Connor McDavid, C, Erie (OHL)
McDavid, regarded as the best player to come through the draft since Sidney Crosby, has incredible speed with game-changing potential. Was among the OHL scoring leaders despite missing six weeks because of a broken hand and the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship. His 11 points in seven games tied for the WJC tournament lead, helped Canada win the gold medal and earned him a spot on the tournament all-star team.
Jack Eichel, C, Boston University (H-EAST)
The 18-year-old freshman was named Hockey East Player of the Year and Hockey East Rookie of the Year. He was named Hockey East Tournament MVP after he had six goals and 11 points in four games. He leads NCAA hockey with 42 assists, 66 points, a 1.83 point-per-game average, a plus-46 rating and 22 power-play points.
Dylan Strome, C, Erie (OHL)
A big, strong skater with the agility, reach and pedigree NHL scouts crave. He led the OHL with 84 assists and 129 points in 68 games as Erie's second-line center behind McDavid. Has been compared to former NHL player Keith Primeau for his ability to protect the puck and circle low.
Noah Hanifin, D, Boston College (H-EAST)
The player many consider the best defenseman in the draft has five goals, 23 points and 47 blocked shots in 36 games as a freshman with the Eagles. He excels in the defensive zone and is rarely out of position. An exceptional skater and smart in transition.
Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston (OHL)
Played a key fourth-line role for Canada at the 2015 WJC. The 6-4, 211-pound left-shot forward is engaged physically each time he steps on the ice. A prototypical hard-hitting power forward, he led the Frontenacs with 29 goals and 51 points in 56 games.
Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon (WHL)
Might be the only NHL-ready defenseman in this year's draft class. The 6-foot, 191-pound left-shot defender logs a lot of ice time, is good on special teams and plays the body. A smooth skater with good mobility and acceleration, and is composed with the puck. Helped Russia win the silver medal at the 2015 WJC.
Kyle Connor, LW, Youngstown (USHL)
The 6-foot-1, 177-pound University of Michigan recruit leads the United States Hockey League with 69 points; also has 29 goals, 22 power-play assists and seven game-winning goals. He has great quickness in tight spaces. Has elevated his game this season and makes things happen with the puck on his stick.
Mitchell Marner, C, London (OHL)
The 5-11, 155-pound two-way forward finished second in the OHL with 82 assists and 126 points in 63 games. He has 128 assists and 185 points in 127 career OHL games. The skilled and shifty right-shot forward has great vision and passing skills, and because of his stature and shiftiness has been compared to Patrick Kane and Jordan Eberle.
Mikko Rantanen, RW, TPS (FIN)
Was considered by many to be the best player for Finland at the 2015 WJC after scoring a team-high four goals. The 6-4, 209-pound left-shot forward averages more than 16 minutes of ice time per game and is effective on the power play. He has a good combination of hockey sense, good hands and explosive shot.
Zachary Werenski, D, Michigan (BIG10)
The 6-foot-2, 206-pound freshman is the youngest player in NCAA hockey but plays like a four-year veteran. He leads Michigan defenders with 25 points and has 59 blocked shots. He can read situations as they come and can assess on the fly; has a big shot and can quarterback a power play.
Timo Meier, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)
The 6-1, 208-pound left-shot forward also can play center and is strong with and without the puck. He has high-end hockey sense, competes hard and is effective in 1-on-1 situations. Led his team in goals (44) and power-play goals (23), and had 90 points in 61 games.
Gabriel Carlsson, D, Linkoping Jr. (SWE-JR)
At 6-foot-4 and 183 pounds, the left-shot defender plays big and smart and is considered a stay-at-home defenseman with a good reach. He plays a safe game and has become very reliable while rising in the international ranks. He uses his size and strength in a smart way.
Jansen Harkins, C, Prince George (WHL)
Smart, two-way player who contributes in all three zones. Excels as a playmaker, usually drawing the opposing team's top line and defense pair. The son of Cougars general manager Todd Harkins, he led the team with 59 assists and 79 points in 70 games.
Thomas Chabot, D, Saint John (QMJHL)
A smooth-skating defenseman with great transitional speed. Has good size (6-1, 181) and mobility to defend and led all Sea Dogs defenders with 41 points in 66 games. He can advance the puck under pressure into the opposing end.
