Top Five 2015 NHL Draft Prospects

Jack Eichel

I’ve said that the race is for Eichel, and I believe he is the most NHL ready NHL prospect in the draft. That does not mean he will be the best NHL player to come out of this years draft but, it does mean I think his two-way game makes him a better fit for the Buffalo Sabres, or Edmonton Oilers if they managed to land a top two pick.

"When Jack Eichel is on the ice, the pace of the play shifts; if players can’t keep up, they are left behind. A consistent scoring threat on the ice, Eichel possesses next-level hockey-IQ, an elite-level skillset, and the natural size and work ethic to let him play his role as a scoring power center. All-in-all, Jack Eichel is that uncontainable, dynamic center that can make other players look out-of-place in his wake. [Curtis Joe, EP 2014, via Elite Prospects]"

Jack Eichel is a 6’2″ 194 pound American center, and with some NHL teams eying North American talent he fits every teams wish list. This season as a member of the NCAA’s Boston University hockey team Eichel has racked up 61 points in 34 games according to Elite Prospects.

When it come to forming an NHL roster I’m a firm believer that every top player needs to have the ability to play two-way hockey, and I also want some grit. It’s not that the Connor McDavid is not going to set the NHL on fire; he will. It’s the simple believe that Stanley Cup are won by commodity, not by having a single star player.

All you need to do is look at last years Champions. The Los Angeles Kings were able to roll lines and keep players fresh. There were not a one player team, and that’s because they believe in winning by commodity.

Jack Eichel may not be everyone top prospect, but he is mine. Given the chance I’d be hard pressed not to take him first over all, but that is solely based on how I want my team to look.

Next: Connor McDavid