McKenna Watch

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Honest question, but a few years ago a lot of people were saying he was a generational talent in quality. Does that prediction still hold today? I have seen some posts saying he is more of a Patrick Kane level of talent now.

I know the term generational talent gets used pretty liberally if you go by strict definition of the word "generational", but I just mean in the tier sense. Is he projected still to live up to that level?

Not generational. Probably closer to a Mackinnon in terms of ceiling but a winger instead. Not McDavid, not Crosby.
Hard to know where to place Bedard now, he may not be the generational talent, and more of just a high end first liner. Celebrini may be better actually.

Winger wise, he could be the best winger in the game at some point - so you are talking about Patrick Kane/Nikita Kucherov type upside.

Which is amazing, but doesn't hit the generational level.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Well MacKinnon has won while McDavid hasn't, so I'll gladly take the former.

Kucherov has also had a hand in multiple championships, so again... I'll take that.

I don't know what more you're seeking than guys who are instrumental in winning cups (and sometimes scoring races).

Crosby is on his own level in my mind. Kind of a different era of hockey though, so hard to measure straight across with today's top players. But in terms of an ability to do everything at the highest level, he was the best of his generation.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Well MacKinnon has won while McDavid hasn't, so I'll gladly take the former.

Kucherov has also had a hand in multiple championships, so again... I'll take that.

I don't know what more you're seeking than guys who are instrumental in winning cups (and sometimes scoring races).

Crosby is on his own level in my mind. Kind of a different era of hockey though, so hard to measure straight across with today's top players. But in terms of an ability to do everything at the highest level, he was the best of his generation.

I agree with most of that
I often don’t know how to place MacKinnon v McDavid because of some of those considerations
Ultimately though McDavid could be the best offensive player in history

But yeah if you get a Kane or a Kuch level winger that’s massive. Kaprizov is probably another name you can add
Then you need to find your version of Point and Toews to compliment your elite winger

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Perhaps we should broaden it out for stats and observations on some of the other top guys. A lot of attention, rightly so, on Mckenna but there are a number of really great prospects at the top of this year's draft.

Especially because we will NEVER win the lottery.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Oh for sure, let's have 15 threads to discuss 2026 draft eligible players. Start a couple more every time we lose a game.

Trash thread started by a trash poster.

Why are either of us here?

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Trash thread started by a trash poster.

Why are either of us here?

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

Is that necessary?

I don't know what I ever said or did to you, or better yet why you hang on to grudges with people you don't even know on the internet. But by all means.. there's the door.

[Badgers Nose]

I'd like to think all the ugliness on this site lately is due to frustration. Yikes.

It's just a stupid game.

[Sofa GM]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I agree with most of that
I often don’t know how to place MacKinnon v McDavid because of some of those considerations
Ultimately though McDavid could be the best offensive player in history

But yeah if you get a Kane or a Kuch level winger that’s massive. Kaprizov is probably another name you can add
Then you need to find your version of Point and Toews to compliment your elite winger

Why do people keep projecting McDavid as the best offensive player. He gets garbage points late in games in losses, sells out on defense for points, never won anything. You take MacKinnon 10/10 times and it isn’t even close.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Ultimately though McDavid could be the best offensive player in history

Really?, opposing coaches are already figuring how to shut him down when it counts, his point totals and goal totals are also falling and he's only 28. One thing I've noticed the last year or so is how ineffective he is when split up from Draisaitl, the best offensive players in history don't need to be propped up with one teammate.

Safe to say he'll never be close to Gretzky, Lemieux was crazy amazing as was Orr, they just had their careers cut short.

He's probably the best PP and 3 on 3 offensive player, I'll give you that.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Sofa GM

Why do people keep projecting McDavid as the best offensive player. He gets garbage points late in games in losses, sells out on defense for points, never won anything. You take MacKinnon 10/10 times and it isn’t even close.

You forgot he's the coach and GM too

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Not generational. Probably closer to a Mackinnon in terms of ceiling but a winger instead. Not McDavid, not Crosby.
Hard to know where to place Bedard now, he may not be the generational talent, and more of just a high end first liner. Celebrini may be better actually.

Winger wise, he could be the best winger in the game at some point - so you are talking about Patrick Kane/Nikita Kucherov type upside.

Which is amazing, but doesn't hit the generational level.

Can he score a goal on an open net? At this point I’d settle for that.

[FlamesNightmare]

Opps wrong thread.

[Canada 02]

It’s early in the college season, but Mckenna, like many former CHL players have been slow to transition. I’m not just talking about points. 6 pts in 6 games is okay, but maybe low by his standards and outside expectations. He does look lost at times, plus every opponent is hyper focused on him. He’s being checked by 23-25 year olds who will never get a sniff of pro, so this is there big moment, and McKenna is being shadowed like 80’s Tikkanen.

I also think the college schedule of two games a week is a big adjustment. Some might find it hard to get into a flow when you play half as many games as before.

[OldSam]

If you honestly think the NHL will allow a small market team to luck into a star through the lottery, you are delusional. Even if the Flames, God forbid, only got 20 points this season, they will never, ever, win the draft lottery. Follow the money. Maybe this thread should be renamed "Hope for a decent player".

[Fan69]

The top five in this draftt may be outstanding. The next five to ten blue chips. This is looking like a Damn good draft. Even if you dont get mckenna ( and im not sure he is head and shoulders above his rivals by any stretch. his off puck play is being questioned a lot) Keaton, bjork, stenberg,lawrence to name a few all look like difference makers.

[Yanda]

Why is this thread in the Calgary Flames forum and not the prospect forum?

[Macindoc]

Never going to happen. The Flames' draft lottery luck is even worse than their on-ice performance.

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by OldSam

If you honestly think the NHL will allow a small market team to luck into a star through the lottery, you are delusional. Even if the Flames, God forbid, only got 20 points this season, they will never, ever, win the draft lottery. Follow the money. Maybe this thread should be renamed "Hope for a decent player".

small market team. you mean like Edmonton, who i believe have won the lottery four times?

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by Yanda

Why is this thread in the Calgary Flames forum and not the prospect forum?

Because that forum has always been for prospects already in the system. Upcoming drafts and potential Flames picks have always been discussed on the main forum.

Also.. who cares man. Calgarypuck doesn't exactly move that fast. Are you that desperate to see the out of town scoreboard from October 13th and 14th or the post game thread against the blues on the first page?

[Vinny01]

I have read conflicting reports on McKenna. Some had him being the next one a couple years ago and based off his run last year it seemed to jive with those reports. This season I have read some reports that have him below Bedard/Celebrini.

It would be amazing to add a talent like him to the pipeline.