Erie Otters center Connor McDavid and Boston University center Jack Eichel continually have raised the bar while meeting and often exceeding expectations this season as the top two players eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft.
As many expected, McDavid and Eichel were No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, on NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings of the top North American players available for this year's draft, which will be held June 26-27 at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla.
"During the meetings there were no negative components brought forward on Eichel or McDavid since both are recognized as truly outstanding, gifted young hockey players," Director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr said. "They play different styles yet both bring the exceptional skills, character and intangibles to be a franchise-type player for an NHL club."