2015 NHL Mock Draft: Complete First Round
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman addresses the crowd before the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
2015 NHL Mock Draft: Complete First Round
It is time to mentally prepare yourself Flyers Nation, the 2015 NHL Entry Draft is less than two weeks away! This year’s draft class is full of potential big-impact players and all of the teams want to make the most out of their picks. We did our best to predict how the first round of the draft will play out on June 26th.
So without further ado, let’s get this party started!
Next: Picks 1-6
Apr 11, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston University Terriers forward Jack Eichel (9) lets a shot go past Providence College Friars defenseman Tom Parisi (6) during the first period of the championship game of the Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
1. Edmonton Oilers
148. There truly is only one real option for first-overall pick in this year’s draft. The Edmonton Oilers will be selecting the next iconic player in hockey, Connor McDavid. Although selecting first overall is nothing new to the Oilers, they really struck gold when they were victorious in this year’s lottery. McDavid will immediately become the face of this franchise and could eventually lead this team back into the postseason.. Center. Erie (OHL). Connor McDavid. 1. player
2. Buffalo Sabres
player. 12. Although the hype surrounding him may not be as high as McDavid, the Buffalo Sabres are still drafting a future superstar in Jack Eichel. Similar to the first pick, there is no question that this is the player being selected overall. Eichel will be Buffalo’s franchise player, and they will look to build talent around him.. Center. Boston U (NCAA). Jack Eichel. 2
3. Arizona Coyotes
Dylan Strome. 3. player. 121. It’s all about picking the best player on the board for the Coyotes; and at pick number three, Strome is their guy.. Center. Erie (OHL)
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
5. Carolina Hurricanes
109. Best blue-liner in the draft + Team in need of talent on blue-line= PERFECT MATCH. Defense. Boston C (NCAA). Noah Hanifin. 5. player
Next: Picks 6-10
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Travis Sanheim shakes hands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected as the number seventeen overall pick to the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
6. New Jersey Devils
85. The Devil’s best forwards are pretty darn old and at the end of their careers. Barzal will be a leader of the “new breed” in New Jersey.. Center. Seattle (WHL). Mathew Barzal. 6. player
7. Philadelphia Flyers
Crouse is a big, tough left-winger that has the potential to put up some points. Although he may not be the best player on the board, the Flyers are in desperate need of left wingers; and Crouse will be a good fit in Philadelphia.. Left Wing. Kingston (OHL). Lawson Crouse. 7. player. 68
8. Columbus Blue Jackets
9. San Jose Sharks
With the Sharks getting closer to full rebuild mode, Kyle Connor has the potential to be their scoring center of the future.. Left Wing/Center. Youngstown (USHL). Kyle Connor. 9. player. 120
10. Colorado Avalanche
10. player. 103. Werenski was the best defenseman on the Wolverines this season. He is a good skater, skilled with his stick, and shows a great deal of hockey smarts.. Defense. Michigan (NCAA). Zach Werenski
Next: Picks 11-15
Apr 5, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Brian Campbell skates before a game against the Montreal Canadiens at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
11. Florida Panthers
The Panthers are in desperate need of some forwards who can score. Rantanen has the potential to be a very skilled two-way winger in the NHL.. Right Wing. TPS (SM Liiga). Mikko Rantanen. 11. player. 87
12. Dallas Stars
Pavel Zacha. 12. player. 119. Zacha is a big-body forward who demonstrates the ability to put up some points as well. He has the potential to be a valuable power forward in the league.. Center. Sarnia (OHL)
13. Los Angeles Kings
67. The Kings are in need of defensive prospect with a high ceiling. Kylington could be Los Angeles offensive defender of the future.. Defense. Farjestad (SHL). Oliver Kylington. 13. player
14. Boston Bruins
Halifax (QMJHL). Timo Meier. 14. player. 70. Timo Meier has the potential to be a very skilled scoring winger for the Bruins. His 90 points for Halifax this season is proof of that.. Right Wing
15. Calgary Flames
112. Calgary is another team in need of defensive prospects. Zboril has the frame and skill to be a physical defender in the NHL.. Defense. Saint John (QMJHL). Jakub Zboril. 15. player
Next: Picks 16-20
Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Darnell Nurse (right) shakes hands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being introduced as the number seven overall pick to the Edmonton Oilers during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
16. Edmonton Oilers (from Pittsburgh Penguins)
16. player. 148. Boeser has the potential to talented winger who can score. He will be a nice addition to the “powerhouse of youth” Oilers.. Right Wing. Waterloo (USHL). Brock Boeser
17. Winnipeg Jets
Chicoutimi (QMJHL). Nicolas Roy. 17. player. 30. The Jets have a plethora of young talent on their roster. Nicholas Roy will be a good two-way center with some serious size to add to Winnipeg’s arsenal.. Center
18. Ottawa Senators
The Senators are in need of some depth at the center position. Drafting Colin White will provide the team with a two-center of the future.. Center. USA NTDP (USHL). Colin White. 18. player. 91
19. Detroit Red Wings
20. Minnesota Wild
98. Svechnikov is a big winger who has the potential to be a scorer for the Wild.. Right Wing. Cape Breton (QMJHL). Evgeni Svechnikov. 20. player
Next: Picks 21-25
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sam Reinhart poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number two overall pick to the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
21. Buffalo Sabres (from New York Islanders)
player. 12. Paul Bitner will provide size at the wing position for the Sabres as well as the ability to put up some points.. Left Wing. Portland (WHL). Paul Bittner. 21
22. Washington Capitals
Thomas Chabot. 22. player. 19. With the Capitals potentially losing Mike Green this season, they will need a new defenseman that can provide offensive production. After a few years of development, Chabot could be that guy.. Defense. Saint John (QMJHL)
23. Vancouver Canucks
player. 104. Harkins has the potential to be a valuable scoring winger for the Canucks.. Center. Prince George (WHL). Jansen Harkins. 23
24. Toronto Maple Leafs (from New York Islanders)
25. Winnipeg Jets (from St. Louis Blues)
30. Sprong may be the best player on the board when the Jets pick at 25. He scored 88 points for Charlottetown this season, and has the potential to be a scorer in the NHL.. Right Wing. Charlottetown (QMJHL). Daniel Sprong. 25. player
Next: Picks 26-30
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Nikita Scherbak poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number twenty-six overall pick to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
26. Montreal Canadiens
152. Joel Eriksson Ek is a center that has strong understanding of how to play defense affectively.. Center. Farjestad (SHL). Joel Eriksson Ek. 26. player
27. Anaheim Ducks
27. player. 105. Jake Debrusk is a two-way winger that will benefit from learning from future Hall-of-Famer Corey Perry.. Left Wing. Swift Current (WHL). Jake Debrusk
28. Tampa Bay Lightning (from New York Rangers)
28. player. 23. What he lacks in size, he makes up in intelligence. Roy could prove to be a valuable defenseman for the Lightning.. Defense. Sherbrooke (QMJHL). Jeremy Roy
29. Philadelphia Flyers (from Tampa Bay Lightning)
29. player. 68. Brandon Carlo is a big young fellow at 6-5. Once he adds a little more muscle, he has the potential to be a solid shutdown defender. It would be a smart move for Hextall to add him to the abundance defensive prospects the Flyers already possess.. Defense. Tri-City (WHL). Brandon Carlo
30. Arizona Coyotes (from Chicago Blackhawks)
121. With the last pick in the first round, the Coyotes will most likely select the best player on the board. Carlsson could be that player and would give Arizona a big-body shutdown defender.. Defense. Linkoping (Swe-J20). Gabriel Carlsson. 30. player
Next: Flyers Select Lawson Crouse