McKenna Watch

[Calgary4LIfe]

Heading into his draft year - and proceeding it for a number of years - MacKinnon was looked upon as generational. His draft year he took a hit, especially with Droiun out-scoring him. However, MacKinnon still went first, and Sakic was never in doubt, even with some pundits questioning who should be the #1 pick. There was a lot of pressure for him to select Seth Jones too, given the history with Popeye in Denver, and Popeye personally knowing Sakic (as well as Seth Jones). Still no contest - Sakic went with MacKinnon.

In my mind, he is "generational", which is a term that I find useless now given it is supposed to denote once every 20-30 years (depending on the definition). I prefer "Franchise altering superstar" or something similar. Whatever you want to call it, he is that. I don't there is a better player in today's game than he is. I rank him above McDavid, period.

However, yes, he certainly did take a hit in his draft season, plus he did start out a little slow in his career (Monahan is better! noise, for instance).

[Buff]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

MacKinnon was not regarded as generational going into his draft year. He wasn't even the consensus No. 1 — a lot of people rated Seth Jones above him.

By the end of that season he cemented himself as the #1 pick. Obviously because that is where he was picked but his dominance in the Memorial Cup made it a lock.

IIRC, he had injury problems in junior that held people back from being so high on him.

[Arsenal14]

Originally Posted by Buff

By the end of that season he cemented himself as the #1 pick. Obviously because that is where he was picked but his dominance in the Memorial Cup made it a lock.

IIRC, he had injury problems in junior that held people back from being so high on him.

I have 9 rankings saved from 2013:

Future Considerations: Jones 1, MacKinnon 2
Craig Button: Jones 1, Drouin 2, MacKinnon 3
McKeen: Jones 1, MacKinnon 2
CSS: Jones 1, MacKinnon 2

Bob McKenzie: MacKinnon 1, Jones 2
ISS: MacKinnon 1, Jones 2
The Hockey News: MacKinnon 1, Jones 2
Hockey Prospect: MacKinnon 1, Jones 2

Hockey Prospectus (Corey Pronman): Drouin 1, MacKinnon 2, Jones 3

There really was no consensus #1 that year. It was 50/50 between Jones and MacKinnon and then Drouin was a clear 3. Barkov and Nichushkin were 4/5 in most rankings in some order.

[Aarongavey]

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.

McKenna plays on an absolute juggernaut that will probably have a couple players (not necessarily him) that will outscore what Celebrini did this year. Their top score, a 2005 born 2nd round pick of Carolina has 15 points in 6 games, so well on track to average 2 PPG.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Arsenal14

I have 9 rankings saved from 2013:

Future Considerations: Jones 1, MacKinnon 2
Craig Button: Jones 1, Drouin 2, MacKinnon 3
McKeen: Jones 1, MacKinnon 2
CSS: Jones 1, MacKinnon 2

Bob McKenzie: MacKinnon 1, Jones 2
ISS: MacKinnon 1, Jones 2
The Hockey News: MacKinnon 1, Jones 2
Hockey Prospect: MacKinnon 1, Jones 2

Hockey Prospectus (Corey Pronman): Drouin 1, MacKinnon 2, Jones 3

There really was no consensus #1 that year. It was 50/50 between Jones and MacKinnon and then Drouin was a clear 3. Barkov and Nichushkin were 4/5 in most rankings in some order.

So, the worst judge of talent on that list is Craig Button? Shocking.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

MacKinnon was not regarded as generational going into his draft year. He wasn't even the consensus No. 1 — a lot of people rated Seth Jones above him.

I think MacKinnon was regarded as generational leading up to his draft year and kind of fell during that season but by the time the draft rolled around was the consensus pick and one the flames were willing to trade 3x 1st to get him.

