The Athletic Hockey Show: Is it Time to Worry About Gavin McKenna?

Date: November 14, 2025
Hosts: Max Bultman, Scott Wheeler, Corey Pronman, Chris Peters
Theme: This episode dives into the current trajectory and legitimacy of top NHL prospects, with a particular focus on Gavin McKenna’s rocky NCAA start. The hosts analyze international tournaments, prospect risers, and what’s changing in collegiate and junior hockey development, highlighting draft dynamics and the rise (or concern) of key young players.

Episode Overview

• Evaluates the current state and hype surrounding Gavin McKenna, especially after a tough weekend against Michigan State
• Reviews top international hockey prospects and tournaments, with updates on formative 2027 draft candidates
• Explores the evolving landscape of U.S. junior development and the National Team Development Program (NTDP)
• Recaps a loaded Michigan State–Penn State college series, using it as a microcosm for discussing up-and-coming stars like McKenna, Lindstrom, and Stramel
• Mailbag: Listeners’ burning prospect questions answered with deep scouting context

Key Segments & Insights

1. Early 2027 NHL Draft Class: Who’s Rising?

(02:23 – 10:00)

• Alexis Joseph: Dominated the U17 Challenge, led Canada Red to gold, already projecting as a “dream scenario” No. 1 center for the 2027 NHL Draft.

  “He’s so impressive...really well-rounded centerman...he looks like that kind of dream scenario...a lot of resemblances to what Leo Carlsson looked like.” – Corey Pronman (03:07)

• Landon Dupont: Was the early consensus No.1 but questions have surfaced about his upside.

  “I would be extremely apprehensive to ever call someone a slam dunk No.1 two years ahead...I don’t think the toolkit is so off the charts good.” – Corey Pronman (04:21)

• Nasar Privalov: Russian power winger, “uber talented,” a real threat to be the first overall pick.

  “He’s got a legit claim to the No.1 position in terms of pure talent...might be a more fascinating conversation than the Matvei Michkov conversation in the Bedard draft.” – Corey Pronman (05:35)

• NTDP Depth: A bounceback year for US development, with three NTDP prospects in Corey's early top 10 (Sammy Nelson, Carter Meyer, Diego Gutierrez).

  “They look like legit top of the draft talents... we could see three or four of these guys in the thick of it at the top.” – Scott Wheeler (07:12)

2. U.S. System Under Pressure: NTDP vs. CHL

(10:00 – 14:12)

• CHL vs. NTDP Recruitment Battle: Canadian junior teams (CHL) are increasingly confident in luring American talent; the old NTDP pipeline is facing greater competition.
• JP Hurlburt situation: Emblematic of the changing recruiting dynamics.
• NTDP’s Future: Some call its relevance into question amid “two down years,” but hosts agree structural advantages persist.

  “Until there is...more consistency across American hockey...you can’t get rid of it [the NTDP]. There’s still going to be benefits.” – Chris Peters (11:41)

3. U20 Five Nations Recap: Examining Sweden & Finland’s Stars

(14:12 – 17:05)

• Viggo Bjork (Sweden): Broke out after a mediocre summer, showing potential as a smaller dynamic pro.
• Swedish Worries: Despite a strong roster, Sweden underwhelmed, including a bad loss to shorthanded Finland. Several stars (Ekle, Frindell) didn’t look like difference-makers.

  “They definitely didn’t look like a team...who could play with Canada or the U.S.” – Corey Pronman (14:26)

• Oliver Savanto (Finland): Impressed, boosting 2026 draft stock.

4. College Hockey Heavyweights: Michigan State vs. Penn State

(19:36 – 26:45)

• Michigan State’s Dominance:

  • Charlie Stramel: “Best player by a country mile,” especially in Game 2.

    “He was the best player on either team by a country mile...just involved in everything.” – Scott Wheeler (19:57)

  • Team Structure: Big, skilled, well-coached—potential NCAA champs.

    “They look like how I think a complete college hockey team should look, and...their status as the number one team in the country is pretty well earned.” – Scott Wheeler (21:43)

• Kaden Lindstrom: Struggling for Michigan State, limited offense and questions about his role on Team Canada’s World Junior roster.

  “I don’t think he’s going to be a huge part of the conversation at this stage.” – Scott Wheeler (22:58) “They’re not forcing him into being a top six offensive contributor...they’re kind of meeting him where he’s at.” – Chris Peters (23:39)

5. Is It Time to Worry About Gavin McKenna?

(26:45 – 38:34)

• Hostility & Struggles at Michigan State:
  • McKenna booed throughout; still generated most of Penn State’s offense but effort, especially off the puck, drew sharp criticism.

  “There were a couple of back checks...he straightened up, didn’t even move his feet...it’s going to turn some people off.” – Scott Wheeler (27:19)

• Schedule Pressure: Penn State faces stiff competition before a long layoff—future scrutiny incoming.

