NHL Mock Draft
Welcome to the first mock draft of the season. Positions 15-30 still have yet to be determined so we’ve named the top 14 picks according to team and then finished off the rest of the round with the 15-30 picks according to our scouting.
Don't forget to get McKeen's 2015 Draft Guide as it will detail the top 120 players in this year's Draft. It's a great buy and will be available on-line in May.
Don’t forget, for everything NHL, check out Rotoworld's Player News, and follow @Rotoworld_ HK and @katshockey on Twitter.
1. Edmonton - Connor McDavid (C)
An embarrassment of riches continues in Edmonton, with a generational player in which to kick start rebuild. McDavid is the best prospect in the draft in the last ten years.
2. Buffalo - Jack Eichel (C)
This consolation prize would have topped the majority of previous drafts, his only knock was being in the same draft year as McDavid …Will light it up in Buffalo.
3. Arizona - Dylan Strome (C)
Tall, lanky pivot adds the big body up the middle the Desert Dogs sorely lack.
4. Toronto - Mitchell Marner (C)
Ultra skilled, superbly talented sparkplug with every report coming with a mandatory size disclaimer … there's a spot in the NHL for undersized talent, and Maple Leafs Mark Hunter understands this player.
5. Carolina - Noah Hanifin (D)
Mixed bag of expectations for the wildly talented blueliner, however beware the underdeveloped offensive skill set as he moves forward is an area of concern.
6. New Jersey - Pavel Zacha (C)
Classic solid upside with intervals of lapses …Potentially the biggest steal of the draft if he puts it together as a pro.
7. Philadelphia - Zach Werenski (D)
An all-round seasoned package, bringing a mix of skill, size to compliment puck skills…Expected more of a two-way then offensive first blueliner.
8. Columbus – Ivan Provorov (D)
Sky-rocketing to the top of the rankings, the Russian's ability with the puck from the blueline is tempting for any GM.
9. San Jose - Mathew Barzal (C)
Unfortunate injury derailed talented pivot's draft year, but don't sleep on potential despite the long layoff.
10. Colorado - Lawson Crouse (LW)
Easily the most controversial prospect of this draft class, ranked puzzlingly high without the offensive support to justify the ranking … man's body and power, but can the skills translate to the next level?
11. Florida - Mikko Rantanen (RW)
Playing among men in the Finnish Elite League, slick playmaker exploits his high rev engine to power his sizable frame, setting the tempo and carrying the play
12. Dallas - Travis Konecny (C)
Ottawa 67's pivot is another steady riser, oozing skill and will …Will hover around that 10 range, could be a smart fantasy bargain too.
13. Los Angeles - Timo Meier (RW)
Improvements in skating, strong World Juniors and post tournament production - steadily elevating the Swiss product up the rankings
14. Boston - Kyle Connor (C)
University of Michigan commit continues to impress with the USHL Phantoms and on the International stage
15. Thomas Chabot (D)
Early season struggles (including a healthy scratch) was a blip on the radar of an otherwise successful draft year … Solid puck moving skills headlining a Saint John team to watch up in the next couple of drafts
16. Jakub Zboril (D)
Czech import paired with Chabot, missed 19 games to a knee injury, leaving a large hole in the Saint John lineup.
17. Nick Merkley (RW)
Undersized dynamo that can grind it out, but the skill at the end of the blade is his distinguishing characteristic…Budget 2-3 years of development here.
18. Joel Ek Eriksson (C)
Swede's ascension solidified with an earned promotion to the SHL and a fantastic showing at the Five Nations Cup… Don't sleep on him, stash away in a prospect bench.
19. Colin White (C)
Strong worker bee mentality and strong will, battling past early season bout of mono … Think support player with a strong work ethic as upside.
20. Paul Bittner (LW)
Late birthday lands the Portland product into the 2015 draft class, where his size and board play convinces an NHL GM on taking a chance.
21. Brandon Carlo (D)
Big, mobile, mean, physical, methodical …The age of the lumbering defenseman is over, if you're drafting a big defensive defensemen, he better be able to play in today's skating game.
22. Jeremy Roy (D)
Solid all round blueliner with a big shot and potential power play quarterback skills add value to his 5-on-5 play.
23. Evgeni Svechnikov (LW)
Powerful upper body and core strength add to the power game for this late birthday, adding late first round value in a potentially heavy, yet skilled winger
24. Jake DeBrusk (LW)
Undersized son of former NHLer, Louie DeBrusk is the furthest comparison to the old man… Exceptional skill and hockey sense, complimented with stealth like positioning in the offensive zone.
25. Jacob Larsson (D)
All round blueliner utilizing a simple approach with size and sandpaper with average puck moving ability…Some warts, lots of goodness.
26. Jonas Siegenthaler (D)
Swiss product propelling the justification for a late first round pick with his skills on display during an excellent showing at the Under-20's.
27. Oliver Kylington (D)
Exceptional all-compass puck rusher with flash and ability to bring fans out of their seats with long range passes springing forwards … Late round steal.
28. Brock Boeser (RW)
A solid all round worker with an exceptional release, the Waterloo winger showed he can put up complimentary numbers alongside a complete 200-foot game.
29. Ilya Samsonov (G)
Drafting a goalie in the first round is less common place - and for good reason, goalies are voodoo ... Unpredictability season over season makes drafting a goalie in the first round risky, yet here we are with Samsonov in the mix.
30. Jack Roslovic (C)
Miami of Ohio commit could go the distance in College before making any foray into the NHL, but could be an attractive final pick of the 2015 first round.
