2015 NHL Mock Draft: from a Colorado Avalanche Perspective

Here at Fan Sided, we’re going to start our site wide 2015 NHL Mock Draft tomorrow. Before the editors of the other team sites put in their picks, let’s look at the up-coming draft from a Colorado Avalanche fan’s perspective.

The 2015 NHL Draft is a talent-rich one. The top-two picks are some of the best players the draft has seen in awhile, and they’re not in a vacuum. In addition to Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, the 2015 NHL Draft features many players with the potential to join their pro teams within a year or two, if not right away.

So, let’s imagine who those picks might be.

Picks 1-5

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#1: Edmonton Oilers, center Connor McDavid

Height/weight: 6-foot, 185 pounds

As frustrated as we are that the Edmonton Oilers have their fourth first-overall draft pick in five years, it’s the reality. Edmonton general manager Craig MacTavish has stated there’s “zero” chance if his trading away that draft pick, so the Oilers are going first.

And, of course, they’re not stupid enough to choose anyone other than the generational talent, Connor McDavid. This is a young forward about whom even the Great One, Wayne Gretzky, is raving, calling him the best prospect since Mario Lemieux.

Fine. He’s a might small — Avs didn’t want him anyway. (Sour grapes.)

#2: Buffalo Sabres, center Jack Eichel

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 193 pounds

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A lot of us feel bad for the Buffalo Sabres. They were so bad last season. They’ve been bad for awhile, and yet they haven’t had the #1 NHL Draft pick in a long time — the Colorado Avalanche have had a #1 pick (Nathan MacKinnon) since the Sabres have.

Anyway, even though Sabres GM Tim Murray used to “dream about” Connor McDavid, the team’s getting center Jack Eichel. It’s not like Eichel is any slouch — any other draft year, he’d probably be #1. He’s big, he’s strong, and he can score.

The Avalanche would have liked Eichel on the team, but not enough to tank the season, thank goodness.

#3: Arizona Coyotes, left wing Lawson Crouse

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 200 pounds

There’s got to be a shocker in the first round, so let’s entertain the idea early. Defenseman Noah Hanifin is the popular choice for the #3 pick. However, the Arizona Coyotes already have one of the best young offensive defenseman in Oliver Ekman-Larsson. They don’t have a whole lot in the forward position. Big Lawson Crouse, who’s a solid two-way player, could change that.

He’d be perfect for the Avs, but most 2015 NHL Mock Draft selections have him going to the Philadelphia Flyers.

#4: Toronto Maple Leafs, defenseman Noah Hanifin

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 200 pounds

The Toronto Maple Leafs have just acquired one of the best NHL coaches around in Mike Babcock. You don’t get to be such a renowned NHL coach without being shrewd. So, if the big, gifted Noah Hanifin is still around for #4, the Leafs are going to select him. (The Leafs website have their team selecting Dylan Strome, but no way they select him if Hanifin’s still around.)

He might be a bit small for the Avs, so just as well he goes early.

#5: Carolina Hurricanes, center Dylan Strome

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 187 pounds

Most sites have the Carolina Hurricanes selecting Mitch Marner. However, if the Coyotes’ surprise selection of Crouse leaves Dylan Strome available at #5, I think Carolina takes him. He’s good-sized and willing to improve. Strome already shows a strong compete level and has eleite skills in winning faceoffs and stick handling in general.

The Avs would snap him up if he were available, but I don’t think they’d trade for him.

Picks 6-10

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#6: New Jersey Devils, defenseman Zach Werenski

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 206 pounds

Say what you will about the New Jersey Devils, they like a defensive game. Zach Werenski is a big-ish defenseman with offensive upside. He’s also not afraid to get physical, which the Devils like.

A lot of mock drafts have the Avalanche selecting Werenski, but I don’t think he’s big enough for head coach Patrick Roy‘s plans.

#7: Philadelphia Flyers, center Pavel Zacha

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 200 pounds

If the Philadelphia Flyers miss out on Lawson Crouse, they’re going to want another big, aggressive center. That man is Pavel Zacha. He’s a hitter with a shoot-first mentality and a lot of offensive upside (and I don’t just mean for getting under opponents’ skin). He’s ranked anywhere from #6 up, so Philadelphia selecting him seventh is a possibility.

I really want Zacha for the Colorado Avalanche, but he’s right up the Flyers’ alley.

