This is my first set of draft rankings here at BS Hockey. Before we get to the list a few things I would like to clear up. This is not a mock draft. This is how I would pick if I was seated at the draft table. I value skill above all else regardless of a players size, so expect to see plenty of small skill players. There are not any goalies on this list. I believe you should never take a goal tender high as the position is very volatile, making any goalie a risky investment.
Without further ado the list
*Stats as of December 1st *
1. Conner McDavid – C, Erie Otters (OHL)
It’s really unfortunate McDavid got hurt because he was in the middle of what could have been an incredibly special season. He was already more than halfway to reaching his points total from last season in just 18 games. I don’t he is going to be better than Crosby I do however think he is the best prospect we have seen since Sid the Kid. His injury doesn’t affect his draft stock at all, he’s still the number one guy. Now we just have to hope he recovers well and is ready in time for the World Juniors.
2. Jack Eichel – C, Boston University (NCAA)
Eichel is already proving himself to be on the best NCAA player this season. His 21 points are tops in the league. His 1.62 points per game also ranks first. And it’s not like he’s raking up the points with the man advantage either, Eichel has just four power-play points (1 G, 3A). He’s also done a great job getting shots this season already with 55 as he averages over 4 a game.
3. Oliver Kylington – D, AIK (SHL)
This may come as a shock to see Kylington ahead of Hanifin but before you disregard this hear me out. What Kylington has done thus far in the SHL is practically unheard of for someone his age. As a 16 year old he put up 6 points in 32 games with Farjestad. Those 6 points are the second most ever for a U17 player in the SHL and his 32 games are the most ever for a U17 defencemen. This season Kylington was already showing signs of improvement in just 17 games he had 5 points. He recently got loaned out to the SHL-2 where in 6 games he already has 5 points.
4. Noah Hanifin – D, Boston College (NCAA)
Had a phenomenal season with the Under 17 National Team, where he was the Captain. Had one of the best seasons ever for a U17 defencemen with 32 points in 45 games. His play earned him a brief call up to the U18 team where he was again great with 13 points in 14 games. He accelerated his schooling so he would be able to play college hockey a year earlier. He’s had an ok start with 7 points in 14 games, but that’s to be expected for one of the youngest players in the NCAA.
5. Dylan Strome – C, Erie Otters (OHL)
With McDavid going down with that hand injury people are excited to see how Strome does now that he is not playing with McDavid. But here’s the thing they haven’t played much at all together at 5 on 5. Yes they played on the power play together, but at even strength Strome centered his own line. The question now with Strome is how he performs being the number one guy in Erie. Can he handle the tougher competition and assignments? So far he is showing that he can; in the eight games without McDavid Strome has 7 goals and 5 assists.
6. Mitchell Marner – C, London Knights (OHL)
When you watch Marner play its easy to see why he’s been one of the best top players in the OHL this season. His skill level is extremely high and he makes plays all over the ice. In the Super Series he tilted the ice and created a ton of good chances for his line mates. He’s been unreal for London logging 24 minutes a night with almost two points per game.
7. Travis Konecny – RW, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
Konecny had a phenomenal rookie season with the 67’s. He was one of just three 16 year old CHL players to have over a point per game. The OHL’s top rookie hasn’t had that same success this season with just 22 points in 24 games thus far. Ottawa is not a very good team that gets killed in possession. When Konecny is out there he generates pressure for Ottawa tilting the ice.
8. Mathew Barzal – C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
The second top prospect to suffer a serious injury this season, Barzal cracked his knee when he was goofing around with his teammates before a practice. The loss is a serious one for the Thunderbirds. Barzal the top selection in the 2012 bantam draft was centering the top line logging about 18 minutes a night the most among Seattle forwards. He was also the team’s leading scorer with 18 points (now second behind Ryan Gropp).
9. Daniel Sprong – RW, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
Only three 16 year old CHL players put up over a point per game last season. The first two aren’t that surprising Conner McDavid and Travis Konecy, but would you have guesses Daniel Sprong was the third? That’s what happens when you hail from the Netherlands and play in Charlottetown. Sprong has an elite hockey IQ to go along with great hands and good speed. He’s continuing to rack up the points this season with 32 in 30 games thus far.
