NHL Combine 2015: Dates, Schedule, Format and Top Prospects

The NHL's draft process has continued to evolve and improve over the years, and one of the greatest examples of that is the evolution of the NHL Scouting Combine.

Although it has taken some time, the combine has emerged as important tool in the evaluation of draft prospects. While the NFL Scouting Combine is still at the forefront in that regard, there is no question that the NHL's version is starting to catch up.

The 2015 edition promises to be among the biggest combines ever, as it will take place in Buffalo, New York, for the first time and feature some new drills that are aimed to more accurately reflect how a player performs on the ice, according to Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com.

Here is a full rundown of the 2015 combine and its schedule, including a look at the top prospects who are expected to take part.

Where: First Niagara Center and HarborCenter in Buffalo, New York

When: June 1-6

NHL Combine Schedule and Format

Date	Event	Venue
June 1	One-on-one interviews	First Niagara Center
June 2	One-on-one interviews	First Niagara Center
June 3	One-on-one interviews	First Niagara Center
June 4	One-on-one interviews and medical exams	First Niagara Center
June 5	One-on-one interviews and fitness testing	First Niagara Center
June 6	Fitness testing	HarborCenter

Top Prospects to Watch

Connor McDavid

Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Hockey fans have awaited Connor McDavid's entry into the NHL for the past couple years, and many have heralded him as the next Sidney Crosby or Wayne Gretzky. Those are lofty expectations to meet, but he will have a chance to show off his physical ability at the combine.

Regardless of how he performs, it seems as though the Erie Otters star is a lock to be selected No. 1 overall by the Edmonton Oilers.

That is bolstered by the fact that new head coach Todd McLellan has already picked Crosby's brain about what McDavid will encounter once he reaches the NHL, according to Jason Gregor of TSN 1260:

Most figure that McDavid will step in right away and be a superstar. Gretzky is apparently among them, as he rates McDavid as one of the top talents entering the draft over the past three decades, per Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal:

"He's as good as I've seen in the last 30 years, the best player to come into the league in the last 30 years, the best to come along since (Mario) Lemieux and Crosby. He can definitely change a franchise's fortunes," Gretzky said.

If McDavid comes anywhere close to making a similar impact to Gretzky or Crosby, then Edmonton is undoubtedly heading in the right direction. According to Stephen Whyno of the Canadian Press, everything is coming together for the Oilers:

McDavid is a spectacle due to his dominance in the OHL, so there is no question that most of those in attendance at the combine will have their eyes on him.

Add in the fact that Buffalo is a short ride from where he played junior hockey in Erie, Pennsylvania, and McDavid's combine participation certainly can't get much more compelling.

Jack Eichel

Most of the hype entering the NHL combine and draft is focused on McDavid, but Boston University star Jack Eichel is an elite prospect in his own right, and it wouldn't be at all surprising to see him outshine McDavid in the combine workouts.

While McDavid may be a more talented all-around player, it can be argued that Eichel is stronger and more physically gifted. "Winning" the combine won't miraculously vault him past McDavid on draft boards, but it will set the stage for what promises to be an epic rivalry for many years to come.

Another intriguing storyline with regard to the combine is the fact that it takes place in Buffalo, and it just so happens that the Buffalo Sabres are a virtual lock to select the American-born star with the second-overall pick.

According to John Vogl of the Buffalo News, Sabres general manager Tim Murray is excited about the opportunity to select the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner as the best player in college hockey:

Eichel dominated much older players as a freshman with the Terriers, which suggests he is ready right now to make the leap to the next level.

That was evident in the IIHF World Championships, too, as Eichel was among Team USA's best players and helped lead the Americans to a surprising bronze medal.

Dan Bylsma was one of the assistant coaches on that team, and it just so happens that he was recently hired by the Sabres to be their new head coach.

When asked about Eichel, the former Pittsburgh Penguins bench boss discussed his readiness to be a star at the NHL level, per Craig Custance of ESPN The Magazine:

Bylsma also projected that Eichel will develop into one of the very best players the NHL has to offer, according to WGR 550:

Since Bylsma coached top young players like Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in Pittsburgh, his opinions regarding Eichel carry more weight than most.

There is a ton of buzz surrounding hockey in Buffalo right now, and if Eichel impresses at the combine as expected, then it will only continue to grow.

Noah Hanifin

Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

There is no arguing against the notion that McDavid and Eichel are the biggest prizes to be had in the 2015 NHL draft, but they are far from the only potential stars available. Defenseman Noah Hanifin is a prime example of that, as the Boston College defenseman has the tools to be something special in his own right.

While Hanifin was nowhere near as dominant as Eichel in his freshman season of college, he played a remarkably poised and intelligent game, which is something that will serve him well as a blueliner in the NHL.

According to the International Scouting Services on Twitter, the Norwood, Massachusetts, native is as complete as a rearguard can possibly be:

Per Kirk Luedeke of Red Line Report, there is a belief among talent evaluators that Hanifin is ready to join the NHL in 2015:

It isn't easy for a defenseman to go straight to the NHL out of the draft, although guys like Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers and Seth Jones of the Nashville Predators have managed to do it quite effectively over the past couple seasons.

Provided Hanifin is close to their level, the team that lands him will be getting the best defenseman in the draft and a potential perennial All Star.

Hanifin s very likely to be the first defenseman off the board no matter what he does at the combine, but if he is especially good, then the No. 3 pick certainly isn't out of the question.

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