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

Last month I kicked off my "countdown to draft day" by taking a look at the top prospects of the 2015 NHL draft, and a lot has happened since we last talked. Players have shot up the charts, others like Connor McDavid were injured, and much more.

While I will give you updates on prospects like McDavid, Dylan Strome, Jack Eichel and assorted others, I will also include some fresh faces that deserve recognition.

With that said, here is the latest buzz on the top prospects in the 2015 NHL draft class.

Pavel Zacha, Sarnia Sting

When we last spoke, Pavel Zacha was in the midst of a solid first few games of his OHL season. The 6'3", 205-pound Sarnia Sting pivot had 13 points in 15 games, and he was displaying his amazing hands and booming shot.

Zacha has only appeared in six games since that point, because the OHL suspended him six games for a dangerous hit. The OHL determined that the hit was laid upon a player in a vulnerable position, and it was a situation in which the Sting's star player could have lessened the level of contact he made.

This shouldn't negatively impact Zacha's draft stock, and it may even help it, because teams will see that he can play with an edge.

Oliver Kylington, Farjestads

Oliver Kylington is one of my favorite prospects to be eligible for the upcoming draft, and I like him so much I drafted him in my NHL 15 "Be A GM" mode. Hopefully no one will think less of me for owning the game, but I digress. 

Unfortunately for Oliver, he's not been able to show off his skills, as he's been a healthy scratch for 10 consecutive games. He still projects to be a solid first-round pick because of his smooth skating ability and hockey know-how, but there isn't anything new to report on him at this juncture.

Dylan Strome, Erie Otters

Connor McDavid has been sidelined with a hand injury since the beginning of November, and in his absence Dylan Strome has had to step up. It would have been easy to assume that the Erie Otters' second-best forward would regress slightly without McDavid in the lineup, but he's making the most of his time in the spotlight.

Since we checked in last, Strome has tallied 22 points in 13 games, and he now leads the OHL with 20 goals, 35 assists and 55 points in 27 games. This stretch will only help Strome's stock rise, and he may be able to create some distance with McDavid in the OHL scoring race.

Mathew Barzal, Seattle Thunderbirds

I spoke about NHL 15 briefly before, and I will make one more mention of it. Mathew Barzal is a talented prospect with a lot of upside, and in EA's latest offering he is the only prospect besides McDavid to earn "Franchise Player" status in terms of upside.

It may only be a video game, but Barzal had been impressive when we last left off, so how is he doing now? Unfortunately, I have to be the bearer of bad news, as Barzal is currently sidelined until 2015 after cracking his kneecap. 

Damien Cox of Sportsnet tweeted:

"

Seatte T-Birds C Mathew Barzal out until early January with cracked kneecap. Scouting for 2015 draft just got a little tougher.

2:08 PM - 17 Nov 2014

Barzal had screw inserted into kneecap. Didn't injure it in game or practice; did so in Saskatoon goofing around bf practice with teammates.

2:15 PM - 17 Nov 2014

"

It certainly is bad news for Barzal, but injuries didn't stop Alex Galchenyuk from being drafted early in 2012, and he's turned out just fine for the Montreal Canadiens.

Zach Werenski, Michigan

Zach Werenski is one of a few talented American defenders who could and should be drafted early, and he's continued his solid start with the Michigan Wolverines. He now has 10 points in 13 games, and was recently named in Team USA's preliminary roster for the 2015 WJC tournament.

Werenski has a strong chance of making the team, and he will be competing with a defense group that features seven NHL prospects. If he makes the team, it will be a great learning experience because he will square off with other top prospects, and some of the best youngsters in the world.

Lawson Crouse, Kingston Frontenacs

Lawson Crouse remains one of the top prospects of the upcoming draft, but his offense has sputtered a bit since I last updated you on his status.

He had 10 points in 14 games, or a 0.71 points per game average, and since then he's tallied six points in 10 games. That factors out to a 0.60 points per game average, or a drop of 0.11.

It isn't major; because he is going to be drafted early regardless because of the size and speed he brings to the table. He will also interest many coaches because he is a true character player, and a leader.

