We're less than a year away from what could be one of the best drafts the NHL has ever seen.
Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel are the prizes of the 2015 class and considered by many to be generational talents. Even blueliners Noah Hanifin and Oliver Kylington, among others, have the potential to alter franchises.
The draft as a whole looks pretty deep, but if you're a team picking at the top there's a few can't miss, home run-type prospects available.
I've been watching McDavid play since before he entered the OHL as a 15-year-old, and he's the real deal. Whoever lands him will reap the rewards going forward, and the same can be said about Eichel.
Knowing the ridiculously talented players available with the first few selections (more so 1-2), you'd think there'd be several teams in full tank mode willing to sacrifice a season to drastically improve the team's future for 10-15 years.
That doesn't seem to be the case, though.
Only Buffalo looks to have established themselves as a front runner to land McDavid or Eichel, but even they made some additions this summer in Matt Moulson, Brian Gionta, etc. that won't exactly help their cause.
After that, it's a complete toss up. Will Florida be terrible again? Has Edmonton taken themselves out of the running with some quality off-season adds (I think so)?
I like Winnipeg's young core - especially if they keep Evander Kane - but with Ondrej Pavelec in net I don't see them as a legitimate playoff contender. Will he sink them far enough to land a top pick?
There doesn't appear to be many clear cut bottom feeders, which should make for an interesting tank race once a few teams get off to slow starts.
Who do you expect to be picking in the top two or three slots come June 2015? I'm curious to see your thoughts as I figure responses will vary quite a bit.
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