2015 NHL Draft Mock Draft Complete First Round
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view of the complete draft board after the completion of the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The 2015 NHL Draft is right around the corner, and all the hype over the 2015 NHL Draft is living up to everything it is being hyped to be. What are the deepest parts of the draft? Here is the complete first round of the draft – version 1.
Could this be the draft we are talking about ten years later? Is the 2015 NHL Draft as deep as the 2003 Draft?
Related – Buffalo Sabres 2015 Editor Mock Draft Selection – Jack Eichel
Here is a solid list of the first 30 draft picks in the first round. How right will I be? Guess we will find out at the BB&T a the end of the month.
1. Edmonton Oilers
Is Connor McDavid the clear cut first pick, some would say yes, but there is only one way to find out. His reaction at the lottery, his being out-performed at the Combine; he might not want to go to Edmonton. Edmonton will still most likely pick him because he is the top Canadian player in the draft. I am not sold that McDavid goes number one – and that will cause one hell of a storm in Canada.. Center. Erie (OHL). Connor McDavid. 1. player. 148
2. Buffalo Sabres
Center. Boston U (NCAA). Jack Eichel. 2. player. 12. If Jack Eichel doesn’t go first, the Buffalo Sabres will be picking him, and the fan-base is prepared for it; as is the team. The only problem here is if Eichel doesn’t want to play in Buffalo, he can stay in school for his entire BU commitment and never play a game for the Buffalo Sabres. I think the Buffalo Sabres have tipped their hand on purpose by over valuing Jack Eichel, just to get Edmonton to bite on him. Eichel is going to be a better player out of the gate than McDavid, long term, they might pan out to be as advertised – but Eichel has proven there is nothing left but the NHL for him.
3. Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes has many needs as they come off a terrible season, but they will go with the best available forward in this draft.. Center. Erie (OHL). Dylan Strome. 3. player. 121
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
5. Carolina Hurricanes
player. 109. Another defesenman that could fall lower in the draft, but I think the Hurricanes will go defense here as well. People are going to take note of what the Buffalo Sabres did by locking up solid young defenseman – then building in the offense later.. Defense. Brandon (WHL). Ivan Provorov. 5
Next: Picks 6-10
6. New Jersey Devils
Surprised I didn’t pick the Devils to pick a defenseman? I am too. Marner is small, and that’s is why his stock is going to fall a bit, but he will still be a top ten selection.. Right Wing. London (OHL). Mitch Marner. 6. player. 85
7. Philadelphia Flyers
Barzal plays the game without fear, and that is attractive for the Philadelphia Flyers.. Center. Seattle (WHL). Mathew Barzal. 7. player. 68
8. Columbus Blue Jackets
9. San Jose Sharks
120. A relentless player on the puck and has an uncanny ability to create scoring chances from nearly nothing. With a San Jose team looking to get younger, he would compliment that mentality. Also being of Czech origins, he would possible mesh well with a slumping Tomas Hertl.. Center. Sarnia (OHL). Pavel Zacha. 9. player
10. Colorado Avalanche
Right Wing. Halifax (QMJHL). Timo Meier. 10. player. 103. Great size and skill down the right wing, Meier would add some future scoring and physical punch to the Colorada offense.
