Mike G. Morreale's 2015 mock draft

Monday, 01.26.2015 / 12:01 PM / 2015 NHL Draft

By Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer

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NHL.com draft experts: McDavid, Eichel to go 1-2 in Florida

* Note: Draft order based on League standings at All-Star Break

Related mock drafts: Adam Kimelman
ORDER	TEAM	PLAYER	SKINNY
1		Connor McDavid, C, Erie (OHL)	He has the speed, skill, smarts and moxie to aide any struggling franchise. He has 72 goals, 221 points in 140 Ontario Hockey League games and exceled at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, helping Canada win the gold medal.
2		Jack Eichel, C, Boston University (H-EAST)	The 18-year-old freshman is the leading scorer in college hockey. He has the size (6-foot-2, 196 pounds), strength and speed required of a top-end blue chip prospect ready to make the jump to the NHL. He served as captain for the United States at the 2015 WJC.
3		Noah Hanifin, D, Boston College (H-EAST)	The player many consider the best defenseman in the 2015 draft class fully grasps the idea that excelling in the defensive zone will lead to offensive opportunities. Rarely out of position; is an exceptional skater and distributor of the puck.
4		Dylan Strome, C, Erie (OHL)	A strong skater with the agility and reach NHL scouts crave. He's been compared to former NHL player Keith Primeau for his ability to protect the puck from checking pressure while effectively circling it out from down low.
5		Zachary Werenski, D, Michigan (BIG10)	The 6-foot-2, 206-pound freshman is the youngest player in college hockey but already resembles a four-year starter. Easily reads situations as they come and can assess on the fly; has a big shot and exhibits a lot of poise and confidence on the power play.
6		Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston (OHL)	Played a key fourth-line role for gold medal-winning Canada at the 2015 WJC. At 6-4 and 211 pounds he's physically engaged each time he steps on the ice as the prototypical power forward. He's regarded as the hardest hitter in the OHL and possesses good offensive tools for a big man.
7		Oliver Kylington, D, Farjestad (SWE)	NHL Central Scouting's top-rated European skater is the perfect fit for a team in need of transition players on the back end. The native of Stockholm is solid in his own end and makes a good first pass. He's reliable and a tough competitor.
8		Pavel Zacha, C, Sarnia (OHL)	Could turn out to be a clone of the San Jose Sharks' Tomas Hertl; always on the puck and relentless. He creates scoring chances for teammates with his strength and smart decisions, has good puck control, a good work ethic and a great shot. He played for the Czech Republic at the 2015 WJC.
9		Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon (WHL)	Plenty of upside; the 6-foot, 191-pound defender logs a lot of minutes, is good on specialty teams and likes to play the body. A smooth skater with good mobility and acceleration, and is composed with the puck. He helped Russia win the silver medal at the 2015 WJC.
10		Mitchell Marner, C, London (OHL)	The 5-11, 155-pound two-way forward leads the CHL in points in his second season with the Knights. The skilled forward has great vision and passing; because of his stature he's been compared to Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks.
11		Mikko Rantanen, RW, TPS (FIN)	Was considered by many to be the best player for Finland at the 2015 WJC; he had a team-high four goals. The 6-4, 209 pound left-handed shooter has a good combination of hockey sense, smooth hands and an explosive shot. He's a solid two-way forward who competes hard every shift.
12		Mathew Barzal, C, Seattle (WHL)	A fantastic east/west skater with the capability of creating time and space for linemates; he's the top center on a team that has struggled this season but possesses great vision, puck skills and is the ultimate playmaker. He's at his best when controlling the puck and seeking out options.
13		Kyle Connor, LW, Youngstown (USHL)	A solid two-way player and University of Michigan recruit has a nice stride and quickness in tight spaces. He has elevated his game during his draft season and has proven capable of making things happen whenever he has the puck on his stick.
14		Travis Konecny, C, Ottawa (OHL)	A highly skilled forward who never quits, is around the puck every shift and creates a lot of opportunities for teammates. The 5-10, 174-pound right-handed shot skates well and has excellent speed. He also isn't afraid to get involved in battles or play in traffic.
15		Jeremy Roy, D, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)	The leading point-producer among Quebec Major Junior Hockey League defensemen, Roy possesses great speed in transition, good hands and feistiness, plus a great shot from the point. He is a big fan of Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings.
