2015 NHL Draft: Predicting NHL ETAs for Top 10 Picks

Many of the 2015 NHL draft's top talents are one step closer to playing in The Show after Friday's event in Sunrise, Florida. Some of them are poised to play in the NHL next year while others have some work to do before making that leap. 

The 2014 draft class is a testament to how hard it is to make the jump from the junior, college or European ranks to the NHL. No. 1 selection Aaron Ekblad was the only prospect who stuck at the top level for the entire year. Other talents such as Leon Draisaitl, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett and David Pastrnak spent a portion of their season in the NHL, though.

This year's crop of prospects hopes to make a similar impact.

Here are the ETAs for the top 10 picks in the 2015 entry draft.

1. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

The numbers: 47 games, 44 goals, 120 points with the OHL’s Erie Otters.

Scout's take: McKeen’s Hockey scout Brendan Ross breaks down Connor McDavid’s skill set (via Yahoo):

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McDavid has an innate ability to read his opponents and exploit their smallest of errors. Besides being average-sized, he excels in every other possible area of the game. He’s surprisingly strong and is downright fearless in his attacks, never holding back against larger defenders. His calm, cool and collective demeanor radiates confidence throughout the lineup and the ease at how he accomplishes everything on the ice is astonishing. Skating is considered lethal not because of blazing speed but rather a well-balanced stride and strong edge work, used to cut in and out of traffic.

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ETA: 2015-16. The Newmarket, Ontario, native’s 2.55 points-per-game average from this past season clearly shows he’s outgrown junior hockey. He is poised to not only crack the Edmonton Oilers’ lineup, but also become one of their top players straight out of the gate. Predicting his point production is easier said than done. But it seems it will fall somewhere between the rookie seasons of Sidney Crosby, who notched 102 points, and Nathan MacKinnon, who netted 63 points.

2. Jack Eichel, C, Buffalo Sabres

The numbers: 40 games, 26 goals, 71 points with the NCAA’s Boston Terriers.

Scout's take: Director of NHL central scouting Dan Marr describes Jack Eichel as: “proving to be such an amazing game-breaker; he’s relentless and driven on the play and has the smarts, speed and skills to deliver a needed scoring drive to tie up or win a game,” via NHL.com.

ETA: 2015-16. The 6’2”, 196-pound Eichel will join the Sabres this upcoming season. He will get plenty of chances to succeed in Buffalo. And there's a strong possibility he could challenge Tyler Ennis for the No. 1 center job. Moreover, it appears he could produce 60-75 points, with some scouts feeling he’s ahead of Nathan Mackinnon.

3. Dylan Strome, C, Arizona Coyotes

The numbers: 68 games, 45 goals, 129 points with the OHL’s Erie Otters.

Scout’s take: Brendan Ross, McKeen’s scout, told Bleacher Report in an earlier interview that he sees Joe Thornton as a strong comparison for Dylan Strome:

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With Dylan Strome, he's got the chance to develop into a Joe Thornton-esque level of player—a front-line, intelligent centre. Player comparisons aren't the easiest projections to make and each of these young talents will carve out their own niches, but those are the "levels" that I could foresee.

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ETA: 2016-17. Despite leading the OHL in scoring, it seems Strome is a year away from making the jump to the NHL. He possesses terrific vision and playmaking abilities, but he could use another year in the OHL to work on his footspeed. Moreover, he would benefit from the experience of leading the Otters next season with McDavid out of the picture, not to mention representing Canada at the world junior championship.

4. Mitchell Marner, C/W, Toronto Maple Leafs

The numbers: 63 games, 44 goals, 126 points with the OHL’s London Knights.

Scout’s take: Dan Marr, Central Scouting’s chief scout, told Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star that Mitchell Marner’s skill might only be behind McDavid's in the draft: "After Connor (McDavid), Mitch might be the most skilled player in the draft. Similar to Connor, it’s just the quickness in which he can process the game and execute plays. That really stands out in his favour."

ETA: 2016-17. Marner, like Dylan Strome, has nothing left to prove in the OHL after posting 120-plus points in his sophomore season. He’s on the brink of being ready for the NHL but might benefit from adding to his 5’11”, 160-pound frame before joining the Leafs. In addition, if Toronto is truly dedicated to a proper rebuild, it seems the safer move is to wait until 2016-17 to give Marner a roster spot.

5. Noah Hanifin, D, Carolina Hurricanes

The numbers: 37 games, five goals, 23 points with the NCAA’s Boston College Eagles.

Scout’s take: Former NHL scout and director of North American Central Scouting Mark Seidel told Bleacher Report in an earlier interview that he sees Noah Hanifin developing into a future No. 1 defenseman:

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His long-term projection is a franchise defenseman that will be an offensive catalyst and quarterback the power play. His defensive game will still need to continue to evolve, and I'd like to see him be more physical, but he has all of the tools to become a 25-minute-a-night defenseman.