Next: Picks 11-15
Apr 9, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) sits on the boards during the announcement that he has recorded 1,800 points in his career with an assist on a goal by center Jonathan Huberdeau (11) in the third period of a game against the Boston Bruins at BB&T Center. The Panthers won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
11. Florida Panthers
11. player. 87. A deliberate scoring threat whenever his hits the ice. For a Florida Panthers team that wants to be taken seriously, adding that scoring will be essential for their future. The fact he is from Finland will certainly be appealing considering the Nationality is shared by their top forward Aleksander Barkov.. Right Wing. TPS (SM Liiga). Mikko Rantanen
12. Dallas Stars
12. player. 119. An offensive style defender that is not afraid to step up and make a play. With a defense that is lacking to support their goaltender, The Stars would be in luck to select him.. Defense. Saint John (QMJHL). Jakub Zobril
13. Los Angeles Kings
player. 67. A speedy and gritty winger that has the ability to play at center ice. Konecny provides a scoring punch and playmaking abilities that are sorely needed on the Kings depth chart. Anne Kopitar is not getting any younger.. Right Wing. Ottawa (OHL). Travis Konecny. 13
14. Boston Bruins
Considered the top power forward in the draft, Crouse has the uncanny ability to create much needed room for smaller scoring forwards. He adds a bit of a scoring punch, but is much more known for his top level physical play.. Left Wing. Kingston (OHL). Lawson Crouse. 14. player. 70
15. Calgary Flames
player. 112. After a solid playoff stint that showed the progress of the offense, the Flames should be looking at the defensive defender. His intelligence on the ice is what would draw the attention of the Flames.. Defense. Sherbrooke (QMJHL). Jeremy Roy. 15
Next: Picks 16-20
November 26, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; Edmonton Oilers fans cheer during the second period between the San Jose Sharks and the Calgary Flames at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
16. Edmonton Oilers (from Pittsburgh Penguins)
player. 148. The Edmonton Oilers need to make sure their defense is up to snuff. You can have all the snipers and first overall picks you want, if your blue line is terrible, then you won’t win.. Defense. Saint John (QMJHL). Thomas Chabot. 16
17. Winnipeg Jets
17. player. 30. Not really a top level scorer, but a fantastic playmaker. A player that has the ability to make his teammates much better, but needs to add to his speed and his quality of shot.. Center/Right Wing. Kelowna (WHL). Nick Merkley
18. Ottawa Senators
18. player. 91. A potential top level two way player that is capable of playing in nearly every situation. With that kind of game, it will balance out the consistency of the Ottawa Senators.. Center. Farjestad (SHL). Joel Eriksson Ek
19. Detroit Red Wings
20. Minnesota Wild
98. A speedy and skilled forward with the ability to find scoring zones. Having a desire to get to the front of the net is one of his better qualities, and could very well see chemistry with the likes of Thomas Vanek of Charlie Coyle.. Left Wing. Swift Current (WHL). Jake Debrusk. 20. player
Next: Picks 21-25
Apr 5, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres fans move a flag around the center before the game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Ottawa Senators at the First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Senators 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
21. Buffalo Sabres (from New York Islanders)
12. With the potential to round out the center position and compliment any type of player around him, he would be a valuable pickup for Buffalo at this position.. Center. USA NTDP (USHL). Colin White. 21. player
22. Washington Capitals
19. Because why not stack the Capital of America with more Russians as their top players? He is a large winger that has the capability to create a chance out of nothing. With an eventuality of a top level NHL position, the Caps will certainly take him if he drops to this spot.. Right Wing. Cape Breton (QMJHL). Evgeni Svechnikov. 22. player
23. Vancouver Canucks
104. Not the best skater or shooter in the draft as far as defenders go, but his defensive capability is where he shines. With Vancouver needing some depth to make a run at the playoffs again, he may be their guy.. Defense. Linkoping (Swe-J20). Gabriel Carlsson. 23. player
24. Toronto Maple Leafs (from New York Islanders)
25. Winnigpeg Jets (from St. Louis Blues)
25. player. 30. A versatile player with the potential to score on nearly every play. He’s smart, fast, a great skater, and he can shoot the puck with precision accuracy. For the Jets, he is the offensive boost they really need. . Center. Youngstown (USHL). Kyle Connor
Next: Picks 26-30
May 14, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) stall at the Bell Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
26. Montreal Canadiens
Paul Bittner. 26. player. 152. A winger that poses a large net front presence and is able to feed off the his teammates very well. For a Canadiens team looking for depth, he would be the answer to that in only a few years.. Left Wing. Portland (USHL)
27. Anaheim Ducks
St.Petersburg (MHL). Alexander Dergachyov. 27. player. 105. A large physical force that is able to lay the body down with enthusiasm. For a Ducks team, he would add to their depth chart well. . Right Wing
28. Tampa Bay Lightning (from New York Rangers)
23. A team minded player that is able to round out any offense. He is very intelligent on the ice and he is able to make plays to get his team the win. . Center. Prince George (WHL). Jansen Harkins. 28. player
29. Philadelphia Flyers (from Tampa Bay Lightning)
Magnitogorsk (Russia). Ilya Samsonov. 29. player. 68. Undoubtedly the top goaltender in this year’s draft. He has elite level positioning and skill overall. For the Flyers, he may be the solution to their rampant goaltending problem (finally). . Goaltender
30. Arizona Coyotes (from Chicago Blackhawks)
Brandon Carlo. 30. player. 121. A large reliable defender. Not flashy or anything when it comes to his game, but he is still a smooth skating and playing defender. For the Coyotes, he would be a valuable asset in their future going towards their rebuild. . Defense. Tri-City (WHL)
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