4th Annual NHL Mock Draft: 2015, Round 3



With so much talent still available, the temptation to extend this mock draft to a third round was irresistible.

Scroll to the bottom for a complete three-round recap, but starting from the top, the Washington Capitals are on the clock with a pick they acquired from Buffalo as part of the Michal Neuvirth-Jaroslav Halak swap at last year’s trade deadline:

Third Round

62) Washington Capitals (from Buffalo) — Michael Spacek (C/RW, Czech Republic, Pardubice)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11/187 pounds

Playoff Stats: 4 GP-0 G-0 A-0 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 40 GP-5 G-7 A-12 PTS

Central Scouting: 5 EU

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 56

TSN Bob McKenzie: HM

TSN Craig Button: 63

Sportsnet: NA

Washington Capitals square logoANALYSIS: The Capitals opt for a compatriot of 2014 first-rounder Jakub Vrana. In Spacek, they are getting a talented forward who is already playing pro hockey in his native country but was also selected by the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers in last year’s CHL import draft. If he’s considering that option, Washington has done well with Europeans developing in North America with Andre Burakovsky being the latest example. Spacek is certainly an intriguing prospect, both on draft weekend and going forward.

63) Arizona Coyotes — Matej Tomek (G, NAHL’s Topeka RoadRunners)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-2.5/178 pounds

Playoff Stats: 7 GP-.876 Save %-3.20 GAA

Regular Season Stats: 33 GP-.928 Save %-1.83 GAA

Central Scouting: 5 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 82

TSN Bob McKenzie: 67

TSN Craig Button: NA

Sportsnet: NA

Phoenix Coyotes square logoANALYSIS: The Coyotes will be looking to add a goaltending prospect in this draft, especially after not signing Brendan Burke, the son of their goaltending coach Sean Burke. They might debate between Tomek, of Slovak descent, or Daniel Vladar, an even bigger Czech product, but Arizona ultimately picks the prospect they can keep a closer eye on. Tomek struggled in the playoffs, but he’s committed to a strong program at the University of North Dakota and will be battling for playing time as a rookie next season with former starter Zane McIntyre moving on to the pro ranks.

64) Tampa Bay Lightning (from Edmonton via Anaheim) — Travis Dermott (D, OHL’s Erie Otters)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11.5/197 pounds

Playoff Stats: 19 GP-5 G-12 A-17 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 61 GP-8 G-37 A-45 PTS

Central Scouting: 46 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: 30

Future Considerations: 36

TSN Bob McKenzie: 42

TSN Craig Button: 40

Sportsnet: NA

Tampa Bay Lightning square logoANALYSIS: This would be a best-player-available pick for the Lightning, who already have Anthony DeAngelo in their system as an offensive-minded defenceman. But Dermott, who has a decent all-around game, is too good to pass up at this spot. Realistically, he’s probably long gone by now, but every year there are a few prospects that inexplicably fall below their projected draft status. I have no real reason for dropping Dermott in this mock draft, it’s just the way it worked out. For me, the majority of teams preferred forwards in the first and second rounds, and those wanting defencemen had others ahead of Dermott. Simple as that, but all it takes is for one team to have him higher on their list and he’s picked in the top 50.

65) Toronto Maple Leafs — Anthony Cirelli (C, OHL’s Oshawa Generals)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11.5/160 pounds

Playoff Stats: 16 GP-1 G-5 A-6 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 68 GP-13 G-23 A-36 PTS

Central Scouting: 67 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: NA

TSN Bob McKenzie: 71

TSN Craig Button: NA

Sportsnet: NA

Toronto Maple Leafs square logoANALYSIS: The Leafs land the Memorial Cup hero, whose stock is on the rise after Cirelli scored both goals in Oshawa’s 2-1 overtime win in the championship game. He’ll have a bigger role with the Generals next season and should at least double his production, but he still needs to put on some weight this summer to handle that added responsibility. Cirelli is a late bloomer and perhaps a shorter version of Mark Jankowski, the Flames’ first-rounder from 2012. Toronto’s co-GMs Mark Hunter and Kyle Dubas are both from an OHL background, so they will have the inside scoop on this potential steal.

