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Gavin McKenna the likely pick if Canucks are picking first

The Vancouver Canucks 2025-2026 season will go down in history as a forgettable one for the club as they finished with the worst record in the NHL. And it was not even close; the gap in the standings between them and the 31st place Chicago Blackhawks was 14 points.

The campaign, while disastrous in the short term, has potential to be rewarding in the long term. The blessing in disguise with this brutal season is that the Canucks head into May 5th’s NHL draft lottery with the best odds of receiving the first overall selection in the 2026 entry draft. They could have their pick of the litter in terms of what player this franchise decides to build around as they enter a needed rebuild.

The ping pong balls still need to work in Vancouver’s way for this possible reality to exist. If they do, the question becomes who do the Canucks favor with the top pick? Insider Elliotte Friedman believes Gavin McKenna would be Vancouver’s pick at one.

Gavin McKenna Would be a Game Changer for Vancouver

The debate all season for top NHL draft prospect has been between McKenna and Ivar Stenberg. Both forwards have impressed all year for their respective teams and featured in the 2026 World Junior Championship (WJC) tournament.

With either player the Canucks would be adding an elite franchise changing talent to their arsenal. But McKenna is a guy who has been talked about for years; he’s one of the most highly anticipated players in waiting. While Stenberg to Vancouver has gathered some noise due to his national ties to a squad filled with Swedes such as Elias Pettersson, it is not surprising that McKenna would appear to be their preference.

McKenna made the switch this season from the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) to the NCAA ranks with Penn State University. While his numbers in the college ranks were not quite as eye-popping as his WHL stats, he still amassed 15 goals and 36 assists for 51 points in 35 games as just an 18-year old freshman.

Gavin also had a productive WJC tourney with Team Canada as he tallied four goals and ten assists for 14 points in seven games for his bronze medal winning group.

This Will be a Crucial Draft for the Canucks

Either way no matter what happens on draft lotto day, Vancouver will have a guaranteed top three pick in this draft. They will be adding a future core player to their young talent pool.

But, a potential 1st overall pick would be a great place to start for what will be a new Canucks general manager in position by the time draft day rolls around on June 26-27th.

After such a disappointing season, this is obviously not a pick the Vancouver brass will want to get wrong. It is imperative no matter where they are selecting that they get this right as success in this draft will play a large part in dictating how smoothly this rebuilding process plays out and how fast the Canucks return to being a contender.