IN THE ZONE - Draft Series Special: The overall top prospects

The quality of the players in this year’s draft is only average and there’s a lack of a clear cut first overall pick compared to previous years, when Sidney Crosby (2005), Steven Stamkos (2008) or John Tavares (2009) were up for grabs. In addition, there are very few defensemen projected to go in the first round and there’s no franchise player in this year’s draft. Still, this draft will bring up names to remember and maybe even late-round sleepers who will rise to future superstars.

By comparing several scouting reports, there are four players that top the rankings in every one of them, followed by seven or eight players who will, in no particular order, get drafted early in the first round. After those eleven to twelve top-seeded guys, the rankings go all over the place and could see guys ranked in the top-20 falling out of the first round and vice versa.

This year’s draft lottery was won by the 29^th seeded Florida Panthers, who will pick first overall. The Buffalo Sabres were awarded the second overall pick and the Edmonton Oilers will pick third. Following up are the Calgary Flames, the New York Islanders, the Vancouver Canucks, the Carolina Hurricanes, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Winnipeg Jets and, to complete the top ten, the second best team in the league, the Anaheim Ducks, who got their first round pick from the Ottawa Senators in a trade for Bobby Ryan. Of course, this order could still change as all the picks could be part of trades in the hours leading up to the draft or even during the draft.

THE TOP 8 PROSPECTS

1 | SAMUEL BENNETT

Sam Bennett is a speedy, energetic winger with top end hockey sense and vision. His strength and competitiveness earned him the top spot in the Central Scouting Final Ranking. He scored 91 points in 57 games in the OHL and had multiple ten-game (or more) point streaks. He will either go first overall or may drop to third or fourth overall, as the Buffalo Sabres prefer other prospects.

2 | AARON EKBLAD

The best and most complete blueliner in this draft by far. Aaron Ekblad has the size and strength to jump right into the NHL and should be able to adjust really quickly with his physicality and strong offensive game. He scored 23 goals and 53 points in 58 games with Barrie in the OHL. He is the favouriteto go first overall and drew interest from every team picking in the top ten, as he is a future cornerstone D-man in an average draft year for defensemen.

3 | SAMSON REINHART

Sam Reinhart is a very mature player with the highest Hockey IQ in the draft and an elite playmaker who should be NHL ready right away. He scored 105 points in only 60 games in the WHL and added five points in seven games at the World Junior Championship. Buffalo is really high on him and will most probably draft him, if he doesn’t go first overall.

4 | LEON DRAISAITL

Leon Draisaitl will become the highest drafted German player tomorrow. His combination of size, skill, and strength will make him a sure top-five pick. His ability to make his linemates better and set up plays helped him to score 105 points in 64 games in the WHL. His frame makes him an interesting pick for the Edmonton Oilers, if Ekblad is off the board by number three, but he may drop to four or five.

5 | MICHAEL DAL COLLE

Dal Colle is really strong and has huge offensive upside. He battles hard but is not overly physical. He scored 95 points in 67 games in the OHL and projects as a dynamic point producer in the NHL. The New York Islanders will most likely pick him as the best player available at five.

6 | WILLIAM NYLANDER

The son of former NHL player Michael Nylander is a fantastic playmaker, uses his speed and quick hands to get chances and has a high Hockey IQ. He played for numerous youth and pro teams in his native country Sweden and scored seven points in 22 games for MODO most recently. Could break into the top five as well as drop to ten.

7 | HAYDN FLEURY

Haydn Fleury is the second best defensemen in the draft after Ekblad and will be the pick for teams looking for an upgrade on defense. He brings skating, size, and sense and impresses with his physicality and offensive abilities. He scored 46 points in 70 games with Red Deer of the WHL.

8 | NICHOLAS RITCHIE

Scouts predict Nicholas Ritchie to be one of the best players of this draft in a few years – if he can reach his potential. His physicality and toughness, as well as his bullet of a shot could make him a really good NHL power forward. The only thing keeping him from reaching his potential is his lack of consistency. He scored 74 points in 61 games for Peterborough in the Ontario Hockey League. He could be a fit with Carolina or Toronto at 7/8.

High risk, high reward - The possible riser

ROBBY FABBRI

Robby Fabbri is a centre with top-end skill, great hands and probably the best feet in the draft. His lack of size (only 178 cm) could be a concern and makes him a “high risk, high reward” prospect, who could either go as early as 10 to 12 or even drop to the end of the first round.

The gems - possible steals

JOSHUA HO-SANG

JoshuaHo-Sang’s pure talent and high offensive ceiling could make him a great scorer in a few years, but he is too egoistic on the ice and lacks discipline off it. If he can work on that, he could be a late first round steal.

NIKOLAI GOLDOBIN

Nikolai Goldobin has great hands and is a superb goal scorer, but lacks consistency. He was one of the best scorers in the OHL even though he played on one of the worst teams in the league. If he learns to show up every night, he could be a future star.

ANTHONY DeANGELO

THE mystery of the draft class. Anthony DeAngelo was one of the best blueline-scorers of the OHL with 71 points in 51 games, but got suspended twice for violation of the league’s harassment and abuse policy. Without these character issues, he would be a great offensive defenseman in an average defensive draft class.