66) Carolina Hurricanes — Nicolas Meloche (D, QMJHL’s Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-2.5/204 pounds

Playoff Stats: 12 GP-4 G-6 A-10 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 44 GP-10 G-24 A-34 PTS

Central Scouting: 40 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 43

TSN Bob McKenzie: 44

TSN Craig Button: 36

Sportsnet: HM

Carolina Hurricanes square logoANALYSIS: Much like Dermott, Meloche becomes a victim of defensive depth in this draft, but Ron Francis picks him as the best player available here. Meloche reminds some of Simon Despres, who really shone in Anaheim’s playoff run. That could help Meloche’s stock, but there’s no guarantee that he goes in the top 60 when you compare and contrast the names taken ahead of him.

67) New Jersey Devils — Gabriel Gagne (RW, QMJHL’s Victoriaville Tigres)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-4.75/186 pounds

Playoff Stats: 4 GP-2 G-1 A-3 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 67 GP-35 G-24 A-59 PTS

Central Scouting: 36 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 92

TSN Bob McKenzie: 61

TSN Craig Button: 91

Sportsnet: NA

New Jersey Devils square logoANALYSIS: Ray Shero keeps swinging for the fences in his new role, taking another big forward with considerable upside. Gagne’s playing style is somewhat similar to Benoit Pouliot and the Devils would be happy to that kind of a prospect to the fold.

68) Columbus Blue Jackets (from Philadelphia) — Sebastian Aho (D, Sweden, Skelleftea)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-10/174 pounds (did not attend combine)

Playoff Stats: 13 GP-1 G-3 A-4 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 41 GP-1 G-8 A-9 PTS

Central Scouting: 13 EU

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: NA

TSN Bob McKenzie: NA

TSN Craig Button: NA

Sportsnet: NA

Columbus Blue Jackets 2 square logoANALYSIS: The Swedish version of Aho was passed over in last year’s draft but should get selected as a re-entry after a strong showing at the world juniors. Aho has the ability to quarterback a power play, which could be attractive to Columbus. Size is his biggest drawback, but Aho could blossom into the next Tobias Enstrom or Sami Vatanen.

69) Columbus Blue Jackets — Dmytro Timashov (LW, QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-10/187 pounds (did not attend combine)

Playoff Stats: 22 GP-3 G-15 A-18 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 66 GP-19 G-71 A-90 PTS

Central Scouting: 92 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 72

TSN Bob McKenzie: NA

TSN Craig Button: NA

Sportsnet: NA

Columbus Blue Jackets 2 square logoANALYSIS: Kekalainen doesn’t shy away from another undersized Swede with high-end skill. Timashov, who was born in the Ukraine, enjoyed an excellent first season in North America and got plenty of exposure at the Memorial Cup, but there is still lots of room for improvement in his overall game.

70) Philadelphia Flyers (from San Jose) — Nicolas Roy (C, QMJHL’s Chicoutimi Sagueneens)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-4.3/194 pounds

Playoff Stats: 5 GP-2 G-3 A-5 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 68 GP-16 G-34 A-50 PTS

Central Scouting: 45 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 46

TSN Bob McKenzie: 73

TSN Craig Button: 100

Sportsnet: 30

Philadelphia Flyers square logoANALYSIS: Roy has the size you can’t teach, but there are consistency concerns about his overall game. When he’s on, he can be dominant, which is the Roy that Hextall wants with this pick. At the start of the season, Roy was getting favourable comparisons to Anaheim prospect Nick Ritchie — who went 10th overall last year — but by the end, most scouting services had Roy outside of their top 60. He’s a bit of a wild-card again in that it only takes one team to like him enough to make him a second-rounder.

71) Colorado Avalanche — Callum Booth (G, QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-2.75/199 pounds

Playoff Stats: 4 GP-.904 Save %-2.49 GAA

Regular Season Stats: 41 GP-.900 Save %-3.05 GAA

Central Scouting: 2 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 67

TSN Bob McKenzie: 51

TSN Craig Button: NA

Sportsnet: NA

Colorado Avalanche square logoANALYSIS: Patrick Roy will have some pull here in picking the backup goalie for the junior team he used to run. Roy wanted Zachary Fucale, the Remparts’ starter, in the 2013 draft, but Montreal got him. Not that the Avalanche necessarily need another goalie prospect with Calvin Pickard and Sami Aittokallio already behind Semyon Varlamov in the pecking order, but if Roy is confident in Booth’s ability, then Sakic should trust the Hall-of-Fame netminder. Besides, a solid case could be made for Booth being the best player available here with the way this mock draft has played out.

