NHL Teams Strategically Position for Top Pick, Eyeing Gavin McKenna
Buffalo, NY – October 6, 2024 – As the NHL season progresses, several teams are already demonstrating strategies widely interpreted as positioning for the best possible draft selection in 2025, with exceptional young prospect Gavin McKenna emerging as the anticipated prize. The Buffalo Sabres, despite a history of high draft picks, are once again finding themselves near the bottom of the standings, fueling speculation about their intentions.
For over a decade, the Sabres have consistently secured high draft positions, a pattern that has yielded franchise cornerstones like Jack Eichel (2015, 2nd overall), Sam Reinhart (2014, 2nd overall), Rasmus Dahlin (2018, 1st overall), and Owen Power (2022, 1st overall). Since 2012,the team has made 10 selections within the top 10 picks of the NHL draft,a testament to prolonged rebuilding efforts. This year, however, the stakes are notably high, as McKenna, a highly touted forward, is projected to be a generational talent.
The race to the bottom is not unique to Buffalo.Multiple franchises are navigating similar trajectories, prioritizing long-term development over immediate success. This deliberate tanking, while controversial, is a calculated gamble to secure a player capable of transforming a franchise. The potential impact of landing McKenna is driving this strategy, as scouts and analysts consistently praise his exceptional skill set and projected NHL impact.
Since 2012, the Sabres have had 14 opportunities to draft, and their consistent presence near the top of the draft order reflects a sustained period of rebuilding. The question now is whether this strategy will finally yield a sustained period of competitiveness, or if the pursuit of a transformative player like Gavin McKenna will continue to define their future.
Photo Martin Chevalier
