What about Gavin McKenna?
The rumors that have circulated this signing have finally proven to be true. Forward Cayden Lindstrom officially committed to MSU on Thursday. Lindstrom missed all of the 2024/2025 season for the WHL Medicine Hat Tigers with a back injury. His goal was to get healthy to join his team for a playoff run and that is just what he did. The Tigers lost in the Memorial Cup Finals last week. Lindstrom did record 2 goals and 2 assists in the playoffs but failed to tally a point in three Memorial Cup games.
Lindstrom was the number four pick in last year’s NHL Draft and went to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus has been vocally behind Lindstrom’s move to MSU. Lindstrom has a lot of great potential and it will be interesting to see the chemistry that forms between him and the team. I know I’m curious as to what line he’ll be placed in.
There has been some new speculation circling around MSU Hockey since last week. Anticipated number 1 overall NHL Draft pick Gavin McKenna has the NCAA Hockey world abound with speculations. McKenna at 17 years has put up numbers similar to Bedard and McDavid and we all know where they went in the draft. With the new arrangement between the NCAA and Canadian Hockey League, it is likely that McKenna will be headed to the NCAA to further his development. The most recent rumors have McKenna headed to Penn State and follow a bit of Adam Fink’s footsteps and further developing the Nittany Lions as a hockey school. They are fresh off a nice run this past season and there is a lot of optimism from the program. Our neighbors down the road have also been speculated to be a spot of interest for McKenna.
However, John Buccigross, hockey insider and aficionado, recently tweeted a picture of McKenna followed by the Spartan logo and a question mark. Buccigross is definitely someone to pay attention to in regards to hockey rumors. McKenna is expected to visit MSU soon. MSU is a very inviting opportunity for McKenna who could pair with Hobey Baker winner Howard and his former Medicine Hat teammate, Lindstrom. This could land him on a roster filled with other first round picks and absolutely make MSU the favorites to win it all next year.
The upgraded facilities at MSU, paired with exceptional players already on the roster, and the connections and quality of coaching from Nightingale would make this a very good fit for him. Many are saying this would be a coup for MSU. The bigger picture is the long-term benefits this would have for the program. It would make MSU an NHL destination ladder rung for up-and-coming prospects. We should be beyond excited if MSU can land him, even if it is for just one year. If he ends up choosing one of the other B1G schools you should still get yourself to Munn to watch this kid play, you won’t be disappointed.
How do you think Lindstrom fits in at MSU? Do you think McKenna is a real possibility? Comment below and let’s debate. Go Green!