Ranking the 10 Most NHL-Ready Prospects in the 2015 Draft Class
Florida Panthers' first-overall selection Aaron Ekblad was the only top 10 pick in the 2014 draft to crack the NHL last year. That shouldn’t be the case next season based on the stacked 2015 draft class.
It goes without saying that phenoms Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel are poised to land NHL jobs next season, but they aren’t the only elite 2015 draft prospects who could be making the big bucks in 2015-16. The draft class has a handful of talents who have the potential to move on from the junior or college ranks sooner than later.
Here is a look at the top 10 NHL-ready prospects in the 2015 draft class. This ranking is based on what the prospects have accomplished thus far in their careers and how well their skill sets will transition to the pro game.
10. Paul Bittner, Wing, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
1 of 10
Overview: Bittner broke out in his third season with the Winterhawks this past year, scoring 34 goals and 71 points in 66 contests. He used his 6’4”, 202-pound frame and edgy style to screen goaltenders, win puck battles and cause havoc on the forecheck. In addition, his speed and good shot made him dangerous in open ice.
NHL-ready attributes: He not only has the size and experience (three WHL seasons under his belt), but he’s also well beyond his years off the ice. He conducts himself as a professional when dealing with coaches, fans and the media.
Draft status: The Crookston, Minnesota, native, whom NHL Central Scouting Service ranks as the 26th-best North American skater in the draft, is expected to don an NHL sweater in the latter half of the first round. It would be quite shocking to see him drop outside of the top 30 because he’s one of the more appealing power forwards in the 15-30 range.
9. Timo Meier, Wing, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
2 of 10
Overview: Coming off a 34-point rookie season, the Switzerland product exploded into a major junior superstar this past year for the Mooseheads. He netted 44 goals and 90 points in 61 games while dominating physically along the wall and in front of the net.
NHL-ready attributes: He’s physically mature with a thick 6’1”, 209-pound build and is one of the older players in the draft with a late-1996 birthday. In addition, he’s a versatile forward as he can be moved up and down a lineup from a scorer in a team’s top six to a grinder on a shutdown line.
Draft status: He is projected as a top-15 selection, especially since Central Scouting pegged him 10th among North American skaters. That said, however, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him slip into the 15-20 range because of how deep this year’s draft is in talent.
8. Zach Werenski, Defense, University of Michigan (NCAA)
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Overview: By making Team USA’s world junior team and entering college a year early, Werenski showed he is well beyond his years as a blueliner. He has an enticing blend of 6'2", 214-pound stature, smooth skating ability, strong vision and elite offensive instincts (he scored nine goals and 25 points in 35 games this year).
NHL-ready attributes: The combination of his size, experience and defensively sound style of play gives him an outside chance to crack the NHL this upcoming year or at least go straight to the AHL. Returning to Michigan for a second year is the likeliest outcome, though.
Draft status: Werenski, who is ranked ninth among North American skaters by Central Scouting, is expected to don a jersey within the first 10 selections, but he is by no means a lock.
7. Ivan Provorov, Defense, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
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Overview: The Russia product helped the Wheat Kings win the Scotty Munro Trophy (top regular-season team in the WHL) as a rookie, although he looked nothing like a first-year player. On top of looking poised and confident in all three zones, he finished fourth in points among WHL defenders with 15 goals and 61 points in 60 contests.
NHL-ready attributes: He has a thick 6’1”, 200-pound frame and a veteran-like poise about him and adapts well to new situations, as evidenced by his dominance as a rookie in the WHL. He is also committed to the game as he moved overseas at just 14 years old to progress his hockey development.
Draft status: As the seventh-ranked prospect by ISS and seventh-ranked North American skater by Central Scouting, he is regarded as one of the draft’s top 10 prospects. It would be quite surprising to see him fall beyond the 10th selection in Florida.
6. Dylan Strome, Center, Erie Otters (OHL)
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Overview: Strome has future first-line center written all over him. He has the size (6’3”, 187 lbs), elite vision and soft hands and led the OHL in scoring as a sophomore to top it all off with 45 goals and 129 points in 68 matches. Although it's easy to compare him to his older brother, New York Islanders center Ryan Strome, for obvious reasons, his skill set has been most compared to that of San Jose Sharks veteran Joe Thornton.
John Matisz of the Toronto Sun writes: "[Otters general manager Sherry] Bassin raves about his alternate captain’s 'high character' and proclaims he’s 'every bit as good as his brother' Ryan Strome, who’s in his second season with the New York Islanders after being selected fifth overall in the 2011 draft."
