Peterson's Draft

1. Connor McDavid, C, Erie (OHL) No explanation needed.

2. Jack Eichel, C, Boston University (H-EAST) Once again, there isn't a lot of explanation required for this pick. Aside from McDavid, Eichel is head and shoulders above the rest of a talented draft class.

3. Noah Hanifan, D, Boston College (H-EAST) The 6-foot-3, 203-pound rearguard has the potential to be a franchise defenceman; he is an extremely strong skater, has offensive upside, is highly competent in his own zone, and thinks the game well beyond his 18 years.

4. Dylan Strome, C, Erie (OHL) With the fourth overall pick, the Leafs nab the insanely creative and gifted Strome, who plays a style similar to that of Anze Kopitar. The Otters pivot has the potential to develop into a number one centre for Toronto.

5. Mitchell Marner, C, London (OHL) The London Knights forward was second only to Strome in scoring in the OHL during the regular season, netting 44 goals and 126 points in 63 games, and has one of the highest ceilings in the 2015 draft class. Marner is extremely gifted with the puck and has drawn comparisons to Patrick Kane.

6. Mikko Rantanen, RW, TPS Turku (FIN) At 6-foot-4 and 211-pounds, Rantanen already has NHL size and thanks his time with TPS Turku, is already acclimatized to playing against men. The Devils are able to scoop up a winger who has elite vision, a natural ability to score, and strong skating skills.

7. Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon (WHL) Philadelphia has drafted the likes of Travis Sanheim, Samuel Morin, and Robert Hagg in the last two drafts and are able to add more talent to their defensive pipeline with Provorov. The Wheaties blueliner is mobile, can chip in offensively, and has the potential to be a top pairing defenceman.

8. Zach Werenski, D, Michigan (BIG TEN) With Werenski, the Blue Jackets are able to bolster their already-talented crop of prospects with one of the best defencemen in the NCAA last season. The Michigan native boasts a strong all-around game; he reads and reacts well, is a fluid skater, has a high hockey IQ, makes a good first pass, and has NHL size.

9. Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston (OHL) True power forwards are a rare breed and Crouse has all of the qualities that could make him a force to be reckoned with in the NHL: a 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame, top notch puck skills, great skating ability, and an unwavering work ethic.

10. Pavel Zacha, C, Sarnia (OHL)

Zacha is one of the draft's biggest wildcards after a so-so season in the OHL and internationally but the Czech centre has all kinds of talent that could make him a steal at 10. He is an excellent skater, has a great shot, a big frame, and reads the game very well.

11. Mathew Barzal, C, Seattle (WHL) Injuries hampered Barzal's season -- he played just 44 regular season games -- but didn't temper his potent offence. He put up 57 points with the Thunderbirds and showcased why he is one of the best playmakers in the 2015 draft class.

12. Kyle Connor, C, Youngstown (USHL) A blend of explosive speed and dynamic skill make Connor one of the biggest offensive threats in the draft. He's incredibly creative and can pull off highly-skilled plays at top speed. Connor has a deceptive shot with a quick release but is also an adept playmaker.

13. Timo Meier, RW, Halifax (QMJHL) A natural goal scorer, Meier emerged as a star for the Mooseheads in the 2014-15 season. He scored 44 goals and 90 points in 61 regular season games and established himself as one of the top draft-eligible players in the QMJHL with his offensive talent.

14. Evgeny Svechnikov, LW, Cape Breton (QMJHL) The skilled winger put up 32 goals and 78 points in 55 regular season games and was third in team scoring this past year. Svechnikov developed steadily over the course of his rookie season in the QMJHL and if he continues to round out his game, could be a top-six winger in the NHL.

15. Oliver Kylington, D, Farjestad (SWE) Kylington saw his stock fall due to a lackluster 2014-15 campaign but the Swede all sorts of tools that could make an absolute steal at 15. Widely known as the best skater in the draft, he has an exceptional offensive skill set but his defensive game needs work. A high risk/high reward player.