  “If he doesn’t have like two good weekends here...it’s just going to be so much discussion and speculation.”—Corey Pronman (29:32)

• Draft Stock Plummeting?:
  • McKenna is not close to Hobey Baker level, nor as dominant as previous elite college freshmen (Fantilli, Celebrini).

  “I am still relatively surprised at where we’re at right now...it is too early to say he’s not the No. 1 prospect because...but I also don’t know that it’s trending in a positive direction right now, which is scary.” – Chris Peters (31:52)

• Team Fit & Development:
  • Not being used on the top line; hosts suggest Penn State must pair him with better linemates to optimize success and reputation for future recruits.

  “Did you put Gavin McKenna in the best possible position to succeed? If you did not, that says a lot to other recruits.” – Chris Peters (37:00)

• Context for Worry:
  • Sample size is still relatively small. Comparisons to early struggles and recoveries of players like Logan Cooley.

  “Sometimes that happens...At some point we will cross a line where we say, okay, this is no longer a little bump.” – Corey Pronman (34:03)

• Hype Machine Reality:
  • The media spotlight puts unfair, enormous pressure on McKenna, despite "holy F" moments of high skill.

  “I don’t want to be seen as like, we’re beating this guy up...he’s still outpacing what Hagens, Kent Johnson, and Matty Beniers did...just not in that top tier.” – Corey Pronman (34:48)

6. Prospect Mailbag

(40:35 – 61:58; Selected Highlights)

• Ivar Stenberg vs. Other Top-10 Forwards

  “He’d go 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 in just about any draft class...next tier at the top of a draft class.” – Scott Wheeler (41:52)

• Max Plante (Detroit Red Wings prospect)

  • Smart, versatile, power play weapon, but likely projects as a third-line playmaker rather than a true top-six NHLer due to skating concerns.

  “His vision...stands out...ideal playmaker on a third line.” – Max Bultman (44:03) “If he’s in your top nine, you’re not winning a lot of games...like he’s a Matias Maccelli type.” – Corey Pronman (45:58)

• Charlie Stramel (2022 1st rounder, Minnesota Wild)

  • Rejuvenated after transfer, regaining middle-six center status.

  “He’s exactly what I thought he was. He’s just better than what his haters thought he was.” – Corey Pronman (46:49) “Sometimes you have to be patient with those bigger players.” – Chris Peters (47:20)

• Keaton Verhoff (North Dakota D, 2025 eligible)

  • Good transition to NCAA, but media hype may be outpacing reality. Still projects as a top pairing candidate.

  “It’s been a good, not sensational, start...I think that needs a little bit of a course correction.” – Scott Wheeler (50:06)

• Roman Kantserov vs. Nick Lardis (Chicago Blackhawks)

  • Both impressing, but roster crunch may limit opportunity:

  “They’re about comparable prospects and probably vying for the same job, which is one job, not two.” – Scott Wheeler (51:35) “I might lean more towards Lardis now than I would have if we had...before the AHL.” – Chris Peters (52:41)

• Vaclav Nestarzil (UMass, Chicago prospect)

  • Huge leap; “trending...like a 6'6" scoring forward in the NHL.” – Corey Pronman (53:38)

• James Hagens vs. Jake O'Brien

  • Hagens has struggled but still considered higher-upside; BC is weak, O’Brien’s OHL team is dominant.

  “I think still people would favor Hagens, but it’s probably pretty close.” – Scott Wheeler (56:06)

• Tynan Lawrence (draft-eligible C)

  • Not on Celebrini’s level, but could be a top-tier No. 2 center, comparable to Cooley/Wright tier.

  “He’s got that...more like a number two center at the NHL level in terms of overall upside.” – Chris Peters (59:26) “For me, he’s kind of where like Cooley and Wright were going into their drafts...” – Corey Pronman (61:09)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Alexis Joseph: “He’s so impressive...looks like that kind of dream scenario.”
  – Corey Pronman (03:07)
• On McKenna’s work ethic: “A pretty strong frustration...with his effort level off the puck.”
  – Scott Wheeler (27:19)
• On the “hype machine” and perspective: “Being a level below Celebrini and Eichel and Fantilli is not the end of the world as well.”
  – Corey Pronman (34:48)
• On the NTDP’s future: “...until that [wider U.S. development] is met, you can’t get rid of it [the NTDP].”
  – Chris Peters (11:41)
• On Michigan State’s build: “They look like how I think a complete college team should look.”
  – Scott Wheeler (21:43)
• On prospect timelines: “You have to be patient with those bigger players.”
  – Chris Peters (47:20)

Conclusion

Tone: Analytical and direct, with nuanced criticism, especially surrounding newer trends in prospect evaluation and the pressures faced by teenage hockey stars.
Key Takeaway: Gavin McKenna’s start is concerning, but it’s not yet time to panic—context and patience are vital, even for those under the hottest spotlight. The episode also highlights the shifting landscape of junior and college hockey recruitment, the value of development programs, and the ongoing search for the next true No.1.

Next Week: Deep dive on projected World Junior rosters and more prospect trajectories as the draft picture continues to evolve.