Ek’s note: this morning feature article comes from Jay Tup…Enjoy!

Picture the scene: It's June 2026 at the NHL Entry Draft. The team holding the first overall pick steps to the podium, and the commissioner makes the expected proclamation:

“With the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, we are proud to select, from Penn State University, Gavin McKenna.”

As the odds-on favorite, the dynamic left-winger from Whitehorse, Yukon, already has the hockey world buzzing. Last season, McKenna tore up the WHL, posting an incredible 41 goals and 88 assists in just 56 games. He spearheaded a dominant campaign for the Medicine Hat Tigers, capturing a WHL Championship before a heartbreaking loss in the Memorial Cup Final.

But while McKenna seems like a lock, a challenger is emerging who could shatter that consensus. That challenger is Keaton Verhoeff, an imposing 6-foot-4 defender from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. Fresh off his first full season in the WHL, Verhoeff is on a trajectory that could have scouts rethinking their draft boards.

Verhoeff brings a rare and coveted skill set to the ice, drawing comparisons to a prime Aaron Ekblad. He generates offense like a modern, puck-moving forward—potting 21 goals and 24 assists in 63 games last season—yet defends with the authority of a top-pairing shutdown specialist. During the playoffs, he proved he could prioritize defense, tallying 10 points in 11 games while locking down opponents. Despite his massive 210-plus-pound frame, Verhoeff boasts both solid foot speed and mobility, allowing him to confidently join the rush whenever an opportunity arises.

I expect that despite the hype surrounding McKenna, GMs at the top of the draft will soon face a franchise-altering question: What is more valuable? A highly skilled, 6-foot, 165-pound winger, or a 6-foot-4, right-shot defenseman who can quarterback a power play like Cale Makar and shut down superstars like Jaccob Slavin?

Don't be surprised when more than a few franchises lean toward the latter. I know I would.

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