Craig's List - December Ranking: McDavid and Eichel on even terms

TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button produces monthly rankings (October-June) of the top players eligible for the NHL Draft. Craig's rankings represent his own individual assessment of where players are slotted in the NHL draft.

(Prev. indicates previous ranking on Craig's List - November, 2014)

The team selecting first overall in the 2015 NHL Draft should give equal consideration to Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel.

To this point I have had McDavid number one and Eichel number two. No longer is that the case as I have them in a dead heat as the best player available for the 2015 NHL draft. Two generational talents and the debate will rage on as to who should be the first selection.

My opinion is that they both bring elements to the game that are unique to them. McDavid’s ability to play at high speed and execute. Eichel’s exceptional reach and ability to move laterally through traffic. It’s not that Eichel can’t execute at high speed or that McDavid doesn’t move laterally through traffic, only that it’s hallmarks of the each other’s games.

They both impact the game through their strengths and find ways to raise their level when required. The World Junior tournament will bring intense scrutiny but they have been under it for years and have not shown any sign of being shrinking violets. I know there can be only one player selected first overall but one day I lean towards selecting McDavid and another day it is Eichel. The day for deciding is far off but there is nothing separating these two players at the moment.

Noah Hanifin of Boston College is a very talented player but he no longer stands alone as the next best player after McDavid and Eichel. I have always felt that Zach Werenski of the Michigan Wolverines is very close to Noah in ability and potential. Both are 17-year-old defensemen playing NCAA hockey and both are faring well. Along with Oilver Kylington of AIK in the Swedish  Allsvenkan and Ivan Provorov of the Brandon Wheat Kings, they comprise a quartet of defensemen who all show potential to be top two defensemen in the NHL.

All may have the opportunity to play in the TJC so scrutiny may very well extend beyond McDavid and Eichel.

Dylan Strome, Mitchell Marner, Nick Merkley and Kyle Connor round out the top 10 and they possess high end offensive talent that NHL teams covet. Teams picking after number two will have the opportunity to add players who can have a significant impact on their teams’ fortunes. It may not be any easier determining who a team may prefer but it certainly looks like the quality of player is extremely high.