16		Timo Meier, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)	A 6-1, 208-pound left-shot wing, who can also play center, is strong with and without the puck. He offers high-end hockey sense, competes hard, is effective in 1-on-1 situations. He leads his team in goals (28), plus/minus (plus-14).
17		Evgeny Svechnikov, LW, Cape Breton (QMJHL)	The power forward has good hockey sense and a big shot. At 6-2 and 199 pounds, Svechnikov considers his game similar to that of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin. He is second on Cape Breton in scoring in his first season in North America.
18		Brandon Carlo, D, Tri-City (WHL)	A 6-5, 198-pound right-shot defenseman, Carlo exhibits good mobility, speed and good reach in keeping opponents at bay. He is strong on the penalty kill, can play the point on the power play and handles the puck well. He knows how to use the boards to his advantage in the defensive zone.
19		Nicholas Merkley, C, Kelowna (WHL)	The 5-11, 191-pound forward can play right wing or center, is strong on the power play and is a dangerous sniper on the penalty kill. He has a great compete level, plays in all situations and is the leading scorer for the best team in the Western Hockey League.
20	*(From NY Rangers)*	Jordan Greenway, LW, USA U-18 (USHL)	The 6-5, 222-pound power forward, committed to Boston University, has got athletic ability, size and strength, and his potential is really high. When he utilizes his full arsenal of physical gifts he's hard to knock off the puck.
21		Jansen Harkins, C, Prince George (WHL)	A smart, two-way player who contributes in all three zones. He excels as a playmaker, usually drawing the opposing team's top line and defense pair. The son of Cougars general manager Todd Harkins, Jansen leads the team in scoring and is projected to fill a workman-like role at the pro level.
22	*(From Pittsburgh)*	Jakub Zboril, D, Saint John (QMJHL)	He is a skilled two-way defenseman who plays with poise and confidence, and can quarterback the power play. The 6-1, 184-pound defender brings a physical element to his game as well, forcing opponents to keep their head on a swivel.
23		Paul Bittner, LW, Portland (WHL)	A smooth skater with good hands, Bittner is capable of making smart plays along the wall while protecting the puck well. His 6-4, 206-pound frame is enticing to scouts, particularly since he can retrieve pucks on the forecheck and is tough to contain down low.
24		Brock Boeser, RW, Waterloo (USHL)	Plays a solid two-way game and has become a feared goal scorer; the 6-foot, 192-pound forward ranks among the top-10 in points and the top-five in goals in the United States Hockey League. An all-around player with a good compete level, Boeser remains undecided about his college destination.
25	*(From St. Louis)*	Colin White, C, USA U-18 (USHL)	The Boston College-bound right-hand shot has been compared to the Boston Bruins' Patrice Bergeron for his preparedness and detail on every shift. White (6-foot, 183) is a deceptive player and is hard to play against because of his smarts, speed and strength. He's the type of player that will wear down an opponent during the course of a game.
26		Thomas Chabot, D, Saint John (QMJHL)	A smooth-skating defenseman with great transitional speed and mobility; has good size (6-1, 181) and skill to defend and has the ability to skate the puck out of danger and into the opposing end.
27	*(From NY Islanders)*	Jake DeBrusk, LW, Swift Current (WHL)	Tenacious on the puck and an extremely hard worker. DeBrusk (5-11, 171), the son of former NHL player Louie DeBrusk, creates havoc on the forecheck and forces turnovers. He ranks among the top-five on the Broncos in points and power-play goals.
28		Filip Chlapik, C, Charlottetown (QMJHL)	The native of Praha, Czech Republic, is good on faceoffs and has improved his defensive game. Smooth skater with good vision and skills; always seems to be in the right position with or without the puck; combination of size (6-1, 194) and hockey sense.
29		Jeremy Bracco, RW, USA U-18 (USHL)	The Boston College-bound right-shot forward is an exceptional playmaker and ranks second in scoring on the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 team. Bracco (5-9, 173) already is the all-time leader in career assists (93) in two seasons with the USNTDP.
30		Daniel Sprong, RW, Charlottetown (QMJHL)	He skates very well and shows excellent speed; likes to have the puck and is very dangerous in the offensive zone. The 6-foot, 189-pound right-shot forward has good hands in tight spaces and has a big shot.

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2015 NHL Draft

Mike G. Morreale's 2015 mock draft

By Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer

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