NHL Draft 2015: Ranking the Biggest Sleepers in This Year's Class

NHL teams can do themselves an enormous favor by finding useful talent later in the draft. Recent Stanley Cup champions have these players sprinkled on their roster, and they provide useful depth.

Every once in a while an impact player is found deep in the draft's second day. Recent examples include Ondrej Palat (No. 208 overall in 2011) of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Andrew Shaw (No. 139 overall in 2011) of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Here are the biggest sleepers in this year's draft class.

Note: Players are ranked based on their final estimated draft number.

5. Vladimir Tkachev, LW, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

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How Obscure Is He? Vladimir Tkachev is not well-known as a prospect, but he was famous in the fall of 2014. The Edmonton Oilers invited him to rookie camp and main camp and then offered him a contract based on his sensational play. As this Robert Tychkowski article in the Edmonton Sun from September 2014 indicates, Tkachev was not eligible to sign with an NHL team. 

What Does He Do Well? Tkachev is a small player—5'10", 144 pounds—but he's a splendid puck-handler, passer and offensive weapon. He can also play well defensively and often ends up in the right place with the other team in possession.

Where Will He Go in the Draft? He is ranked No. 159 by Central Scouting, a massive drop from his midterm ranking of No. 121. He might go in the seventh round or pass completely through the draft—a bizarre change in fortune based on last fall's excitement.

4. Nick McBride, G, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

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How Obscure Is He? Nick McBride of the Prince Albert Raiders was not a featured prospect at the time of Central Scouting's midterm report. He ranked No. 13 among North American goalies but closed well and ended up No. 7 on the final list. 

What Does He Do Well? Size is a big item for modern goalies, and at 6'4", 179 pounds, McBride should be a massive stopper when he matures. He also squares well to the shooter.

Where Will He Go in the Draft? At No. 7 on the North American goalie list, McBride is likely to go in Round 5 or later at the 2015 draft. He's a project who is going to take some time to develop, but you can't coach size.

3. Jean-Christophe Beaudin, C, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)

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How Obscure Is He? Jean-Christophe Beaudin of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies is rarely mentioned by draft observers. The only place he shows up is on Central Scouting's North American list, where he ranks No. 64. 

What Does He Do Well? Beaudin is an outstanding skater and an impressive two-way talent. He scored 53 points in 68 games, a solid but unspectacular total that ranked No. 5 on his team. He projects as a future checker if he makes the NHL.

Where Will He Go in the Draft? The Central Scouting ranking implies he could expect to go later in the third round, possibly No. 80 or in that range. The lack of buzz surrounding him—and the fact he didn't appear on the midterm rankings—suggests he is a complete wild card who could go anywhere after No. 75 overall.

2. David Cotton, C, Cushing Academy (USHS)

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How Obscure Is He? David Cotton has the size that NHL scouts look for, but his performance at the Beantown Summer Classic did not put him high on the radar. 

What Does He Do Well? Cotton's passing is mentioned most often as being above-average. He is a big center—6'2", 200 pounds—and one of the youngest players in the 2015 draft. With a July 1997 birthday, he'll have one year of extra development over many of the prospects available this year.

Where Will He Go in the Draft? He moved up from No. 75 to No. 62 on the final Central Scouting list for North American skaters, which puts him in the range for a third-round selection. His combination of terrific size and his age relative to the rest of the eligible players may allow him to move up to the beginning of Round 3.

1. Alexander Dergachyov, C, St. Petersburg (MHL)

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How Obscure Is He? Alexander Dergachyov is a big, skilled center for St. Petersburg of the MHL. North American fans could only see him at the World Junior Championships, where he impressed with his range of skills.

What Does He Do Well? Based on reports and a brief viewing, he's a big man—6'4", 200 pounds—with soft hands and a physical edge. That's an attractive skill set for NHL teams.

Where Will He Go in the Draft? There's a wide range of possibilities for Dergachyov. He is ranked as the No. 17 European skater by Central Scouting, which could mean he'll go in the fifth round or later. However, his impressive performance at the world juniors and his impressive rank on Bob McKenzie's final list for TSN—he is No. 54—suggest this sleeper pick is trending in a big way. It's possible he gets selected in the second round.