72) New York Islanders (from Florida) — Erik Foley (LW, USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11.5/185 pounds

Playoff Stats: 3 GP-1 G-0 A-1 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 55 GP-27 G-27 A-54 PTS

Central Scouting: NA

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 64

TSN Bob McKenzie: NA

TSN Craig Button: 30

Sportsnet: NA

New York Islanders square logoANALYSIS: Garth Snow is another GM who likes the long-shot prospects, and Foley comes with his share of question marks as one of the youngest players available in this year’s draft. He’s not the biggest guy around, but he doesn’t back down from the rough stuff and plays a gritty game somewhat comparable to Devante Smith-Pelly. Foley is one of those prospects that teams will have ranked all over the map, so he could go almost anywhere from the second round to the seventh, but this spot sounds about right.

73) Detroit Red Wings (from Dallas) — Daniel Vladar (G, Czech Republic, Kladno)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-6.25/186 pounds

Playoff Stats: 4 GP-.892 Save %-3.60 GAA

Regular Season Stats: 29 GP-.926 Save %-2.78 GAA

Central Scouting: 2 EU

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 84

TSN Bob McKenzie: 47

TSN Craig Button: NA

Sportsnet: NA

Detroit Red Wings square logoANALYSIS: Detroit takes its best player available here, a huge goalie that several teams could have ranked in the second round. With the emergence of Petr Mrazek this season, and the fact big Ben Bishop got the best of the Red Wings in the first round of playoffs, Detroit might be eager to add another prospect between the pipes with the thought process that bigger is better.

74) Los Angeles Kings — Filip Ahl (LW, Sweden, HV71)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3.25/211 pounds

Playoff Stats: 6 GP-3 G-2 A-5 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 34 GP-20 G-22 A-42 PTS

Central Scouting: 9 EU

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 60

TSN Bob McKenzie: HM

TSN Craig Button: 74

Sportsnet: NA

Los Angeles Kings square logoANALYSIS: The Kings will take a liking to this big Swede, especially after getting a good one in the first round last year in Adrian Kempe. Ahl certainly has some similarities to Kempe and they could be quite the force on a line together in the future.

75) Boston Bruins — Ethan Bear (D, WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11/197 pounds

Playoff Stats: 6 GP-1 G-2 A-3 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 69 GP-13 G-25 A-38 PTS

Central Scouting: 97 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 86

TSN Bob McKenzie: NA

TSN Craig Button: 77

Sportsnet: NA

Boston Bruins square logoANALYSIS: The Bruins will gladly take this faller at this point in the draft, and not just because his last name is symbolized by their shoulder patch. Bear was a potential first-rounder entering the season, but he struggled without Shea Theodore to start the campaign and fell out of favour with the scouting community. He could easily bounce back next season and look like a total steal for Boston.

76) Calgary Flames — Austin Wagner (LW, WHL’s Regina Pats)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1.5/174 pounds

Playoff Stats: 9 GP-1 G-2 A-3 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 61 GP-20 G-19 A-39 PTS

Central Scouting: 35 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 57

TSN Bob McKenzie: 64

TSN Craig Button: 67

Sportsnet: NA

Calgary Flames square logoANALYSIS: Calgary’s brass will have watched Wagner a lot over the last two seasons as a former teammate of Klimchuk. Wagner’s numbers don’t jump off the page at you, but live viewings show plenty of potential for this speedster with size who happens to be younger than most of his draft-eligible peers. If you watch him close enough and catch him on a good night, you can see shades of Blake Wheeler in Wagner’s game.

77) Florida Panthers (from Pittsburgh) — Mitchell Stephens (C/RW, OHL’s Saginaw Spirit)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11.25/188 pounds

Playoff Stats: 4 GP-0 G-0 A-0 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 62 GP-22 G-26 A-48 PTS

Central Scouting: 112 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 66

TSN Bob McKenzie: 46

TSN Craig Button: 45

Sportsnet: NA

Florida Panthers square logoANALYSIS: Dale Tallon simply takes the best player available here. Stephens had a mediocre season in the OHL, but he was impressive for Team Canada at both the Ivan Hlinka and world under-18 tournaments. That ability to elevate his game against elite competition will have him higher than this on some team lists, but as mentioned with Dermott and Meloche, somebody always ends up falling on draft weekend.

