Ranking the Deepest Positions in the 2015 NHL Draft
The 2015 NHL draft may be the best this century, and it is flush in some important positions. Two-way centers, two-way defenders, power forwards, scoring wingers—there's something for every team, and this year should be a major boon to organizational depth charts.
Some of the positions—like complete center—are both rare and valuable but in greater-than-normal abundance this season. Others, like two-way defenders, are so plentiful a team might get a fantastic player at this position in the third round.
Here are the top positions in terms of quality and quantity in the 2015 draft.
6. Two-Way Forwards
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Define the Position: A two-way forward is useful—as needed—in all areas: even strength, power play and penalty kill. He lacks the offensive impact of a complete player, and if there's one area a two-way forward wouldn't appear in an NHL lineup, it's the power play. An example of a two-way forward who is an effective player is Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier.
Who Is the Best Available? Colin White is an impressive two-way center whom Craig Button of TSN compares to Brandon Sutter of the Pittsburgh Penguins. White isn't a dynamic player but rather an effective one in all areas of the ice.
How Many Are There This Year? The second half of the first round should see a few two-way forwards come off the board. Jansen Harkins of the Prince George Cougars and Joel Eriksson Ek of Farjestads of the Swedish league should be locks for the first round.
5. Power Forwards
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Define the Position: A power forward is one of the unique players on an NHL team. Able to play with skill and not have the play die with him, he provides physical cover and creates space for smaller, more skilled forwards. The absolute definition of the modern power forward is Milan Lucic.
Who Is the Best Available? Lawson Crouse is ranked No. 7 on the Bob McKenzie list for TSN. He's a big winger—6'4", 211 pounds—who can play the game any way the opposition wants. The only question marks on Crouse have to do with his offense, but the ranking suggests NHL teams are not worried about that area.
How Many Are There This Year? Just behind Crouse on McKenzie's list is Mikko Rantanen, a Finnish winger who is already playing pro hockey in his homeland. A rising player is Portland Winterhawks winger Paul Bittner, whom McKenzie ranks No. 20 overall on his final list.
4. Offensive Defensemen
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Define the Position: Offensive defensemen are often called power-play quarterbacks. Valuable players of this type can make a massive difference on special teams. NHL examples include Mark Streit and Keith Yandle.
Who Is the Best Available? Brandon Wheat Kings defender Ivan Provorov is an outstanding offensive player. His 24 power-play assists in 2014-15 indicate the kind of offensive ability he can bring to a team.
How Many Are There This Year? Thomas Chabot took a big step forward this season and is a quality option who could go in the first round. Swede Oliver Kylington has dynamic skating skills and could end up being a major player in this area. Vince Dunn of the Niagara IceDogs may also slide into the top 30 overall picks.
3. Complete Centers
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Define the Position: A complete center impacts the game in all areas. An offensive dynamo, he can make a difference no matter the game situation and is often referred to as having a 200-foot game. A player like Anze Kopitar not only plays in all disciplines but pushes the results in his team's favor. Kopitar's possession number last year was almost 60 per cent, per Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com, and gave the Los Angeles Kings an exceptional opportunity to outscore their opponents.
Who Is the Best Available? Connor McDavid is a stunning talent, whose speed and creativity make him a threat at all times. He makes incredible plays at high speed and tight quarters.
How Many Are There This Year? The top of the draft will be dominated by complete centers. McDavid is the consensus No. 1 overall pick, with another complete talent—Jack Eichel—slotted to go No. 2 overall. Bob McKenzie for TSN ranks Dylan Strome No. 5 and Pavel Zacha No. 6—both of them bring the complete package to their new team. The one question mark in this group is Zacha's offense.
2. Two-Way Defensemen
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Define the Position: A two-way defender plays a lot in all three disciplines: even strength, power play and penalty kill. A current example in the NHL is Chicago Blackhawks star Duncan Keith. He is playing major minutes in all areas.
Who Is the Best Available? Boston College defenseman Noah Hanifin (shown above) is ranked No. 3 overall in Bob McKenzie's final list for TSN and is the best available. There was some question about his offense, but Hanifin improved after Christmas. In his final 20 games of the season, he posted 16 of his 23 points.
How Many Are There This Year? There are a lot of quality two-way defenders in this year's draft. At the top end, Hanifin and Zach Werenski represent outstanding value inside the top 10 overall prospects. Teams may grab Jakub Zboril, Jacob Larsson or Travis Dermott later in the first round, who are all capable of emerging as quality NHL players in the future.
1. Scoring Wingers
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Define the Position: Scoring wingers provide their teams with vital offense at even strength and the power play. The toughest thing to do in the sport is score goals, so cashing in represents extreme value. Current examples of scoring wingers are Alex Ovechkin and Rick Nash.
Who Is the Best Available? Mitch Marner of the London Knights is a tremendous offensive talent who can deliver offense consistently. Craig Button of TSN compared him to Patrick Kane, and Bob McKenzie ranked him No. 4 on his final list.
How Many Are There This Year? Timo Meier is ranked No. 12 on the final list and scored 44 goals for the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. Kyle Connor of the Youngstown Phantoms, Evgeni Svechnikov of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, Brock Boeser of the Waterloo Black Hawks and Jake DeBrusk of the Swift Current Broncos are all substantial scorers.
