He is first on some lists, according to Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman. He's gonna land where he lands completely on merit. Incredible season, and playoffs. A couple of years at BU and we could be looking at a Barkov type premium two way center.
I think the problem is that even if a guy could be there on merit, the organization can't really make their own objective evaluation of that merit. There are going to be lots of lists with guys in a different place, but presumably you have your scouting staff in place because you think they add something to all the publicly available resources. It is their judgment (with the PoHos and RyJos) that ultimately matters as to which of these competing lists will be the Canucks list, and its their judgment that is going to be affected by the family connection.Megaterio Llamas wrote: ↑Tue May 19, 2026 9:45 am He is first on some lists, according to Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman. He's gonna land where he lands completely on merit.
One of the potential pitfalls with McKenna will be the temptation to shoehorn him into the lineup next year, ready or not, to capatalize on the hype.UWSaint wrote: ↑Tue May 19, 2026 11:00 amI think the problem is that even if a guy could be there on merit, the organization can't really make their own objective evaluation of that merit. There are going to be lots of lists with guys in a different place, but presumably you have your scouting staff in place because you think they add something to all the publicly available resources. It is their judgment (with the PoHos and RyJos) that ultimately matters as to which of these competing lists will be the Canucks list, and its their judgment that is going to be affected by the family connection.Megaterio Llamas wrote: ↑Tue May 19, 2026 9:45 am He is first on some lists, according to Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman. He's gonna land where he lands completely on merit.
Now I am not expert on prospects, either, but I can observe biases that affects experts. Nepotism is one, the mystical "bloodlines" is another (that's not to say there's no benefit to having a family experience where a parent was a professional athlete so you know what it takes more completely, but it is typically given too much weight, and much of the benefits of bloodlines (like athleticism) are quite measurable without knowing the parentage). The Canucks are affected by both, most of the "experts" are affected by the latter. Add to that Malhotra is rising with a bullet, and we have recency bias, which isn't a hockey-only phenomena, but can be overstated. Of course with 17 and 18 year olds, recency *should* weigh more because they are rapidly developing as players. But still, approach it with some skepticism.
On the other hand -- with the what do I know caveat -- I think there's an opposite effect where a player is *so* good, so highly regarded, that when he stops blowing people out of the water and is merely the best, he loses perceived value. I think that's happening with McKenna. Its kind of weird to see how scouts drool over Malhotra's last two months as a sample size while what McKenna did at Penn State his last couple of months was absolutely dominant for a draft -1 player in the NCAA and no one really talks about it. If McKenna wasn't the "obvious" best player in the draft class 2 years ago and then have some growing pains (they weren't even pains, just adjustments), the perception would be different, wouldn't it? That's not to say McKenna doesn't have some areas of his game that are incomplete and somewhat concerning, but I think there's superstar upside in that player which no other forward in the draft has. There will be other good players in the draft, other stars, but I don't see the "super" potential in anyone but McKenna.
I don't doubt that he has merit to be picked at #3 - many rankings have him there, but I'm just saying that is WE pick him, unless he's a stud, he'll always be under a microscope. You know the media in this town as well as anyone.Megaterio Llamas wrote: ↑Tue May 19, 2026 9:45 am He's [Malhotra] gonna land where he lands completely on merit. Incredible season, and playoffs.
Yeah for sure Corn. Like I said, I do hope Stenberg slips to us. I think he's the best player, Swede or not. But, again, what do I know.Cornuck wrote: ↑Tue May 19, 2026 11:10 amI don't doubt that he has merit to be picked at #3 - many rankings have him there, but I'm just saying that is WE pick him, unless he's a stud, he'll always be under a microscope. You know the media in this town as well as anyone.Megaterio Llamas wrote: ↑Tue May 19, 2026 9:45 am He's [Malhotra] gonna land where he lands completely on merit. Incredible season, and playoffs.
Not just media, fans as well especially here.Cornuck wrote: ↑Tue May 19, 2026 11:10 amI don't doubt that he has merit to be picked at #3 - many rankings have him there, but I'm just saying that is WE pick him, unless he's a stud, he'll always be under a microscope. You know the media in this town as well as anyone.Megaterio Llamas wrote: ↑Tue May 19, 2026 9:45 am He's [Malhotra] gonna land where he lands completely on merit. Incredible season, and playoffs.
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My BPA picks for Vancouver
Pick Player Pos. Team Why this pick
#3 Chase Reid RD Soo Greyhounds, OHL Best blend of consensus ranking, premium position, production, and upside
#24 Nikita Klepov F Saginaw Spirit, OHL High-end scoring value if he slips into the 20s
#33 Yegor Shilov C/F Victoriaville Tigres, QMJHL Skilled offensive center/forward with strong production
#41 Tommy Bleyl RD Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL Big offensive upside from the back end, especially if still on the board
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Based on current mocks, rankings, and team fit, my updated top three prediction would be:
Pick Team Predicted pick Position Reason
1 Toronto Maple leaves Gavin McKenna LW Best offensive talent, safest franchise-swing pick
2 San Jose Sharks Chase Reid RD Best fit between BPA and organizational need
3 Vancouver Canucks Caleb Malhotra C Best center in the draft, fills Vancouver’s biggest pipeline hole