78) Winnipeg Jets — Yakov Trenin (C, QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1.8/192 pounds

Playoff Stats: 11 GP-3 G-8 A-11 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 58 GP-18 G-49 A-67 PTS

Central Scouting: 48 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 48

TSN Bob McKenzie: 68

TSN Craig Button: 73

Sportsnet: NA

Winnipeg Jets square logoANALYSIS: The Jets haven’t had much luck with Russian-born players drafted out of the CHL, but Trenin can’t be overlooked in this spot. He’s worth the risk despite bad experiences with Alex Burmistrov and Ivan Telegin — two Russians who played major junior in Canada before bolting for home. This could be a case of third time is the charm.

79) Edmonton Oilers (from Ottawa) — Chaz Reddekopp (D, WHL’s Victoria Royals)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3.25/219 pounds

Playoff Stats: 10 GP-0 G-2 A-2 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 72 GP-5 G-16 A-21 PTS

Central Scouting: 82 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: NA

TSN Bob McKenzie: NA

TSN Craig Button: NA

Sportsnet: NA

Edmonton Oilers square logoANALYSIS: Sleeper alert! This guy is one of my favourite prospects in the entire draft and I’d personally take him at 57 if I was Peter Chiarelli and the Oilers, but chances are he’ll still be available at this spot. Reddekopp is a raw talent with huge upside. How huge? I honestly see Shea Weber in this kid, that style of game and a similar presence on the ice. Also a bit of Chris Pronger. He was a totally different player by the end of the season and was logging top-pairing minutes alongside Joe Hicketts in the playoffs. Reddekopp was invited to the combine, so assuming he had a decent showing there — both in the physical testing and the interviews — it wouldn’t be surprising to me to see him go in the second round. Two years from now, I think he’ll be considered a steal here, or if he goes any later than this.

80) Anaheim Ducks (from Detroit via Columbus) — Stephen Desrocher (D, OHL’s Oshawa Generals)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-4/198 pounds (did not attend combine)

Playoff Stats: 16 GP-3 G-4 A-7 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 66 GP-10 G-13 A-23 PTS

Central Scouting: 145 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: NA

TSN Bob McKenzie: NA

TSN Craig Button: 82

Sportsnet: NA

Anaheim Ducks square logoANALYSIS: Another standout for the Memorial Cup champions, Desrocher really made a strong impression in that tournament with two goals off wicked shots. He’s got great size and moves well for a big man, which makes it strange to see him ranked so low to begin with. I can’t see him lasting until the fourth round, and I could totally see Bob Murray, a perennial contender for GM of the year, making off like a bandit with this pick. The Ducks definitely know how to pick them when it comes to defencemen, just look at their roster with Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen and Simon Despres, plus Shea Theodore on the way. Sure, most those guys were first-rounders, but give it a few years and Desrocher might have been one too in hindsight.

81) Arizona Coyotes (from Minnesota) — Tyler Soy (C, WHL’s Victoria Royals)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11.5/172 pounds

Playoff Stats: 10 GP-2 G-5 A-7 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 69 GP-28 G-35 A-63 PTS

Central Scouting: 78 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: NA

TSN Bob McKenzie: NA

TSN Craig Button: 98

Sportsnet: NA

Phoenix Coyotes square logoANALYSIS: This could be a nice value pick for the Coyotes as Soy reminds me quite a bit of Sam Gagner. He was Victoria’s most dangerous forward in its playoff series against Kelowna, really rising to the occasion against the eventual WHL champions. If Soy improves his finishing ability next season, he could flirt with the 100-point plateau in junior.

82) New York Islanders — Andrew Mangiapane (RW, OHL’s Barrie Colts)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-10/161 pounds (did not attend combine)

Playoff Stats: 9 GP-6 G-4 A-10 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 68 GP-43 G-61 A-104 PTS

Central Scouting: 85 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 95

TSN Bob McKenzie: NA

TSN Craig Button: 44

Sportsnet: NA

New York Islanders square logoANALYSIS: This is just Garth Snow being Garth Snow, throwing darts and hoping to hit a bulls-eye with this pint-sized point producer. Mangiapane more than doubled his production from his rookie season in the OHL and you can’t ignore anybody that reaches triple-digits in points. He might get bumped up a few lists with Tyler Johnson’s ascension to superstardom in this year’s playoffs, but Mangiapane is probably closer to Cory Conacher in terms of his playing style and potential. Then again, Snow did sign Conacher last off-season, so this might be a match.

