McKenna Watch

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

He's also bigger than Bedard and I think that will help his game translate to the NHL better than Bedard's has. I'm confident that he'll be more dominant.

Judging him through 6 measly NCAA games is premature to say the least.

I think many already put Celebrini above Bedard, and I expect that McKenna will have a similar trajectory.

Not sure about generational (could still very well be), but a franchise player seems likely.

If Patty Kane is the comp people are throwing out there, that's pretty enticing. Last I checked Kane has 3 cups.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

He's also bigger than Bedard and I think that will help his game translate to the NHL better than Bedard's has. I'm confident that he'll be more dominant.

Judging him through 6 measly NCAA games is premature to say the least.

I think many already put Celebrini above Bedard, and I expect that McKenna will have a similar trajectory.

Not sure about generational (could still very well be), but a franchise player seems likely.

Celebrini put up 64 points in 38 games in his draft year in the NCAA. He was 6 months younger in his draft year than McKenna is. Will be interesting to see if Gavin comes anywhere close to Celebrini’s numbers by the end of the year.

[Sandman]

Generational player, not sure.

Franchise player, absolutely!!!

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Celebrini put up 64 points in 38 games in his draft year in the NCAA. He was 6 months younger in his draft year than McKenna is. Will be interesting to see if Gavin comes anywhere close to Celebrini’s numbers by the end of the year.

The team/school's hockey program and division definitely factor into things.

I don't think you can measure straight across necessarily.

But we'll see where McKenna lands at the end of the year.

Celebrini is a very impressive talent. i expect he's going to be a top 5 player in this league in a couple years.

[GioforPM]

If McKenna is our Kucherov and Reschney is our Point, I’m good with that.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Don't forget, we were close to drafting Kucherov ourselves, and in the same draft as we picked up Johnny.

Talk about knocking your mid round picks out of the park.

Imagine what could have been.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Don't forget, we were close to drafting Kucherov ourselves, and in the same draft as we picked up Johnny.

Talk about knocking your mid round picks out of the park.

Imagine what could have been.

Tyler Wotherspoon disrespect right here.

Calgary also picked Sven two spots ahead of JT Miller that year. Imagine a team that had Kucherov, Gaudreau, Monahan, Miller.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Celebrini put up 64 points in 38 games in his draft year in the NCAA. He was 6 months younger in his draft year than McKenna is. Will be interesting to see if Gavin comes anywhere close to Celebrini’s numbers by the end of the year.

I think that we need to start looking at NCAA stats a bit differently though. With the influx of top end CHL talent, I would argue that it is easily conceivable that the NCAA is about as strong as it has ever been.

Players are likely to have slightly lower PPGs than years prior, especially when it comes to smaller schools who lack the ability to lure in the cream of the crop.

[ThatHighGuy]

If we somehow get 2nd overall pick, and Mckenna goes first, who do the Flames take? Do they take Verhoeff or go with someone like Stenberg?

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

I think that we need to start looking at NCAA stats a bit differently though. With the influx of top end CHL talent, I would argue that it is easily conceivable that the NCAA is about as strong as it has ever been.

Players are likely to have slightly lower PPGs than years prior, especially when it comes to smaller schools who lack the ability to lure in the cream of the crop.

Maybe lower-end players, but top players in the CHL should be largely unaffected by other CHL players joining the NCAA. The adjustment is the same as it has always been: they’re playing against much older, physically developed players.

[calumniate]

mckenna snek?

[Monahammer]

I'm one of the longer adherents to "team tank" on the board, but some of you get a little goofy lol.

It's possible to cheer for a tank while remaining somewhat... "cool" about it.

- Don't actively cheer for losses. Instead, just accept the losses for this year and focus on the positive outcomes.
- Don't get laser focused on the season and history of top prospects, especially 5 games in to the season, there's a long way to go and we don't want to set ourselves up for misaligned expectations.
- Don't overthink it.

McKenna watch is fine as a concept, but I also fear (and we're already seeing it in this thread) the high intensity magnifying glass we put on top prospects, especially those who have been top ranked for multiple years prior to the draft.
It shouldnt be rocket science who we pick if we are fortunate enough to pick first. This is not one of those times to focus on Centres or worry about completeness of game.

Now, if we don't pick 1 then I think we can and should discuss to no end who is best at #2. I note that no one is talking about Belchetz but that would be highly tempting for me. Bjork and Stenberg too.
But my point is that we wont know at all until the draft lottery. I think this type of convo is best for post christmas. I am not the thread police, but I do think it is silly.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Don't forget, we were close to drafting Kucherov ourselves, and in the same draft as we picked up Johnny.

Talk about knocking your mid round picks out of the park.

Imagine what could have been.

What could have been. Imagine if the flames got to draft both Kucherov and Gaudreau in 2011 and then didn’t win those last 2 games in 2013 and won the draft lottery to get McKinnon.