Vancouver Canucks Hold Dinner with Prospect Gavin McKenna at NHL Combine

The NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo is underway, with teams interviewing nearly 90 prospects. Vancouver Canucks scheduled a dinner with top prospect Gavin McKenna, the projected first‑overall pick, while the Toronto Maple Leafs—holders of the first selection—have not arranged a formal dinner, having already met McKenna at his home in Whitehorse. The Canucks are also hosting meals with three other prospects: Chase Reid, Caleb Malhotra and Ivar Stenberg, as part of their scouting process.

Other media outlets released mock‑draft projections, placing McKenna at No. 1 to the Leafs, followed by Reid (San Jose Sharks), Malhotra (Vancouver Canucks), Stenberg (Chicago Blackhawks) and Carson Carels (New York Rangers). Prospects Ivar Stenberg and Caleb Malhotra also spoke at the Combine, highlighting their recent performances in Europe and the NCAA. The Combine blends physical testing with extensive interviews, which teams use to assess character, work ethic and fit with club culture before the June 26 draft.