Among those expected to join McKenna as early first-round selections are forwards Ivar Stenberg (5-11, 183) of Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League, who is No. 1 on Central Scouting’s midterm ranking of International skaters.
The 18-year-old has 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) in 25 games for Frolunda. He also helped Sweden win the gold medal at the WJC, tying for the team lead with 10 points (four goals, six assists) in seven games, including a goal and two assists in a 4-2 win against Czechia in the championship game.
“He has established himself as a top prospect, already playing regular minutes with powerhouse Frolunda in the SHL,” NHL Director of European Scouting Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen said. “His blend of speed, first-step quickness, and balance makes him a dangerous, dynamic skater who can both create and finish plays.”
Other players who could be selected in the top 10 include forwards Caleb Malhotra of Brantford in the Ontario Hockey League, Tynan Lawrence of Boston University and Ethan Belchetz of Windsor (OHL), and defensemen Keaton Verhoeff of the University of North Dakota, Carson Carels of Prince George in the Western Hockey League and Chase Reid of Sault Ste. Marie (OHL).
However, McKenna remains the best player available, according to TSN director of scouting and former NHL general manager Craig Button.
“I’ll be very clear, I still don’t see a player that’s better than Gavin McKenna,” he said. “If you look at it, forward Ivar Stenberg is a really good player. Defensemen Keaton Verhoeff, Carels, Chase Reid and Juho Piiparinen (Tappara in Finland) are all good and different. I’m not so sure who the best defenseman of those guys might be at this point.
“I think Gavin has special qualities, and I haven’t seen any evidence that those are evaporating or diminishing.”
McKenna made headlines this past summer when he left Medicine Hat of the WHL to play NCAA hockey this season.
In 2024-25, he had finished second in the WHL with 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games, led Medicine Hat to the championship game at the Memorial Cup, and was named player of the year in the WHL and Canadian Hockey League.
“There’s a lot of chatter on my year and stuff,” McKenna said. “I think it’s a growth year for me, playing against harder guys. I could have stayed in the [WHL] and put up a bunch of points, but I wanted to challenge myself this year and I’ve been getting challenged.”
NHL.com senior draft writer Mike G. Morreale and independent correspondent Heather Engel contributed to this report.
