This year’s draft lottery unfolds Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m., EST with the results announced live prior the start of Game 2 of the Penguins-Rangers First Round series.
“Whether it be the Philadelphia Flyers going off the board to take Samuel Morin, the rapid rise of a Swedish blueliner’s stock, or Anthony Duclair slip sliding to the third round, a mock draft can go off the rails quicker than Connor McDavid can execute a wraparound. This draft class could be one for the ages with many pundits comparing it the revered class of 2003.”
Based on regular season final standings, the percentage chance of being selected in the 2015 Draft Lottery is:
| TEAM | ODDS OF WINNING | ODDS OF STAYING PUT | ODDS OF MOVING DOWN | ||
| 1 | BUFFALO SABRES | 20.0% | 20.0% | 80.0% | |
| 2 | ARIZONA COYOTES | 13.5% | 20.0% | 66.5% | |
| 3 | EDMONTON OILERS | 11.5% | 33.5% | 55.0% | |
| 4 | TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS | 9.5% | 45.0% | 45.5% | |
| 5 | CAROLINA HURRICANES | 8.5% | 54.5% | 37.0% | |
| 6 | NEW JERSEY DEVILS | 7.5% | 63.0% | 29.5% | |
| 7 | PHILADELPHIA FLYERS | 6.5% | 70.5% | 23.0% | |
| 8 | COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS | 6.0% | 77.0% | 17.0% | |
| 9 | SAN JOSE SHARKS | 5.0% | 83.0% | 12.0% | |
| 10 | COLORADO AVALANCHE | 3.5% | 88.0% | 8.5% | |
| 11 | FLORIDA PANTHERS | 3.0% | 91.5% | 5.5% | |
| 12 | DALLAS STARS | 2.5% | 94.5% | 3.0% | |
| 13 | LOS ANGELES KINGS | 2.0% | 97.0% | 1.0% | |
| 14 | BOSTON BRUINS | 1.0% | 99.0% | 0.0% |
The NHL mock draft order is based upon the NHL Draft Lottery Simulator (ran once on April 12th, 2015 to determine picks 1-14) and then on final regular season standings for remaining picks. Future mock draft will be based on the actual official NHL draft lottery results; this scenario adds a little intrigue as to what might be possible when the lottery takes place. No further trades were incorporated in this mock draft.
2015 NHL Mock Draft – Lottery Edition: The Picks
- New Jersey Devils: Connor McDavid
Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/185 lbs
Position:C
Team: Erie (OHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Dynamic forward; generational talent
Devils’ fans rejoice as the franchise defies the lottery odds, winning the first overall pick with just 7.5% odds of winning the McEichel sweepstakes.
[Related: Connor McDavid Worthy of “The Next One” Moniker]
- Buffalo Sabres: Jack Eichel
Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/193 lbs
Position: C
Team: Boston Univ. (NCAA)
Prospect Profiler Notes: The 2015 Hobey Baker winner is a high octane, cornerstone franchise centre.
[Related: Jack Eichel: Hockey’s Ultimate Consolation Prize]
- Arizona Coyotes: Noah Hanifin
Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/200 lbs
Position:D
Team: Boston College (NCAA)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Phenomenal skating ability, high hockey IQ, mature game; has the tools and potential to contend for the title of Next Great American Defenseman.
- Edmonton Oilers: Ivan Provorov
Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/191 lbs
Position: D
Team: Brandon (WHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Highly skilled, versatile defender with laser-like precision passing skills, close to NHL-ready
Ivan Provorov, not just a great Bond villain name, but a Russian Factor in the 2015 NHL Draft
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Dylan Strome
Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/177 lbs
Position: C
Team: Erie (OHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: NYI’s Ryan’s brother; creative, visionary offensive centre, defensively responsible; The Comeback Kid came from behind on last day of OHL regular season to overtake Mitch Marner for the OHL scoring crown and tie for the CHL scoring lead.
The Leafs fall this season is well documented; they’ve went from drafting 13th in The Next Ones’ New Year’s Mock Draft down to 5th.
Dylan Strome on potentially being drafted by the Leafs: 'Ending up in Toronto would be wild.' http://t.co/pvtmUbZfnG pic.twitter.com/zRdeiUBY8W
— theScore (@theScore) April 9, 2015
- Carolina Hurricanes: Mikko Rantanen
Ht/Wt: 6′ 4″/195 lbs
Position: C/RW
Team: TPS Turku (a) (SM-liiga)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Great size, high hockey IQ, tough on the boards, good puck protections skills; The Finnish Havoc is the 2015 NHL Draft’s Top European Prospect.
