Gavin McKenna is widely regarded as the top prospect in this season’s NHL draft, matching (if not surpassing) the offensive talent of past standouts like Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard. Agile and aware on the ice, he is going to be the league’s next big star, and there are reasons teams aren’t willing to move first-round picks this year, knowing that doing so limits any chance they have to draft a future superstar.
But McKenna isn’t the only big name in this year’s draft. There’s also Ivar Stenberg, Keaton Verhoeff, Ethan Belchetz, and Ryan Roobroeck, to name a few. In other words, there are plenty of reasons to struggle with a light at the end of the tunnel.
Some teams might already be aware that this isn’t their season, and the potential to draft McKenna is becoming more real by the day. Teams aren’t even 10 games into their season yet, but for some, contending is not in the cards.
Does that mean their best bet is to phone in the season? No one will admit that, but the writing is on the wall in a few cities.
The Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are 1-7-1 and have no identity. Their goaltending hasn’t been what it was last season, they struggle to score goals (dead last with 16 in nine games), and several big names could be on their way out.
Nazem Kadri trade talk is everywhere, Rasmus Andersson is likely going to Dallas or Vegas by the deadline, and MacKenzie Weegar is saying all the right things, but trade rumors are just a matter of time. The media called out Yegor Sharangovich for his lack of intensity, then he got benched amid the blowback, and there is more drama with that organization as they seem to be treading water until they get a new arena. Tank, move your players out, get your new building, and start fresh with one of the great, young NHL prospects.
The Flames have two picks in the first round and could potentially acquire another if they are willing to trade the right roster player.
The San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are one of the league’s up-and-coming young teams, but they’re struggling to earn two points on a nightly basis. They arguably aren’t quite there yet, but another top-end prospect would potentially give them three of the best future stars in the game. Perhaps the Sharks hold off for one more season on trying to be competitive and stay at the bottom of the standings.
Players like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith aren’t in a position yet where they are expecting to win or be a playoff team. Unlike in Chicago, where someone like Connor Bedard might be growing frustrated with so much losing, the Sharks have another window here to struggle before players start asking questions about the long-term plan.
The Sharks have two picks in the first round this season, acquiring a second selection from the Edmonton Oilers in the Jake Walman trade. The sheer number of pending UFAs this team has means they’re still constructing their roster.
The New York Rangers
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