Arizona Coyotes (via Minnesota): Jens Looke, W, Brynas: Ranked 10th among European skaters by Central Scouting, Looke stands out for his playmaking and puck skills. ANALYSIS: Ron Francis probably planned on picking a forward here, especially after drafting a defenceman, Hadyn Fleury, in the top 10 last year.

Edmonton Oilers (via Montreal): Michael Spacek, W, HC Pardubice: Spacek is one of the top European forwards in the draft who spent this past year playing overseas, as Central Scouting pegged him fifth among European skaters in the draft. Regular Season Stats: 34 GP-4 G-2 A-6 PTS. He’s a Calgary kid, but his performance in the WHL playoffs and Memorial Cup tournament assured he’s deserving of this draft position. But for the sake of this mock, I’ll leave my trade ideas for another day and just stick with the official order. But in saying that, it seems inevitable that a team in the Nos.
He uses his speed and big frame to protect the puck well while having the ability to dangle through opponents and fire off a rocket of a shot. Regular Season Stats: 70 GP-20 G-59 A-79 PTS. ANALYSIS: Call me crazy, but I see Jim Nill stepping up and taking a chance on Kylington, who was once thought to be a top-five pick but has fallen out of favour with most scouts. Carolina Hurricanes: Filip Chlapik, C, Charlottetown Islanders: Somewhat similar to Kylington, Chlapik’s draft status is up for debate. ANALYSIS: Ray Shero had a successful stint in Pittsburgh thanks largely to a big European centre that came into the league with some question marks. Hakstol could sway Hextall in the decision between two puck-movers, and the Flyers saw the benefits of having Michael Del Zotto in that role this past season. In 2014, McKenzie and I both brought our A-game in getting 27 out of 30, though Bob went a perfect 10-for-10 off the start and I “only” got nine of the top 10. Arizona Coyotes (via Tampa Bay via NYR): Callum Booth, G, Quebec Remparts: Booth is one of the top North American puck-stoppers in the draft. In other years, Barzal could be close to cracking the top-five and had he been healthy all season, he might still be up there.

While using his hard shot and high hockey IQ, the 6’2”, 207-pounder made his biggest mark this past year in the offensive zone, racking up 11 goals and 52 points in 68 matches. His size (6'3", 205 lbs) doesn't force him to give up anything in the speed and skating department, and he is nearly as polished offensively as Seth Jones—who, as a second-year player, is an integral part of the Nashville Predators defense during their playoff run. Detroit Red Wings (via Dallas): Denis Malgin, C, ZSC Lions: Malgin’s strong hockey sense and offensive instincts are two of his better attributes. He puts out a list of his top prospects and typically has his finger on the pulse of draft day despite not making predictions based on the teams picking. 11-14 range will scoop the Vancouver, British Columbia, native up if he falls outside of the top 10. He uses his top-notch skating ability and good hockey sense to be one of the more effective players on the ice in all three zones. In doing so, he showed off his fluid skating ability, offensive creativity and solid puck-possession play. He moves well for a 6’2”, 192-pound netminder while not being erratic. Stars owner Tom Gaglardi, who also owns the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers, likes the Western brand of hockey and might be campaigning for one of those guys. Those years set the bar awfully high and only time will tell, but the prospects seem to be getting better and better in this day and age. ANALYSIS: This is one of the tougher picks to make, but I think acting-GM Mark Hunter will get his man in Marner, who he helped develop in London before joining the Leafs’ front office.

If Buffalo was the coveted destination for top prospects in the draft, consider Jack Eichel the winner. Montreal Canadiens: Dmytro Timashov, W, Quebec Remparts: Timashov, who turns 19 in October, was a playmaking machine with the Remparts this year. The Sabres have since smoothed things over with Eichel, making this pick another slam-dunk. Re-Drafts. It seems inevitable that someone will take a chance on him before the second round is over. The Canadiens' top forwards haven’t found a way to score at the same rate as the NHL’s top contenders. Those guys aren’t the biggest, so don’t expect Merkley’s size to be much of a concern here. Regular Season Stats: 56 GP-34 G-46 A-80 PTS. 82. He posted respectable numbers for a second-round prospect with the Thunderbirds, notching 30 markers and 58 points in 67 contests. Opinions really vary on Crouse, which is why he could go anywhere inside the top 15 — well, outside the top two, of course. He skates well and possesses good vision and a solid shot.

