Fansided

Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel top 2015 NHL Futures List

By Cory Buck

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view of the complete draft board after the completion of the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view of the complete draft board after the completion of the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Two familiar names stand atop NHL Central Scouting’s 2015 Futures list, per NHL.com. Neither should be surprising to anyone who’s been paying attention to this point. Centers Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel are considered the top two prospects, respectively, set to be taken in the 2015 NHL draft. They head a draft class that could some day be considered among the best we’ve seen this side of 2000.

More from NHL Draft

Head Scout Dan Marr believes the 2015 draft will be among the better drafts since the famed 2003 draft. “Every year the scouts think that it’s a good crop of prospects. There’s just been a little more emphasis in 2015 because there’s been a couple more top-end frontrunners and the fact that there were a number of underage players performing in their various junior leagues and performing well. That leads to high expectations for this draft class.”

It’s what sits at the top though that people will be talking about for years, if early returns are any indication.

Connor McDavid’s name has been linked with the top pick in the 2015 draft since before his birth, it seems. He was granted exceptional status at age 15 and drafted first overall in the OHL by the Erie Otters, where he currently plays center. He edged out American center Jack Eichel for the top spot on the rankings.

However, for being a generational talent, McDavid beat out Eichel by the slimmest of margins. As the NHL.com article notes, “The impromptu poll had McDavid, a center with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League the 5-4 choice against Eichel, who will be a center at Boston University in the fall.”

It’s widely expected the two centers will be the first two selections in the 2015 draft, but the order is still up for debate. That’s one argument that won’t likely end any time soon as both teenagers gear up for their respective seasons in the fall.

Home/NHL Draft