2015 NHL Draft: 5 Sleeper Picks

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The 2015 NHL Draft features some high-end talent — just like any other draft. Draft previews and pre-analyses are usually 90 percent about the first round and sometimes just the projected top-picks. But we should not forget that there are always some sleepers — call them sleepers, hidden gems or diamonds in the rough — that some teams are lucky enough to select.

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It is a combination of good scouting and, without a doubt, a very good portion of luck. Sometimes you have players that are never outstanding in their junior careers, but for different reasons simply explode once they join the pros. Other examples would be players that have big red flags that they manage to overcome.

There have been many late-round steals in the history of the NHL draft. Some examples I always like in this discussion include 1998 171st overall pick Pavel Datsyuk, 2000 205th overall pick Henrik Lundqvist and, to mention more recent examples, 2011 105th overall pick Johnny Gaudreau or undrafted free agent Tyler Johnson.

As mentioned before, it is always a lot of luck involved. Nevertheless, we will take a look at some of the potential steals in the 2015 NHL Draft and why they Colorado Avalanche should have an eye on them.

Next: D Rasmus Andersson

2015 NHL Draft Sleeper: D Rasmus Andersson

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2015 NHL Draft Sleeper: LW/RW Filip Ahl

Filip Ahl is another player that could classify as a 2015 NHL Draft sleeper. He should have found a team by the end of the third round, but he could very well end up higher. Ahl is ranked 93rd by ISS Hockey, 60th by Future Considerations and 9th (EU skaters) by NHL CSS.

Ahl is a big, competitive winger that knows how to handle the puck and how to put it in the net. He uses his 6-foot-4 frame exceptionally well to protect the puck. Ahl is a very tough player to play against, as he is at his best on the forecheck and in battles in the corners.

In the 2014-15 season, Ahl has only played 15 SHL games recording no goals and two assists, while spending most of the season in HV71’s U20 team in the SuperElit. That is probably why Ahl isn’t ranked higher. In the SuperElit, however, Ahl scored 20 goals and recorded 42 points in 34 games.

At his size, you can be sure that he is one of the targets for the Colorado Avalanche and coach Patrick Roy. We have a full prospect profile of him here.

Next: C Brad Morrison

2015 NHL Draft Sleeper: C Brad Morrison

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Brad Morrison could be the first real sleeper in the 2015 NHL Draft, as he is expected to go off the board in the fourth or fifth round. Again, Future Considerations are doing a good job in ranking him 94th, while NHL CSS have him ranked 124th (NA skaters).

Morrison is a speedy and very skilled forward that spent the 2014-15 season playing behind Prince George Cougars top-prospect Jansen Harkins. In the 2014-15 season, Morrison only recorded 49 points in 67 WHL games, though 23 of them were goals. That shows why he is ranked fairly low — if at all — by most scouting services. He will need more time to develop in junior hockey but could develop into a great sniping center.

What stands out about Morrison, as stated above, are his speed and individual skill. He works hard, but is too selfish at times. If he starts to help out his teammates more by passing them the puck instead of relying entirely on his own skill, he could really make it in the NHL.

Next: D Chaz Reddekopp

2015 NHL Draft Sleeper: D Chaz Reddekopp

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Chaz Reddekopp, a 6-foot-3 defenseman of the Victoria Royals, cannot be expected to turn into a No. 1 D or anything like that. But that does not mean that he can’t be a sleeper pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. He is ranked 82nd by NHL CSS (NA skaters) and 31st among WHL prospects by Future Considerations WHL scout Cody Nickolet.

What stands out above all other things when you watch Reddekopp is his physicality. He will throw big hits and he will throw them regularly. Furthermore, he is a big-time shot-blocker and does that very frequently as well. He is a fairly good skater for his size and knows how to position himself on defense.

Do not expect a lot of offense from Reddekopp. While that is the reason why I said he will never get close to being a No. 1 D and why he isn’t ranked by many scouting services, it doesn’t mean that he can’t have a great NHL career. To me, Reddekopp is somewhat a light-version of top-prospect Brandon Carlo. A big stay-at-home D-man that will get the job done.

Next: D Vladislav Gavrikov

2015 NHL Draft Sleeper: D Vladislav Gavrikov

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Vladislav Garikov is another physical defenseman, though he is playing in Russia. A rare object to find in Europe, Gavrikov likes to throw hits and play physical in all three zones. NHL CSS has him ranked 26th (EU skaters), ISS Hockey has him 49th, which seems a bit high, especially considering that they have Rasmus Andersson ranked 103rd.

Gavrikov is draft-eligible for a second time after being passes over by all 30 teams through seven rounds last year. What has changed is that he now has some KHL experience and also got to play a good amount of games for Russia’s U20 an men’s teams. He also captained Team Russia at the World Juniors and is the captain of his MHL team.

The Russian defenseman is mainly a defensive type, but also tries to develop an offensive game. His shot could improve, but his hockey sense is there and he knows how to handle the puck. Gavrikov is a good skater that is very good defensively. He likes to block shots, battles hard in the corners and throws hits.

Some team will take a chance on him this year and that team could be finding a true diamond in the rough.

Who do you think could be 2015 NHL Draft sleepers?

Next: Beichler's Full First Round Mock Draft

Next: 2015 NHL Draft Profiles

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