1 overall pick on Saturday despite having just the third-best odds. Chabot, who notched 12 markers and 41 points in 66 games, is a smart two-way defenseman who possesses excellent mobility and puck skills. 1. Calgary Flames: Vince Dunn, D, Niagara IceDogs: Dunn posted some of the biggest offensive numbers in the draft for a defenseman by netting 18 markers and 56 points in 68 contests. Columbus Blue Jackets (via Toronto via L.A.): Jack Roslovic, C/W, U.S. NTDP: Roslovic, who is a native of Columbus, Ohio, is regarded as one of the smartest forwards in the draft because of his elite hockey sense. He’s not an offensive specialist but has the tools to make his mark at both ends of the rink. Worth noting, and making my efforts more impressive, is the fact that I have always released my mock draft prior to McKenzie’s rankings in years past. 38. Look no further than how they plucked Portland Winterhawks forwards Nicolas Petan and Chase De Leo, Kelowna Rockets blueliner Josh Morrissey and Tri-City Americans netminder Eric Comrie out of the junior league in the last two years. Enough tooting my own horn, that brings us to today with the 2015 draft on the horizon from the home of the Florida Panthers next weekend. Opinions vary on White, as ISS Hockey ranks him 15th overall, while NHL Central Scouting believes he’s the 29th-best North American skater in the draft. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Florida Panthers (via Pittsburgh): Felix Sandstrom, G, Brynas J20: Sandstrom is one of the top European goalies in the draft class. The tough decisions start at No.

Regular Season Stats: 37 GP-16 G-18 A-34 PTS. Here is our 2015 mock draft. Unlike Marner and Strome, Crouse doesn’t project to develop into a future first-line forward.

While other players have felt like shoo-ins for the top overall pick, McDavid has generated as much hype as any player since Sidney Crosby, with scouts and coaches alike donning him as a generational talent. Not to directly compare the two as Zacha’s talent isn’t on Malkin’s level, but he was once thought to be a top-five prospect for this draft and he’s got that size you can’t teach. “Marner has the chance to be a special star player,” McKeen’s Hockey scout Brendan Ross said.

Moreover, his strong defensive play would allow the Wild to give him zone starts and time on the penalty kill.

The Red Wings could use another top defence prospect in case Ryan Sproul doesn’t pan out and Zboril is still available here because other teams went with forwards. Colorado Avalanche: Jeremy Lauzon, D, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies: Lauzon would undoubtedly improve Colorado’s back-end prospect pool. St. Louis Blues: Conor Garland, W, Moncton Wildcats: Despite being passed over in last year’s draft, Garland is one of the more intriguing prospects the second time around. Regular Season Stats: 40 GP-26 G-45 A-71 PTS. And I must note that I admire Button’s willingness to be different and go with his gut rather than conforming to the consensus rankings.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'thehockeywriters_com-leader-3','ezslot_11',670,'0','0'])); I’m also sticking to my guns with some of my “out there” predictions because there are surprise picks every year and nobody is wrong until those selections are announced. ANALYSIS: The Sabres probably would have risked taking Samsonov or Kylington had either of them been available with their second pick, but knowing their prospect cupboard is well stocked, Tim Murray takes a swing for the fences with this pint-sized point-producer. He tore up the QMJHL this past season, leading the league in points with 35 goals and 94 assists in 67 games.


Follow @walterfootball for NFL Draft updates. This might be a reach worth making for Chiarelli, but if he isn’t sold on Samsonov, don’t be surprised if the Oilers trade this pick for a more established goaltender such as Ottawa’s Robin Lehner or perhaps even Kari Lehtonen out of Dallas. He has the makings of an excellent defense partner for the Blue Jackets’ top 2012 draft choice, White City, Saskatchewan, native Ryan Murray. Minnesota Wild: Dennis Yan, W, Shawinigan Cataractes: Yan made a seamlessly smooth transition to the QMJHL from the U.S. NTDP this year, scoring 33 goals and 64 points in 59 games. New York Rangers: David Kase, C, KLH Chomutov: The 5’10”, 159-pound Kase is one of the top Czech prospects in the draft. He’s quite similar to fellow American prospect Dylan Larkin, who went 15th to Detroit last year, and some even see Jonathan Toews characteristics in Connor. His best offensive attribute is his playmaking abilities, which is evident in the 20 goals and 59 helpers that he produced in 70 games this season. Opinions vary on him, as ISS Hockey ranks him 33rd overall, while Central Scouting pegs him 112th among North American skaters.

It's evident in the nine goals and 52 points he posted in 68 matches that he sees the ice well and has the ability to make the right pass at the right time. Unless otherwise noted, quotes were obtained firsthand by the writer and all prospect information is via Elite Prospects. Boeser's ability to create offense from rushes stands out to NHL Central Scouting’s David Gregory: “A strong skating forward who is very effective at getting to open space. It might be a little early to start talking about the Hall of Fame, but it’s a testament to the immense potential that Eichel possesses.

53. But unlike his father, former enforcer Louie DeBrusk, Jake has softer hands and a goal-scorer’s touch around the net.