Gavin McKenna: Several reasons why recruiters are backing away

The story of the allegations against Gavin McKenna hasn't exactly cast him in a favorable light. For a while, he was the talk of the hockey world.

But not for the right reasons.
Recently, he's managed to fade into the background a bit, and people are talking a lot more about hockey when it comes to discussing his case. But that story hasn't been forgotten.
Is that why many scouts won't necessarily pick him over other guys as the #1 pick in the upcoming NHL draft? Not necessarily, no.

But from what we've read in an article by The Athletic, there are several doubts surrounding the young man, even aside from the story that made headlines.

https://t.co/1FMhzhy3IV
— NHLMuse (@NHL_Muse) March 17, 2026

A member of an NHL team, for example, questions his desire to play without the puck. It's not ideal, though it's something that can be learned.

Another scout said this:
“With the (bar) incident, the McGregor-style celebration, and the fact that he lacks finesse in his game, I sense immaturity and arrogance in him.” — An NHL scout
We all know that, in reality, all it takes is one scout to fall in love with him or one head scout to hate him to change everything. It will ultimately depend on which team wins the next draft lottery.
But let's just say that when he arrived in the NCAA, we didn't expect to see so much doubt surrounding him. Yet here we are, and the young man has to live with it.

In a nutshell– And rightly so.

Craig Berube says he's revisited the #leafs lack of response to the Auston Matthews hit almost daily with his team since it happened last Thursday:
“Sometimes it's a wake-up call.”
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 17, 2026
— Oh, really.

BREAKING NEWS! Sunusi Ibrahim is NOT present this morning at Marie-Victorin, as the team resumes training.

Officially, Sunusi is reported to have a back injury. He is not expected to train this week. #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/9tKZ1KC8JD
— Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) March 17, 2026
— Yes.

The #GoHabsGo forwards also share part of the blame for the team's recent inability to defend…#thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro @NCloutierTVA pic.twitter.com/OhSZo8kZDx
— The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) March 17, 2026

– Interesting.

Nick Kypreos: Re Matthew Knies: Chicago's interest comes as no surprise; Kyle Dubas had talked with the Blackhawks about a trade…a few years ago; many are suggesting the Blackhawks' interest in Knies hasn't wavered – Toronto Star (3/13)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) March 17, 2026
— Must-read.

Mathis Langevin caused a stir when he left the QMJHL mid-season to join the NCAA.
But things didn't go exactly as he had hoped.
https://t.co/YeEC9TEnHa
— Kevin Dubé (@KDubeJDQ) March 17, 2026