NHL Prospect Pool Overview Hub ‘26-27: Every Team’s Pipeline In One Place
Read all 32 of Tony Ferrari's deep dives from this year's edition of The Hockey News' Prospect Pool Overview series, breaking down the best young talent from every franchise in the NHL.
Video Transcript
We were talking right before we came on about, you know, his NHL readiness.
And I think that a lot of people gloss over the fact that, you know, he did come over as a freshman this year.
And, you know, there is that adjustment period.
And I wonder what you think about the adjustment period from college to the NHL will be like, and is there a chance that we could see McKenna spend some time in the AHL?
Or, you know, was there a possibility that he goes back to Penn State?
Yeah, I think it's more likely that if, if the Leafs choose him and believe he needs more seasoning, that he would go to the Marlies, simply because they're, they're right down the street, essentially.
They can keep tabs on him.
I, I think that physically, you know, like McKenna did really well at the draft combine.
He's a strong kid now and, and hey, that's part of the reason he went to the NCAAs to get that weight room time.
And, it seemed to pay off.
So I, I think that, you know, he's ready for the pro level, even if his game's not, you know, complete right now.
He'll still have to work on that.
But given all his other tools, you know, I think he'll be able to survive in the NHL.
And, you know, a- again, the Leafs have, a number of veteran forwards where, you know, McKenna does not have to be the guy, right?
Yeah.
You've got Matthews, you've got William Nylander, you've got Tavares, you got Matthew Knies.
So, you know, McKenna's going to have, some firepower with him where they can kinda ease him in if necessary.
But they also have him playing with elite players, and I think that'll help a player like him.
