THW’s 2015 NHL Draft Ultimate Prospect Tracker – Holiday Edition

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by Eldon MacDonald (edited by @ChrisRalphTHW)

The 2015 NHL Draft Rankings War Room: This holiday edition brings you the Top 100 ranked prospects as compiled by THW’s Eastern Canada based hockey bird dog, Eldon MacDonald. The Next Ones Fall Rankings (a.k.a. Chris’s List) can be found here.

 

Update: Prospects Covered Expanded from 575 to 662

This update expands the previous list of prospects covered from 575 to 662 including the additions to the NHL Nov-14 edition of Players to Watch.

 

2015 NHL Draft War Room Top 100 Rankings – December:

Results Versus Expectations Coming Into the 14-15 Season

Many expected the 2015 draft to be one of the top drafts since 1993, one of the league’s best draft classes. However, so far that has seemingly not been in the case. While, the draft is still a good one, major stumbles or slow starts by the big boys (forwards 6’3 and up) and a hit and miss season so far by the mid-sized forwards (6’0 to 6’2) have tempered the expectations for the quality in this draft.

Explosive starts by the two potential superstars in the draft (Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel) and the mighty mites (forwards under 6’0’) have, however, helped to maintain the overall quality and excitement for next year’s extravaganza to be held at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida. In addition, the defensemen, as a rule, have come as advertised. The goalies are still in the throw the dart stage as none have stood out and said, “I am the one” for this draft so far.

 

The Superstar Challengers for Number One

Connor McDavid
Connor McDavid: Exceptionally talented prospect eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft (Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

As just about everyone knows by now, there are two likely future NHL superstars that are challenging to be the first overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel. TSN.ca maintains a page on the ongoing McDavid – Eichel challenge if you wish to keep abreast of their ongoing developments – will it be Mac or Jack?

Here is how they stack up so far.

Connor McDavid (1 from 1 pre-season rankings) – Erie, OHL – C, L, 6’1, 187 (18-16-35-51)

With 51 points and a +34 in just 18 games, Connor McDavid was on a pace to score a phenomenal 193 points in the OHL. I say was because Connor McDavid broke his hand in a fight and has been out of the line-up for weeks. Thankfully, the hockey gods seem to be looking out for Canada, World Junior fans and NHL draft junkies alike as McDavid is back on the ice just in time for Boxing Day. He figures to be a key member of Team Canada at the U20 World Junior Championships.

Jack Eichel (2 from 2 pre-season) – Boston University, Hockey East – C, 6’2, 194 (16-8-17-25)

With 25 points and a +21 in just 16 games, Jack Eichel appears up to the challenge. He is the leading point getter for Boston University which is off to a fast start at 11-3-2.

 

Prospects New to the First Round

  1. Ivan Provorov (16 – Up from 50 in Oct-14) – Brandon, WHL, D, L, 6’0, 200 (31-10-23-33)
  2. Brandon Carlo (19 – Up from 31 in Oct-14) – Tri-City, WHL, D, R, 6’5, 185 (28-1-9-10)
  3. Nikita Korostelev (26 – Up from 39 in Oct-14) – Sarnia, OHL, RW, R, 6’1, 196 (28-14-16-30)
  4. Roope Hintz (29 – Up from unranked in Oct-14) – Ilves, Liiga, C/RW, L, 6’3, 185 (24-4-7-11)

 

Prospects New to the Second Round

  1. Jens Lööke, (36 – Up from unranked in Oct-14) – Brynäs, SHL – SWE 1, C, L, 6’0, 187 (29-2-4-6)
  2. Graham Knott (43 – Up from unranked in Oct-14) – Niagara, LW, L, OHL, LW, L, 6’3, 180 (27-9-7-16)
  3. Thomas Chabot (44 – Up from unranked in Oct-14) – Saint John, QMJHL, D, L, 6’2, 179 (27-6-15-21)
  4. Alexander Dergachyov (48 – Up from honourable mention or 61 to 70 in Oct-14) – SKA-1946 St. Petersburg, MHL, C, L, 6’4, 201 (24-8-14-22)
  5. Jesper Lindgren (50 – Up from honourable mention or 61 to 70 in Oct-14) – MODO J20, SWE J20, D, R, 6’0, 161 (21-4-17-21)
  6. Noah Juulsen (54 – Up from unranked in Oct-14) – Everett, WHL, D, R, 6’1, 180 (28-3-16-19)
  7. Yakov Trenin (55 – Up from unranked in Oct-14) – Gatineau, QMJHL, LW, L, 6’2, 179 (28-9-23-32)
  8. Anthony Beauvillier (59 – Up from unranked in Oct-14) – Shawinigan, QMJHL, C, L, 6,0, 181 (31-20-22-42)
  9. Matej Tomek (60 – Up from honourable mention or 61 to 70 in Oct-14) – Topeka, NAHL, G, L, 6’3 181 (11 – 1.25 – .944)

 

Ultimate Prospect Tracker Spreadsheet Notes

  • The table (Tab 1) displays approximately 30-40 of the prospects at a time; simply scroll down to view the other prospects.
  • Only a portion of the table displays by default; you can scroll over to see the rest of the player demographics and statistics or select “View full-size workbook” option, which is the icon in the bottom right hand corner, to view the full table.
  • The beauty of the above option is that you can then download the file to your computer and play with it or adjust it anyway you like.
  • Be sure to scroll over to see E-Mac’s War Room commentary.
  • The 1st column (Dec) is Eldon MacDonald’s December rankings. (Not to be confused with THW’s official The Next Ones rankings {Chris’s List})
  • A link to Elite Prospects statistics for most of the players is also included (click on individual player name).
  • Tab 2 sorts the prospects by Country of Origin.
  • Tab 3 sorts the prospects by League.
  • The spreadsheet is searchable; simply click on the spreadsheet and utilize CTRL/Command “F”

Essential 2015 NHL Draft Link:

Elite Prospects Draft Centre

 

Other Rankings

Who is your favourite prospect in this year’s draft class and who do you have slotted as super sleepers? Comment below and drop me a line @ChrisRalphTHW.