence as the driver in transition, largely because he's relying on flying the zone, 1-on-1s, and solo rushes to transport the puck. That's really antithetical to his game, as he's best in transition when getting his first rush touch deeper in the defensive zone, building speed, and working intricate passing plays. He's lethal when working the walls, but he's getting fewer opportunities to do that because his solo rush game means more one-and-dones while his lack of physical details means he's not turning the forecheck into offence.
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He's a 165lbs 17 year-old kid playing his first season in a league full of guys in their 20s. His first year in the Dub was only 18pts in 16 games too.
Give him a few minutes to grow (physically) and get used to things a bit.
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He's a 165lbs 17 year-old kid playing his first season in a league full of guys in their 20s. His first year in the Dub was only 18pts in 16 games too.
Give him a few minutes to grow (physically) and get used to things a bit.
Again, I am not saying he isn’t going to be a good player, I just don’t think he is going to be as good as Schaefer, Celebrini or Bedard.
Celebrini was even younger in his NCAA draft year, and put up 32 goals and 64 points in 38 games. Fantilli was similarly aged to McKenna and put up 30 goals and 65 points in 36 games.
Points aren’t the end all, and many factors go into one player scoring more than another. That being said if he is a franchise player in the making then I need to see more production. I also need to see a player who is willing to fight through the tight checking, physicality and size at the NCAA level, because it isn’t going to get any better at the NHL.
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If you actually watch him play right now, you can see he's deferring to teammates and shying away from the dirty areas. That's a comfort issue, not skill related.
I hope he falls to 2 or 3 in the draft, but only if it's because we didn't win the lottery and one or two boneheaded GMs let him drop to us lol.
The NCAA has 60 division 1 teams...its pretty hard to compare numbers, especially with a small sample size and in different years. Who you are playing and playing with makes a massive difference
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Good. I hope he is overtaken in the rankings, and the Flames will have to 'settle' for him if they lose the lottery and draft in the 3-5 slot. Or if the Flames finish last, I will love reading all the 'Flames drafted the bust" clickbait write-ups.
McKenna is a franchise-altering player. I hope they have the opportunity to draft him. If they don't, there are legitimate franchise players at the top of this draft (and next). It will be extra fun to follow these prospects (as well as the regular prospects deeper into the draft as usual).
There will be prospects that fall. For instance, Roobroeck was thought of in the top 3-4. Now on some lists, he is around 10th. Maybe with Vegas' pick, the Flames get him too. Or they pick up a riser like Joe Iginla (I bet he rises). Plus, the Flames are likely to add another 1st this year (Andersson and Kadri - I bet one will bring a 1st for this draft, and the other a 1st for next year's draft).
The last draft was exciting. This one is going to be really fun.
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I think it’s OK to acknowledge the player’s faults or shortcomings and not just make up excuses for why they exist.
If he’s got the same knocks on him that he did in junior then those issues are obviously not related to the NCAA transition.
Team wet blanket, as always.
Those excerpts from the scouts were based on his first dozen games in the ncaa, not about knocks that have carried over.
The excuses are valid. Most players arent polished at his age, especially in transition to a new league they haven't cracked yet. To cheat a bit at the beginning doesnt mean the player is inherently flawed or that it cant be sorted out.
You'd find similar faults at various stages of development in other top players in other years that went on to be stars.
The talent level is undeniable at the end of the day, and that's why hes still the consensus #1 even with this stretch of decent but flawed play.
Make sure to come back around when the prevailing narrative changes after the WJCs.
Last edited by TrentCrimmIndependent; 11-12-2025 at 01:21 AM.
Those excerpts from the scouts were based on his first dozen games in the ncaa, not about knocks that have carried over.
The excuses are valid. Most players arent polished at his age, especially in transition to a new league they haven't cracked yet. To cheat a bit at the beginning doesnt mean the player is inherently flawed or that it cant be sorted out.
You'd find similar faults at various stages of development in other top players in other years that went on to be stars.
The talent level is undeniable at the end of the day, and that's why hes still the consensus #1 even with this stretch of decent but flawed play.
Make sure to come back around when the prevailing narrative changes after the WJCs.
Go back and read pre-NCAA scouting reports and you’ll see a lot of the same knocks. They just mattered a lot less when he was able to dominate more easily against physically weaker, less experienced competition.
Given that even star players have flaws I’m not sure why it’s controversial to acknowledge McKenna’s. I already compared him to Patrick Kane and I’d be ecstatic if the Flames pick first and take him. So not sure why you’re trying to convince me of his talent level or call me a wet blanket.
Go back and read pre-NCAA scouting reports and you’ll see a lot of the same knocks. They just mattered a lot less when he was able to dominate more easily against physically weaker, less experienced competition.
Given that even star players have flaws I’m not sure why it’s controversial to acknowledge McKenna’s. I already compared him to Patrick Kane and I’d be ecstatic if the Flames pick first and take him. So not sure why you’re trying to convince me of his talent level or call me a wet blanket.
If McKenna turns out to be a Kane/Kucherov/Kaprizov level player, the Flames would gladly live with his warts every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
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Again, I am not saying he isn’t going to be a good player, I just don’t think he is going to be as good as Schaefer, Celebrini or Bedard.
Celebrini was even younger in his NCAA draft year, and put up 32 goals and 64 points in 38 games. Fantilli was similarly aged to McKenna and put up 30 goals and 65 points in 36 games.
Points aren’t the end all, and many factors go into one player scoring more than another. That being said if he is a franchise player in the making then I need to see more production. I also need to see a player who is willing to fight through the tight checking, physicality and size at the NCAA level, because it isn’t going to get any better at the NHL.
Seen Mckenna play in games Vs Bedard where he completely outplayed him. Watched Bedard get completely shut down by the Tigers defense to. Being in the hat and watching him grow he was often leading the rush then the first guy back. When he is on his game its a full 200ft game. But what do I know I just watched him live for a few years.
If McKenna turns out to be a Kane/Kucherov/Kaprizov level player, the Flames would gladly live with his warts every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Not that too many players would fit poorly, but I also think that Reschny and Parekh are shaping up to be the kind of players that would be extremely complimentary to McKenna’s play and rush style.
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