“No f**king chance”: NHL fans strongly reject insider’s call for Gavin McKenna to receive an exceptional draft entry

In the world of professional sports, young athletes continue to break barriers, proving that talent can shine at any age. However, the NHL maintains a strict rule—players must be at least 18 years old by September 15 of their draft year to be eligible. Despite this, 17-year-old CHL star Gavin McKenna has become the center of controversy as some argue he should be allowed into the draft early.

Recently, NHL insider Austin Kelly ignited discussions by advocating for McKenna’s immediate entry into the draft. He argued that McKenna is already too skilled for the CHL and should be given an exception, stating, “He’s far too good already for the CHL and is scoring at over 3PPG in his last 10 games. I’d draft him first overall this year and not lose sleep.”
However, Kelly’s stance was met with strong opposition from fans, who dismissed the idea of bypassing long-standing NHL rules. Many believed that while McKenna is undeniably talented, making an exception would set a problematic precedent for the league.


One of the primary arguments against McKenna’s early entry is the historical precedent set by other elite prospects. Even players like John Tavares, who dominated junior hockey, had to wait until they were of eligible age. A fan emphasized this point, stating, “No f**king chance. They didn’t do it for John Tavares.”
Additionally, concerns were raised about the potential downsides of pushing a 17-year-old directly into the NHL. The league presents an entirely different level of competition, both physically and mentally. Some fans argued that rushing McKenna’s development could be detrimental, with one saying, “Naw… let him be a kid.”
Others referenced Connor Bedard’s transition to the NHL, which, despite his talent, has still proven challenging. A fan highlighted the risks of making an exception, “Now this, this is a bad idea – bad precedents, when and how to make exceptions again in future, etc. Reality is Bedard was also dominating and yet… we see the jump is hard.”

Although the debate continues, one thing is certain—McKenna’s future in hockey looks incredibly bright. With an impressive 41 goals and 88 assists in just 56 games, he is widely expected to be a top selection in the 2026 NHL Draft. Some have suggested he consider playing NCAA hockey for a year, where he could also benefit from lucrative NIL deals.
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For now, it appears that the NHL’s age rule will remain unchanged. But when McKenna finally becomes eligible, there is no doubt he will be one of the most highly anticipated prospects in recent memory.