Early NHL ETA Projections for Top Prospects in the 2015 Draft

NHL teams are finalizing their draft lists and making sure they've locked down all the variables on their target players. One of the major factors for teams is the length of time it will take for their first-round selections to be NHL-ready.

There are several players in this year's draft who should be ready to step right onto the ice in the NHL this fall. Others are more likely to take a year or two before arriving, and even longer before playing a major role on a team. That's a major consideration for teams, along with potential ceiling and roster needs in their specific case.

Here are the 10 highest-ranked players in the NHL draft this season and their ETA for NHL arrival.

Note: This list reflects the April ranking by International Scouting Services.

10. Pavel Zacha, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL)

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Age and Role as an Amateur: Pavel Zacha of the Sarnia Sting will be 18 years and 81 days old when the draft begins this year. He is a rugged center with skill at the OHL level. 

Is He NHL-ready? He should get an NHL look this fall, and his readiness will be decided at that time. Zacha has NHL size—he is 6'3", 210 pounds—and plays a physical style. There's more to the game than physical play, but he has a combination of size and skill that scouts look for in prospects.

When Will He Contribute at a High Level? Zacha will take some time to adjust to the pro game, particularly its speed and the discipline required. He should be able to show his full range of skills by his early 20s and has the tools to be a productive player in all areas.

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

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Age and Role as an Amateur: Ivan Provorov of the Brandon Wheat Kings will be 18 years and 164 days old when his name is called at the 2015 draft. He is a splendid puck-moving defenseman with breathtaking offensive skills. 

Is He NHL-ready? Provorov has the speed and skill to play at the NHL level as an offensive defenseman and should be considered a possible solution for some NHL teams this fall.

When Will He Contribute at a High Level? Provorov has exceptional skill in a narrow but vital area: as a power-play quarterback. He may be able to contribute right away for a team looking to strengthen its power play.

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

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Age and Role as an Amateur: Mathew Barzal of the Seattle Thunderbirds is one of the youngest players available. He will be 18 years and 31 days old on June 26, which is Day 1 of this year's draft. 

Is He NHL-ready? Barzal is NHL-ready in terms of skill but was limited to 44 regular season games in 2014-15. His size—6'0", 177 pounds—suggests he may want to play another year in junior to get stronger and mature.

When Will He Contribute at a High Level? He is a splendid prospect with NHL-level skill right now. If he turns pro at 19, Barzal should contribute offensively as a rookie.

7. Mikko Rantanen, C/W, TPS (Liiga)

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Age and Role as an Amateur: Mikko Rantanen will be 18 years and 240 days when the 2015 draft takes place. He is already a successful pro player in Finland's top league. 

Is He NHL-ready? Rantanen is one of the older players among the elite prospects available this season, and he does play pro hockey. He should be considered one of the most NHL-ready prospects in the 2015 draft.

When Will He Contribute at a High Level? His offense in the Liiga is solid, and his size—6'4", 209 pounds—suggests he'll have little trouble with the game's physicality. Rantanen should contribute offensively right away and then develop into a more complete player over time.

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

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Age and Role as an Amateur: Mitchell Marner will be 18 years and 52 days old when the 2015 draft begins its first round on June 26. He is a brilliant offensive player for the London Knights of the OHL and one of the best amateurs in the game. 

Is He NHL-ready? Marner is one of the youngest players in the draft and is relatively small—5'11", 164 pounds—for the pro game. The NHL team that drafts Marner may be wise to keep him in junior for another season.

When Will He Contribute at a High Level? His role in pro hockey will likely be offensive, meaning he should be able to impact the game immediately upon arrival. Marner may prove to be somewhat one dimensional, but that dimension is the most difficult in the game. He could be highly productive in the NHL as a teenager.

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

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Age and Role as an Amateur: Lawson Crouse will be 18 years and three days old on draft day, making him one of the youngest players available this year. He is a man among boys in the OHL, though, and at 6'3", 212 pounds, he already has pro size. 

Is He NHL-ready? He is one of the most NHL-ready players in the draft this season and will be a strong option for his drafting team in 2015.

When Will He Contribute at a High Level? Crouse may develop as an offensive player, but his junior numbers offer no proof he'll be a top winger. It's likely he will be able to establish himself as a reasonable checking option early in his career. He could even be a plug-and-play option this fall for an NHL team.

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

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Age and Role as an Amateur: Noah Hanifin is an excellent puck-moving defender with a complete set of skills for the Boston College Eagles. He will be 18 years and 152 days when the 2015 draft takes place. 

Is He NHL-ready? Hanifin is young for a college defenseman but performed well in that role for Boston College. His age and position may dictate that he spend one more season there. 

When Will He Contribute at a High Level? If Hanifin stays in college for 2015-16, turning pro at 19 is a likely option. A short transition period—with some AHL games possible—should be followed by a long NHL career. Defensemen take longer to make a difference because of the difficulty of their position, but he should be a complete defenseman helping his team win games by his early 20s.

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

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Age and Role as an Amateur: Dylan Strome will be 18 years and 111 days on draft day in 2015. He is an impact center in the OHL for the Erie Otters.

Is He NHL-ready? Strome has NHL size—6'3", 187 pounds—and his point total suggests he has enough offensive ability to step right into the big time this fall.

When Will He Contribute at a High Level? He should be an offensive asset early on, with 50 points possible as a rookie in the right situation. Strome's ability to outscore top opposition is likely a few years away, as he gains strength and experience. If he continues to develop, he could be a No. 1 center by 22 or 23.

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

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Age and Role as an Amateur: Jack Eichel will be 18 years and 241 days old on June 26. He is an impact college player for the Boston Terriers and is currently playing for the U.S. team at the World Hockey Championships.

Is He NHL-ready? Based on his tremendous scoring in college, Eichel is a lock to play in the NHL next season. He should contend for the Calder Trophy in 2015-16.

When Will He Contribute at a High Level? Eichel should play impressively on offense this coming season as he learns to play against the NHL's best. Expecting a rookie to post positive results in terms of outscoring at even strength isn't realistic, but he has the tools to be an impact player for years.

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

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Age and Role as an Amateur: Connor McDavid will be 18 years and 164 days old when he is drafted this summer. He is an impact player in the OHL for the Erie Otters and the best prospect since Sidney Crosby.

Is He NHL-ready? McDavid is a lock for Opening Night 2015-16 and should be a strong favorite for the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year.

When Will He Contribute at a High Level? It is rare for teenagers to outscore quality opposition in the NHL right away. Even Crosby had some issues as a rookie, including a 45 percent faceoff percentage and the fact that his goals for and against ratio at even strength was negative. McDavid should score at a high rate and play opposition to a draw in Year 1 before taking off in Year 2 and beyond.