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ETA: 2015-16. Hanifin appears to be poised to crack Carolina’s roster next year. He’s a well-rounded blueliner who possesses a high hockey IQ, strong skating ability, maturity and top-notch offensive instincts. His blend of talents should ease his path into the NHL.

6. Pavel Zacha, C, New Jersey Devils

The numbers: 37 games, 16 goals, 34 points with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting.

Scout’s take: Central Scouting’s Chris Edwards speaks highly of Pavel Zacha’s two-way game: "He's got high-end skill and is an excellent competitor; he plays an excellent two-way game. He's physical and solid on his skates and can separate guys from the puck," per NHL.com.

ETA: 2016-17. Where the Czech Republic native stands isn’t as clear as other top draft prospects because he only played 37 games in the OHL last year due to injuries and suspensions. But with an imposing 6’3”, 210-pound stature and a pugnacious attitude, his size and mental state will help ease his transition from the junior ranks to the pros. He appears to have what it takes to crack New Jersey’s lineup in 2016 with increased development this upcoming season.

7. Ivan Provorov, D, Philadelphia Flyers

The numbers: 60 games, 15 goals, 61 points with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings.

Scout’s take: TSN’s director of scouting Craig Button is one of Ivan Provorov’s biggest fans, as he touts him as the top rearguard in the draft:

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I see Ivan as the best and most complete defenceman in the draft. His command of all the situations in the game allows him to contribute and make an impact regardless of what's confronting him. Ivan can make the game look effortless with a brilliant understanding of what's unfolding in front of him either from a defensive or offensive standpoint. His skating, quickness and balance, pinpoint passing, poise under pressure and a great competitive determination align to make him a defenceman who can influence the play and the outcomes in a consistent and positive manner.

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ETA: 2016-17. Provorov has what it takes to challenge for a spot on Philadelphia’s back end this year, but he seems better suited to spend one more season in the WHL. With the Wheat Kings regarded as a favorite to challenge for the CHL’s Memorial Cup next year, he would likely gain the experience of a long playoff run while playing 25-plus minutes a night. That seems to be a better option for his long-term development than playing sparingly on a five-six pairing in the pros.

8. Zachary Werenski, D, Columbus Blue Jackets

The numbers: 35 games, nine goals, 25 points with the NCAA’s Michigan Wolverines.

Scout’s take: Future Considerations speaks highly of Zachary Werenski’s offensive abilities:

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Smart and reliable two-way defenseman…shows skill at both ends of the ice…is a good skater with a smooth stride and fluid movements…handles the puck well with decent hand-skill, good strength and some elusiveness with it as he moves through the neutral zone…makes a great first pass and outlet…has good poise and vision with the puck on his stick…has a decent wrist shot, which he’ll take from the point…isn’t overly physical on defense and he needs to play tougher and meaner than he does…has good reach and he uses his stick well to take away lanes and force players wide and off the puck…poised on defense and recovers well.

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ETA: 2016-17. Werenski seems poised to play another year at the University of Michigan before joining Columbus in 2016. He has the potential to develop into a future top-pairing defenseman because of his elite offensive abilities and solid two-way play. He will look nice next to White City, Saskatchewan, native Ryan Murray on the Blue Jackets’ back end.

9. Timo Meier, W, San Jose Sharks

The numbers: 61 games, 44 goals, 90 points with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads.

Scout’s take: Central Scouting’s Dan Marr describes Timo Meier, a Switzerland native, as "a solid and strong skater both with and without the puck, has high-end hockey sense and reads the play very well. He is very effective in one-on-one situations," via NHL.com.

ETA: 2017-18. With a late-1996 birthdate, Meier is eligible to leave the CHL for the AHL in 2016-17. That said, the 6’1”, 209-pound winger might need to refine his skills in the AHL that year before joining the Sharks in 2017-18. His physicality and versatility will give San Jose the benefit of being able to start him in a grinder role before he develops his offensive abilities at the NHL level.

10. Mikko Rantanen, W, Colorado Avalanche

The numbers: 56 games, nine goals, 28 points with the Finnish Elite League’s TPS Turku.

Scout’s take: Future Considerations is high on Mikko Rantanen’s passing abilities, among other things:

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A strong three-zone playmaker who is also defensively responsible…has an awkward upright skating stride, but gets from Point A to Point B just fine…not a big ”wow” factor to his game, but is a smooth, fluid, big-bodied forward who can be hard to handle…uses his strength and reach, along with his vision and hands, to protect the puck…has good instincts when to pass and when to hold…puck seems to follow him around the ice…good in his own zone and consistently makes himself available for a breakout pass…has impressive hockey sense and awareness…needs to work on his shot and add more muscle mass to his growing frame.

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ETA: 2016-17. Rantanen isn’t that far away from being NHL-ready because he’s already in a men’s pro league and has a large 6’4”, 211-pound frame. He could join the Avalanche in 2016 following one more season in Finland. He will fit in nicely next to Nathan Mackinnon, Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog.