The 2015 NHL Draft to be held on June 26–27, 2015 at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida promises to be a talent-laden draft with some potentially franchise-altering players available, even beyond the McDavid-Eichel sweepstakes.
The McDavid-Eichel-Hanifin Sweepstakes
Updated Connor McDavid-Jack Eichel sweepstakes http://t.co/KuqSTpcLTJ via @usatoday
— Mike Brehm (@ByMikeBrehm) January 29, 2015
As TSN’s Bob McKenzie alluded to in his midterm rankings, the consensus amongst scouts is that McDavid, Eichel and Hanifin remain distinguished from the rest of the pack, although some would argue prospects like Mitch Marner may have something to say that. I’d maybe even make a case for Ivan Provorov as a potential disruptor come June.
I highlighted the following in the Fall Edition of The Next Ones rankings; even though Eichel and Hanifin are undoubtedly exceptional prospects, McDavid is on a separation mission:
“One hopes franchises do not tank to land a prized prospect, but it has happened in the past. This season, like others, has some catchy phrases highlighting the next wave of phenoms at the head of the class. Whether a team is displaying Dishonour for Connor [McDavid], going to Slack for Jack [Eichel] or Tankin’ for [Noah] Hanifin, for the top three picking franchises there are potential cornerstone players available. Beyond those three consensus top picks remains a plethora of talent extending beyond the first round.”
The Next Ones Midterm Top 30 NHL Draft Rankings
For even more in-depth draft prospect information be sure to check out THW’s War Room Top 120 rankings which includes NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings combined.
- Connor McDavid
Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/185 lbs
Position:C
Team: Erie (OHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Dynamic forward; generational talent
- Jack Eichel
Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/193 lbs
Position: C
Team: Boston Univ. (NCAA)
Prospect Profiler Notes: High octane, cornerstone franchise centre
- 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
- Mitch Marner
Ht/Wt: 5’10″/164 lbs
Position: C
Team: London (OHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: A hockey magician with exceptional acceleration and highly creative; after slow start, perhaps most impressive CHLer this season
- 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
- 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. Provorov has told me he patterns his game after Nik Lidstrom, but he was realistic about the comparison; however, his game that particular night against the Calgary Hitmen was Listrom-esque.
- Mathew (Matt) Barzal
Ht/Wt: 5’11″/174 lbs
Position: C
Team: Seattle (WHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Cerebral, visionary playmaking centreman
- Oliver Kylington
Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/180 lbs
Position: D
Team: Farjestads BK (SHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Outstanding skating, puck-moving dman; youngest player to score a goal in the SHL.
- 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
Here’s FC Hockey’s head WHL scout on Merkley:
3. Nick Merkley – KEL – high scoring forward that plays the game with heart. Doesn't back down & opens up plays with his versitile skill set
— Zenon Herasymiuk (@ZenonHerasymiuk) January 20, 2015
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Travis Konecny
Ht/Wt: 5’10″/172 lbs
Position: C
Team: Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Picasso-on-ice – sensational creativity and speed, bullet shot with rocket release; CHL Top Prospects Game player of the game.
- Jansen Harkins
Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/177 lbs
Position: C
Team: Prince George (WHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Bloodlines (son of Todd), character, extremely smart two-way playmaker
36 – With 36 helpers so far, Jansen Harkins is on pace to have the most single season assists for a @PGCougars player since they moved to PG
— WHL Facts (@WHLFacts) January 12, 2015
- Kyle Connor
Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/170 lbs
Position:C
Team: Youngstown (USHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Two-way, intelligent playmaking centreman
- Jeremy Roy
Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/183 lbs
Position: D
Team: Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Offensive, great puck skills, puckmoving defenseman, powerplay QB
Interview I did on NHL Radio's Prospects show re: our #NHLDraft rankings. Includes one of my faves on D, Jérémy Roy http://t.co/8otDrUCJ4t
— Mark Edwards (@MarkEdwardsHP) January 25, 2015
- 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
- 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
- Thomas Chabot
Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/179 lbs
Position: D
Team: Saint John (QMJHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Blueliners’ stock surging reminiscent of Travis Sanheim in 2014.
http://t.co/NpWH0tZaAn
#22 Thomas Chabot @ThomasChabot1
2014 – 35GP 7G 17A 24PTS. Incredible development curve. Composed & strong weapons.— ISS Hockey (@ISShockey) January 26, 2015
- 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
- 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 contributes currently on over one-third (34.44%) of the Broncos’s points registered, which is just above Nick Merkley’s team contributions and just behind Jansen Harkins.
- Brock Boeser
Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/192 lbs
Position: RW
Team: Waterloo (USHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: High hockey IQ and lethal shot
- 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
FC Spotlight: Get to know the @USANTDP’s Jeremy Bracco a little more ~ http://t.co/ajWqRvu7EX #NHLDraft
— FCHockey (@FCHockey) January 31, 2015
- Paul Bittner
Ht/Wt: 6′ 4″/201 lbs
Position: LW
Team: Portland (WHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Prototypical power forward with a good shot
- Daniel Sprong
Ht/Wt: 5’11″/175 lbs
Position: RW
Team: Charlottetown (QMJHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Flying Dutchman; electrifying offensive spark-plug originally from Amsterdam, needs to improve team play.
- Jakub Zboril
Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/184 lbs
Position: D
Team: Saint John (QMJHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Well rounded defender with offensive flare
- Nicolas Meloche
Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/202 lbs
Position: D
Team: Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes: Eastern hockey bird-dog, Eldon MacDonald:
“Mr. Poise – NHL size, NHL meanness – effective on the power play.”
- Filip Chlapik
Ht/Wt: 6’1″/190 lbs
Position: C
Team: Charlottetown (QMJHL)
Prospect Profiler Notes:
.@briggins on the #QMJHL: Rookie Filip Chlapik continues to dominate for the #Islanders. http://t.co/ewNxyOtqWN pic.twitter.com/Zn73r1YEyc
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 19, 2015
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For more about how The Next Ones’rankings (a.k.a. Chris’s List) come to fruition check out the end of this article.
I think Zacha should be higher- top ten. But hey, what do I know?
Hey Mark – many services do indeed agree with you and have Pavel Zacha; it’s not like I dislike him; in fact, I’m quite intrigued by his tantalizing combo of size, skill and potential. It’s simply a numbers game for me with a few of the lads garnering my preference at least for the time being. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
There’s a variety of opinion on this – head of NHL CS stated some really good talent available at the top and into the 2nd round, but not extremely deep afterwards. Like every year, I think there’ talent to be had throughout.
Looks like this year may be a deeper draft than 2013 which was a great draft. Is it deeper than the 2003 draft which many draft experts hail as the benchmark for a great draft?