Gavin McKenna isn’t just the top prospect and consensus no.1 pick in 2026; he’s hyped as a potential franchise player and reset bottom, that would turn the fortunes around for a long-suffering franchise. Let’s see which team is the best fit for Gavin McKenna and what teams could surprisingly land him with lottery luck.
Related: BEST FORWARD PROSPECTS AFTER GAVIN McKENNA IN 2026
San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks are already stacked with elite young talent: Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Michael Misa; adding McKenna would giving San Jose a future top line that could rival any in the league. Symbolically, it’s a rebirth narrative—the Sharks rising from the depths with a generational core. San Jose’s tech-forward identity pairs well with McKenna’s cerebral, playmaking style. It’s a city of reinvention, and he’d be the face of that. While landing in San Jose would be a dream scenario, and it be frightening to play them in a few years, it is unlikely that they will land the no.1 pick because the last time the team with the worst regular season record landed the first overall pick was in 2010. Since the NHL introduced a more random NHL Draft lottery, the chances SJ gets the first overall pick isn’t likely.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins are entering a full rebuild as Crosby and Malkin near retirement; McKenna could be the heir apparent, ushering in a new era while learning from legends. From Lemieux to Crosby to McKenna—this would be a continuation of Pittsburgh’s superstar lineage, the Penguins have a history of developing elite forwards into icons. If the Pittsburgh Penguins finish with the 3rd worst record in the league, they might be lucky enough to win the draft lottery, as teams with the 3rd worst record have won the No.1 pick approximately 3 times since the lottery was introduced in 1995. Ironically, one of the 3 was in 2003 when Pittsburgh moved up to the top spot and selected Marc-Andre Fleury.
Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks are already developing and building around Connor Bedard, but lack depth in elite wing talent. McKenna could complement Bedard beautifully, forming a lethal 1-2 punch. Chicago has cap flexibility and a young roster hungry for identity. A city of bold reinvention, McKenna would thrive in Chicago’s spotlight and media-rich environment. Similar to San Jose, they are expected to be in the mix to land the number 1 pick, but even if they don’t land the first pick, they can’t fall lower than 4th due to lottery rules. This guarantees that Chicago will be able to land an elite talent in 2026, even if it isn’t Gavin McKenna.
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are already rich in young talent, but landing Gavin McKenna would accelerate their timeline from rebuild to contender. McKenna’s vision and puck control would elevate Buffalo’s top six, especially alongside Tage Thompson, Zach Benson, and Jack Quinn. Buffalo’s man-advantage has lacked creativity; McKenna could quarterback the unit and unlock Dahlin’s offensive instincts. With Dylan Cozens traded and Peterka gone, McKenna becomes the new “Workhorse from Whitehorse,” echoing Cozens’ legacy while surpassing it. He’d join a core that’s still young but underperforming—his arrival could catalyze a cultural shift. – From heartbreak to hope—McKenna could be the face of a new era, finally delivering on the promise that eluded the franchise for decades.
Utah Mammoth
As an expansion team, Utah needs a marketable star to build around. McKenna’s NCAA pedigree and highlight-reel style would energize a new fanbase and would echo Vegas’s success with early star power. A fresh canvas for branding, culture, and civic identity, with McKenna as the keystone of Utah’s hockey narrative. If Utah finishes with the 10th-worst record, they might be able to echo the New York Islanders draft luck from 2025 and defied the 3.5% odds to land the first overall selection. Utah is a boom or bust team, they could be real contenders, as they have tons of talent, but because their team is so young, they don’t have much success in playoff-like games, so they could falter down the stretch, similar to last season. Adding a potential superstar like McKenna to an already potent young core could turn Utah into contenders.
Boston Bruins
While Boston isn’t currently projected to land the No. 1 pick, their roster trajectory and scoring struggles make them a plausible lottery contender in 2026. McKenna’s vision and puck distribution would immediately elevate Boston’s 5-on-5 scoring, which has been a persistent weakness. Pairing McKenna with James Hagens (Boston’s 2025 7th overall pick) could form a lethal young duo—speed, creativity, and high hockey IQ. He could quarterback the top unit, revitalizing a power play that’s lacked dynamism since the Bergeron/Krejci era. With aging veterans and a thinning prospect pool, McKenna would become the cornerstone of Boston’s next competitive window.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are on the cusp of building something special, and are now trying to build a team around Matvei Michkov. McKenna’s high-end vision and puck control would immediately elevate Philadelphia’s top six, especially alongside Porter Martone. With Matvei Michkov graduated and Martone emerging, McKenna would complete a trio of elite forwards under 22—each with different strengths. From Broad Street Bullies to cerebral, skill-driven hockey—McKenna represents a new archetype: smart, fast, and relentless.
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a team that are in desperate need of a franchise centerpiece, as they don’t have a true star player on the roster and their pipeline isn’t really strong as well. Calgary’s biggest weakness has been consistent scoring. McKenna’s playmaking, shot, and hockey IQ would instantly elevate their top six. He could slot alongside Matt Coronato or Connor Zary, giving the Flames a dynamic young trio with speed, creativity, and finishing ability. Calgary’s man-advantage has been stagnant. McKenna’s ability to control pace and exploit seams would transform their special teams. With aging contracts (Huberdeau, Kadri) and a middling prospect pool, McKenna would reset the timeline and become the face of the rebuild. Calgary fans love hard-working stars with flair. McKenna’s “Workhorse from Whitehorse” persona fits the city’s blue-collar pride and hockey heritage
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