I definitely remember in 2011/2012 hearing the next one from Crosby’s hometown was coming.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Arsenal14

I have 9 rankings saved from 2013:

Future Considerations: Jones 1, MacKinnon 2
Craig Button: Jones 1, Drouin 2, MacKinnon 3
McKeen: Jones 1, MacKinnon 2
CSS: Jones 1, MacKinnon 2

Bob McKenzie: MacKinnon 1, Jones 2
ISS: MacKinnon 1, Jones 2
The Hockey News: MacKinnon 1, Jones 2
Hockey Prospect: MacKinnon 1, Jones 2

Hockey Prospectus (Corey Pronman): Drouin 1, MacKinnon 2, Jones 3

There really was no consensus #1 that year. It was 50/50 between Jones and MacKinnon and then Drouin was a clear 3. Barkov and Nichushkin were 4/5 in most rankings in some order.

Makes Florida taking Barkov, at #2, over Drouin and Jones, look like absolute geniuses.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

So, the worst judge of talent on that list is Craig Button? Shocking.

You can argue Pronman for having Drouin at #1.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Saqe

McKenna would be nice but it's really about picking high several times and having a good batting average. The Flames are completely void of elite talent outside maybe Wolf, one skater isn't going to do it.

Sorry–you don't think Parekh will be in that class?

[yourbestfriend]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

McKenna plays on an absolute juggernaut that will probably have a couple players (not necessarily him) that will outscore what Celebrini did this year. Their top score, a 2005 born 2nd round pick of Carolina has 15 points in 6 games, so well on track to average 2 PPG.

The comparison to the Carolina pick, Cerrato, really shows how nutty Cellibrini is. Cerrato is a 20yr old putting up 2PPG in college this year while at the same time Cellibrini is basically a PPG player in the NHL, getting looks at being on the Canadian Olympic team while being a year younger lol. I believe Cellibrini is the only player in NCAA history who was over PPG (1.68PPG) at 17.

Getting back to McKenna, it's still early in the season, there's still another 30+ games to be played, however looking at some historic high end NCAA picks, he's going to really need to step it up offensively to fully justify his #1OA draft projection. I fully expect him to go #1OA regardless, but the kids gotta pump his offensive numbers up.

Eichel - 71pts/40gp
B. Tkachuk - 31pts/40gp
Beniers - 24pts/24gp
K.Johnson - 26pts/27gp
Fanatilli - 65pts/36gp
Cellibrini - 64pts/38gp (not a late birthday)

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by Saqe

McKenna would be nice but it's really about picking high several times and having a good batting average. The Flames are completely void of elite talent outside maybe Wolf, one skater isn't going to do it.

No but the depth long term is looking quite good already

Reschny
Potter
Gridin
Basha
Battaglia
Misa

Parekh
Mews
Brz
Morin

All have good shots at being core pieces moving forward. Not every one is gonna hit but that’s a lot of darts

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Wyttenbach
Suniev

A lot of darts

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Wyttenbach
Suniev

A lot of darts

Totally forgot about those 2! Wyttenbach looks great this season

[saillias]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1980704642255450435

[FBI]

Sweet so when we fall to 3 by losing the lottery, we can get him?

[ResAlien]

Oh no Twitter user Nick iacoban doesn't like him? That's game over folks take him off the board.

[Yanda]

I hate that there is a McKenna specific thread. Even if we win we only have a 25% chance of winning the draft lottery. Why single out one individual player like this, im all for team-tank but this is embrassing and your setting yourself up for a huge let down. Yes I understand I dont need to open the thread.. and I wont.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Hopefully his stock falls so that we can get hin at 3 when we are inevitably bumped down.

Even if he hovers around a p/g in the ncaa, he's going to be a dynamic nhler

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Oh no Twitter user Nick iacoban doesn't like him? That's game over folks take him off the board.

But nickiacoban has a model - and the model has spoken!

[MrMike]

I just think its so Flames that the one year we are bottoming out hard, the "Generational Star" himself is too.

Bright side, teams might not want to tank for him.