Rogers Sportnet did a feature on Crouse, and correspondent Kristina Rutherford had this to say:

"

That’s the reason for the “Sheriff” tag: Crouse feels responsible for these Frontenacs. It’s the type of quality a coach will boast about. 'He’s the kind of role model we want to represent not only our team and our league, but the game of hockey,' says Frontenacs bench boss Paul McFarland. 'He’s someone all the younger guys on the team—and even some older guys—look up to.'

"

It also should be noted that Crouse has been a rather rugged player this season, his 55 PIMS lead Frontenacs, and that's something that teams may taken an interest in. 

Travis Konecny, Ottawa 67's

Travis Konecny is a talented center/winger with a lot of promise, and some feel the 5'10" player could be drafted as high as eighth overall in June. The Ottawa 67's captain is scoring at a modest pace—10 goals, 13 helpers in 25 games—and living up to his No. 1 overall status.

The 67's drafted him first at the OHL Priority selection in 2013, and since that point, he's shown why he could be a future NHL star. Konecny is going to be a talented player, and he's another example of skill overpowering size.

Mitchell Marner, London Knights

Mitchell Marner is one of the newest additions to my list, and the London Knights' right wing is starting to turn some heads. During the entire 2013-14 season, Marner tallied 59 points in 64 games as a rookie. This season through 26 games, Marner is up to 22 goals and 26 assists for 48 points.

It is an impressive development for the Thornhill, Ontario native, and he could be a bona fide top-10 pick if he keeps his level of play up. He is on the small side at 5'11" and 164 pounds, but he has more than enough time to fill out the rest of his frame so he can handle the rigors of NHL hockey.

Dmytro Timashov, Quebec Remparts

With last year's top player Anthony Duclair in the NHL with the New York Rangers, someone on the Quebec Remparts had to step up. That player is Dmytro Timashov, and the Ukraine-born but Swedish national team player has been a solid addition to one of the QMJHL's top teams.

Timashov has tallied 11 goals and 32 assists for 43 points in 27 games, and he is showing that he outgrew MODO's J20 program in the SuperElit league. Timashov is fast and has some good offensive skills, and he's a guy who I feel has first-round potential, but may end up in the second round.

Jordan Greenway, USA NTDP

Jordan Greenway is currently a member of the United States' National Training and Development Program team in the USHL, and a forward who is committed to play for Boston University next fall.

Greenway is a 6'5", 214-pound winger with solid size, skating ability and decision-making skills. Without question, he is a talented winger, and one that is flying a bit under the radar.

I watched Greenway play once earlier this season, and it was during an exhibition game against my alma mater SUNY Oswego. During that game, he was kept off the board, but his size and speed made him stand out.

Greenway could be an early first-rounder at the 2015 draft, and he's certainly a player to monitor as the season progresses.

Noah Hanifin, Boston College

Noah Hanifin has remained a consensus top-three pick since we last looked at his draft stock, and he's stepped up his offensive play over the last few games. Hanifin now has two goals and five helpers for seven points in 14 games, and it has been at a time in which his team has needed it most.

The BC Eagles are in the midst of a middling 7-7-0 season thus far, but it something to be expected of a team that has graduated top players like Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes and Johnny Gaudreau over the last few seasons.

Jack Eichel, Boston University

Jack Eichel is poised to become the NHL's biggest American star since Mike Modano, and he's having a killer year for Boston University. Eichel has found the back of the net eight times this season, and has helped 13 others find twine for 21 points in 13 games.

The smooth skating 6'2", 194-pound super-prospect keeps getting better and better, and he's expected to be a top attraction at the upcoming WJC tournament for Team USA.

Connor McDavid, Erie Otters

Connor McDavid was sitting atop the OHL leaderboard with an amazing 42 points in 14 games when we last looked, and despite the injured hand, the next Sidney Crosby is a lock for No. 1 overall.  McDavid played four more games before injuring his hand, and during that span, he tallied another nine points.

His 51 points in 18 games in second in the OHL, and his teammate Dylan Strome had four more points in nine additional games played.

McDavid was expected to miss six weeks with his injury, and he should be back at some point in January of 2015.

Stats via Elite Prospects, the OHL, WHL and QMJHL unless noted.

Tom Urtz Jr is an NHL columnist covering hockey for Bleacher Report, and you can follow @TomUrtzJr on Twitter.