Ideal Landing Spots for the Top 10 Prospects in the 2015 NHL Draft
The 2015 NHL draft is just a few weeks away (June 26-27), and fans now know the order of the top 10 picks. As we get closer to the draft, we are learning about the quality players available this year.
The final draft order of the top 10 picks brings a lot of things into focus. There are players who are perfect-fit options for specific teams based on their personnel and playing style. If we look at those players and their ideal teams, perhaps we can gain some insight into what these teams may be thinking as we get closer to draft day.
Note: This is not a mock draft and is not meant to predict the draft order in any way. This is an attempt to marry need to solution in the top 10 of this year's draft.
Here are the perfect landing spots for 2015's best prospects.
10. Colorado Avalanche: Zach Werenski, D, Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)
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Where Is He Ranked? Zach Werenski of the Michigan Wolverines is ranked No. 9 among North American skaters for the 2015 draft by NHL.com. He was No. 6 on the midterm list, and he fell three spots at the end of the year.
What Does He Bring? Werenski has a complete range of skills, makes the right play consistently and is a creative player with the puck.
What Is His Ideal Team? The Colorado Avalanche are a young team looking to add a few important pieces. Getting a defenseman with a wide range of skills would be ideal for them, and Werenski should be available.
9. San Jose Sharks: Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
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Where Is He Ranked? Ivan Provorov finished as the No. 7 North American skater in the final rankings for the 2015 draft.
What Does He Bring? Provorov is instant offense from the defensive end. Whether it be tape-to-tape quick passes or end-to-end rushes—they're both in his arsenal.
What Is His Ideal Team? The San Jose Sharks possess a quick and deadly power play, and there's not a player in the draft who would be a better fit. The perfect landing spot for Provorov is with the reloading Sharks.
8. Columbus Blue Jackets: Timo Meier, RW, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
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Where Is He Ranked? Timo Meier is ranked No. 10 out of all North American skaters. The Halifax Mooseheads winger surged at season's end with a strong offensive performance.
What Does He Bring? Meier is an outstanding scorer and has terrific speed. His stick skills are top quality, and he can beat defensemen with a deke or beat goaltenders with shots from outside the scoring zone.
What Is His Ideal Team? The Columbus Blue Jackets are the ideal landing spot for Meier. The team is strong up the middle and boasts quality depth at left wing but doesn't have a lot in the NHL or bubbling under at right wing (save for Oliver Bjorkstrand), and Meier may not be far from being ready for the NHL.
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7. Philadelphia Flyers: Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
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Where Is He Ranked? Lawson Crouse of the Kingston Frontenacs ranks No. 5 among North American skaters.
What Does He Bring? Crouse is a big winger with soft hands and a nose for the net. He is effective at using his size (6'4", 215 lbs) and skill for puck retrieval, leading to offensive chances.
What Is His Ideal Team? The Philadelphia Flyers have collected this type of player since the early years of the franchise. Crouse might be the most obvious match in the top 10, and his landing spot is clearly the Flyers.
6. New Jersey Devils: Mathew Barzal, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
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Where Is He Ranked? Mathew Barzal of the Seattle Thunderbirds is the No. 11 prospect available this season among North American skaters.
What Does He Bring? Barzal is an exceptional offensive player, very skilled and an expert passer. He's also a wonderful skater and has a scorer's touch around the net.
What Is His Ideal Team? The New Jersey Devils are starting over again and badly need elite offensive talent for the rebuild. Barzal's availability at No. 6 overall may be due to a knee injury that cost him part of this past season.
5. Carolina Hurricanes: Noah Hanifin, D, Boston College Eagles (NCAA)
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Where Is He Ranked? Noah Hanifin ranks No. 3 on NHL.com's list of 2015 draft prospects. He is the top-ranked defenseman this season.
What Does He Bring? Hanifin is an emerging talent—a young college player who displays a complete range of skills. His passing ability is game-breaking and will suit the NHL perfectly.
What Is His Ideal Team? The Carolina Hurricanes are a team in transition and need a foundation defenseman who can develop with the team. Hanifin's outstanding talent across all areas of the game gives the team a cornerstone player early in the rebuild.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs: Mitchell Marner, RW, London Knights (OHL)
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Where Is He Ranked? Mitchell Marner ranks No. 6 among North American skaters in this year's list of draft prospects.
What Does He Bring? Marner is a brilliant offensive player, using great vision and passing ability to wreak havoc on the opposition. He finished second (126 points) in OHL scoring during the 2014-15 season, losing a close race to Dylan Strome (129 points) of the Erie Otters.
What Is His Ideal Team? The Toronto Maple Leafs would love a big center in the draft, but Marner's exceptional offensive ability is elite and certainly worthy of a high pick. He may not be the obvious player for Toronto, but he's a quality fit.
3. Arizona Coyotes: Dylan Strome, C, Erie Otters (OHL)
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Where Is He Ranked? Dylan Strome is the No. 4 North American skater in the 2015 draft.
What Does He Bring? Strome led the OHL in scoring this year and offers an NHL team an attractive combination of size (6'3", 185 lbs) and skill at the center position.
What Is His Ideal Team? The Arizona Coyotes will have to patiently wait for the top centers to come off the board, but Strome is a tremendous match for their needs. The team is rebuilding, and its lack of size and skill at pivot needs to be addressed in the draft.
2. Buffalo Sabres: Jack Eichel, C, Boston University Terriers (NCAA)
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Where Is He Ranked? Jack Eichel ranks No. 2 among North American skaters in the 2015 draft. He is the prohibitive favorite to go No. 2 overall.
What Does He Bring? Eichel is an impact forward who can play a power or finesse game. For a freshman—at 18 years of age—to dominate the NCAA like he did (he had 71 points in 40 games) suggests we're looking at a franchise cornerstone.
What Is His Ideal Team? The Buffalo Sabres came alive in 1970 with a tall, brilliant center chosen No. 1 overall in Gilbert Perreault. Since then, many brilliant players have passed through the city, but the team is now back to rebuilding. Having a brilliant star like Eichel as a cornerstone is the perfect fit for Buffalo.
1. Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid, C, Erie Otters (OHL)
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Where Is He Ranked? Connor McDavid is the No. 1 ranked North American player in the 2015 draft. He is likely the top pick this season.
What Does He Bring? He is an astounding talent—close to unequaled this century in terms of offensive potential. He averaged 2.55 points per game in his draft season, which is only slightly less impressive than Sidney Crosby's 2.71 points per game before he was drafted.
What Is His Ideal Team? McDavid is a generational talent, and his availability happens to coincide with another early trip to the podium by the Edmonton Oilers. The organization may not deserve the pick—it's ridiculous that the team hasn't improved with all of its high picks since 2010 (three No. 1 overall picks in the past five drafts)—but McDavid's selection added to all of those elite talents should produce a future powerhouse team.
All player rankings courtesy of NHL.com.
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