Vancouver and Stenberg

[MandatoryDenial]

McKenna is an absolute game breaker, he’s a mix of Patrick Mane and Mitch Marner. Any GM that passes on him at #1 overall won’t be a GM for much longer. He is one of the best junior players in history, one of only 3 players to put up 2pts per game as 17 year old in the WHL. You don’t pass on that, not even for Ivar Stenberg

What would you say to the people who criticize his drive and tendency to not show upwhen unmotivated to? I ask not because I hold this opinion, its just what I have read about him.

It’s all fodder, it’s a story so they have something to talk about leading up to the draft
Were they criticizing his drive the last two years?

In point of fact, no that is what surprised me so much about the reports as well. So you think there is no substance to it?

[Pierre McGuire]

McKenna is an absolute game breaker, he’s a mix of Patrick Mane and Mitch Marner. Any GM that passes on him at #1 overall won’t be a GM for much longer. He is one of the best junior players in history, one of only 3 players to put up 2pts per game as 17 year old in the WHL. You don’t pass on that, not even for Ivar Stenberg

What would you say to the people who criticize his drive and tendency to not show upwhen unmotivated to? I ask not because I hold this opinion, its just what I have read about him.

It’s all fodder, it’s a story so they have something to talk about leading up to the draft
Were they criticizing his drive the last two years?

In point of fact, no that is what surprised me so much about the reports as well. So you think there is no substance to it?

We know he’s closer to an elite talent than anybody else in the draft. Is there a little prima Donna in him… maybe. I’m not worried about this one year at Penn State….he got a pay day.
You simply don’t pass on his talent for that. He’s a kid, he still has to grow up and mature.

[john3186]

No guarantee. The team with the worst record in the NHL (32nd place) has a 25.5% chance of winning the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.

[steve li]

Draft Odds.png (37.03 KiB) Viewed 283 times

[somni]

Got to look at the flip side.

If the Canucks get Ivar, how much are the willing to spend to get Otto?? They already had the Sedin twins experiment.

It's not what I hope for at all, but just looking at it from a Canuck perspective.

In all...I want Ivar.

[smilinjoefission]

If keeping Bedard happy means McKenna then the Hawks win 1st overall. NHL doesn't want Bedard in Vancouver.

[moose-and-squirrel]

If keeping Bedard happy means McKenna then the Hawks win 1st overall. NHL doesn't want Bedard in Vancouver.

they didn't have any problems with the Sedins being in VAN

[Cahokanut]

Does anyone think the top pick isn't going to go to Vancouver or New York. No matter.

Id kinda not want the first overall this year. I wouldn't want McKenna and I wouldn't have want to pick someone other then Mckenna with the 1oa. Let's just hope we don't go defense with a top five pick.

[TheJackBurton]

If keeping Bedard happy means McKenna then the Hawks win 1st overall. NHL doesn't want Bedard in Vancouver.

they didn't have any problems with the Sedins being in VAN

The Sedins did not come with the fanfare that Bedard has.

[Boomac]

No guarantee. The team with the worst record in the NHL (32nd place) has a 25.5% chance of winning the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.

Too true, John. My problem is that every time I run a simulation on Tankathon, the Blues seem to drop back to the #4 spot!

To be fair, though, I’d be happy with almost anyone in the top 5 this year. This 2026 class looks deep, and I think any team picking in top 5 top 10 is going to walk away with a player they’ll be thrilled to build around. Adding a top-tier franchise building block talent is exactly what our prospect pool needs.

[Younghopp1991]

No guarantee. The team with the worst record in the NHL (32nd place) has a 25.5% chance of winning the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.

Too true, John. My problem is that every time I run a simulation on Tankathon, the Blues seem to drop back to the #4 spot!

To be fair, though, I’d be happy with almost anyone in the top 5 this year. This 2026 class looks deep, and I think any team picking in top 5 top 10 is going to walk away with a player they’ll be thrilled to build around. Adding a top-tier franchise building block talent is exactly what our prospect pool needs.

You are not wrong. With them at 2 there highest percentage finish would be 3rd. If that makes sense

[BleedingBleu]

McKenna gives me Marner vibes. Not a deep comparison, but the kind of guy who is undeniably talented who gets questioned

Stenberg could have a Landeskog impact perhaps

I kind of agree with this, at least from a media narrative standpoint. The way the Canadian Juniors have finished the last couple WJC, with the best finish the last 3 years being 3rd (2026) despite their rosters being stacked, will fuel some of that.

Sweden’s 2026 team has the reputation of plucky underdogs, with Ivar especially being coronated as blue collar and hard working. Players on Team Canada will carry the stigma of “underachiever,” “selfish,” and “entitled.” So, the first sign of struggle will carry the weight of the singular face of Canadian team (McKenna) vs the Swedes.

For right or wrong, I think we’re already seeing some of that manifest with McKenna at Penn State as “not-carrying,” “bored,” “unwilling to be physical,” etc.

[steve li]

No guarantee. The team with the worst record in the NHL (32nd place) has a 25.5% chance of winning the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.

Too true, John. My problem is that every time I run a simulation on Tankathon, the Blues seem to drop back to the #4 spot!

To be fair, though, I’d be happy with almost anyone in the top 5 this year. This 2026 class looks deep, and I think any team picking in top 5 top 10 is going to walk away with a player they’ll be thrilled to build around. Adding a top-tier franchise building block talent is exactly what our prospect pool needs.

Almost 42% chance they pick fourth. Only around 27% they get the first or second slot...

[seattleblue]

58% top 3 pick (each spot different likelihoods), 42% 4th pick

[hockey jedi]

How likely that if the Blues get McKenna or Ivar that they would make the Blues next fall?

[kimzey59]

How likely that if the Blues get McKenna or Ivar that they would make the Blues next fall?

I'm not sure that either of them really should jump straight in given their size(they're both string beans compared to most NHL'ers), but I fully expect to see both in the League next year.
Personally, I never advocate for throwing freshly drafted players straight into the NHL until they bulk up a bit but that's just me.