Potentially franchise-changing names lie at the top of our list with Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin, but it's also shaping up to be a deep draft. Here's a look at 10 players to watch for, plus a sneak peak at the top dogs for 2016 and 2017.

The Hockey News

The 2015 draft has been hyped for quite some time now and the crazy thing is, the season hasn't even started yet.

Potentially franchise-changing names lie at the top with Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin, but it's also shaping up to be a deep draft.

Here's a look at 10 players to watch for, but also keep in mind University of Michigan commit Zach Werenski, Chicoutimi's Nicolas Roy and Ottawa's Travis Konecny.

1. CONNOR MCDAVID



C, 6-0, 185 LBS, Erie (OHL), 56-28-71-99-20



Can create offense within the blink of an eye. Has been a phenom for years already.

2. JACK EICHEL



C, 6-1, 191 LBS, U.S. NTDP (USHL), 53-38-49-87-28



Big, fast and talented, the Boston University commit will keep McDavid on his toes.

3. NOAH HANIFIN



D, 6-2, 201 LBS, U.S. NTDP (USHL), 45-8-24-32-34



All-around force would be No. 1 in most draft years. Quebec or Boston College next.

4. OLIVER KYLINGTON



D, 6-0, 174 LBS, Farjestad (Swe.), 32-2-4-6-6



Incredibly fast skater was too valuable to send to under-18s. Farjestad needed him in playoffs.

5. MATT BARZAL



C, 5-11, 171 LBS, Seattle (WHL), 59-14-40-54-20



Brilliant playmaker skates well and made an impact for Canada at the under-18s.

6. PAVEL ZACHA



LW, 6-3, 201 LBS, Liberec (Cze.), 38-4-4-8-10



Incredibly, played most of the season against men. Power forward can wire the puck, too.

7. COLIN WHITE



C, 6-0, 179 LBS, U.S. NTDP (USHL), 47-33-30-63-81



Boston College commit is a complete player and leader who can really motor.

8. DYLAN STROME



C, 6-2, 178 LBS, Erie (OHL), 60-10-29-39-11



Great frame, excellent hockey IQ. He’ll produce even more once older Otters move on.

9. KYLE CONNOR



C, 6-1, 170 LBS, Youngstown (USHL), 56-31-43-74-12



Michigan commit is a preternatural scorer. Ranked second in league. Dazzled at under-18s.

10. DANIEL SPRONG



RW, 5-10, 177 LBS, Charlottetown (QMJHL), 67-30-38-68-20



Potent shot, strong on his skates and whip-smart. Sprong was a force for the Islanders.

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FAVORITE FOR 2016: It's not easy to fly under the radar when you play for Team USA’s National Team Development Program, but an early season injury had some folks missing out on Auston Matthews. Luckily, he did his best to jog their memories by putting a big stamp on 2013-14 at the world under-18s.

The Arizona native rang up seven points in seven games en route to the gold medal. Only Jack Eichel and Sonny Milano beat him among Americans. And Matthews did it from the third line.

“He’s unbelievable,” said one scout. “Smooth skating, incredibly skilled two-way guy. You notice him every time he’s on the ice.”

A late-born 1997, Matthews is one of the few major NTDPers yet to make a college commitment, making him a hot commodity coming out of his star turn in Finland.

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TOP STUD IN 2017: Famous bloodlines continue to dot the prospect map and one name to watch for is big right winger Nolan Patrick of the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings.The nephew of former NHLer-turned-coach James Patrick, Nolan is already 6-foot-3, even though he doesn’t turn 16 until September. He was taken fourth overall in the 2013 bantam draft. He has already played 12 games (including the playoffs) for the Wheaties and prides himself on playmaking.

“I have pretty good vision out there,” he said. “I try to use that to my advantage.”

And when he needs advice, Uncle James is always available.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a phone call that wasn’t about hockey,” Nolan said.