2015 NHL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Order and Final Landing Spots for Top Prospects

The 2015 NHL draft is one of the most anticipated in recent years because of the strength at the top with Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel.  

It's reminiscent of the Taylor vs. Tyler hype in 2010, when Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin were the two top picks in the draft, and there was some debate during the draft season over which young prospect would go first. The Edmonton Oilers selected Hall with the No. 1 pick, and the Boston Bruins chose Seguin with the No. 2 pick.

There was some debate through the early part of 2015 about the No. 1 spot because Eichel was climbing the ladder and challenging McDavid. However, with less than 24 hours to go prior to Friday night's NHL draft, McDavid is the consensus No. 1 pick, and Eichel will almost certainly go second.

There's a big gap between those two and the rest of the first-round prospects, but there should be eight players who have a chance to be impact players early in their NHL careers.

Draft Position	Team
1	Edmonton Oilers
2	Buffalo Sabres
3	Arizona Coyotes
4	Toronto Maple Leafs
5	Carolina Hurricanes
6	New Jersey Devils
7	Philadelphia Flyers
8	Columbus Blue Jackets
9	San Jose Sharks
10	Colorado Avalanche
11	Florida Panthers
12	Dallas Stars
13	Los Angeles Kings
14	Boston Bruins
15	Calgary Flames
16	Edmonton Oilers (from Pittsburgh Penguins)
17	Winnipeg Jets
18	Ottawa Senators
19	Detroit Red Wings
20	Minnesota Wild
21	Buffalo Sabres (from N.Y. Islanders)
22	Washington Capitals
23	Vancouver Canucks
24	Toronto Maple Leafs (from Nashville Predators)
25	Winnipeg Jets (from St. Louis Blues)
26	Montreal Canadiens
27	Anaheim Ducks
28	Tampa Bay Lightning (from N.Y. Rangers)
29	Philadelphia Flyers (from Tampa Bay Lightning)
30	Arizona Coyotes (from Chicago Blackhawks)

1. C Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

A sharp and creative player who has all the tangibles that scouts are looking for because of his skating, passing, stick-handling and shooting, it's McDavid's ability to make all his plays at high speed that separates him from the rest of the prospects.

Like many of the top players who have preceded McDavid, he has the vision to see plays develop an instant before they happen and then deliver with the perfect pass, move or shot.

Curtis Joe of Elite Prospects provided this analysis: "A generational talent, Connor McDavid is a catalyst for positive plays in all three zones," he said. "Thinks the game analytically and recognizes scoring chances before they have even happened."

2. C Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres had done the work to end up with the No. 1 pick in the draft since they had the worst record in the NHL in 2014-15, but they lost the lottery and are forced to settle for No. 2.

It may work out quite well for the Sabres because Eichel demonstrated the skill to play in the NHL right away. He averaged 1.77 points per game as a freshman at Boston University, and that was the best by any first-year player in 20 years. Eichel is 6'2" and 193 pounds, but he plays bigger because of his tremendous reach.

Steve Kournianos of the Draft Analyst sees Eichel as a special player. "He has an uncanny ability to change the complexion of a game at a moment’s notice with or without the puck," Kournianos told MyNHLDraft.com. "Possesses a heavy, accurate shot with a quick release, and is adept at getting it through screens and clogged shooting lanes."

3. C Dylan Strome, Arizona Coyotes

Strome is all about offensive production, and that should fit right in with the Arizona Coyotes. Unlike the first two picks, Strome may need a year of minor league seasoning to develop into a productive NHL player.

He scored 129 points for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, and he plays with confidence and can find the back of the net with regularity. Strome has excellent size at 6'3" and 187 pounds and the potential to put on more weight and strength.

NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr believes Strome has the desire to go along with his natural ability. "He has that competitive edge and grittiness," Marr said. "He wants to succeed, wants the puck, wants to score and wants to win." 

4. D Noah Hanifin, Toronto Maple Leafs

Hanifin is a big, mobile defenseman at 6'2" and 205 pounds, and he is an excellent skater with outstanding instincts for the position. He excels at the defensive aspects of the game and will go into the corners on the 50-50 battles and come away with the puck. Hanifin is also a talented offensive player with exceptional ability to transition from defense to offense.

Bill Placzek of DraftSite.com likes Hanifin's consistency and ability to produce big plays. "A mobile fluid defenseman who has an excellent offensive upside to match his edgy defensive side," Placzek said. "Four-direction skater who has great vision, poise, and makes the best plays on most shifts."

5. C Pavel Zacha, Carolina Hurricanes

Zacha showed plenty of speed and aggressiveness in his first season playing in North America with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League. The 6'3", 210-pounder has the size and strength that scouts are looking for, and the Czech youngster adjusted well to a much more physical game than he saw in his home country.

Joe called the 18-year-old a high-end offensive talent with dynamic ability. "All in all, Zacha is a lethal weapon that can be depended upon to create, and finish, dangerous scoring chances whenever he is on the ice," Joe said.

6. D Ivan Provorov, New Jersey Devils

Provorov (6'0", 191 lbs) is an offensive-minded defenseman who played with confidence in his first season playing North American hockey. He scored 15 goals and had 46 assists for the Brandon Wheat Kings, and his 61 points were fourth among all Western Hockey League defensemen.

Provorov accelerates quickly and joins the play frequently once he gets over the blue line. He has the kind of instincts that should help him be a strong quarterback on the power play. He is also a tough defensive player who can go into the corner and assert himself.

7. C Mitch Marner, Philadelphia Flyers

Marner is quick and has a slew of moves, and that will help him overcome his lack of size at 5'10" and 164 pounds. Marner is smart, creative and a dynamic scorer and stick-handler. He had a remarkable season with the London Knights of the OHL as he scored 44 goals and 82 assists.

In addition to having the vision to see offensive plays before they develop, Marner battles with everything he has in the defensive zone—a full-effort player who brings excitement and talent every time he steps onto the ice.

8. RW Mikko Rantanen, Columbus Blue Jackets

The Finnish import appears well-suited to fill the role of power forward because he is a load to move when he gets into the dirty areas, and he has the skill to put the puck in the net when he gets or creates scoring opportunities. 

Rantanen is a powerful skater at 6'4" and 211 pounds, and he uses his size and reach to keep the puck and frustrate smaller defenders. Rantanen is not the type to dazzle the fans with his moves, but he is talented, powerful, fast and effective. He has excellent passing ability as well as a strong shot.