The Pittsburgh Penguins might very well trade away their franchise cornerstone, Sidney Crosby. The 38-year-old has been consistently linked to the Montreal Canadiens: one of the very few teams the Penguins captain may consider waiving his no-movement clause for.
Crosby has led the Penguins to three Stanley Cup victories. His leadership skills are unmatched, and so is his legacy. However, Pittsburgh’s performance over the last few seasons has left fans underwhelmed, but a change could be around the corner. The Penguins are expected to land Gavin McKenna, who has already surpassed Crosby in D-1 equivalency.
Gavin McKenna’s Elite D-1 Equivalency Number is Third Behind Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux
There is good reason to believe McKenna can potentially turn things around in Pittsburgh. The 17-year-old is considered a generational talent unlike any other. McKenna’s WHL numbers playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers are enough testament to his infinite hockey skills. WHL, however, is old news. McKenna is gearing up to debut with the Nittany Lions against Arizona State on Friday.
“College is a very fast-paced game and it’s a little different from [the WHL], but I think it’s been going good so far in practices,” shared the 17-year-old as reported by Adam Kimelman of the NHL Network.
McKenna is obviously NHL-ready. Nittany Lions hockey coach Guy Gadowsky has endorsed McKenna’s suitability for the league. “He is one of the most beautiful skaters you will ever see in your life, except he’s doing it in a big 6-foot frame. This kid’s a thoroughbred. He is absolutely an NHL player.”
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D-1 equivalency helps us understand how a player’s performance in junior hockey will translate into the NCAA D-1 level. McKenna’s D-1 equivalency number leaves behind Crosby’s and even Edmonton Oilers standout Connor McDavid’s. McKenna’s 57 is third after Wayne Gretzky’s 63 and Mario Lemieux’s 59. For some perspective, Crosby’s D-1 equivalency number stands at 49 and McDavid’s at 43.
Moreover, McKenna’s numbers were the highest in more than four decades. The league has witnessed several exceptional players in the period, but the 17-year-old outshines the best of them in this regard. “Gavin McKenna had the highest D-1 equivalency in 42 years (haven’t seen one this high since Mario and Wayne),” Byron Bader wrote. “He’s going to be so good!”
McKenna’s prowess is thoroughly recognized. His NIL deal with Penn State is worth $700,000, unprecedented for a hockey player. Moreover, Michigan State was willing to drop $300,000 on McKenna.
The Penguins drafted Crosby first overall in 2005, 21 years after they drafted Lemieux in 1984. If McKenna is drafted first overall by Pittsburgh in 2026, the team could land another franchise-defining superstar 21 years after drafting Crosby.
