The Athletic Hockey Show Prospect Series

Episode: Gavin McKenna headlines latest NHL Draft rankings
Date: November 7, 2025
Hosts/Analysts: Max Bultman (A), Scott Wheeler (D), Corey Pronman (C)

Main Theme

This episode focuses on the latest NHL Draft rankings, with special attention given to the top prospect, Gavin McKenna. The panel dives deep into how draft boards are shaping up, debates the potential challengers to McKenna’s number one status, and explores the early-season performances of leading prospects around the world. The conversation also highlights trends in prospect development, key risers and fallers, and how the upcoming World Juniors may impact draft perceptions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Gavin McKenna’s Draft Status

• Both Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman place Gavin McKenna firmly at #1 in their draft rankings. However, there’s nuanced debate about his season start and possible challengers.

• Concerns about McKenna’s Start:

  • McKenna hasn’t had an "explosive" college beginning; only 3 of his 13 points in his first 10 games came at even strength.
  • Corey notes growing chatter in the hockey world about whether McKenna’s offensive game will translate at the level expected for a first overall pick. (02:16–04:42)

• Scott's Contextualization:

  • Scott makes clear that circumstances (e.g., not playing on the top line, lower shooting percentage) and McKenna’s continued strong point production keep him on top for now, but says,
    • “Only three of his 13 points through his first 10 games here have come at five on five, but I think we're going to see more of that. The shot creation is there. … 13 points in 10 games is still indicative of a top prospect.” (04:55)

• On Potential Challengers:

  • Both Scott and Corey agree that if McKenna keeps trending sideways offensively, names like Keaton Verhoff, Ivar Stenberg, Ethan Belketz, and Tynan Lawrence could move up.
  • Corey: “I don’t think McKenna is so light years ahead of these guys that the conversation can be avoided all season…” (02:16)
  • Scott: “The more likely outcome for me is that a guy or two from that group maybe joins Gavin in the same tier.” (04:55)

Player Comparisons & Prospect Tiers

• Early Season Comparisons (07:28):
  Corey suggests early NHL comps:

  • McKenna: Artemi Panarin
  • Belketz: Juraj Slafkovsky
  • Verhoff: Aaron Ekblad
  • Scott adds: “For what it's worth, I had an NCAA coach … who used Rick Nash after how impressive Ethan Belketz was.” (08:07)

• What Upsets the Tier Order?

  • Corey wonders aloud: “If you really bought the physicality [for Belketz], which at times I think you probably could, if you got to like a Brady Tkachuk level … that's the name that I think starts to upend that conversation.” (08:31)

In-Depth on Challengers to McKenna

• Keaton Verhoff & Ivar Stenberg:

  • Verhoff (North Dakota): Highly ranked, viewed as a potential top-pairing NHL defenseman (04:55).
  • Stenberg (Frölunda, SHL): “Just outstanding start to the season … what he's doing right now is nearly unprecedented… his pace is way ahead of [SHL stars] … this is a pretty special offensive talent.” (12:50–14:50)
  • Scott compares Stenberg’s impact to William Nylander’s in the SHL, “reminds me of what William Nylander did in his post draft season ... but I see a similar path for him to becoming that level of player who's a leading scorer on a team.” (14:20)

• Ethan Belketz (Windsor):

  • Large, skilled, and making a strong push. Scott: “He was excellent in both of [the games I saw], and frankly better than … almost a top-10 pick of the Philadelphia Flyers…” (04:55)
  • Debate about whether his ultimate ceiling is as high as Stenberg or Verhoff.

• Tynan Lawrence (Muskegon, USHL):

  • “Ticks every box” – speed, skill, competitiveness. Compared to Sebastian Aho in style. Pronman: “He may not be the most dynamic skill player, but ... I kind of think of him like in a Sebastian Aho type of player mold.” (10:27)

Discussion on NCAA and CHL Pathways

• Does NCAA need McKenna to succeed as a 1st overall?
  Max asks: “Does the NCAA need Gavin McKenna to be the first overall pick here? Do they kind of need this to go really, really well for him so that it becomes a little bit of a … selling point?” (11:30)
  • Consensus: Maybe, to secure more “can’t-miss” prospects; if a CHL player or USHL’er goes first, it isn't a boost to NCAA.
  • Corey: “That's the consequences of being such a good player is you will always have questions asked of you because everybody's watching you.” (12:10)

Rising Prospects & Center Depth

• Oliver Suvanto (Finland):

  • Significant development over six months, now logging regular minutes in Finnish Liiga.
  • Corey: “He's big, he's heavy, he's very skilled. … He reminds me a little bit like how, say, Connor Geeky looked at the same age.” (22:52–24:30)

• Caleb Malhotra (Brantford):

  • “Did not expect” his fast rise—earning PK time, big minutes.
  • Scott sees “middle-six, more likely a third-line center at the NHL level,” citing good size, intelligence, but questions about ultimate offense. (26:03)
  • Corey likens the environment to Barrett Hayton’s Sault Ste. Marie days: “great team around him … great all-around centerman.” (27:27)

Defensemen: Size vs. Skill

• Smaller D-men in Top 10:
  • Scott features Xavier Villeneuve and Ryan Lynn in his top seven.
    • “This is … the year you play the cards that you’re dealt … For me, Villeneuve is arguably the most purely gifted player in this class.” (19:11)
    • “Ryan Lynn defends for a 5'11" D at a very, very, very high level … extremely intelligent player … the real question scouts just have is, the feet are average for a 5'11" guy.” (19:11–22:39)
  • The NHL's shifting skepticism about sub-six-foot D is discussed, but both talents warrant high selection this year.