Nicholas Merkley, C, Kelowna (WHL)
The 5-11, 191-pound forward can play right wing or center, is strong on the power play and a dangerous sniper on the penalty kill (two shorthanded goals). He has a great compete level, plays a top-line role and led Rockets with 70 assists and 90 points in 72 games.
Jakub Zboril, D, Saint John (QMJHL)
A skilled, two-way defenseman who plays with poise and confidence, and can quarterback the power play. The 6-1, 184-pound left-shot defender had 13 goals, 33 points and 73 penalty minutes in 44 games. The Czech Republic native brings a physical edge as well, keeping the opposition on its toes.
Mathew Barzal, C, Seattle (WHL)
A fantastic east-to-west skater with the ability to create time and space for linemates. The top center for the Thunderbirds has great vision and puck skills. He's an outstanding playmaker, as evidenced by his 45 assists and 57 points in 44 games.
Pavel Zacha, C, Sarnia (OHL)
Could turn out to be a clone of Tomas Hertl of the San Jose Sharks; 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. Played for the Czech Republic at the 2015 WJC.
Travis Konecny, C, Ottawa (OHL)
The highly skilled forward was outstanding in the second half of the regular season, creating plenty of opportunities for teammates. He had 29 goals and 68 points in 60 games. The 5-10, 174-pound right-shot forward skates well, has excellent speed and isn't afraid to get involved in battles or move in traffic.
Jeremy Roy, D, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
The 6-foot, 189-pound right-shot defender has a great shot from the point, and the transition speed, hands and feistiness that NHL scouts crave. He was been hampered by an ankle injury but had 43 points in 46 games; a big fan of the Los Angeles Kings' Drew Doughty.
Jacob Larsson, D, Frolunda Jr. (SWE-JR)
The 6-2, 191-pound left-shot defender has split time between the junior league and top league in Sweden. He makes smart decisions, is very mobile and reads the game well. While he still needs to put on some muscle, he is very effective with the puck and knows where to go.
A smooth skater with good hands, Bittner is capable of making smart plays along the wall while protecting the puck. 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.
A 6-5, 198-pound right-shot defender who has good mobility, speed and a long reach to keep opponents at bay. He is strong on the penalty kill, can play the point on the power play and handles the puck well. He uses the boards to his advantage quite often; had 25 points and 90 penalty minutes in 63 games.
Mitchell Vande Sompel, D, Oshawa (OHL)
Great vision, creativity and ability to quarterback a power play. Stock dipped after missing 13 games because of a concussion earlier this season but he can skate and transition with authority. He exhibits poise and maturity. Led Oshawa defensemen with 12 goals, 63 points and five power-play goals.
A power forward with decent speed and balance, good offensive hockey sense and creative instincts. At 6-2 and 199 pounds, Svechnikov considers his game similar to that of the Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin. In his first North American season he was third on Cape Breton with 32 goals and 78 points.
The 6-4, 199-pound two-way center is a strong skater, has good hockey sense, is responsible in his own end and solid on faceoffs (53.1-percent efficiency). Roy was third on Chicoutimi with 50 points while also seeing quality time on the power play (five power-play goals).
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 led the Broncos with 42 goals, 81 points and 13 power-play goals; has 57 goals and 120 points in 144 career WHL games.
Oliver Kylington, D, Farjestad (SWE)
Is a good, mobile skater with great vision and a good skill set. Kylington (6-foot, 180) is a talented prospect but saw limited ice time in Farjestad before moving to AIK and then back to Farjestad during the season. Too good to pass up at this stage; proper development will make him reliable and tough.
Filip Chlapik, C, Charlottetown (QMJHL)
The native of Prague, Czech Republic, is effective on faceoffs and has improved his defensive game. A smooth skater with good vision and skills, he knows where to go with or without the puck. The 6-1, 194-pound left-shot forward finished his first season in North America with 33 goals, 75 points and 10 power-play goals.
Michael Spacek, RW, Pardubice (CZREP)
The 5-11, 187-pound right-shot forward is considered one of the new wave of Czech prospects, small but dynamic and exciting to watch. He is an excellent skater with good tools. He helped Czech Republic win the silver medal at the 2014 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.
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