Hockey Lobby Final NHL Mock Draft 2015

1.        Edmonton Oilers – C Connor McDavid, Erie Otters (OHL)

Generational talent for a team in need of a spark, both on and off the ice. McDavid’s arrival in Edmonton could be as impactful as back when Mario Lemieux came to Pittsburgh. Expect McDavid to thrive under new coach McLellan, as well as making his future teammates Hall and Eberle even better.

Comparable: Mix between Sidney Crosby and Pavel Bure.

2.        Buffalo Sabres – C Jack Eichel, Boston University (NCAA)

If GM Tim Murray had mixed feelings after losing on McDavid and Babcock, his staff should probably remind him that they’re getting the 2^nd best prospect since Crosby here. Eichel has the potential to become the best American NHLer of this generation.

Comparable: Pavel Datsyuk

3.        Arizona Coyotes – C Dylan Strome, Erie Otters (OHL)

While everybody would think Hanifin is the Coyotes pick, they’re in for a surprise. Arizona won’t pass on a perfect playmaking center to center Max Domi and Anthony Duclair. Even more, when they know the Toronto Maple Leafs are picking next.

Comparable: Ryan Johansen

4.        Toronto Maple Leafs – C/RW Mitchell Marner, London Knights (OHL)

We can’t always get everything we want, but having won the Mike Babcock lottery is going to be the start of a true rebuilding of this franchise. Even though defense is a need for the Leafs, they can’t pass up on a potential franchise winger that actually comes from their backyard. Players with Marner’s talent don’t come very often.

Comparable: Claude Giroux

5.        Carolina Hurricanes – C Kyle Connor, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

The Hurricanes had the 4^th lowest number of goals scored in the league last year and lots of question marks surrounding the future of their captain Eric Staal and injury prone Jeff Skinner. Kyle Connor has dominated the USHL for the past 2 years and that shows how much of a talent he is. Might be a reach, but it will pay off in the long run.

Comparable: Jeff Carter

6.        New Jersey Devils – C Mathew Barzal, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Since the departure of Zach Parise, New Jersey had lots of trouble finding the back of the net. Barzal showed during the last U18 tournament why he was touted as one of the best talents of his draft class before injuries have delayed his progression. However, he still managed to be a PPG player in the Dub and finished 2^nd in scoring for the Thunderbirds with 1 point behind team leading scorer Ryan Gropp despite having played 23 games less.

Comparable: Matt Duchene

7.        Philadelphia Flyers – D Noah Hanifin, Boston College (NCAA)

Well, here he is. Finally the best defenseman of the draft class lands in the perfect spot for him. Philadelphia Flyers are in desperate need of their franchise defenseman and could not have wish for a better outcome. Hanifin plays the puck with poise and maturity. His skating is beyond his peers and IQ makes him a surefire top 2 NHL defenseman right of the bat.

Comparable: Ryan McDonagh

8.        Columbus Blue Jackets – C Mikko Rantanen, TPS (SM-Liiga)

Jarmo Kekäläinen has had success with his draft picks troughout his career. Having help drafting players like Marian Hossa, Martin Havlat, Alex Pietrangelo, David Backes, TJ Oshie, Patrick Berglund, David Perron. He won’t go wrong neither with big 2-way Finnish center Mikko Rantanen.

Comparable: Marian Hossa

9.        San Jose Sharks – C/RW Timo Meier, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

With a possible rebuild and opting to explore the trading possibilities of Marleau and Thornton, they will need to add offense and Meier is a skillful forward in the same mold as his fellow countrymen Nino Niedereitter.

Comparable: Nino Niederreiter

10.      Colorado Avalanche – D Ivan Provorov, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

After enjoying a Cinderella run in his 1^st season behind the bench, Patrick Roy has not been able to repeat this season. His core is still very young but has no premier defenseman outside of Barrie. Adding Provorov is adding a safety net for his defense corps. Russian defenseman knows how to play the game both end of the ice and can log tons of minutes night in night out.

Comparable: Andrei Markov

11.      Florida Panthers – LW Lawson Crouse, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

Panthers have hit a homerun last year with Aaron Ekblad who seems to write himself as an elite defenseman in the league already in his 1^st year. Their offense seems to get it slowly together and Lawson Crouse’s style is exactly what they lack of, a very true definition of a power forward.