- Philadelphia Flyers: Mitch Marner
Ht/Wt: 5’10″/164 lbs
Position: C/RW
Team: London (OHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Exceptional acceleration and highly creative, The Magician won’t be denied at the next level; after slow start, perhaps most impressive CHLer this season
While the Flyers failed to win the lottery this time around (they were the virtual winners in the March Madness Edition of THW’s Mock Draft), they get an exceptional talent and great value drafting from the 7th slot.
- Columbus Blue Jackets: Zack Werenski
Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/206 lbs
Position: D
Team: Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Versatile combination of size, skating, strength, two-way blueliner; some think Werenski (Mr. Potential) could develop into the best defenseman of this draft class.
He patterns his game after Jack Johnson.
- San Jose Sharks: Mathew Barzal
Ht/Wt: 5’11″/174 lbs
Position: C
Team: Seattle (WHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: The Cerebral Catalyst is a visionary playmaking centreman.
- Colorado Avalanche: Lawson Crouse
Ht/Wt: 6′ 3″/200 lbs
Position: LW
Team: Kingston (OHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Burgeoning power forward impressive as draft eligible prospect at World Juniors; he’s Every Coach’s Dream and possesses a unique brand of passing.
- Florida Panthers: Timo Meier
Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/209 lbs
Position: RW
Team: Halifax Mooseheads
Prospect Profiler Notes: Good size, strong, responsible Swiss winger with excellent puck skills; the top prospect out of the Q this year delivers the works.
Timo Meier Highlight Goal in 6-3 Mooseheads win over Wildcats. VIDEO – http://t.co/UKobzLUSnF @News957#QMJHL
— John Moore (@rinkrant) April 12, 2015
- Dallas Stars: Kyle Connor
Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/170 lbs
Position:C
Team: Youngstown (USHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Two-way, intelligent playmaking centreman; The It Factor of this draft class.
- Los Angeles Kings^: Pavel Zacha
Ht/Wt: 6′ 3″/200 lbs
Position: C/LW
Team: Liberec (CZE)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Tantalizing combination of size, skill, shot & work ethic
- Boston Bruins: Brandon Carlo
Ht/Wt: 6′ 5″/198 lbs
Position: D
Team: Tri-City (WHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Desirable monster sized defenseman who skates really well; understands defensive side of the puck, developing offensive side
Bruins go off the board slightly, but get the guy they want in Carlo – can he eventually ease the departure of Johnny Boychuk?
- Calgary Flames: Thomas Chabot
Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/179 lbs
Position: D
Team: Saint John (QMJHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Blueliners’ surging stock over this season reminiscent of that of Travis Sanheim’s in 2014.
La feinte de Chabot sur Meloche. Wow! #SeaDogs RT @Jerome_Berube: End to end rush by Thomas Chabot https://t.co/8t6KJU1OdW
— Charles Lalande (@CharlesLalande_) March 30, 2015
- Edmonton Oilers*: Jansen Harkins
Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/177 lbs
Position: C
Team: Prince George (WHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Bloodlines, character, smart two-way playmaker
- Winnipeg Jets: Nick Merkley
Ht/Wt: 5’10″/175 lbs
Position: C/RW
Team: Kelowna (WHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Catalyst for positive plays all over the rink
- Ottawa Senators: Travis Konecny
Ht/Wt: 5’10″/172 lbs
Position: C
Team: Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Picasso-on-ice; sensational creativity, speed and blistering shot; CHL Top Prospects game MVP
- Detroit Red Wings: Oliver Kylington
Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/180 lbs
Position: D
Team: Farjestads BK (SHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Stock has taken a beating this season, but the tools remain – outstanding skating, puck-moving dman; youngest player to score a goal in the SHL.
Swedish prospect. Slipping stock. Falls to Red Wings. How does this story end?
- Minnesota Wild: Paul Bittner
Ht/Wt: 6′ 4″/201 lbs
Position: LW
Team: Portland (WHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Prototypical power forward with a good shot
Crookston, Minnesota native gets a chance to go back home.
