The following is my final mock draft for the 2015 NHL entry draft. This differs from my personal evaluation of the prospects or who I would pick if I were the teams.
Rather, the selections are based on a combination of factors, all which will be reflected in the player profiles:
• Rumors I've heard from throughout my travels and conversations this season
• The teams' selection histories and preferences
• Where I believe the NHL scouting industry has pegged particular prospects
The NHL draft is the hardest to project of the four major sports. Major League Baseball requires a player-signing hurdle that lends to info leaks, while the NBA and NFL drafts have major positional need factors. The NHL has neither of those, which lends itself to extreme secrecy among NHL teams. Still, I am able to extract enough information to make reasonable projections as to what will happen.
Thanks for reading along all season, and enjoy the 2015 NHL draft.
1. Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid, C, Erie (OHL)
Age: 18 | GP: 42 | G: 40 | A: 69 (2014-15)
If McDavid is not the first selection for this team, the collective rage of Oilers fans will swallow the city of Edmonton whole into a new dimension. McDavid is the best prospect since Sidney Crosby, in the same tier of prospects as Sid, John Tavares and Eric Lindros. His skating, skill, hockey sense and determination are all world-class.
2. Buffalo Sabres
Jack Eichel, C, Boston University (Hockey East)
Age: 18 | GP: 32 | G: 18 | A: 37
See No. 1 in regard to fans, but replace Oilers with Sabres and Edmonton with Buffalo. Eichel's season at BU was one for the record books, with one of the best freshmen campaigns of all time. He has elite skill, elite hockey IQ, skates very well and also was the first man over the boards to kill a penalty.
