McKenna Leads ESPN's 2026-27 Fantasy Rookie Rankings
ESPN's redraft rookie rankings put Toronto's No. 1 pick ahead of Porter Martone, with Chicago, Boston and San Jose prospects also highlighted.
Gavin McKenna leads ESPN's ranking of rookies to target in 2026-27 fantasy hockey redraft leagues, narrowly ahead of Philadelphia Flyers winger Porter Martone.
ESPN cited McKenna's projected opportunity in Toronto and his scoring pedigree. The No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft recorded 129 points in 56 games in his final WHL season with Medicine Hat, then 51 points in 35 games at Penn State. He has skated with John Tavares and William Nylander during the preseason, with a possible future opportunity alongside Auston Matthews.
Martone ranks close behind after recording four goals and six assists in nine regular-season games for Philadelphia last spring, followed by five points in 10 playoff games. ESPN projects him for a top-six role and work on the Flyers' first power-play unit.
Chicago prospects Roman Kantserov and Anton Frondell also made the list. Kantserov led the KHL in goals per game last season at 0.57, while Frondell could begin the season in an elevated role as Connor Bedard recovers from a shoulder injury.
Boston Bruins forward James Hagens is presented as a late-round option in deeper leagues, with ESPN expecting the 2025 No. 7 pick to remain in the NHL throughout the season.
San Jose Sharks forward Ivar Stenberg, selected second overall in 2026, received the strongest two-way endorsement. ESPN draft analyst Rachel Kryshak said Stenberg is likely to have “the best two-way impact of the entire rookie crop,” while noting his offensive upside if he earns time alongside Macklin Celebrini or Michael Misa.
