The Latest Buzz on the Top Prospects in the 2015 NHL Draft Class

The 2015 NHL entry draft is one of the most highly anticipated moments in recent NHL history. It is highly anticipated not because of who will be drafted first overall, but who will be the lucky team to draft Connor McDavid first overall.

McDavid is a highly touted prospect who is being billed as the next big thing in hockey—a moniker that was stapled to Eric Lindros and 2005 first overall pick Sidney Crosby. In addition to McDavid, there are budding youngsters like Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin—who both project to be amazing players in their own way.

You may know about these prospects and some others that haven't been named yet, but do you know what they're up to this season in the Canadian junior circuit, the NCAA and beyond?

Here is the latest buzz on some of the top prospects for the 2015 NHL draft.

Pavel Zacha, Sarnia Sting

Pavel Zacha is a talented 6'3", 205-pound center that was the first overall pick in the 2014 CHL Import Draft.

He's currently playing for the Sarnia Sting, and he projects to be a very solid NHLer. Thus far into his 2014-15 season, the big European center iceman has 13 points in 15 games. Zacha is a big man who plays physical, but he has great hands and an amazing shot.

The Sting's top pivot is a center who plays a similar game to Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks, and that should make him a highly sought after commodity come draft time. Zacha is a player that has a number of things going for him, and he should go in the top 10 of the NHL draft.

Oliver Kylington, Farjestads

Oliver Kylington is a talented blueliner currently playing for Farjestads of the Swedish Hockey League. He's a two-way blueliner that has amazing wheels, and he moves the puck with aplomb. 

In 17 games, he has a total of two goals and three assists for five points, and there's reason to believe that he will continue to progress as a defender playing with men older than he is.

The Swedish defender has a solid base frame at 6'0", 181 pounds, and he projects to be a nice overall NHL defender with some offensive upside.

Dylan Strome, Erie Otters

Dylan Strome, brother of New York Islanders forward Ryan Strome, is off to an amazing start to his draft-year season.

The media has been primarily focusing on one of Strome's teammates, some duster named Connor McDavid, but Dylan has tallied 33 points in 14 games to date.

The former captain of the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midget AAA team is a strong skater with great hands and vision, and he could easily be drafted in the top five of the 2015 NHL draft.

Strome is certainly a prospect to monitor, and all the attention surrounding the Erie Otters should only help him and his draft stock.

Mathew Barzal, Seattle Thunderbirds

Mathew Barzal is a 6'0", 174-pound center who is currently skating for the Seattle Thunderbirds. Barzal is a right-handed center with great vision, speed and all-around skill. Last season he tallied 54 points as a rookie with Seattle, including a whopping 40 helpers.

In 15 games this season, Barzal has scored seven goals and added 10 helpers for 17 points. Although Barzal is off to a solid offensive start, the Canadian pivot also plays well in the other two zones, and he should easily be drafted in the top 10.

He was once billed as a top-three pick but will have to have an amazing season to get back into that conversation.

Zach Werenski, Michigan

Zach Werenski is a 6'2", 214-pound blueliner that is projected to be one of the best defenders eligible for the 2015 NHL draft. Werenski is currently a member of the Michigan Wolverines, and in seven games he's tallied two goals and four assists.

The American-born blueliner is a solid all-around prospect, and his biggest strengths include his mobility, his passing ability and his prowess on the power play. The fact that he is already a great skater and has decent size at age 18 is a plus, and he ultimately could top out at around 6'4" or 6'5".

That would put him into Brent Burns territory—a player that Werenski should aspire to be like.

The Wolverines' rearguard is a talented prospect, and he should get drafted early in the first round.

Lawson Crouse, Kingston Frontenacs

Lawson Crouse is a big-bodied (6'4", 211 lbs) winger currently mixing it up with the Kingston Frontenacs. Crouse has great wheels and hands for a big man, and he's very aggressive along the boards. In a few ways he plays like Rick Nash, although he could stand to get a bit more physical to live up to that comparison.

In 14 games, Crouse has scored seven goals and tallied 10 points—he will look to improve upon the 27 he contributed in 63 games last season.

Crouse is a smart big man who can play a nice offensive game, and many teams will line up to acquire him next June at the draft. There are a number of prospects with decent size that are eligible for this draft, but his skill level makes him a very valuable commodity.

Travis Konecny, Ottawa 67's

Travis Konecny of the Ottawa 67's is a very talented player who is drawing attention despite his smaller stature (5'10", 174 lbs). Konecny is arguably one of the best skaters eligible for the draft, and he's also an elite puck mover and playmaker. 

The 67's captain has 11 points in 15 games, and he will look to improve upon the 70 points he tallied last season.

He has this uncanny knack of escaping from trouble and weaving through opponents. In many ways, he is similar to Martin St. Louis in terms of approach, although it is way too early to know whether or not he has the same skill set.

Konecny is a very special player, and he is going to make his future team very happy.

Noah Hanifin, Boston College

Noah Hanifin projects to be the top defensive pick of the 2015 draft. Hanifin has played six games with Boston College, and he's tallied a goal and two assists thus far. The 6'2", 205-pound rearguard is a smooth skater with great vision and upside, and he also plays a physical game when needed.

He appears to be the complete package, and he will make any team that drafts him very happy. Hanifin is almost a lock to go after Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, and it will be interesting to see what kind of season he has with the Eagles.

Jack Eichel, Boston University

Jack Eichel is a talented forward that has a very bright NHL future, and he's likely to be drafted No. 2 overall next June. The 18-year-old pivot from Chelmsford, Massachusetts would be a No. 1 pick in any other draft, but unfortunately he is going head-to-head with Connor McDavid.

Eichel is a speedy, physical and skilled two-way forward who has a hockey IQ that is off the charts.

Boston University's top center has tallied nine points in five games to start his season, and he may have a chance to obliterate Johnny Gaudreau's production from last season. Eichel is bigger, faster, smarter and stronger than his peers, and he could be one of the NHL's next big stars.

Connor McDavid, Erie Otters

Sorry to make you wait until the end, but I didn't want you to just read about Connor “McHockey” and go about your day. There's a chance you skipped to the end and moved on with your life, and in that case you are a very, very bad person.

What is there to say about McDavid that hasn't already been said? Not much, as the entire hockey world knows about the game's next Crosby. In only 14 games, McDavid has 14 goals and 42 points. That's pretty amazing. And what makes it even more awesome is that he's outpacing where Crosby was during his draft year.

No matter how you slice it, this kid is special. The only doubt at this point is what team is going to actually draft him. Teams may not admit to it, but tanking to draft this once-in-a-blue-moon player is worth it.

Stats via Elite Prospects, TSN.CA, and Hockey Prospect unless noted.