The Athletic Hockey Show Gavin McKenna headlines latest NHL Draft rankings
Nov 7, 2025
Gavin McKenna remains the top prospect, despite a slow start, but could challengers like Keaton Verhoeff and Tynan Lawrence emerge? Ivar Stenberg is making waves with his historic SHL performance, and discussions highlight the case for smaller defensemen in this draft class. The buzz around Caleb Malhotra's breakout and World Junior stock fluctuates as players rise and fall in prominence. The hosts also evaluate the impact of college standouts on draft chances and delve into Team Canada's defensive depth concerns.
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McKenna Still No.1 — For Now
- Gavin McKenna currently sits alone at the top of most draft boards despite a slow college start.
- Scouts feel no obvious alternative yet, but several players (Verhoeff, Belchetz, Stenberg, Lawrence) could challenge him if trends continue.
Tier Two Could Close The Gap
- Scott expects one or two players from tier two may join McKenna in the top tier if they keep trending.
- He views Ivar Stenberg and Keaton Verhoeff as the two closest challengers to McKenna.
Early Player Comparisons
- Early comparables: McKenna → Artemi Panarin, Belchetz → Slafkovsky, Verhoeff → Aaron Ekblad.
- Those comps show perceived roles: elite small scorer, big physical winger, and top-pair defenseman.