NHL-ready attributes: As mentioned, he has the size and skill set and backed it all up with incredible numbers. He will never be a speedster, and he does need to improve his skating going forward. This is the main reason why there’s a good chance he will return to the junior ranks next year for one more season.
Draft status: Ranked third overall by International Scouting Services, Strome is in the running to be the third prospect selected in the draft.
5. Lawson Crouse, Wing, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
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Overview: Compared to Philadelphia Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds, there’s a lot to like about Crouse, who scored 29 goals and 51 points in 56 games for the Frontenacs this past season. He is a big-bodied (6’4”, 212 lbs) power forward who has the ability to dominate physically and score highlight-reel goals because of his soft hands and elite shot.
NHL-ready attributes: His frame, physicality and complete game give him the versatility to play a grinder role in the NHL before working his way up a lineup. This should help him land an NHL spot after one more season of junior hockey.
Draft status: The London, Ontario, native is in the mix to be chosen with a top-five pick based on ISS projecting him as the fourth-best prospect in the draft. He’s ultimately neck-and-neck with Strome and Mitchell Marner among the draft’s top forwards beyond McDavid and Eichel.
4. Mitchell Marner, Wing, London Knights (OHL)
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Overview: Similar to Carolina Hurricanes sniper Jeff Skinner in 2010, Marner’s elite speed and uncanny goal-scoring abilities have him on the fast track to the NHL despite his smaller 5’11”, 164-pound frame. Moreover, after racking up 44 goals and 126 points in 63 games with the Knights this season, he has nothing left to prove in the OHL.
NHL-ready attributes: The Thornhill, Ontario, native was given the edge over Strome and Crouse because speed/skating is king in the NHL, and he has the advantage in that department. He has the ability to blow by quality defenders in the NHL, let alone the OHL. There is concern over his stature, but it’s somewhat overblown because his edgy play makes up for his lack of height.
Draft status: Marner is a favorite to go up to the draft podium within the first five picks. There is, however, an outside chance he could drop a spot or two if teams see Crouse or Provorov as a better organizational fit.
3. Noah Hanifin, Defense, Boston College (NCAA)
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Overview: Hanifin is undoubtedly the top blueliner of the draft class. He earned this high praise by thriving in his freshman season at Boston College, netting five goals and 23 points in 37 games along the way. On top of posting good numbers, he was a force in his own end with an active stick and solid positioning.
NHL-ready attributes: The Norwood, Massachusetts, native has a thick 6’2”, 205-pound body, is already playing against young men in the NCAA and has the poise and composure of a pro. He has built a strong case to be in the NHL next year, but if not, he should be there in 2016-17.
"Yes and no," Hanifin told Mike Brophy of NHL.com on whether he's ready for the NHL next year. "There are definitely parts of my game that I can work on to be an impact player in the NHL. One of my goals is to work hard this summer so I can potentially be ready for next season. If I were to play next season I would need to learn a lot."
Draft status: Hanifin is in the running to be selected third overall by the Arizona Coyotes, but because Strome, Marner and Crouse are hot on his trail, he could fall a couple of spots.
2. Jack Eichel, Center, Boston University (NCAA)
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Overview: As one of college hockey’s top forwards, Eichel looked anything but a freshman in his first year at Boston University. His 1.77 points-per-game ratio (26 goals and 71 points in 40 contests) topped the college rookie seasons of Toronto Maple Leafs sniper Phil Kessel (1.31) and Minnesota Wild star Zach Parise (1.56).
NHL-ready attributes: With a 6’2”, 194-pound frame, an exceptional skill set and the experience of playing in the world junior championship and NCAA, Eichel’s resume clearly suggests that he’s ready to take the plunge into the NHL next year.
Draft status: Without a shadow of a doubt, the Buffalo Sabres will select the 18-year-old center with the No. 2 pick in the draft.
1. Connor McDavid, Center, Erie Otters (OHL)
10 of 10
Overview: McDavid has been the most hyped draft prospect since Sidney Crosby for a reason. His skill, vision and skating abilities are off the charts, much like Crosby and The Great One. Moreover, the 44 goals and 120 points he scored in 47 games this past season back up the hype that surrounds him.
NHL-ready attributes: From his hockey sense to his puck-handling abilities, McDavid is more than ready for The Show. All signs point to him running away with the Rookie of the Year award next season following racking up 70-90 points.
Draft status: Eichel is a rare talent, but he’s no McDavid. The Edmonton Oilers will draft the Newmarket, Ontario, native first overall in Florida.
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