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'Luck' May Be On the Penguins' Side in Gavin McKenna Sweepstakes After Surprise Discovery
NHL analyst Billy Heyen revealed that the Pittsburgh Penguins may have luck on their side, like they had 21 years ago, which will allow them to draft Gavin McKenna.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have won the No. 1 overall draft choice in the NHL draft only twice by posting the worst record in the league, and each time it changed the franchise.
They selected Mario Lemieux, a generational superstar who would redefine the franchise's legacy, in 1984. And they selected Sidney Crosby, the cornerstone of three Stanley Cup championships, in 2005 after another bleak season.
Most notably, they also traded up to select Marc-Andre Fleury first overall in 2003, fueling another golden age in Pittsburgh.
In June 2026, 21 years after selecting Sidney Crosby, the Penguins might be praying history does indeed repeat itself once again for one very specific reason: Gavin McKenna. He is anticipated to be the first player selected at next year's NHL Entry Draft.
The Canadian phenom has been the consensus first overall choice in his draft class for more than a year.
Gavin McKenna agreed to play at Penn State next season
In a twist, Gavin McKenna recently signed to play a year of NCAA hockey at Penn State, a decision so unusual that it was compared to what would have happened had Crosby attended college. His growth won't cease, and his stardom keeps on rising.
"And if the Penguins somehow have this kind of luck held down, then maybe they'll just end up with McKenna."
- Billy Heyen
- Billy Heyen
If the Penguins hit the draft lottery jackpot once more, NHL analyst Billy Heyen feels McKenna could be the next one to create a new dynasty in Pittsburgh.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 10 | 153 ANSWERS 'Luck' May Be On the Penguins' Side in Gavin McKenna Sweepstakes After Surprise Discovery Will the Penguins end up drafting Gavin McKenna with luck on their side? | ||
| Yes | 100 | 65.4 % |
| No | 53 | 34.6 % |
| List of polls | ||