#8: Columbus Blue Jackets, center Mitch Marner

Height/weight: 5-foot-1o, 164 pounds

Center Mitch Marner is small for this generation’s NHL. His talent and vision should have him go higher than #8, but I think the teams selecting before the Blue Jackets want size and aggression with their offensive talent. However, Columbus might like a refined two-way player with creativity.

The Colorado Avalanche already have their fill of small, speedy, creative players — no way they’d select Mitch Marner.

#9: San Jose Sharks, defenseman Ivan Provorov

Height/weight: 6-foot, 200 pounds

Defensemen are at a premium in the NHL. The 2015 NHL Draft includes three top-10 defensemen. If Hanifin and Werenski go early, the San Jose Sharks might get a chance at Ivan Provorov. He’s poised and possesses a solid two-way game.

Again, too small for the Avalanche.

#10: Colorado Avalanche, center/right wing Mikko Rantanen

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 209 pounds

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Head coach Patrick Roy, who’s also VP of hockey operations and has the last say in player personnel, has stated he’d like to see the Colorado Avalanche draft a “6-foot-3, 6-foot-4 center.” Mikko Rantanen just so happens to be a 6-foot-4 center.

The Avalanche have also been signing big Europeans lately — Dennis Everberg, Borna Rendulic, Andreas Martinsen. Mikko Rantanen is an aggressive Finnish center who’s not afraid to do time in front of the net. He’s dominant with the puck and a born leader.

Could you imagine the big Finn on a line with wings (and leaders) Gabriel Landeskog and Jarome Iginla? I bet Patrick Roy can.

Picks 11-20

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#11: Florida Panthers, center Mathew Barzal

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 174pounds

Most mock drafts have center Mathew Barzal going higher up because of his elite offensive skills. However, he’s more of a play-maker than goal scorer. He’s also just a bit on the small size. However, the Florida Panthers have been moving more toward a skill game, so they’d probably select Barzal.

#12: Dallas Stars, defenseman Oliver Kylington

Height/weight: 6-foot, 181 pounds

The Dallas Stars are pretty stacked with forwards right now, both in their NHL lineup and in their prospect pool. Oliver Kylington is a smart, puck-moving defenseman with a solid two-way game. Again, with such a premium put on defensemen, the Stars could take Oliver Kylington with their #12 pick.

#13: LA Kings, right wing Timo Meier

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 208 pounds

The LA Kings value puck possession above all else, including elite scoring ability. Right wing Timo Meier can score, but he focuses more on his two-way game. All aspects of his checking game are solid.

#14: Boston Bruins, center Kyle Connor

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 170 pounds

The Boston Bruins like big players with a strong two-way game. Connor is exactly that, a solid player who’s strong in all three zones. He’s also a speedy playmaker. Scouting reports generally have him going around the #14 mark.

#15: Calgary Flames, center Nick Merkley

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 175 pounds

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The Calgary Flames are not afraid to sacrifice size for talent, as evidenced by Calder-favorite Johnny Gaudreau (5-foot-9, 150 pounds). Nick Merkley is a playmaking center with enough energy to match Johnny Hockey. The Flames probably wouldn’t be able to resist him.

#16: Edmonton Oilers (from Pittsburgh Penguins), right wing Denis Guryanov

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 193 pounds

The Edmonton Oilers are going to be busy still taking pictures with first-overall pick Connor McDavid. However, they’re bound to look up long enough to notice right wing Denis Guryanov is still available. Guryanov is strong and speedy with good stick handling — the Oilers would snap him up with their pick from the Penguins.

#17: Winnipeg Jets, center Jansen Harkins

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 180 pounds

The Winnipeg Jets treasure hard work. Center Jansen Harkins is exactly that — hard worker. This meat and potatoes center will bring solid hockey skills every night. He doesn’t stand out in any one talent, but he’ll serve as a foundational player.

#18: Ottawa Senators, left wing Yevgeni Svechnikov

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 185 pounds

Russian winger Yevgeni Svechnikov has some soft hands, and the Ottawa Senators value that in a player. He’s skilled enough to eventually play left wing to Bobby Ryan‘s right, though he’ll need some time to get accustomed to the North American style.

#19: Detroit Red Wings, center Joel Ek-Eriksson

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 181 pounds

The Detroit Red Wings like them some elite European talent. Too bad for them the likes of Yevgeni Svechnikov and Mikko Rantanen are unlikely to be around for their #19 pick. Nonetheless, Joel Ek-Eriksson is a smart center with a 200-foot game, one with a sniper’s shot and slick skating.