The 2015 NHL Draft is near. Who will go where? Find out with our FINAL edition of the 2015 NHL Mock Draft. The Edmonton Oilers are on the clock.
This 2015 NHL mock draft comes to us via Bryan Vickroy. Contact him on Twitter @BryanVickroy or by email Bryan DOT Vickroy AT Gmail DOT com
I’m not sure if there’s another independently owned and managed site that does a mock draft for baseball, basketball, football and hockey like we do.
Maybe there is another “mom and pop” shop out there that does a mock for these four professional sports, but I’m not aware of it; as of yet.
Go here for our 2016 NFL mock draft (our 2015 NFL mock draft was more accurate than Mel Kiper Jr’s or Mike Mayock’s mock draft), our 2015 NBA mock draft, and our 2016 NBA mock draft.
Here’s the link to our 2015 MLB Mock Draft
And here’s the link to the second round of this mock draft.
2015 NHL Mock Draft
- Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid, C Eerie Otters (OHL)
6’1”, 195lbs (44 G – 76 A – 120 Pts)
The next in line for the heir to The Great One throne is as can’t miss as they come, and will help solidfy the Oilers up the middle for years to come, no matter what they do with all the other pieces around him.
- Buffalo Sabres
Jack Eichel, C Boston U (NCAA)
6’2, 196lbs (24 G – 43 A – 67 Pts)
While the Sabres wanted Connor McHockey, the consolation prize of Eichel isn’t that bad. The tank job of last season put them in position for this draft, and Eichel will be a cornerstone in Buffalo for a long time.
- Arizona Coyotes
Dylan Strome, C Eerie Otters (OHL)
6’3”, 185lbs (45 G – 84 A – 129 Pts)
While nobody really knows what will happen with the actual franchise, drafting Strome gives the Coyotes a big, scoring center, something that is almost a prerequisite in today’s Western Conference style of play.
- Toronto Maple Leafs
Noah Hanefin, D Boston College (NCAA)
6’3”, 203lbs (5 G – 18 A – 23 Pts)
While many feel inside knowledge and need for offense will lead them towards Marner, the chance for new coach Mike Babcock to take a top flight defenseman to anchor the blue line (a la Nick Lidstrom) is too good for Toronto to pass on the best collegiate, and overall, defensive prospect.
- Carolina Hurricanes
Mitchell Marner, C London Knights (OHL)
5’11”, 160lbs (44 G – 82 A – 126 Pts)
The Hurricanes seem to lack and identity, but with this pick, it will instantly add some uptempo offense to its offense. Could become the replacement for Eric Cole at center on the first line in a few years.
- New Jersey Devils
Pavel Zacha, C Sarnia Sting (OHL)
6’3”, 210lbs (16 G – 18 A – 34 Pts)
Injury and off ice issues affected the number of points and the number of games for Zacha this year. The Devils get an injection of offense from a player who might not be there for them had he played a full season.
- Philadelphia Flyers
Mikko Rantanen, RW TPS (FIN)
6’4”, 209lbs (9 G – 19 A – 28 Pts)
The Flyers like them big and tough, and this Finnish prospect has been playing with grown men the last couple years. Rantanen gives Philadelphia more balance in scoring, and plays a way that will make owner Ed Snider happy and reminiscent of the Broad Street Bullies.
- Columbus Blue Jackets
Zachary Werenski, D Michigan (NCAA)
6’2”, 206lbs (9 G – 16 A – 25 Pts)
While the past season was a disappointment in the Buckeye State, the on ice failure will let them add a top flight defenseman whoever they chose. Werenski has good offensive touch, and can anchor the Blue Jackets power play, allowing him to not be run out of town for going the school up north.
- San Jose Sharks
Ivan Provorov, D Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
6’0”, 201lbs (15 G – 46 A – 61 Pts)
No matter who Columbus takes, the Sharks will be getting a talented defenseman, who some scouts say is the best offensive defenseman in this year’s draft. Provorov is a player who helps GM Ron Wilson makeover a roster without having to do much.
- Colorado Avalanche
Lawson Crouse, LW Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
6’4”, 215lbs (29 G – 22 A – 51 Pts)
From a division title to a lottery pick, the Avalanche need to find a way to control the puck more to solidify themselves as an actual contender. Crouse is a big body who does the hard work, and will help sustain the offensive zone.
- Florida Panthers
Kyle Connor, LW Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
6’1”, 177lbs (32G – 42 A – 75 Pts)
One of the fastest and youngest players in the draft, Connor gives the Panthers some offensive flair a year after solidifying the back end with Calder winner Aaron Ekblad. Connor might not be physically ready yet, but his hockey IQ and skills are already high level.
- Dallas Stars
Mathew Barzal, C Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
5’11”, 175lbs (12 G – 45 A – 57 Pts)
While a little undersized, Barzal is a skilled two way playmaker who would make an excellent number two center behind Tyler Seguin for quite a long time once he builds onto his frame in a couple years.
- LA Kings
Jakub Zboril, D St John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
6’1”, 184lbs (13 G – 20 A – 33 Pts)
The Kings are currently in salary cap hell, shocked about missing the playoffs, and have seen the Blackhawks up them by a Stanley Cup. Adding Zboril to the mix gives them cheap defensive depth that they’re lacking, allowing Drew Doughty to actually take a breather every now and then.
- Boston Bruins
Gabriel Carlsson, D Linkoping (SWE)
6’4” 183lbs (0 G – 7 A – 7 Pts)
Another team with salary cap issues, The Bruins might need a new hulking defenseman sooner rather than later.. Enter Carlsson, a Swede who has already stepped up to playing with the men in the Swedish Elite League. Expect him to continue improving the more action he sees against older competition.