83) Calgary Flames (from Washington) — Keegan Kolesar (RW, WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1.25/217 pounds

Playoff Stats: NA

Regular Season Stats: 64 GP-19 G-19 A-38 PTS

Central Scouting: 65 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 91

TSN Bob McKenzie: HM

TSN Craig Button: 83

Sportsnet: NA

Calgary Flames square logoANALYSIS: Any team overseen by Brian Burke is going to be known for its truculence and Kolesar adds to that as an agitator with the size and strength to back it up. Kolesar is feistier than his Seattle teammate Gropp, who I had the Flames taking in the second round, but he doesn’t have the same scoring upside. Kolesar isn’t the next Milan Lucic — though 6-foot-6 Flames prospect Hunter Smith might be — but Kolesar should develop into a decent bottom-six forward. Think Dwight King of the Los Angeles Kings. The Flames might also deploy the Keegan bash brothers if they pick Kolesar, with monster-of-a-man Keegan Kanzig already in the fold as a defence prospect.

84) Anaheim Ducks (from Vancouver) — David Kase (C, Czech Republic, Chomutov)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-9.8/166 pounds

Playoff Stats: 9 GP-5 G-7 A-12 PTS (junior)

Regular Season Stats: 30 GP-7 G-7 A-14 PTS (pro)

Central Scouting: 11 EU

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: NA

TSN Bob McKenzie: NA

TSN Craig Button: 69

Sportsnet: NA

Anaheim Ducks square logoANALYSIS: Murray decides to reunite the Kase brothers who played together on the Czech world-junior team. Older brother Ondrej is already in Anaheim’s system as a seventh-round pick in 2014. The younger Kase is highly skilled and a constant threat in the offensive zone. If David Kase continues to develop and reaches his potential, he could a steal in this spot all sentimentality aside.

85) Nashville Predators — Glenn Gawdin (C, WHL’s Swift Current Broncos)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-0.5/191 pounds

Playoff Stats: 4 GP-1 G-1 A-2 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 72 GP-15 G-39 A-54 PTS

Central Scouting: 59 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 73

TSN Bob McKenzie: NA

TSN Craig Button: NA

Sportsnet: NA

Nashville Predators square logoANALYSIS: The Predators like to pluck forward prospects from the WHL such as Colton Sissons and Brendan Leipsic, who has since been traded to Toronto. Gawdin is cut from a similar cloth as Sissons, both being versatile two-way guys who project as reliable bottom-six forwards.

86) Edmonton Oilers (from St. Louis) — Vladimir Tkachev (LW, QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-10/154 pounds (did not attend combine)

Playoff Stats: 21 GP-6 G-10 A-16 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 46 GP-16 G-33 A-49 PTS

Central Scouting: 159 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: NA

TSN Bob McKenzie: NA

TSN Craig Button: NA

Sportsnet: NA

Edmonton Oilers square logoANALYSIS: This pick has Craig MacTavish’s fingerprints all over it, if and when it happens. For those in need of a refresher, the Oilers had Tkachev in training camp on a tryout last fall and he dazzled his way into a contract only to have it denied by league officials because he was still draft eligible this year. After seeing that glimpse of Tkachev’s talent, the old regime in Edmonton will be campaigning hard to pick him. Chiarelli might not be so fond of the little Russian and may instead hope he goes undrafted again, with plans to invite him back to camp.

87) Montreal Canadiens — Guillaume Brisebois (D, QMJHL’s Acadie-Bathurst Titan)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1.75/175 pounds

Playoff Stats: NA

Regular Season Stats: 63 GP-4 G-24 A-28 PTS

Central Scouting: 41 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 58

TSN Bob McKenzie: 48

TSN Craig Button: 55

Sportsnet: NA

Montreal Canadiens square logoANALYSIS: It’s always a feel-good story when the Canadiens draft a francophone, but Brisebois is legitimately the best player available here. Of course, Montreal already had a Brisebois by the name of Patrice patrolling its blue-line on the 1993 Stanley Cup-champion team. There is no documented relation between the two, but it would be a blast from the past if Guillaume Brisebois made the show.

