Rumour Roundup: Could Gavin McKenna end up at Penn State?

We know Gavin McKenna likely will be the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

We don’t know where he’s going to play next season, but there seems to be a new contender making a big run for the Medicine Hat Tigers star.

All eyes are on the 17-year-old Whitehorse native, who could stay with the WHL’s Tigers or jump to the NCAA following a rule change allowing CHL players to play U.S. college hockey beginning next season.

On 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said Penn State has emerged as a serious player in the McKenna chase.

“I was asking a few people around hockey what they thought and informal straw poll, I would say Penn State. That’s who the favourite is,” Friedman said. “Nothing’s done until it’s done. I was told it would be premature to make any enormous proclamation. But I asked a bunch of people around and said if you had to pick where he’s going to play next year, most of them picked Penn State.”

A traditional football power, Penn State jumped into the NCAA Division I ranks in men’s hockey in 2012-13 with a big financial assist from university alumnus and Buffalo Sabres/Bills owner Terry Pegula.

The Nittany Lions reached the Frozen Four for the first time this season.

Getting a player of McKenna’s calibre would be a huge boost for Penn State. Friedman said the WHL still is hoping McKenna will stay, while he’s also expected to make visits to several U.S. schools.

McKenna is coming off a season in which he led the Tigers to the Memorial Cup final. During that tournament, a Penn State emoji tweet raised some eyebrows.

Cayden Lindstrom, McKenna’s Medicine Hat teammate and a top Columbus Blue Jackets prospect, recently confirmed his commitment to Big Ten rival Michigan State.

Michigan, another Big Ten school, also has landed several top CHL commitments, including 2025 NHL first-round draft prospect Malcolm Spence and Calgary Flames prospect Henry Mews.

What’s next for Pietrangelo?

Vegas Golden Knights star defenceman Alex Pietrangelo withdrew from Canada’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off in late January to “to tend to an ailment and prepare for the remainder of the regular season.”

The six-foot-three Pietrangelo, 35, did help Vegas advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but his intense style can be physically taxing.

With all Olympic teams expected to name their first six players this month, Pietrangelo certainly could be a candidate for Canada. But there still could be some questions about where he’s at health-wise.

“At this time of year, teams are trying to figure out what their rosters might look like next year and are there are any injury concerns,” Friedman said.

“Let’s see what happens with Pietrangelo. I hope he’s healthy. I hope he’s good enough to go but it sounds like there’s at least a possibility that they’re trying to figure out what his health will be like for the start of next season.”

Stars coaching search

The Dallas Stars‘ decision to fire coach Peter DeBoer wasn’t expected after the team advanced to the Western Conference Final, but his harsh words for goalie Jake Oettinger and the ensuing fallout seemed to cause things to change.

Friedman said the initial plan likely was to bring DeBoer back for the final season of his contract without an extension, but the team decided to go a different direction on Friday.

So who will be the next person running the bench for a perennial Cup contender?

Friedman said Stars GM Jim Nill could go several different directions and the team locked in on choosing a familiar name.

One possibility is the coach of Neil Graham, who is in his sixth year coaching the Stars’ AHL affiliate. The Texas Stars are currently in the AHL’s Western Conference final against the Abbotsford Canucks.

“Neil Graham last year went very very deep into the process in San Jose, he was a finalist there,” Friedman said. “I’ve heard at times the Stars have been asked if other teams could interview him for spots on an NHL bench, not necessarily head coach. Dallas at some point in time is going to have to make decision on him.”

Another name who could be in the mix is Edmonton Oilers assistant coach Glen Gulutzan, who was the head coach of Dallas from 2011-13 and also has head-coaching experience with the Calgary Flames.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he is part of this process,” Friedman said. “He’s had a lot of time to learn, and (is now) in a visible position running Edmonton’s power play (in the Stanley Cup Final). I wouldn’t be surprised considering his history (in Dallas) and the visibility of the spot here if he’s someone they talk to as part of this.”

New deal for Frederic?

When the Oilers acquired Trent Frederic at the trade deadline from the Boston Bruins, he was considered a rental.

But Friedman now says there is buzz about the Oilers keeping the pending unrestricted free agent in the fold after the Stanley Cup Final ends.

“One of the things being rumoured around here is that Trent Frederic might be sticking around,” he said. “I can’t imagine we’re going to find out during the Final. They’ve got more important things to worry about. But that was something I heard in and around the building tonight.”

The six-foot-three forward has one goal and three assists in 18 playoff games this year.

Buffalo buzz

With the Buffalo Sabres in the midst of a 14-year playoff drought, there is all kinds of pressure on GM Kevyn Adams to turn things around.

At the NHL Scouting Combine this week, there was plenty of buzz about the Sabres trying to make some big moves.

Friedman said several of the Sabres’ core players have made it clear they want things to change in the standings. That’s why Buffalo may not be shy of dealing away prospects for immediate help.

“People keep saying to me you’ve got to watch the Sabres,” Friedman said.

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