Top 10 for the 2015 NHL Draft

Last month I posted my top 5 for the 2015 draft, so this month I have decided to update that list with my top 10 for the 2015 draft. I plan to update this list every month with more players. This allows us to see how the rankings grow and change over the course of the season. I won’t add too much commentary to players I covered previously unless something new comes about, or a player has a large rise/fall.

1. Conner McDavid – C Erie Otters

2. Jack Eichel – C Boston University

3. Oliver Kylington – LD Farjestad

4. Noah Hanifin – LD Boston College

5. Travis Konecny – C Ottawa 67’s

6. Mitchell Marner – C London Knights

7. Mathew Barzal – C Seattle Thunderbirds

8. Daniel Sprong – RW Charlottetown Islanders

9. Kyle Conner – C Youngstown Phantoms

10.Dylan Strome – C Erie Otters

Don’t expect much movement in the top four as those players should remain there all season. They are the cream of the crop this season. The real interesting battle will be for the #5 spot as anyone of the players ranked from 6-10 could step up and take that spot with a big season. I decided to leave Konecny there for now as there is just not information out there yet for me to consider moving him.

New comers to this list include Mitchell Marner and Mathew Barazal. Marner had a very impressive season playing for the London Knights. Not only was he able to crack the deep Knights line-up as a 16 year old, was able to thrive despite playing predominately on the third line with minimal power play time. He thrived to the tune of 59 points in 64 games (0.92ppg). With top 6 minutes this season as well as increased power play time, he could be in for a huge season.

Barazal had a great season playing for the Seattle Thunderbirds. He had a very similar season statistically to Marner however the situations in which both players played couldn’t be more different. Barazal had 54 points in 59 games (0.92ppg) but did that while playing first line minutes compared to third line minutes. Barazal also benefited from significant time on the power play where he scored 5 goals compared to 0 for Marner.

It will be interesting to see how these players compare as the season starts when they should be getting comparable ice time and special team’s time.

Stats from extraskater.com