16. Nick Merkley, RW, Kelowna (WHL) The Calgary, AB product is a highly-skilled playmaker who has an uncanny ability to find his linemates and create scoring chances. Despite being smaller in stature, Merkley holds his own against larger players and is able to use his speed and smarts to evade hits.

17. Paul Bittner, LW, Portland (WHL) At 6-foot-4 and 204-pounds, Bittner already boasts an NHL-ready frame, can skate well, and has a nice offensive skill set that could translate to a top-nine forward role in The Show. He will be a nice addition to Winnipeg's skilled group of prospects.

18. Joel Eriksson Ek, C, Farjestad (SWE) Eriksson Ek's defensive game is already well-rounded, a definite plus for teams searching for a top-six centre, and has a complete offensive toolbox; an extremely quick shot, strong skating skills, a willingness to play in the hard areas, and great vision.

19. Jakub Zboril, D, Saint John (QMJHL)

Zboril is a jack-of-all-trades defenceman; he can produce offensively, is strong in his own end, can play a physical brand of hockey, and has a solid two-way game. He plays a similar style to Niklas Kronwall, making him a perfect fit in Detroit's system.

20. Jeremy Roy, D, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)

Roy's incredible hockey IQ makes up for questions about his size working at the next level. The blueliner sees the game at a higher level than most of his peers, is a fluid skater, can chip in offensively, and has a poised demeanor which makes him valuable in pressure situations.

21. Daniel Sprong, RW, Charlottetown (QMJHL) Adding to the offensive fire power they amassed with Eichel, the Sabres add pure goal scorer Sprong into the mix. The Dutch-born has an NHL shot already, is a top notch puck handler, and is highly creative.

22. Colin White, C, NTDP U18 (USHL)

The ultra-competitive White is a strong two-way player who does the little things that coaches love to see. His season was hampered by injuries and a bout of mononucleosis but throughout his limited campaign, he showed off his defensive prowess, work ethic, and hockey sense that should carry him to the next level.

23. Jansen Harkins, C, Prince George (WHL) The Canucks go with some homegrown talent with the 23rd overall pick, nabbing the North Vancouver native. The forward potted 20 goals and 79 points in 70 regular season games with Cougars and showcased his defensive prowess all year.

24. Jake DeBrusk, LW, Swift Current (WHL)

A tireless worker, DeBrusk has excelled both offensively and defensively thanks to his work ethic and committment to development. He led the Broncos in scoring in the regular season, tallying 42 goals and 81 points, and routinely showed that he's willing to outhustle his opponents and play in the hard areas of the ice.

25. Thomas Chabot, D, Saint John (QMJHL) A mobile, puck-moving defenceman who has elite skating skills, Chabot would benefit from adding on more muscle to his 6-foot-1 frame. The Jets have a strong base of blueliners that will allow Chabot the time to grow physically and hone his defensive game.

26. Brock Boeser, RW, Waterloo (USHL)

Boeser made the leap from the high school ranks to the USHL last season and acquitted himself nicely with Waterloo, scoring 35 goals and 68 points in 57 outings. Lauded for his compete level, Boeser is reliable in all three zones and has dangerous offensive tools.

27. Filip Chlapik, C, Charlottetown (QMJHL)

The Islanders pivot plays a strong 200-foot game, has a high hockey IQ, and has developed his playmaking skills in in the 'Q. The Czech forward carries the puck well, makes smart and skilled passes, and has an underrated, hard shot.

28. Brandon Carlo, D, Tri-City (WHL)

Tampa can add a hulking 6-foot-5 shutdown defenceman with the 28th overall pick. Carlo logs a ton of minutes for the Americans, is a strong skater such a big body, has an incredible reach, and is very composed under pressure.

29. Travis Konecny, C, Ottawa (OHL) The 5-foot-9 Konecny plays an absolutely fearless game, has dynamic puck skills, loves to play in key situations, and is very intelligent. His season was quelled by injuries but he has played a key role for the 67's since joining the team last year.