Top Five 2015 NHL Draft Prospects

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view of the complete draft board after the completion of the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 NHL draft prospects are falling into their respective places, and NHL teams are compiling tons of research on all of them. The top five list is mostly the same from site to site and in the eyes of just about everyone the top two are locked in.

When it come to the NHL draft the only guarantee is teams are going to miss on players, and every team has dreams of finding the one or two diamonds in the rough. This season has been the year of the tank, and while that may or may not be the case you can argue the numbers. Teams have dumped talent and have shifted roster spots in an attempt to better their chances of landing Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel, but don’t freak out if that doesn’t happen.

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Chances are your team will not get the player you want, and unless you manage to be the worst team in the NHL the chances are that generational player will slip away. But, have no fear. There are a few players out there that would make a heck of a booby prize.

Earlier this month there was an article put out on TMMOTS about how the league is really gunning for Eichel, but in reality teams need to be prepared for picks 3-5. They need to identify their needs and figure out how to fit their NHL draft prospects into that respective pick.

The NHL draft is unlike any other draft; the bust rate is high, and teams are drafting for years down the road. There are very few draft picks that have the size and talent to step right in and contribute at the NHL level.  This year there are at least three or four players I see having the ability to compete for a roster spot, and with the pressure to win and deliver now teams may be forced to roll the dice and put the kids in play.

This years NHL draft lottery is April 14th and despite the NHL’s unwillingness to make the lottery process public all eyes will be watching for their teams logo to come out of their golden envelopes in hope of landing the top two picks.

Next: Jack Eichel