1. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers Age: 18 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 194 | 2014-15 team: Erie (OHL) Previous ranking: Not eligible
McDavid is the best prospect since Sidney Crosby, some people even refer to him as McJesus. His skating, offensive skill, hockey sense and intangibles are all off the chart. We've written extensively about what makes him great over the last year. He'll step into the NHL right away as an above-average regular, and projects to be an elite NHL forward.
2. Jack Eichel, C, Buffalo Sabres Age: 18 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 196 | 2014-15 team: Boston Univ. (Hockey East) Previous ranking: Not eligible
Eichel had one of the best seasons ever by a college freshman, including an extremely impressive showing at the World Championships for an 18-year-old. He's a total package. Eichel is big, with elite skill, creativity and vision to couple with very good speed. He's also a reliable defensive player who can line up versus good forwards and retrieve the puck. Eichel has the ability to control a game and tilt the ice heavily in his team's favor, at times making it look easy.
3. Sam Reinhart, C, Buffalo Sabres Age: 19 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 190 | 2014-15 team: Kootenay (WHL) Previous ranking: 5
Reinhart didn't stick in the NHL this past season, and his production in the WHL as a 19-year-old didn't wow anyone, but there is zero doubt in my mind he's an elite prospect. Reinhart's hockey IQ is off the charts, as his vision, anticipation and two-way understanding of the game generates so much value on a shift-to-shift basis. He's a very skilled playmaker, who may not be the biggest or the fastest, but he'll create a lot of offense while lining up against the opponent's best players. Eichel and Reinhart could be a deadly combo down the middle for years due to their versatility -- there's no matchup either of them can't handle.
4. Mitch Marner, C, Toronto Maple Leafs Age: 18 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 161 | 2014-15 team: London (OHL) Previous ranking: Not eligible
Marner was absolutely dominant offensively in the OHL, generating grade-A scoring chances with consistency and was among the top OHL scorers for most of the season. His puck skills, vision and creativity are elite. Marner skates very well, and while he's not the biggest or bulkiest player, he works hard and his hockey IQ somewhat translates to his defense too. There is some risk on his physical progression, but he also has the potential to be an elite scorer in the NHL.
5. Sam Bennett, C, Calgary Flames Age: 19 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 181 | 2014-15 team: Kingston (OHL) Previous ranking: 3
Bennett's season went off the rails when he injured his shoulder, but he came back strong in Kingston and in the NHL playoffs. He's a fantastic all-around player. He imposes himself on a game due to his speed, hands and hockey IQ. Bennett can create chances out of nothing, set up his teammates, and win battles that lead to positive plays for his team. His talent and work ethic make him very dangerous, and as he showed at the end of the season, he'll have no issues as he bulks up with the NHL physical game.
6. William Nylander, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs Age: 19 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 192 | 2014-15 team: Toronto (AHL) Previous ranking: 4
After a bit of a bumpy draft season, Nylander had a fantastic 18-year-old season. His production in the SHL was among the very best by a player his age in recent memory -- he was very good at the World Juniors and in the AHL. He's a dynamic puck-carrying threat with the speed, skill and vision to make very tough offensive plays. His all-around play still has to come, but teams try to get him the puck when he's on the ice because he keeps control away from the opposition.
7. Dylan Strome, C, Arizona Coyotes Age: 18 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 185 | 2014-15 team: Erie (OHL) Previous ranking: Not eligible
On his way to become the third overall pick by the Coyotes, Strome led the OHL in scoring this season as a U18. He's one of the best pure playmakers outside the NHL, with incredible hockey sense and poise with the puck. He also has a large frame and the unique combo of size and skill that No.1 centers are known to have. His skating and off-the-puck play are the only real flaws in his game. Strome is one of, if not the best, Coyotes prospect the franchise has drafted during its short time in the desert.
8. Noah Hanifin, D, Carolina Hurricanes Age: 18 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 203 | 2014-15 team: Boston College (Hockey East) Previous ranking: Not eligible
Hanifin is a truly outstanding defense prospect, and the top one at his position on my NHL prospect board. He's an elite skater and one of the most mobile defenders you will see at his size. He moves the puck well, can be a force jumping into the rush, and as well his above-average hockey sense allows him to be effective defensively too. Hanifin could be a little tougher on his checks, but for the most he gets check marks in all the important areas, and projects as a top-of-the-lineup defenseman.
9. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Winnipeg Jets Age: 19 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 176 | 2014-15 team: Halifax (QMJHL) Previous ranking: 6
Ehlers is a joy to watch, in part because he's this guy on skates. His acceleration and top speed are simply explosive, and he combines that with elite offensive hockey sense, and a real flair with the puck. Ehlers has dominated the QMJHL over the last two seasons, and even as a slight forward, he's knocking on the door to the NHL due to his immense talent base. He may not be a top penalty killer ever on the Jets, but he'll be feared by NHL defensemen.
10. Dylan Larkin, C, Detroit Red Wings Age: 19 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 190 | 2014-15 team: Michigan (Big Ten) Previous ranking: 99
Larkin had a simply fantastic season. He was a dominant two-way player as a freshman at Michigan, one of the top players at the World Juniors, earned an invite to USA's World Championship team and played top-six minutes in the AHL -- all in his first season after being drafted. Larkin is an explosive skater with above-average hands, very good all-around hockey sense, and a great motor. He's not a super flashy player, but he's super effective every shift. His combination of size and speed is a handful for defensemen to contain.
11. Kevin Fiala, LW, Nashville Predators Age: 19 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 187 | 2014-15 team: Milwaukee (AHL) Previous ranking: 7
Fiala turned heads for a second consecutive season in the Swedish Hockey League, had a strong World Juniors, and then crossed the pond, playing very well in the AHL as an 18-year-old. He's a dynamic all-around offensive player, with high-end speed, hands, vision and shot. Despite his smaller stature and lack of bulk, he's also shown improvements in his defensive play that makes you think he could be adequate in that area in the NHL one day. Fiala made a brief appearance in the NHL last season, and will push for more ice time.
12. Max Domi, C, Arizona Coyotes Age: 20 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 198 | 2014-15 team: London (OHL) Previous ranking: 27
Domi has shown flashes in the past of being an elite prospect, but legitimized himself into that type of player this season. He's a fantastic skater, puck-handler, playmaker and a workhorse who despite his small stature was consistently dominant at the OHL and U20 levels. Domi's defense isn't his strong suit but also showed remarkable improvements over the past 12 months, often being leaned on in tough defensive situations.
13. Mathew Barzal, C, New York Islanders Age: 18 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 181 | 2014-15 team: Seattle (WHL) Previous ranking: Not eligible
Barzal surprisingly slipped to the 16th overall pick to the Islanders this summer, but in my mind, he's no doubt a top-end prospect. Barzal is an electric offensive talent whose puck skills, hockey IQ and agility all get very high grades. He makes unique plays happen, and when he has the puck Barzal seems to control the flow of the offense. He's not an overly effective player in the physical game but he does decent in that area. He ended the season with an exclamation mark, dominating the World Under 18s.
14. Pavel Buchnevich, LW, New York Rangers Age: 20 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 176 | 2014-15 team: Cherepovets (KHL) Previous ranking: 25
Buchnevich's 18- and 19-year-old seasons have been some of the very best in the history of the KHL, showing he can play versus men at a high level in the world's second-best league. He's a winger with great puck skills, impressive hockey sense and above-average speed. He has size to couple with that and while he's bulked up a fair amount, some more could help before he hits the NHL. Buchy is not a complete prospect, but he's consistently dangerous offensively. He should be in the NHL in 2016-17, or as a potential late season add after his KHL season ends.
15. Robby Fabbri, C, St. Louis Blues Age: 19 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 170 | 2014-15 team: Guelph (OHL) Previous ranking: 35
I was slightly hesitant to bump Fabbri up from the "very good" to the elite group of prospects due to his size, but he's just been so impressive over the last 12 months that I gave in. He's an offensive force who despite his stature brings 100 perent effort on all his shifts. He's a very good skater, and his offensive creativity is top-end as well. Fabbri nearly made the Blues out of camp, only to go back and dominate the OHL and impress as an underage player on Canada's U20 team. Don't be surprised if he's full time for the Blues out of the gates.