Both Gavin McKenna & Ivar Stenberg Would Make Sense For Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks would be a better team with either Ivar Stenberg or Gavin McKenna.
A lot of conversation about the top of the 2026 NHL Draft took place as a result of the game between the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers on Friday night. The loser, if in regulation, was going to wake up the next day with an inside track at the second-best odds of winning the lottery. The Rangers defeated the Blackhawks, who have a significantly younger lineup, by a score of 6-1.
After the Hawks went up 1-0 thanks to a goal scored by Nick Lardis, it was all Rangers from there. Now, they have the same number of standings points (67) with 9 games left each. The Calgary Flames also have a chance at the lottery, as they enter Sunday with 70 points.
The Vancouver Canucks are running away with the best odds, as they have just 50 points. If the Blackhawks end up picking first or second, there are two inedible options for them. Both Gavin McKenna (Canada, Penn State) and Ivar Stenberg (Sweden, Frolunda) would fit in nicely on the Chicago Blackhawks right away.
Each of them has a friend on the Blackhawks. For McKenna, his relation to Connor Bedard through marriage is well known, but they aren’t necessarily close only because of that. McKenna has made it clear through interviews that he does get along well with Bedard, who’s been a good hockey mentor to have in his life.