Bedard is viewed as a much stronger #1 overall pick. McKenna in 2026 is expected to be the next can't miss prospect.

Oh him or Misa and Gavin McKenna.

100% in the bag. Bettman is already piping the lottery

5% chance as of now

its guaranteed, the draft has not bee random or luck since the lotery system was implemented, the NHL CHOOSES who gets 1st OA just like they chose last year that CHI was gong to get 1st OA because the kane/toews era is over, and since the crosby/malkin er is coming to a close that means the NHL will GIVE 1st OA to PIT, PIT being in the top 10 right now give the nhl cover.

Agree with this. Hagan and Celebrini are both very very good prospects but not at the level of Bedard and maybe McKenna

Hey there tinfoil hat guy, let us know when the aliens are visiting and proof of the world being flat!

Just waiting for it. Bettman knows Pittsburgh fans aren't loyal so they have to get a young stud within a year or 2 of Crosby retirement.

Celebrini would be great, don't get me wrong, but I absolutely LOVE Demidov! His hands are silky smooth and he makes exciting plays. That is exactly the kind of talent we need on the Penguins during the rebuild when the team is struggling, give the fans something to ooh and ahh about in the games. He would be very exciting to watch.

This is every bit as idiotic as the same fans saying Bettman fixed the draft for Chicago. And if NHL drafts were fixed, EDM wouldn't have won so many of them.

McKenna is tracking very similarly to Bedard in production at the same age and he has more physical gifts in terms of mobility and size so hopefully if Bettman "fixes" a top pick for the Penguins, it would be a talent like that. Celebrini tracks more like Fantelli, Smith, Carlsson from the 2023 draft.