10. Pavel Zacha – C, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
It’s easy to see why people love Pavel Zacha. His skill level is very high with incredible set of hands and an explosive skating stride. Oh and he’s 6’3 and plays centre. He’s everything you want in a prospect. With that being said the reason I have him ranked here at 10 rather than up in the 5-8 range is the fact that he hasn’t dominated the CHL yet. He has 17 points in 19 games which is nice but doesn’t blow me away or wow me by any means. If he can get hot and start filling up the stat sheet he will most definitely be climbing in these rankings.
11. Kyle Conner – C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Was one of the best players last season in the USHL. His 74 points (in 56 games) were second in the league behind Jake Randolph. He should continue to be one of the best players again this season. His 23 points currently rank 6th in the league. Played for Team USA at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament where he had 3 points in 5 games. He is committed to the University of Michigan.
12. Jeremy Bracco – RW, USNTDP (USHL)
Small in stature at 5’9, 172lbs but what he lacks in size he more than makes up for by putting up big point totals. He is probably the best player ever to play a full season for the U-17 team. Now I say full season because most of the elite talents to come out of the UNDP (Kessel, Kane, Eichel etc) played up a level with the U-18 team. His small frame is likely what kept him from being moved up. He is showing this season that size doesn’t matter as he is the leading scorer for the U-18 team, with 44 points in 25 games.
13. Colin White – C, USNTDP (USHL)
Much like Bracco, White was a force with the U-17 team. He had 33 goals and 31 assists in 47 games. Unlike Bracco, White had a chance to play with the U-18 team, granted it was only for eight games. White has had a good start to this season with 20 points in 19 games while wearing the C for the USDP. He is committed to Boston College for next season.
14. Nick Merkley – C, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Merkley has been one of if not the best offensive player to start this season in the WHL. He has been leading the WHL scoring race essentially all season. Currently he sits second behind teammate Rourke Chartier, with 46 points. Merkely plays on the top line in Kelowna averaging about 14 minutes a night. Its clear Merkely is riding the percentages here as Kelowna currently leads the WHL in shooting percentage, shooting 15% as a team. If Merkley can keep up his torrid start after the percentages come down he’s going to climb even higher in these rankings.
15. JeremyRoy – D, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
Roy is one the premier puck moving defencemen in this draft class. When he’s on the ice he’s basically a fourth forward the way he leads the offensive attack. He scores like a forward too, with over a point per game thus far in the Q. Is an excellent skater which he uses to get controlled zone exits and zone entries. He also is a workhorse for the Pheonix. He is estimated to play over 30 minutes a night which is tops on the team and 8th most among all Q players.
16. Zack Werenski – D, University of Michigan (NCAA)
The “other young defencemen” in the NCAA, Werenski is currently out playing Hanifin with 10 points in 13 games compared to the seven points in 14 games for Hanifin. Those 10 points are currently tied for 13th among all NCAA defencemen, and tops among freshman. He is already one of the best defencemen for Michigan, leading the d-core in shots.
17. Evgeny Svechnikov – LW, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
Svechnikov is a big highly skilled winger. He along with overage Kyle Farrell have carried the load offensively for the Screaming Eagles. He has the ability to take over games and be the best player on the ice. He currently has 30 points in 23 games so far this season.
18. Kay Schweri – RW, Sherbrooke Pheonix (QMJHL)
Schweri is 14th in the QMJHL in scoring with 39 points in 27 games. Of those 39 points 32 are assists. He is an elite playmaker with excellent vision. He is a pass first guy, always looking to set up his teammates, but don’t let that fool you into thinking he’s passing up scoring chances. He does shoot the puck he just waits for the absolute perfect spot to do so. He has the highest dangerous shot rate in the league, at 73%.
19. Dante Salituro – C, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
Salituro is small (5’08), he’s skilled and he’s a pure sniper. He has 16 goals and 8 assists on the season. His 17 goals are tied for 8th in the league. His skill level is extremely high, he’s quick and agile on his skates. He battles in spite of his size, and occasionally is used in front of the net on the power play. His anticipation and IQ are good as well, as can read the play and anticipate where the puck is going to go.