Comparable: Andrew Ladd

12.      Dallas Stars – LW Pavel Zacha, Sarnia Sting (OHL)

Extremely talented winger with powerful strides, Zacha had a more difficult transition to North America, but still showed flashes of a potential dominant winger. The Stars will have in their hands a very similar player as their 2013 1st rounder, Valeri Nichushkin.

Comparable: Mix of Valeri Nichushkin and David Pastrnak

13.      Los Angeles Kings – D Zack Werenski, University of Michigan (NCAA)

At one point in the season, scouts were saying that Werenski might have closed the gap between him and Hanifin. His play as a freshman for the Wolverines was outstanding and finished first in scoring amongst defenseman. He is capable of playing the puck or get in the rough areas if needed.

Comparable: Jack Johnson

14.      Boston Bruins – C/RW Travis Konecny, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

After missing the playoffs for the first time since 8 years, the Bruins need to rebuild their front office and maybe put emphasis on the future as their core of the 2011 Stanley Cup Champions is starting to age a bit and Travis Konecny brings them speed, skills and grit. He possesses gamebreaking abilities. 

Comparable: Sergei Samsonov

15.      Calgary Flames – D Jakub Zboril, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

The Flames were the Cinderella team of the year. Under the guidance of coach Bob Hartley, young players like Monahan and Gaudreau have become instant stars and the future looks very bright in Calgary with the addition of Sam Bennett, Emile Poirier and Morgan Klimchuk. With Mark Giordano’s injury and lack of high-end top defensemen prospect, they will love to add Jakub Zboril, who was a true anchor for the Sea Dogs this past year.

Comparable: Roman Hamrlik

16.      Edmonton Oilers (from PIT) – D Thomas Chabot, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

After winning the McDavid lottery, the Edmonton Oilers need to strengthen their defensive core and Thomas Chabot would fit in right perfectly. A very mobile and poise defenseman, between him and Zboril is pretty much a toss up. This could very well add to the Battle of Alberta.

Comparable: Hampus Lindholm

17.      Winnipeg Jets – C Nick Merkley, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

The Jets are another Canadian team that has a bright future and the proof was between their pipes with Connor Hellebuyck. Adding the 2014 WHL Rookie of the year to the mix with Ehlers and Petan would give them lots of option up front and a very dynamic offense.

Comparable: TJ Oshie

18.      Ottawa Senators – D Oliver Kylington, Färjestad (SHL)

Ottawa enjoyed a much deserved playoff berth after their incredible comeback run since February. However, their defense was exploited during the 1^st round of the playoffs against Montreal. They saw how Erik Karlsson couldn’t do everything on his own, maybe for one game (Game 4) but not the whole series. Oliver Kylington’s stock has dropped but it doesn’t mean he can’t develop well under the Sens organization. He could be the best steal of the 1^st round if he reaches his full potential.

Comparable: Kris Letang

19.      Detroit Red Wings – LW Yevgeni Svechnikov, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)

Detroit knows that both Zetterberg and Datsyuk aren’t exactly 20 years old anymore, and have to plan for the future. Svechnikov’s talent is undeniable and could very well be a Anthony Mantha type of pick: a homerun pick. Broke the Screaming Eagles rookie scoring record with 32 goals in his first season in North America. They call him the Russian Sniper.

Comparable: Max Pacioretty

20.      Minnesota Wild – C/RW Colin White, USNDTP (USHL)

Vanek and Koivu aren’t getting any younger and Parise seems to have become their leader on the ice along with Pominville. Colin White is amongst the high-end products of the USNDTP and his 2-way game reminds a lot of Ryan Callahan.

Comparable: Ryan Callahan

21.      Buffalo Sabres (from NYI) – D Jeremy Roy, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)

The Sabres desperately need defense and trading away Myers didn’t help that, even though with the addition of Bogosian who has never progressed as expected for a 3^rd overall pick. Jeremy Roy is a very smooth skating puck moving defenseman with lots of upside. He’s their replacement for the former QMJHL product Jerome Gauthier-Leduc who never panned out. Roy would be a great addition to Ristolainen and Zadorov.

