NHL Draft Predictions: Connor McDavid Goes First

With the first 14 slots for the 2015 NHL Draft now set, it’s time for our first mock draft of the year! Though we won’t know the rest of the draft order until the Stanley Cup playoffs finish in mid-to-late June, let’s take a look at the top prospects and predict where exactly they could end up going in June.

148. McDavid is almost certainly the top pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. The Otters captain has set OHL records, won World Juniors gold and will join other top picks in Edmonton like Hall, Eberle and Yakupov.. Center. Erie (OHL). Connor McDavid. 1. player

Boston University. Jack Eichel. 2. player. 12. The Sabres will pick Eichel, the first freshman to win the Hobey Baker award since 1993. Can you imagine the Sabres lineup with Eichel, Reinhart, Evander Kane, Girgensons, etc.? Stellar.. Center

121. Some have pointed out that the Coyotes already have a core of young d-men — Dahlbeck, Ekman-Larsson, Murphy, etc., which could push them away from looking at another defenseman. But wouldn’t Hanifin make a great addition to that core group?. Defenseman. Boston College. Noah Hanifin. 3. player

5. player. 109. The Canes roster is currently stacked with centers, but the team has just three left-wingers in its stock. Crouse is a power forward whose game has been compared to the likes of Neely and Lindros, and he’d make a good addition to the Carolina roster.. Left wing. Kingston (OHL). Lawson Crouse

6. player. 85. At first glance, I had Marner going to the Coyotes in a bit of a surprise third pick, since they seem to be stockpiling former Knights. But he may drop to sixth and get picked up by the Devils, who can use his offensive skill.. Center. London (OHL). Mitch Marner

68. Zacha’s stock may have dropped over the past few months, but his fire and energy could be exactly what the Flyers like. He knows how to use his size and overpowers other players on the ice; he’s also good on the puck.. Center. Sarnia (OHL). Pavel Zacha. 7. player

player. 120. Provorov would have to drop to be available for the Sharks, but if he did, he’d be a great addition. He’s a big player who provides a physical presence on the blueline and eats up ice time.. Defenseman. Brandon (WHL). Ivan Provorov. 9

Defenseman. University of Michigan. Zachary Werenski. 10. player. 103. Werenski has excelled at the college hockey game despite being the youngest NCAA player this season. He was also strong at the WJC representing Team USA.

87. The Panthers already have one strong young defenseman in Aaron Ekblad — why not add onto that with a great addition such as Carlsson, a smart stay-at-home defenseman who knows how to use his size?. Defenseman. Linkoping (Sweden). Gabriel Carlsson. 11. player

player. 119. Meier can play either right wing or center and would bring a versatile game to the Stars organization with consistent effort.. Right wing. Halifax (QMJHL). Timo Meier. 12

Center. Seattle (WHL). Matthew Barzal. 13. player. 67. Barzal’s game was limited by injuries this season, but he remained the Thunderbirds’ top-line center. He’ll provide depth in a Kings organization looking to return to the top.

Zboril is not the biggest guy, but the Bruins love young defenseman and he isn’t afraid to get physical. Imagine him playing with Dougie Hamilton or Torey Krug.. Defenseman. Saint John (QMJHL). Jakub Zboril. 14. player. 70

So there you have it. I’m by no means an expert (consider that a disclaimer), but I had fun trying to predict these top 14 picks, if nothing else. What will really happen when June rolls around? Who knows? For all we know, the Oilers could trade the top pick, the Coyotes COULD go with Knights forward Marner, and one of these teams might decide they want a goaltender instead. I could have every pick right, or every pick wrong, but hey — at least I had fun.

Next: Sabres To Pick Second Overall in NHL Draft

More from Sabre Noise

Home / Draft