NHL Player Comparisons for the Top 10 Prospects in the 2015 Draft

The 2015 NHL draft is about to deliver an enormous number of elite-calibre prospects to the league in 2015-16. The top end of the draft may be the best of this century, and the top 10 features several terrific prospects.

The draft has occupied the imaginations of NHL fans for much of the season, and names like Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel are famous among hockey zealots. What kinds of players are these gifted prospects? Who do they remind us of from recent history?

Here are comparisons for the top 10 players of the 2015 draft.

10. Oliver Kylington, D, Farjestad (SHL)

What Kind of Player Is He? Oliver Kylington is a two-way defender with good speed who plays for Farjestad of the SHL. 

Whose Style Does His Most Closely Resemble? The great thing about finding comparable players for Kylington is that Sweden has become a factory for effective puck-movers with NHL ability. Kylington's game has elements that resemble Erik Karlsson's—although with less offensive ability—and John Klingberg's—without the shot.

How Good Is He? Kylington has the potential to be a significant contributor for an NHL team. His offense was solid to very good at all levels this season, and that skill will take him a long way. 

9. Mathew Barzal, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Marissa Baecker/Getty Images

What Kind of Player Is He? Mathew Barzal of the Seattle Thunderbirds is an undersized skill center at 6'0", 177 pounds. 

Whose Style Does His Most Closely Resemble? Barzal is a quality playmaker who is intelligent in the offensive zone. Cody Nickolet of WHL From Above has compared his playing style to that of Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene.

How Good Is He? Barzal is a big-time offensive prospect. He was injured in November—as described by Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com—and missed a significant amount of the season. As a result, he may be severely undervalued in this draft.

8. Zachary Werenski, D, Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

What Kind of Player Is He? Zachary Werenski is a quality two-way defenseman with size (6'2", 214 lbs) and speed for the Michigan Wolverines of the NCAA. At age 17, he is one of the youngest players available in the 2015 draft. 

Whose Style Does His Most Closely Resemble? Werenski possesses a range of skills without having one outstanding one. His size, speed and scouting report make him similar to St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester.

How Good Is He? Werenski is a terrific prospect with a complete skill set. His relative youth suggests there is more room to grow, and that may mean he's being undervalued in the 2015 draft.

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

Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

What Kind of Player Is He? Lawson Crouse is an outstanding two-way forward for the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL. 

Whose Style Does His Most Closely Resemble? Crouse is a complicated player because his size, speed and fame imply he will be an exceptional scorer, but his skill set is more like that of a two-way, complementary type. His size and speed remind many of Jeff Carter. 

How Good Is He? He may be NHL ready, making him—once again—a unique player in this draft. He is unlikely to be a quality scorer in the NHL, but there's a good chance he emerges as an effective, physical two-way winger on a contending team.

6. Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

What Kind of Player Is He? Ivan Provorov is an effective puck-moving defenseman for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. 

Whose Style Does His Most Closely Resemble? Provorov's skills are more cerebral than most players ranked in the top 10 overall this year. He's effective across all areas, just like Mark Giordano, although the Calgary Flames defenseman is a more physical player.

How Good Is He? Provorov is a quality defender in an important area. He is effective in getting the puck moving in a good direction, which is a valuable asset for NHL teams. If Provorov can progress as a defender, he might end up being the best defenseman in this year's draft.

5. Mitchell Marner, RW, London Knights (OHL)

What Kind of Player Is He? Mitchell Marner is a dynamic offensive player for the London Knights of the OHL.

Whose Style Does His Most Closely Resemble? Marner is a slick player who can deke opposing players or fly by them with exceptional speed. Visually, he is similar in style to Chicago Blackhawks great Denis Savard. He also brings many of the same elements as Patrick Kane to his game.

How Good Is He? He is trending as an elite offensive player, with the playoff scoring race in the OHL this spring providing ample evidence. His lack of size (5'11", 164 lbs) will probably hurt his draft number, but he may turn out to be the third-best player in this year's draft.

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

Dennis Pajot/Getty Images

What Kind of Player Is He? Dylan Strome is a big center (6'3", 187 lbs) with tremendous skill—one of the valuable types of players NHL teams look for in every draft. 

Whose Style Does His Most Closely Resemble? Strome is visually similar to his brother Ryan Strome of the New York Islanders, except he is bigger and has less speed. He is more powerful than his older brother was at the same age, and he is that rare big man with exceptional puck-handling and puck-control skills.

How Good Is He? He won a tightly contested regular-season scoring championship in the OHL, beating out elite players while doing it. Fans should expect a No. 1 center who could appear regularly among the top scorers in the league, if he develops as expected.

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

Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

What Kind of Player Is He? Noah Hanifin is an outstanding two-way college defenseman and is probably the best available in the 2015 draft.

Whose Style Does His Most Closely Resemble? Hanifin's size (6'2", 205 lbs), speed and puck-moving ability make him unique, so finding comparable players is difficult. Alex Pietrangelo of the St. Louis Blues is a reasonable match among current NHL players, but Hanifin is not as physical.

How Good Is He? Hanifin is a difficult player to project because there are so few defensemen his age (18) succeeding at the NCAA level. He could be a special player and have an enormous impact on the team that drafts him.

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

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

What Kind of Player Is He? Jack Eichel is a gifted offensive player who also brings power to the game and can be dominant in puck battles.

Whose Style Does His Most Closely Resemble? Comparisons are difficult, but in terms of power, size, reach and control of the puck, he is somewhat similar to Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes at his best. 

How Good Is He? His college numbers are outstanding, and the numerous honors he received as a freshman fill his Boston University player page. He is a franchise player with a physical presence and enormous skill. The sky is the limit regarding his future.

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

Dennis Pajot/Getty Images

What Kind of Player Is He? Connor McDavid may be the best offensive player in junior hockey this century. His junior numbers are incredible.

Whose Style Does His Most Closely Resemble? McDavid is his own man, but his exceptional creativity, stealth movements and overwhelming offense remind many of Sidney Crosby. He is not a perfect style match for Crosby, but the results are similar, and he's the only player in recent history who qualifies as comparable.

How Good Is He? It isn't fair to put enormous pressure on such a young man, but McDavid is tracking along historic lines. His point-per-game average this season—2.55—is not far from Crosby's 2.71 in his draft year.