Penn State men’s hockey has hit the midseason mark on the 2025-26 season. The Nittany Lions are 11-5-0 going into the break.

Although the Nittany Lions are on the up, there are some controversial opinions on the team circulating on social media.

Gavin McKenna Has Not Played Up To Expectations

Michael Zeno: It’s definitely fair to say that Gavin McKenna has not been the generational talent that he was in junior hockey last year, but anyone calling him a bust or a total disappointment is being unfair. We have to remember that he’s 17, playing in a sport full of 21-24 year olds. He’s still averaging over a point per game despite an exceptionally low shooting percentage (which is indicative more of bad luck than talent) and dealing with different linemates due to injuries and line shuffling. 

The amount of attention he attracts on the power play shows that everyone in college hockey knows his talent, and as the season goes on, both he and the coaching staff will adjust to get the most out of his abilities.

Jamie Lynch: While this is certainly true, maybe we set our expectations too high. There’s no way around it: McKenna is not playing at the level I envisioned. Yes, I understand that he is a young player in a league of men, but his lack of physicality and hustle is concerning, especially for a projected top draft pick.

Just looking at the stats, however, McKenna has been contributing on the scoresheet, particularly in the assists category. It’s clear he has immense potential, especially with his stick-handling abilities, but so far it seems that another year at the collegiate level would greatly benefit the 17-year-old forward. It’s unlikely, but a Penn Stater can hope, right?   

Alex Smith: I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he is a 17-year-old kid. However, he is a 17-year-old being paid $700,000. Yes, he is contributing to the scoresheet, but I am not completely impressed yet. While it is unrealistic to expect the guy to score every game, most predicted that he should. I think the second half of the season will really tell us about the phenom. 

On that note, I think the second half of the season will be huge for him in a positive way. With him playing for Team Canada at the 2026 World Juniors, I think it’ll definitely boost his confidence. He either will be a breakout player and lead the team to the Frozen Four or just continue to stay under the radar. 

The Defense Has Been The Biggest Letdown 

Michael Zeno: Absolutely. We knew coming into this season that Penn State would have to outscore opponents and would rely more on skill than grit, but it’s been worse than expected. In back-to-back games against the top 3 opponents, the squad allowed a combined 12 goals and repeatedly left their goaltenders out to dry.

Ultimately, they’ll have an opportunity to get better, especially with the return of Cade Christenson at some point in the second half, but it’s their biggest obstacle towards their goals right now.

Jamie Lynch: I’m not ready to commit to this. Sure, the defense has been suboptimal at times. But many times it’s the forwards turning the puck over and being sloppy in the neutral zone, not the blueliners. 

I would also point to the power play as being the biggest letdown. Penn State has been extremely disappointing on the man-advantage. In five consecutive games against conference foes, the Nittany Lions were an abysmal 0-17 in the category. With the depth of offensive talent that the team has, not being able to produce at a high level on the power play could prove to be a fatal flaw.

Alex Smith: I think the talent is there, but it is not consistent enough for me to completely say it’s disappointing. With big names like Mac Gadowsky and Jackson Smith, the defense should be one of the best in the country. However, it has fallen flat so far. 

One stat that stood out to me is that when the Nittany Lions outshoot their opponent, they are 9-1-0. When they are outshot, they are 2-3-0, according to College Hockey Inc. The defense is not holding up enough, but I am still curious if the talent will kick in. 

Guy Gadowsky Does Not Need To Name A Full-Time Starting Goalie 

Michael Zeno: Everyone has their favorite goalie, but there hasn’t been too much of a difference between Josh Fleming and Kevin Reidler this year. 

The numbers will tell you that Fleming has an edge, but Reidler has had some big games, including the overtime loss against Michigan State, where he stopped around ten breakaways. His clutch third period also secured a split against Minnesota in late November. There might be a time that one firmly pulls in front of the other, but the split has been very successful to this point.

Jamie Lynch: What a blessing it is that Penn State has two skilled netminders at its disposal. Both Reidler and Fleming have had their moments thus far in the season, stepping up when the team needs them most and notching crucial saves in the clutch. 

I agree that Gadowsky should continue to split stars as he has been doing. Neither of the two appears to be far and away better when compared to the other. Continuing to give the tandem reps will prove beneficial down the road. When one presumably rises above the other, having a backup with plenty of in-game experience will be important. 

Alex Smith: I am torn on this. While I like the split of both and know that the stats are very similar, Fleming just sticks out to me more. However, it is early enough that Gadowsky does not need to pick. 

Both goaltenders are impressive, but other than Fleming’s save percentage being a teensy bit higher than Reidler’s, they are both super similar in my eyes. 

Charlie Cerrato was the team’s MVP in the first half

Michael Zeno: While Jackson Smith got all the attention out of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft as the highest-drafted player in program history, Charlie Cerrato became the highest-drafted player to come straight from Penn State when he was selected No. 43 overall by the Carolina Hurricanes.

Really, the whole “Behind-the-Back Boys” line can share the team MVP so far. With all the inconsistency on all three levels of the roster, that trio has remained potent, both on the power play and 5-on-5.

Jamie Lynch: Cerrato, along with JJ Wiebusch and Matt DiMarsico, is the heartbeat of this team. The trio makes up the best line in college hockey, and Cerrato is, literally, in the center of it all. 

It’s hard to deny how skillful Chucky is as a player, and his intensity on and off the ice is a great complement to the talent that he brings. Though he perfectly embodies the Penn State identity, the team’s depth is what makes this group so special. It’s hard to pick just one MVP.

Alex Smith: Charlie Cerrato is killing it. With the first half of the season wrapping up, Cerrato has 5 goals and 16 assists. He is ranked 15th in the nation in points and does not seem to be slowing down. He has a brilliant hockey IQ, and that contributes greatly to the offense’s success. 

This Team Cannot Win The National Championship

Michael Zeno: It’s way too early to say this.

Sure, I wasn’t encouraged by how they performed against the top dogs in the country, but they fought them with a hand tied behind their back without Fink and Christensen, who were major parts of the Frozen Four run last season. I wished they would look more like a cohesive unit so far, but in the end, they’re way ahead of where they were last year, and there’s precedent to suggest that Guy Gadowsky’s teams peak in the second half.

Jamie Lynch: Wrong. It’s the first week of December, folks. This team is ranked No. 9 in the land and absolutely has the talent and skill to compete for a national title in April. 

Every team, including Penn State, has its flaws. But the Nittany Lions have shown that they can compete at an elite level, defeating a top-5 Michigan team and going toe-to-toe with then top-ranked Michigan State.

Let’s not forget that this group is also dealing with some pretty significant injuries. Hobey Baker finalist Aiden Fink is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury, and Cade Christenson will look to bolster the blue line when he returns sometime after the new year.

Penn State started last season 0-9 in Big Ten play and went on to qualify for the Frozen Four. It’s a long season. I’m not all that concerned.  

Alex Smith: I’ll see you all in Vegas.