Ranking the 10 Most Complete Players in the 2015 NHL Draft

NHL teams enter each draft in search of impact players. The top prospects each season are often players who display a range of skills, allowing teams to project them into important roles for the future.

Some of those players are specialists, often goal-scoring wingers or big, tough defensemen. Most of the best prospects each season have more than one skill scouts grade out at a high level, meaning their NHL role will be significant if they develop.

Here are the 10 most complete players in this year's draft.

10. Jansen Harkins, C, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

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His Best Asset: Jansen Harkins of the Prince George Cougars is a true two-way center. His top asset is passing, with skating ranking a close second.

What Else Does He Do Well? Harkins is a fierce competitor with legitimate checking skills married to quality offensive ability. He has been compared to David Krejci of the Boston Bruins, most recently by Elite Prospects.

What Are His Weaknesses? Harkins' offense is impressive but lacks the elite quality one associates with the very best players in this year's draft. 

9. Travis Konecny, C, Ottawa 67's (OHL)

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His Best Asset: Travis Konecny of the Ottawa 67's is a very fast skater, and that speed makes him very useful on offense and defense.

What Else Does He Do Well? He is an aggressive two-way forward who is no fun to play against. He's an intense checker and flourishes in physical games. He can beat goalies clean with his shot and is an efficient passer and playmaker.

What Are His Weaknesses? Konecny's aggressive and physical style may be an issue, as his 5'10", 172-pound frame may not be able to keep up with the rigors of the pro game.

8. Pavel Zacha, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL)

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His Best Asset: Pavel Zacha of the Sarnia Sting is a big, fast center with skill. That combination has appealed to NHL teams in every era.

What Else Does He Do Well? He is a big man—6'3", 214 pounds—and unlike some other prospects in this draft, Zacha uses it to his advantage. He's an excellent passer, possesses a strong shot and can impact the game in several ways.

What Are His Weaknesses? Zacha's scoring totals this season are below the other top talents in this season's draft. That may impact his draft number significantly.

7. Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

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His Best Asset: Lawson Crouse of the Kingston Frontenacs is the top-rated power-forward prospect in this year's draft. His size and speed give opponents fits, which bodes well for his NHL career.

What Else Does He Do Well? Brock Otten of OHL Prospects breaks down Crouse's significant set of skills:

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Crouse is a coach's dream. He does almost everything well on the ice. He could probably step on to an NHL fourth line right now and not look out of place.

His two-way game is incredibly polished and he makes so many plays (whether it be a good pass, a forced turnover, a check to separate his man from the puck) that don't make it on the score sheet. Crouse also happens to be a very big kid who plays big and has no fear of throwing his weight around.

"

What Are His Weaknesses? Crouse's offense is the subject of considerable debate. Scouts feel he'll be a strong offensive option, but the numbers suggest a role-playing position is more likely.

6. Zach Werenski, D, Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)

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His Best Asset: Zach Werenski is a wonderful skater with great puck-moving ability. His skills lend themselves to the modern game in a big way.

What Else Does He Do Well? His size—6'2", 214 pounds—and his speed make him the ideal defenseman for the NHL. His passing is also considered a strength.

What Are His Weaknesses? Defense is the most difficult position on the ice to learn, and that's the issue for NHL teams at the draft. Werenski, even with his talent, may take a little longer to mature than some of the other high-end players available at the top of the draft.

5. Mikko Rantanen, R, TPS (Liiga)

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His Best Asset: Mikko Rantanen is a quality two-way prospect with playmaking ability, with the added feature of already playing in a pro league for TPS in Finland.

What Else Does He Do Well? Rantanen has a range of skills, including fine passing and finishing ability. He's an excellent skater and, unique among this year's top-end prospects, owns an established two-way reputation.

What Are His Weaknesses? His strength is an issue, and he's not as physical as one might expect a player of his size—6'4", 209 pounds—to be at this level. Curtis Joe of Elite Prospects also suggests Rantanen's shot is not an asset, but that may develop as he matures.

4. Noah Hanifin, D, Boston College Eagles (NCAA)

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His Best Asset: Noah Hanifin of the Boston College Eagles has elite passing skills. His outlet passes spring forwards routinely, making zone exits a strength of the Eagles when he's on the ice.

What Else Does He Do Well? Hanifin's skating is very strong, and he can close a gap in a heartbeat. His ability to read and react means his positioning is a strength, even though he's very young for a college player and lacks experience at that level.

What Are His Weaknesses? His position requires a strong player, and Hanifin is not yet fully grown. He's also lacking the kind of shot from the point that would buy him power-play time as an NHL player.

3. Dylan Strome, C, Erie Otters (OHL)

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His Best Asset: Dylan Strome of the Erie Otters is a tremendous offensive center with size. That's a rare thing in the NHL, and if he can emerge as a No. 1 center, his NHL team will be set at the position for a decade or more.

What Else Does He Do Well? Strome has all of the offensive skills teams desire, including vision, passing ability and the ability to retrieve and protect the puck.

What Are His Weaknesses? He is not a fast skater, but he can skate well enough to be projected onto a top line in the NHL. Strome's inconsistent playoff performances will get lots of attention leading up to the draft, but in his his numbers, there's simply too much evidence that he'll be a fantastic offensive player in the NHL.

2. Jack Eichel, C, Boston University Terriers (NCAA)

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His Best Asset: Jack Eichel's top asset on the ice is his tremendous combination of size and speed, causing opponents to scramble and lose position. It is an extremely rare item, and the fact he can impact the game at such a high level already bodes well for his future.

What Else Does He Do Well? Eichel has terrific passing skills but is also a tremendous scorer in his own right. His size makes winning battles easier, and there's an edge to his game that keeps the opposition honest.

What Are His Weaknesses? He played only 40 games in college, meaning his experience at a high level is lacking, but it's a minor issue all amateur players share before turning pro.

1. Connor McDavid, C, Erie Otters (OHL)

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His Best Asset: Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters is a generational talent. His greatest skill is making quick decisions and executing them at high speeds and in traffic. It is the most rare trait in the game.

What Else Does He Do Well? McDavid's skills are across the board and include skating, passing, vision and aggressiveness. He is a complete prospect and has elite-level ability in all areas.

What Are His Weaknesses? The areas McDavid can work on are adding strength and being more selfish. As sublime as his passing can be, shooting more often will likely result in increased goal totals for his team.