2015 NHL Draft Odds: Connor McDavid and Pick Predictions
-
Mike Schultz
Every professional sport has a lot of build up to their annual draft but the NHL is currently about to hold one of the most media-hyped draft days in recent memory, due to the unusually deep talent pool available. Most notably, the arrival of what could be two once-in-a-lifetime franchise players in Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel.
Heading into the draft, McDavid and Eichel are likely to be selected no. 1 and no. 2 overall by the Edmonton Oilers and the Buffalo Sabres; two teams that are in desperate need of the type of franchise-changing talent these two prospects hold. While most of the attention is on these first two picks, there is incredible depth throughout the first and subsequent rounds.
Here’s how we see the Top 10 picks shaking out:
1: Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid, C, Erie (OHL)
McDavid is a can’t miss opportunity for the Oilers to return to relevancy as the best NHL prospect since Sidney Crosby in 2005. McDavis is a pure scorer, totaling 21 goals and 39 points in 20 games during the OHL playoffs last season.
2. Buffalo Sabres: Jack Eichel, C, Boston Univ. (NCAA)
Buffalo needs offense bad and will get a big, strong and skilled center in Eichel who dominated the NCAA’s best and more developed players. Eichel could become the Sabres top center easily should they draft him.
3. Arizona Coyotes: Noah Hanifin, D, Boston College (NCAA)
The Coyotes could use some help scoring, but Hanifin’s smart puck moving skills could help put the offense in a better position to score and more often.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs: Dylan Strome, C, Erie (OHL)
Strome is one of the best playmakers in the draft and could fill a need for the Leafs for size and skill at center. He lead the OHL and tied for first in the CHL for most points scored with 129.
5. Carolina Hurricanes: Mitchell Marner, C, London (OHL)
Drawing comparisons to Patrick Kane, Marner is a highly skilled scorer that could help the ‘Canes improve on offense quickly.
6. New Jersey Devils: Mikko Rantanen, RW, TPS (FIN)
Rantanen would give the Devils the size and skill they desperately need up front at 6’4 and 213 pounds. He did well enough in Finland’s pro league, leading all players under the age of 20 with 28 points in 56 games.
7. Philadelphia Flyers: Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston (OHL)
The Flyers need some help on the left side and scouts have said Crouse physically compares to former Flyers great Eric Lindros. He led Kingston with 29 goals and played a big role in Canada’s 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship.
8: Columbus Blue Jackets: Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon (WHL)
The Blue Jackets have stocked their roster full of effective forwards and need to bulk up the list of blue liners. Provorov would fill the need of a scoring defenseman as he led all WHL rookies in scoring.
9: San Jose Sharks: Zachary Werenski, D, Michigan (NCAA)
Werenski was the youngest player in the NCAA last season, but his skillset would never suggest it. He notched 25 points in 32 games and was a member of the U.S. team for the 2015 WJC.
10: Colorado Avalanche: Timo Meier, FW, Halifax (QMJHL)
Despite a need for defensemen, it’s difficult to pass up on Meier’s pure scoring abilities. He managed to score 44 goals with Halifax and played exceptionally with other top-tier talents in the 2015 WJC like McDavid and NHL rookies Nikolai Ehlers and Kevin Fiala.
Top Prospects – The Canadian Talent Pool
Canada creates great hockey players, and this year is no exception, with four of the top ten skating prospects hailing from Canada, as well as three of the top five goalie prospects.
Skaters
Connor McDavid – Richmond Hill, Ontario
Dylan Strome – Mississauga, Ontario
Lawson Crouse – Mt Brydges, Ontario
Mitchell Marner – Markham, Ontario
Goalies
Mackenzie Blackwood – Barrie, Ontario
Callum Booth – Montreal, Quebec
Samuel Montembeault, Bécancour, Quebec
Canadian NHL Teams – Top Draft Picks
Canadian hockey fans will be watching closely tomorrow to see which players their favorite Canadian team will land in this year’s draft. Check out our special prop bets on the top draft pick possibilities for each Canadian team.
You can watch the draft on Friday, June 26th at 7pm EST on NBCSN and Saturday, June 27th at 10am EST on the NHL Network.