- Calgary Flames
Jeremy Roy, D Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
6’0”, 188lbs (5 G – 38 A – 43 Pts)
The Flames were the darling of the postseason until they ran into the powerful Ducks. Adding Roy to the blue line gives Calgary another offensive defenseman who can help spring their talented wingers on the rush.
- Edmonton Oilers (via PIT)
Oliver Kylington, D Farjestad (SWE)
6’0”, 185lbs (2 G – 3 A – 5 Pts)
Possibly the biggest question mark in the entire draft, Kylington started the year as a darling of scouts, but then saw his stock drop due to poor play and injury. While many still are down on him, there’s enough talent there for the Oilers to take a chance with their second first rounder, and hope Kylington turns into the world class blue liner who they desperately need.
- Winnipeg Jets
Timo Meier, RW Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
6’1”, 209lbs (44 G – 46 A – 90 Pts)
Timo Meier is a player who could go much higher, and Winnipeg gets something they truly desire: a true offensive threat. Meier comes from a program who has groomed many past stars, and Timo could be the next in line.
- Ottawa Senators
Denis Gurianov, RW Togliatti (RUS)
6’3”, 195lbs (15 G – 10 A – 25 Pts)
The Senators surprised a lot of people this past season with their run to the playoffs, but a lack of offense eventually doomed them. Enter the big Russian Gurianov, who might bring a combination of size and goal scoring not seen in Ottawa since the days of the Dany Heatley.
- Detroit Red Wings
Jacob Larsson, D Frolunda (SWE)
6’2”, 191 lbs (1 G – 2 A – 3 Pts)
The Red Wings and a smart, puck controlling defenseman from Sweden who can put up points has been synonymous for decades. Larsson could be the heir apparent to the Nick Lidstrom throne, giving Detroit yet another Swede in the pipeline.
- Minnesota Wild
Joel Eriksson Ek, C Farjestad (SWE)
6’2”, 180 lbs (4 G – 2 A – 6 Pts)
Two immense needs for the Wild are size and center depth. Minnesota has been really good at drafting Europeans, and Eriksson Ek should continue that trend, as well as give the team a big scoring center to potentially take over a top 6 role in the future.
- Buffalo Sabres (via NYI)
Thomas Chabot, D St John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
6’2”, 180 lbs (12 G – 29 A – 41 Pts)
With their second first round pick, it’s tempting to go goalie, but that can wait a few picks until the top of the second round. Here the Sabres go defensive, and get an offensive force from the Q. Adding Chabot gives Buffalo potential franchise players on both offense and defense in the first round.
- Washington Capitals
Ryan Pilon, D Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
6’2”, 206lbs (11 G – 41 A – 52 Pts)
The Capitals have shown the want and ability to adapt to coach Barry Trotz’s defensive principles, and could use more talent in the pipeline on the blue line, especially if they end up letting Mike Green walk this offseason. Pilon gives them size and scoring in one, and will mesh well in the grinding play of the Eastern Conference.
- Vancouver Canucks
Travis Konecny, C Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
5’10”, 175lbs (29 G – 39 A – 68 Pts)
Now that the Canucks seem to have finally settled on a goaltender, they can address the lack of scoring outside of the aging Sedin Twins. Konecny gives Vancouver a potential top line center of the future, despite his smallish stature.
- Toronto Maple Leafs (via NSH)
Jake DeBrusk, LW Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
6’0”, 174lbs (42 G – 39 A – 81 Pts)
No matter what the Maple Leafs decide to do with Phil Kessel in their makeover, adding a goal scoring winger to the mix won’t hurt. Unlike Kessel, DeBrusk is willing to mix it up and get goals the hard way by crashing the net.
- Winnipeg Jets (via BUF via STL)
Evgeny Svechnikov, LW Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
6’2”, 199lbs (32 G – 46 A – 78 Pts)
With an extra pick in the first round, the Jets can add even more offense with the selection of Svechnikov. A winger with a big body already, the Russian was as dominant coming to North America this year as he was back home in Russia the year before.
- Montreal Canadiens
Nicholas Merkley, RW Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
5’10”, 191lbs (20 G – 79 A – 90 Pts)
The Canadiens struggled to put pucks into the next this year, but having Carey Price behind you can make up for a lack of goals. Merkley gives Montreal some scoring ability along the wing that they have lacked.
- Anaheim Ducks
Paul Bittner, LW Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
6’4”, 204lbs (34 G – 37 A – 71 Pts)
In almost an embarrassment of riches, the Ducks add another hulking forward to the system. Bittner is big and tough, and will fit in nicely in Anaheim’s idea of smash them and take the puck away philosophy.
- Tampa Bay Lightning (via NYR)
Brandon Carlo, D Tri City Americans (WHL)
6’5”, 196lbs (4 G – 21 A – 25 Pts)
After coming so close to claiming the Stanley Cup this year, Tampa is ready to compete for it again for many years. The Lightning will have a lot of money tied up in a few players soon, and Carlo will be a cheap skilled blueliner who can step right in and compete when needed.
- Philadelphia Flyers (via TB)
Colin White, C USA18 (USHL)
6’0”, 175lbs (23 G – 31 A – 54 Pts)
The Flyers need a solid second line center, and White could be the player to do that. White is a skilled two way player who could go much higher to a team also in need of depth up the middle. Great hockey sense who will continue to develop next year while playing at Boston College.
- Arizona Coyotes (via CHI)
Noah Juulsen, D Everett Silvertips (WHL)
6’2”, 174lbs (9 G – 43 A – 52 Pts)
After going for offense with their first pick, Arizona can add a big offensive defensive to the mix to close out the first round. Juulsen made a huge improvement his second year playing junior, and could round into a legitimate top 4 defenseman in a couple years, wherever it is the Coyotes call home at that point.
And here’s the link to the second round of this 2015 NHL mock draft.
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