2015 NHL Mock Draft (8-14)
8) Zachary Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets) D
Columbus is a team that has a decent offense, led by new captain Nick Foligno. When their selection comes around at the draft, Zachary Werenski will probably still be on the board, and I believe they will take him. He is a great skater, and plays his best when under pressure, although he doesn't score as many points as Hanifin or Provorov. The Blue Jackets are always looking to improve, especially defensively. Werenski will be a great start.
9) Timo Meier (San Jose Sharks) RW/C
With 90 points in 61 games this season with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL, Meier is a threat in the offensive zone, and always seems to be in the right spot. He plays a tough game, and would be a good fit on a line with skilled players. He also plays a solid defensive game, and is usually quick to get back into his own end of the ice.
10) Pavel Zacha (Colorado Avalanche) C/LW
Pavel Zacha is an all around excellent hockey player. He's an offensive threat whenever he has the puck, and he's not shy to use his 6"3, 212 frame to his advantage. This past season with the Sarnia Sting of the OHL, Zacha had 34 points in 37 games, along with 56 penalty minutes to show that he uses his physical game. If he was paired with a veteran player like Jarome Iginla who plays a similar style of play, Zacha could evolve into a star player in the NHL sooner than most.
11) Mathew Barzal (Florida Panthers) C
If Barzal didn't have an season full of injuries with the Seattle Thunderbirds, he could've been a higher pick. He is not one of the bigger guys in this year's draft, but he can prove that he doesn't need size to play excellent hockey. He has everything you'd want in a hockey player. He has a good wrist shot, great vision, along with an ability to read plays. Barzal would be a good fit with the younger Panthers team who is looking to make the playoffs, and eventually contend for the cup.
12) Mikko Rantanen (Dallas Stars) C/LW/RW
Mikko Rantanen has room to learn how to use his big 6"4 frame and improve his shot. On the other hand, he already has silky hands that make him a threat whenever he's on the ice. You might not see him make an immediate impact in the NHL like other players in the draft, but he has a ton of potential, and eventually will be a star in this league.
13th) Kyle Connor (Los Angeles Kings) C
Kyle Connor is a great two-way forward. He is a tremendous skater, and is either scoring a goal, or making one happen. This past season he had 80 points in 56 games with the Youngstown Phantoms. Connor has an excellent shot, and can see all of the ice well, making him an overall great player in all three zones. He's one more player in this year's draft class that is bound to become a star in the NHL.
14) Travis Konecny (Boston Bruins) C/LW
Since he can play either Center or Left Wing, he'd be a great fit with the Bruins who need a player who can play on a top six line, and produce points. In 60 games this past season with the Ottawa 67's, he had 68 points. Like most of the players in the draft, he's a terrific skater, and has a bullet of a shot. He's not the biggest player at 5"10 and 178 pounds. Boston is familiar with this kind of situation from last year's draft when they took David Pastrnak, who is eerily similar to Konecny.
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