What Ryan Whitney has said about 2026 NHL Draft lottery
2 quotes · 1 episode · Apr 27, 2026
Ryan Whitney, Former NHL defenseman and co-host of the Spittin' Chiclets hockey podcast; Oilers fan, has been quoted on 2026 NHL Draft lottery 2 times in 1 episode of Pardon My Take, most recently on April 27, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
Whitney jokingly claims the NHL draft lottery is rigged unless Vancouver or Calgary wins the top pick.
“If Vancouver or Calgary doesn't get first overall pick this year, it's rigged”
Pardon My Take: NHL Playoffs With Ryan Whitney, NFL Draft Recap, NBA Playoffs, Who’s Back Of The Week + We Get Involved In The Press Off (Apr 27, 2026) · Listen from 2:16:18
- Came true
Whitney predicts Gavin McKenna will still go first overall though expectations of a McDavid-type player have cooled.
“I think he's still going to go first overall, but it's, I think some people now who were saying like McDavid type player”
Pardon My Take: NHL Playoffs With Ryan Whitney, NFL Draft Recap, NBA Playoffs, Who’s Back Of The Week + We Get Involved In The Press Off (Apr 27, 2026) · Listen from 2:17:41
Predictions
- Came true
Whitney predicts Gavin McKenna will still go first overall though expectations of a McDavid-type player have cooled.
“I think he's still going to go first overall, but it's, I think some people now who were saying like McDavid type player”
Pardon My Take: NHL Playoffs With Ryan Whitney, NFL Draft Recap, NBA Playoffs, Who’s Back Of The Week + We Get Involved In The Press Off (Apr 27, 2026) · Listen from 2:17:41 · 2026 NHL Draft lottery
Gavin McKenna was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo on June 26, 2026, before the June 30 deadline. Whitney's remark that McDavid-level expectations had cooled was his opinion and can't be checked; the testable claim was that McKenna would go first.
Sources: Maple Leafs make forward Gavin McKenna first pick of NHL draft (CBC Sports) · Draft Moments: McKenna goes No. 1 (NHL.com)
Checked Oct 6, 2026
Episodes
NHL Playoffs With Ryan Whitney, NFL Draft Recap, NBA Playoffs, Who’s Back Of The Week + We Get Involved In The Press OffPardon My Take · Apr 27, 2026 · 2 h 39 min
Big Cat and PFT Commenter recap the 2026 NFL Draft and NBA playoffs, stoke a fan 'press off,' and talk Stanley Cup playoffs with Ryan Whitney.
Others on 2026 NHL Draft lottery
- Paul Bissonnette · 1 quote
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