88) Florida Panthers (from Anaheim) — Matthew Spencer (D, OHL’s Peterborough Petes)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1.5/203 pounds

Playoff Stats: 5 GP-1 G-0 A-1 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 67 GP-6 G-24 A-30 PTS

Central Scouting: 68 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 45

TSN Bob McKenzie: 50

TSN Craig Button: NA

Sportsnet: NA

Florida Panthers square logoANALYSIS: Much like Tallon did in taking Stephens at 77th, he goes with the best player available on his list here. Spencer is a strong two-way guy that can log some pretty big minutes in all situations, albeit more of a penalty killer than a power-play specialist. Spencer could probably be compared to Panthers defence prospect Alex Petrovic, although I personally feel Petrovic has more offensive upside of the two. Another option here could be Dennis Gilbert, a similar-sized blue-liner out of the USHL (Chicago Steel).

89) New York Rangers — Deven Sideroff (RW, WHL’s Kamloops Blazers)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11.5/163 pounds

Playoff Stats: NA

Regular Season Stats: 64 GP-17 G-25 A-42 PTS

Central Scouting: 134 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: NA

TSN Bob McKenzie: NA

TSN Craig Button: 72

Sportsnet: NA

New York Rangers square logoANALYSIS: The Rangers keep close tabs on Western Canada for potential late bloomers and landed a good one in Adam Tambellini (third-rounder in 2013). But they have also had their share of misses such as Shane McColgan and, to a lesser degree, Michael St. Croix. Sideroff could still go either way, boom or bust, but he had an impressive rookie season on a team that was offensively challenged. It’ll be interesting to see where he actually goes in the draft and how he follows it up next season, but I could see the Rangers having interest.

90) Philadelphia Flyers (from Tampa Bay) — Blake Speers (C, OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11/181 pounds

Playoff Stats: 14 GP-3 G-6 A-9 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 57 GP-24 G-43 A-67 PTS

Central Scouting: 49 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: 61

TSN Bob McKenzie: 72

TSN Craig Button: 61

Sportsnet: NA

Philadelphia Flyers square logoANALYSIS: Having already drafted a few brutes, the Flyers go with a smaller, pure offence type in Speers. He put up decent numbers in a depth role on a stacked Sault Ste. Marie team but should be thrust into more of a starring role next season, which could see Speers top 100 points. If that comes to fruition, Philadelphia will have another quality forward prospect on its hands. The Flyers have had success with forwards from the OHL, with Scott Laughton (first-rounder in 2012) and Nick Cousins (third-rounder in 2011) on the verge of earning regular roles in the NHL.

91) Chicago Blackhawks — Adin Hill (G, WHL’s Portland Winterhawks)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3.5/198 pounds

Playoff Stats: 17 GP-.911 Save %-2.96 GAA

Regular Season Stats: 46 GP-.921 Save %-2.81 GAA

Central Scouting: 4 N.A.

ISS Hockey: NA

McKeen’s Hockey: NA

Future Considerations: NA

TSN Bob McKenzie: NA

TSN Craig Button: NA

Sportsnet: NA

Chicago Blackhawks square logoANALYSIS: From one Hawks organization to another, Hill could wind up getting drafted by Chicago. The Blackhawks picked fellow netminder Mac Carruth out of Portland (seventh-rounder in 2010) and he’s still in Chicago’s system. But the bigger connection in this case is Jamie Kompon, who became Portland’s head coach this past season after two years as an assistant under Joel Quenneville in Chicago, winning a Stanley Cup together in 2013. Hill supplanted former Coyotes prospect Brendan Burke after the Winterhawks struggled out of the gate, then backstopped Portland to the conference final where he was stellar in a losing effort against eventual league champion Kelowna. So, rest assured, Hill will come highly recommended should the Blackhawks inquire about him. Fitting that the champs get to end off this mock draft.


