Midseason 2015 NHL Draft Rankings
With the NHL’s upcoming 2015 NHL Draft shaping up to be one of the best in years, let’s take a look at some of the best amateur players in the world that will be available at the draft in June.
I am not a professional scout, but I do watch many junior games and track the progress of many of the top amateur players from around the world, so I put together a list of who I think are the top 30 draft-eligible prospects for the 2015 draft.
Do you agree or disagree? Comment below!
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- Connor McDavid, C, Erie Otters (OHL)- McDavid stepped it up a notch this season a lot and has moved away from the rest of the pack. He is being considered the best prospect since Sidney Crosby, but I think that McDavid is faster than Crosby was when he was with Rimouski. He is such an big influence on the ice that the opposing team has to take completely different approaches when defending against him. However, he is still growing and learning (as evident in his recent injury), but hopefully he gains experience throughout the rest of the team with Erie and Team Canada in the world juniors.
- Jack Eichel, C, Boston University- Like McDavid, Eichel is very fast, but probably has a better shot release than him. He is one of the most highly-touted American hockey prospects since Patrick Kane and will likely be a shoo-in to go first overall in an ordinary NHL draft with no McDavid.
- Noah Hannifin, D, Boston College- Yet another great skater in the draft, Hannifin has loads of confidence and will be NHL-ready next year. His leadership will be tested in the upcoming world juniors.
- Pavel Zacha, C, Sarnia (OHL)- He is still adjusting to the North American game, but Zacha is known for his offensive production. Many project him as a future first line centre in the NHL.
- Oliver Kylington, D, Farjestads (SHL)- He has been playing in Sweden’s top league since the age of 16 and that professional experience could give him an advantage over his peers in the draft. In a draft with many fast skaters, Kylington is one of the best.
- Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston (OHL)- One of the best all-round players in the draft, Crouse has a size advantage over the top prospects and is an imposing player.
- Mitch Marner, C, London (OHL)- A very different type of player than Crouse, Marner is quick, smart, and sets up great plays. He is a dark horse to rise as the season progresses.
- Jeremy Roy, D, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)- The highest ranking ‘Q’ player on my list, Roy is a good skater, and smart with the puck. He is a reliable defensive pick for a team.
- Yevgeni Svechnikov, RW, Cape Breton (QMJHL)- He will likely not get picked as high as he should be due to an overwhelming surplus of great skaters in the draft, but he is a good competitor.
- Dylan Strome, C, Erie (OHL)- Ryan’s brother has had a lot of success the past two seasons with McDavid. Dylan is bigger than his brother, but also plays at both ends of the ice well.
- Matthew Barzal, C, Seattle (WHL)
- Paul Bittner, LW, Portland (WHL)
- Colin White, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)
- Nicolas Roy, RW, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
- Travis Konecny, C, Ottawa (OHL)
- Mikko Rantanen, RW, HC TPS (SM-liiga)
- Nick Merkley, RW, Kelowna (WHL)
- Kyle Connor, C, Youngstown (USHL)
- Jakub Zboril, D, Saint John (QMJHL)
- Matthew Spencer, D, Peterborough (OHL)
- Jordan Greenway, LW, U.S. NDTP (USHL)
- Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon (WHL)
- Timo Meier, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)
- Nikita Korostelev, RW, Sarnia (OHL)
- Jeremy Bracco, RW, U.S. NDTP (USHL)
- Zach Werenski, D, Michigan
- Gabriel Carlsson, D, Linkoping (SHL)
- Daniel Sprong, RW, Charlottetown (QMJHL)
- Brock Boeser, F, Waterloo (USHL)
- Adam Musil, C, Red Deer (WHL)