World Juniors Watch & Brantford Bulldogs Pipeline

• Brantford Bulldogs could be gutted for World Juniors:
  Corey: “One of the more loaded CHL teams we've seen in the last few years ... That whole blue line is just great ... quite possible that there's going to be a lot of Team Canada representation from the Brantford Bulldogs.” (30:23)

• Team Canada’s Issues at D:

  • Many ’24 draft-eligible D already in the NHL and unlikely to be available (e.g., Parekh, Dickinson, Brzustewicz, Schaefer).
  • Henry Mews (Michigan) out for the year.
  • “The shape of this blue line for Team Canada starts to look a lot different … a much different look than wheeling out Matthew Schaefer and Zane Parek and Sam Dickinson and Harrison Brzustewicz for 25 minutes a night each." — Scott (32:46)

• Potential Loan Questions:

  • Scott: “I think they will find a way to convince the Sharks to loan (Sam Dickinson) out [for WJC].” (35:47)
  • Pronman notes the similar challenge with Ben Kindle (Pittsburgh): “...I think they’re going to need to really twist the Penguins management’s arms there to get [Bed] Kindle to two players.” (36:10)

• Canada’s Forwards and Centers:

  • Key players like Berkeley Catton, Michael Misa may not be available.
  • Hage (Michigan) and Justin Carbonneau are “off to really good starts” and may step into larger roles than expected. (37:50–39:29)

• Other World Junior Watch Notes:

  • Dakota Raill Mullen (NCAA, USA) and others outproducing some bigger names to date in college hockey. (39:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On McKenna's Standing:

• “I’m not ready to say that someone’s tied with him or that he’s not number one. That being said, I have talked to people in the league who feel that … we need to start discussing him with Verhoff and with Belketz and Lawrence.” — Corey (04:42)

On Prospect Comps:

• “If you start to get into the Brady Tkachuk territory, would you take Brady over Panarin?” — Corey (09:03)
  “It’s trade off I might be willing to make.” — Max (09:14)

On Center Depth:

• “All of a sudden, this draft that looked a little bereft on centers, we’re starting to see some names take up that board.” — Max (24:30)

On Brantford’s World Junior Exodus:

• “It’s quite possible there’s going to be a lot of Team Canada representation from the Brantford Bulldogs.” — Corey (32:13)

On Team Canada’s Defensive Crunch:

• “I think at this point they’re probably happy to get one of those four guys.” — Scott on Canada’s D situation (32:46)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & McKenna at #1: 01:33–04:42
• Challengers and Prospects in Tier 2: 04:55–07:59
• Player Comps and Upset Scenarios: 07:28–10:16
• Detailed Look at Tynan Lawrence: 10:16–11:30
• NCAA vs. CHL Pathways for Elite Prospects: 11:30–12:37
• Ivar Stenberg’s SHL Dominance: 12:37–15:12
• (Ad break/edit): 15:12–18:13
• Discussion on Small D-men (Villeneuve/Lynn): 19:11–22:39
• Rising Centers (Suvanto, Malhotra): 22:39–27:46
• Brantford Bulldogs World Juniors Impact: 29:55–32:22
• Team Canada’s Blue Line Crunch: 32:24–35:47
• Ben Kindle and World Juniors Loan Debates: 36:10–37:50
• Hage, Carbonneau, Michigan Forwards: 37:50–39:38
• World Juniors “Stock Up” Surprises: 39:38–40:25

Tone and Style

• Analytical, evidence-driven, with banter between hosts.
• Willing to speculate and debate (often with nuance and caveats as befits draft discussion pre-World Juniors).
• Assertions are generally supported with “viewings,” statistical context, or direct scouting experience.
• Light competitive ribbing, plenty of names, and inside-baseball references for hardcore draft aficionados.

Summary Takeaway

This episode serves as a genuine “state of the draft” discussion, with Gavin McKenna still the consensus #1, but the season is young and the race could tighten. The hosts illustrate how highly mobile the draft board can be on the back of a hot or cold month, how important context is in evaluating young prospects, and the growing importance of the World Juniors for both players and their NHL draft stock. Expect continued scrutiny of McKenna’s progress, while keeping an eye on surging talents in both North America and Europe as the season unfolds.