Rounding out my Top 100 prospects:

92) Dennis Gilbert (D, USHL’s Chicago Steel)

93) Julius Nattinen (C, Finland, JYP)

94) Felix Sandstrom (G, Sweden, Brynas)

95) Aleksi Saarela (C/LW, Finland, Assat)

96) Robin Kovacs (RW, Sweden, Allsvenskan)

97) Gustav Bouramman (D, OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

98) Nathan Noel (C, QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs)

99) Brad Morrison (LW/C, WHL’s Prince George Cougars)

100) Conor Garland (RW, QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats)


Recapping my Mock Draft

First Round

1) Edmonton — Connor McDavid

2) Buffalo — Jack Eichel

3) Arizona — Dylan Strome

4) Toronto — Mitch Marner

5) Carolina — Noah Hanifin

6) New Jersey — Pavel Zacha

7) Philadelphia — Zach Werenski

8) Columbus — Mikko Rantanen

9) San Jose — Timo Meier

10) Colorado — Ivan Provorov

11) Florida — Lawson Crouse

12) Dallas — Oliver Kylington

13) Los Angeles — Mathew Barzal

14) Boston — Kyle Connor

15) Calgary — Nick Merkley

16) Edmonton — Ilya Samsonov

17) Winnipeg — Travis Konecny

18) Ottawa — Jansen Harkins

19) Detroit — Jakub Zboril

20) Minnesota — Colin White

21) Buffalo — Jeremy Bracco

22) Washington — Denis Gurianov

23) Vancouver — Paul Bittner

24) Toronto — Brandon Carlo

25) Winnipeg — Joel Eriksson Ek

26) Montreal — Jeremy Roy

27) Anaheim — Daniel Sprong

28) Tampa Bay — Evgeni Svechnikov

29) Philadelphia — Jake DeBrusk

30) Arizona — Vince Dunn

Second Round

31) Buffalo — Brock Boeser

32) Arizona — Thomas Chabot

33) Edmonton — Ryan Pilon

34) Columbus — Jacob Larsson

35) Carolina — Filip Chlapik

36) New Jersey — Jack Roslovic

37) Boston — Jordan Greenway

38) Columbus — Gabriel Carlsson

39) San Jose — Noah Juulsen

40) Colorado — Jonas Sigenthaler

41) New Jersey — Denis Malgin

42) Ottawa — Zach Senyshyn

43) Los Angeles — Mitch Vande Sompel

44) Tampa Bay — Nikita Korostelev

45) Calgary — Ryan Gropp

46) Pittsburgh — Anthony Beauvillier

47) Winnipeg — Adam Musil

48) Ottawa — Dennis Yan

49) Dallas — Rasmus Andersson

50) Minnesota — Christian Fischer

51) Buffalo — Mackenzie Blackwood

52) Calgary — Parker Wotherspoon

53) Calgary — Sebastian Aho (Finland)

54) Chicago — Graham Knott

55) Nashville — Caleb Jones

56) St. Louis — Thomas Novak

57) Edmonton — Erik Cernak

58) Columbus — Roope Hintz

59) Arizona — Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson

60) N.Y. Rangers — Alexander Dergachyov

61) Philadelphia — Jesse Gabrielle

Third Round

62) Washington — Michael Spacek

63) Arizona — Matej Tomek

64) Tampa Bay — Travis Dermott

65) Toronto — Anthony Cirelli

66) Carolina — Nicolas Meloche

67) New Jersey — Gabriel Gagne

68) Columbus — Sebastian Aho (Sweden)

69) Columbus — Dmytro Timashov

70) Philadelphia — Nicolas Roy

71) Colorado — Callum Booth

72) N.Y. Islanders — Erik Foley

73) Detroit — Daniel Vlader

74) Los Angeles — Filip Ahl

75) Boston — Ethan Bear

76) Calgary — Austin Wagner

77) Florida — Mitchell Stephens

78) Winnipeg — Yakov Trenin

79) Edmonton — Chaz Reddekopp

80) Anaheim — Stephen Desrocher

81) Arizona — Tyler Soy

82) N.Y. Islanders — Andrew Mangiapane

83) Calgary — Keegan Kolesar

84) Anaheim — David Kase

85) Nashville — Glenn Gawdin

86) Edmonton — Vladimir Tkachev

87) Montreal — Guillaume Brisebois

88) Florida — Matthew Spencer

89) N.Y. Rangers — Deven Sideroff

90) Philadelphia — Blake Speers

91) Chicago — Adin Hill


2015 NHL Mock Draft: Round 1

2015 NHL Mock Draft: Round 2

Larry Fisher is a sports reporter for The Daily Courier in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Follow him on Twitter: @LarryFisher_KDC.