20. Ivan Provorov – D, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Provorov and Ryan Pilon form a very strong top pair in Brandon. I have Provorov just a head of Pilon because while similar players, Provorov has been able to do a bit more with a bit less. What I mean by that is Provorov has been just a bit better offensively with 30 points in 28 games while receiving almost two minutes a night less. Provorov has more of a scoring touch thus far this season; his 8 goals are tied for sixth in the WHL among defencemen.
21. Ryan Pilon – D, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Pilon has carried the defensive load for the Wheat Kings logging the most minutes per night. He has also been quite effective offensively with 21 points in 24 games. The extra ice time PIlon gets over Provorov is likely PK time.
22. Rasmus Andersson – D, Barrie Colts (OHL)
Was touted as a possible top 10 guy when came over to Barrie from Allsvenskan (Sweden second division). He was the best U18 defencemen in the Allsvenskan league with 13 points in 43 games. Coming over to Barrie he has not looked out of place with 19 points in 24 games.
23. Nicolas Roy – C, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
Roy has the perfect combination of size and skill. The 6’4, 202lbs centre has a great pair of hands for someone of his size. Had a strong rookie season putting up 16 goals and 25 assists in 63 games. However the 2013 QMJHL first overall pick has struggled this season. He has just 14 points in 27 games, with a low shooting percentage of 8.1% (all situations). He averages 2.6 shots per game and has a 52% dangerous shot rate so things should begin to pick up for him.
24. Mikko Rantanen – C, TPS (Liiga)
He plays in the top league in Finland but so far has just 9 points in 25 games. Just playing in the top league is not that impressive as it was for Kylington as most players drafted out of Finland in recent seasons received significant time in the top league. He need to continue to put up points as right now his point per game rate of 0.36 just isn’t good enough compared to some recent Finnish draftees.
25. Anthony Richard – C, Val-d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL)
Had very strong season last year putting up 52 points in 66 games. While an impressive total he did spend some time playing with Anthony Mantha which likely boosted his stats. This season with Mantha now playing in the AHL, Richard has the chance to prove he can do it without the superstar winger. So far he has proven that putting up 39 points in 30 games.
26. Jakub Zboril – D, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
Teammate of Jackets prospect Olivier LeBlanc, Zboril currently plays behind LeBlanc on the second pair. Only getting 20 minutes and so far hasn’t done too much with them with only 16 points in 27 games. Zboril likes to shoot the puck, his 73 shots on goal this season rank 6th among QMJHL defencemen.
27. Mitchell Vande Sompel – D, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
One of the best offensive defencemen so far this season in the OHL. His 25 points (in 24 games) are fourth among defencemen. Vande Sompel’s offensive instincts were evident in the Super Series where he made numerous good offensive plays. He is small at 5’10 but Oshawa relies heavily on him, as he is estimated to play about 27 minutes a night for the Generals.
28. Filip Chlapik – C, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
All Chlapik has done since coming over from the Czech Republic this season is score. He has 16 goals and 22 assists in 30 games with Charlottetown. Of course playing on a line with Sprong certainly helps the point production. When I watched the two play together early this season it’s clear that both are very good players and neither one is being carried by the other.
29. Jansen Harkins – C, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Harkins started the season red-hot putting up 13 points in 8 games and ranking in the top 5 of WHL scoring. He has since cooled off but the #2 overall pick in 2012 Bantam draft is still cruising along at a point per game rate, while centering the Cougars top line.
30. Paul Bittner – LW, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
One the biggest droppers so far this season. Last season he played on the top line with Nic Petan and Brendan Leipsic, putting up 49 points in 63 games. I expected him to take a big step forward this season as he was again playing on the Winterhawks top line with Petan and Jackets prospect Oliver Bjorkstrand. Bittner has not been able to take advantage of that prime opportunity and has just 16 points in 23 games. As a result of his slow start he has been bounced around the line-up seeing time on both the third and fourth line. He is at risk of falling out of the top 30 if his poor start continues.
Disagree? Let me know in the comments or hit me up on twitter @PaulBerthelot
Stats from the OHL, WHL, QMJHL league sites, eliteprospects, and College Hockey Inc.
Fancy Stats from CHL Stats
Line Combinations from Dub From Above
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