Comparable: Ryan Suter

22.      Washington Capitals – RW Brock Boeser, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)

Captain of team USA at the Ivan Hlinka tournament, Boeser has finally being recognized due to his incredible performance. USHL players like Connor and Boeser seem not to gather enough credit but don’t fool yourself, Boeser is a tremendous prospect that reminds a lot of Patrick Sharp and Kyle Okposo.

Comparable: Mix of Kyle Okposo and Patrick Sharp

23.      Vancouver Canucks – C/RW Jeremy Bracco, USNDTP (USHL)

If Calgary got Gaudreau, why not give him so competition by picking a player with the same potential in Bracco. Kid’s got game and plays the game bigger than he actually is. Bracco is actually following Gaudreau’s steps by playing for Boston College next year.

Comparable: Johnny Gaudreau

24.      Toronto Maple Leafs (from Nashville) – RW Daniel Sprong, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)

With Mitchell Marner as their 4^th pick overall, Toronto shouldn’t stop there with filling their prospect pool full of offensive talent and pick Daniel Sprong. The next Dutch-born hockey player is filled with skills and likes to make fans jump of their seat. He’s a consistent threat everytime he touches the puck and to have him with Nylander and Marner is pretty good looking for the Leafs future.

Comparable: Mike Cammalleri

25.      Winnipeg Jets (from St. Louis) – D Brandon Carlo, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

Winnipeg has two tendencies in the draft: picking undersized gamebreaking forwards or towering 2-way defenseman. 6’5” Brandon Carlo would add more intimidating size to the present defense of Byfuglien, Myers and Trouba.

Comparable: Dylan McIlrath

26.      Montreal Canadiens – C Joel Eriksson-Ek, Färjestad (SHL)

GM Marc Bergevin has stated repetitively during his press conference: elite centers don’t often come around anymore. They are not available. With the uncertainty of Galchenyuk turning out as a center, Trevor Timmins would want to go for a potential top 2 center in Joel Eriksson-Ek. A pretty late riser but has enjoyed much success at the U18 WJC. His biggest strength is he’s awareness on the ice. Whether it’s in the offensive or the defensive zone, Eriksson-Ek is an incredible 2-way player that knows how to dangle too. Montreal fans will be happy with this pick here.

Comparable: Mix of Mika Zibanejad and Rickard Rakell

27.      Arizone Coyotes (from CHI) – D Jacob Larsson, Frölunda (SHL)

Don Maloney knows that his team’s future up front is settled with the Duclair-Strome-Domi line and knows a thing or two about Swedish defenceman. Jacob Larsson is a product from Frolunda, the same that has produced Erik Karlsson, Lars Eller, Loui Eriksson, Alexander Steen, Henrik Lundqvist and Daniel Alfredsson.

Comparable: Tobias Enstrom

28.      Philadelphia Flyers (from TBL) – C Filip Chlapik, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)

The Flyers have a great history drafting from the QMJHL: Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier and Samuel Morin. Chlapik is very good 2-way center that can put up lots of goals as well. He will fit in right well in the Flyers top 6 in the near future.

Comparable: David Krejci

29.      Anaheim Ducks – C Anthony Beauviller, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

GM Bob Murray has successfully built a team around his core players of the 2003 draft and adding complementary pieces such as Kesler and drafting well too. Beauvillier a strong leader and showed that he can be an offensive juggernaut too, dominating the Q with 42 goals and 94points.

Comparable: Mix of Jaden Schwartz and Robbi Fabbri

30.      Tampa Bay Lightning (from NYR) – LW/RW Denis Guryanov, Lada Togliatti (KHL)

Finally, the Tampa Lightning has enjoyed much success with their young Russian players and Guryanov is this year’s Tarasenko and Kuznetsov. Would have been a top 5 prospect if his name was Peca or Smith and played in the CHL. He was the most dominating playing at the U18 and took everybody off guard. Possesses a heavy shot and very hard for the opposing defencemen to stop him on the counter attack.

Comparable: Andrei Kostitsyn

c Jack Eichel of the Boston University Terriers