Good stuff here "@LetsPlay_Hockey: Crookston native Paul Bittner takes the road less traveledhttp://t.co/aXY3SknMpA pic.twitter.com/kaSvhG8WVX"
— Dan Shrader (@ShraderD) March 19, 2015
- Buffalo Sabres*: Jeremy Roy
Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/183 lbs
Position: D
Team: Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Offensive, great puck skills, puck-moving defenseman, powerplay QB
- Washington Capitals: Colin White
Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/175 lbs
Position: C/RW
Team: USA U18 NTDP
Prospect Profiler Notes: Patrice Bergeron 2.0 – does all the small things coaches covet
- Vancouver Canucks: Daniel Sprong
Ht/Wt: 5’11″/175 lbs
Position: RW
Team: Charlottetown (QMJHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Flying Dutchman; electrifying offensive sparkplug originally from Amsterdam; has to continue to develop team game
- Arizona Coyotes*: Thomas Novak
Ht/Wt: 5’11″/172 lbs
Position: C
Team: USA U18 NTDP
Prospect Profiler Notes: High octane, skilled playmaking centre has high hockey IQ and a wicked wrister
- Toronto Maple Leafs*: Brock Boeser
Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/192 lbs
Position: RW
Team: Waterloo (USHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: High hockey IQ and lethal shot
Craig Button continues to have Brock Boeser in his top 10 of his NHL draft rankings. Bittner 25. Full top 100: http://t.co/BArhaDiH5F
— Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) April 7, 2015
- Philadelphia Flyers*:Jake DeBrusk
Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/177 lbs
Position: LW
Team: Swift Current (WHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Louie’s son has explosive scoring ability and contributed on over one-third of the Broncos’s points registered.
- Winnipeg Jets*: Evgeni Svechnikov
Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/180 lbs
Position: LW
Team: Cape Breton (QMJHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Ridiculous upside; smooth North American transition for big, skilled forward
- Anaheim Ducks: Jeremy Bracco
Ht/Wt: 5′ 9″/156 lbs
Position: C/RW
Team: USA U18 NTDP
Prospect Profiler Notes: Undersized but limitless offensive upside – creative, energetic, slick puck skills
Ducks fans hope for another Paul Kariya in the making.
- Montreal Canadiens: Filip Chlapik
Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/194 lbs
Position: C
Team: Charlottetown (QMJHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Not flashy, but intelligent two-way, playmaking centre sees the ice well; deceptive skating ability that could still use improvement
NHL draft tracker: Filip Chlapik (@chlapa14), Charlottetown Islanders by @neatebuzzthenet https://t.co/PVnQDylHOB #NHLDraft2015
— Charlottetown Islanders (@IslandersHKY) March 17, 2015
- Tampa Bay Lighting*: Jakub Zboril
Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/184 lbs
Position: D
Team: Saint John (QMJHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Well rounded defender with high hockey IQ; some offensive upside, but more smooth than flashy
*1st Round Traded Draft Picks (via MyNHLdraft)
# 16 – Edmonton receives Pittsburgh’s 2015 1st round pick and Rob Klinkhammer for David Perron.
# 21 – Buffalo receives the NY Islanders 2015 1st and 2nd round pick and Matt Moulson for Thomas Vanek.
# 24 – Arizona receives Chicago’s 2015 1st round pick and Klas Dahlbeck for Antoine Vermette.
# 25 – Toronto receives Nashville’s 2015 1st round pick, Brendan Leipsic and Olli Jokinen for Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli.
# 26 – Philadelphia receives Tampa Bay’s 2015 1st round pick, a 3rd round pick and Radko Gudas for Braydon Coburn. If Tampa wins the draft lottery, the Flyers would receive the Rangers 1st round pick that Tampa Bay previously acquired.
# 27 – Winnipeg receives the lesser of Buffalo’s acquired 1st round picks (either STL or NYI), Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Joel Armia and Brendan Lemieux for Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian and Jason Kasdorf. Buffalo receives St. Louis’s 2015 1st round pick, Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart and William Carrier for Ryan Miller and Steve Ott
# 30 – Tampa Bay receives the NY Rangers a 2015 1st and 7th round pick, 2014 1st round pick and Ryan Callahan for Martin St. Louis and a 2015 2nd round pick.
^ – Carolina receives Los Angeles’s 2015 1st round pick (lottery protected this year) and Roland McKeown for Andrej Sekera.