Aaron Ekblad, D, Barrie (OHL)
The defenseman of the year in the OHL is an excellent all-around skater for his size (6-3, 213). Plays a two-way game and passes with authority; very reliable and will challenge for an NHL roster spot in training camp.
Leon Draisaitl, C, Prince Albert (WHL)
Has a Jaromir Jagr-like toughness to his game; difficult to knock off the puck with his size (6-2, 208) and strength. The native of Germany plays an effective two-way game, and had 38 goals, 105 points in 64 games.
Samuel Bennett, C, Kingston (OHL)
Named top prospect in the CHL, the Mike Richards clone is an exciting player because of his combination of skill, speed and tenacity. Bennett has a fantastic shot, which helped him total 36 goals and 91 points in 57 games.
Sam Reinhart, C, Kootenay (WHL)
The Flames could use this exceptional center with great hockey sense and the vision and ability to maneuver through traffic with the puck; had 36 goals, 105 points and 11 penalty minutes in 60 games.
Michael Dal Colle, LW, Oshawa (OHL)
A fantastic two-way game-breaker; is skilled and physical. He's the first player in on the forecheck and a good playmaker with a high-end skill set; had 39 goals and 95 points in 67 games.
Jake Virtanen, RW, Calgary (WHL)
A 6-foot, 208-pound power forward with good balance; can reach a high gear with his outside speed. Enjoys a physical game and is willing to pay the price in the slot; had 45 goals and 100 penalty minutes in 71 games.
Nicholas Ritchie, LW, Peterborough (OHL)
A 6-2, 226-pound power forward capable of winning 1-on-1 battles along the boards. He can fight through checks and is difficult to knock off the puck in stride; had 39 goals, 74 points and 136 PIM in 61 games.
Brendan Perlini, LW, Niagara (OHL)
This 6-2, 205-pound left-shooting forward has good acceleration, speed and quickness. Voted the most improved player in the Eastern Conference of the OHL, he has high-end puck skills and an NHL-caliber shot.
William Nylander, RW, Sodertalje (SWE-2)
Good, mobile skater with outstanding hands, vision, puck-handling and shot. Considered a sniper capable of setting up scoring chances from the outside or in traffic and is very effective on the power play.
Plays a solid two-way game and can use his speed at both ends. Good presence defending with his size (6-2, 202); can play physical and earns big minutes. He had eight goals and 46 points in 70 games.
Alex Tuch, RW, USA U-18 (USHL)
At 6-4, 213 pounds, it's hard to miss the Boston College-bound power forward with good hands, vision and hockey IQ. Has improved tremendously since the start of the season; plays physical and has a heavy shot.
Kasperi Kapanen, RW, KalPa (FIN)
Son of former NHL player Sami Kapanen can play center or wing; smooth, fast skater with tricky puck skills and a quick release. Good hand-eye coordination and a steady competitor who won't shy away from the tough areas.
Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Halifax (QMJHL)
Danish prospect had 49 goals and 104 points this season as a rookie in the league and was the most improved from the start of the season to the end. He is an excellent skater with NHL speed, good hands and a great shot.
Kevin Fiala, LW, HV 71 Jr. (SWE-JR)
Is an explosive 5-9, 178-pound left-shooting forward with great puck-handling skills and speed. He had 10 goals and 25 points in 27 games with HV 71's team in the Swedish junior league, and 11 points in 17 games in the Swedish Hockey League.
Julius Honka, D, Swift Current (WHL)
Played a key role for Finland at the 2014 World Junior Championship. Excelled in his first North American season with 16 goals and 56 points in 62 games; good awareness and excels on the power play.
Jakub Vrana, C, Linkoping (SWE-2)
A great puck distributor with good vision, Vrana knows where to be and when he needs to get there. He isn't flashy, he's reliable, a hard-working team player and a creative playmaker.
Sonny Milano, LW, USA U-18 (USHL)
Boston College recruit renowned for his "magic hands," he is good with the puck in traffic and in open ice. Had 29 goals and 87 points in 58 games this season, but also enjoys playing an agitating role.
Thatcher Demko, G, Boston College (H-EAST)
As the youngest player in NCAA hockey (turns 19 Dec. 8) he helped the Eagles win the Beanpot Tournament and reach the semifinals of the Frozen Four. He finished with the sixth-best winning percentage (.729) and 17th-best goals-against average (2.24) in NCAA Division I.
Anthony DeAngelo, D, Sarnia (OHL)
A native of the Philadelphia suburb of Sewell, N.J., DeAngelo is a dynamic skating, puck-moving defender; he led OHL defensemen with 56 assists and 71 points in 51 games. He's a game-changer.
David Pastrnak, RW, Sodertalje (SWE-2)
Flashy and entertaining as well as an effective penalty-killer, would be a great complement to center Tomas Hertl. The 5-10, 165-pound Czech Republic native uses speed and puck-handling to create chances for himself and teammates.
Ryan MacInnis, C, Kitchener (OHL)
An intelligent skater capable of playing in all key situations; had 16 goals and 37 points as a rookie in the OHL. Is the son of Hockey Hall of Fame member and Blues senior adviser to the general manager Al MacInnis.
Nikita Scherbak, LW, Saskatoon (WHL)
Good at driving to the net and creating scoring chances. He has a quick release and can finish at the net; very unselfish and uses his linemates well. Led the Blades as a rookie with 78 points (28 goals, 50 assists).
Brendan Lemieux, LW, Barrie (OHL)
How could Avalanche coach Patrick Roy pass on picking the son of former teammate Claude Lemieux? The scrappy 6-foot, 206-pound left-shot had 27 goals, 53 points and 145 penalty minutes in 65 games.
Jared McCann, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
Playmaking center has a deceptive shot, a good scoring touch and is excellent on faceoffs. He's capable of making plays at top speed and has a reliable two-way game; had 27 goals and 62 points in 64 games.
Dylan Larkin, C, USA U-18 (USHL)
Strong skater with great closing speed. University of Michigan recruit uses body well along the boards and isn't afraid to play physical to generate turnovers; had 31 goals in 60 games.
Adrian Kempe, LW, Modo Jr. (SWE-JR)
Versatile forward can play center or wing; bullish on the puck and drives hard to the net using his 6-1, 187-pound frame. Aggressive on the forecheck, has a good defensive game and is a solid competitor.
Anton Karlsson, RW, Frolunda Jr. (SWE-JR)
Self-proclaimed "warrior" enjoys a physical approach with battles along the boards and has good offensive instincts. Uses his 6-foot, 192-pound frame to set up scoring chances for teammates; had 12 goals, 22 points in 28 games.
A consistently effective left-shot forward is an excellent playmaker and puck-handler. Contributes on the power play; is elusive and quick and would fit the Lightning mold. He had 45 goals in 58 games.
Ivan Barbashev, LW, Moncton (QMJHL)
He's capable of reaching top speed very quickly; a good playmaker with quick hands and a great shot. The youngest player for Russia at the 2014 WJC plays physical and can be used in all situations.
Joshua Ho-Sang, C/RW, Windsor (OHL)
A high-energy forward with great speed, quickness and craftiness on the transition; has the capability of making plays at top speed. Has very good puck control and playmaking ability in traffic; totaled 32 goals and 85 points in 67 games.
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