Kelowna’s Nick Merkley tops Memorial Cup’s best 2015 NHL draft prospects

Kelowna Rockets sophomore Nick Merkley has lived up to the hype as the Memorial Cup’s top 2015 NHL draft prospect. He has used his elite playmaking abilities, incredible work ethic and high-tempo style of play to rack up three goals and five points in his first two matches in Quebec. He put it all on display yesterday against the Rimouski Oceanic when he grabbed a pass down the middle, went through three opponents and backhanded the puck blocker side past Louis-Philip Guindon.

The Calgary, Alta., native has ultimately picked up in the Memorial Cup right where he left off in the WHL playoffs. He was on fire in Kelowna’s 19-game post-season run, notching five markers and 27 points. Moreover, he put his name on the score sheet in all but three contests.

That said, the 5-foot-10, 187-pound Merkley’s draft stock hasn’t always appeared to be on the upswing. Albeit he still finished the year with 20 goals and 90 points in 72 contests, his point production dropped from 1.47 in the first half of the season to 1.00 in the second half. It undoubtedly played a role in NHL Central Scouting Service dropping him from 13^th to 23^rd among North American skaters in its final projection.

“I can’t see him falling past the 25^th pick,” says an NHL scout. “Yeah his stats are a bit inflated because of the team he was on and his skating needs a bit of work, but with his offensive skill and the energy he brings on the ice, I think he would be a good pick between 18 and 25.  He showed in the playoffs that he’s the type of player that steps up when it counts and every team needs those players.”

Oshawa Generals rearguard Mitchell Vande Sompel, who has two assists in two Memorial Cup games, is regarded as the tournament’s second best draft prospect. He’s a skilled offensive defenceman who possesses a high hockey IQ, strong playmaking abilities and a smooth and quick stride. His talent showed up in his stats as he posted 12 goals and 63 points in 58 games this season.

“He would probably be a first-round pick if he were two inches taller (stands 5-foot-10, 180 pounds),” says the scout on Vande Sompel, whom Central Scouting ranked 34^th among North American skaters. “He can skate, has the speed, knows where to be and when to be there and can pass as good as any defenceman in this year’s draft. It is hard for defenceman under 6-feet to make in the NHL, but it does happen. Look at (Nashville Predators blueliner) Ryan Ellis this year as an example. He did quite well for himself and he’s the same size as Mitch.”

The Quebec Rempart’s undersized but talented imports, Dmytro Timashov and Vladimir Tkachev, have shown why they are poised to don jerseys in Florida. Timashov, who racked up 19 markers and 90 points in 66 matches this season, sniped a pair of bad-angle goals in Quebec’s second contest against Oshawa. Tkachev, meanwhile, whom the Edmonton Oilers tried to sign last offseason, has notched three helpers, including two primaries against Kelowna.

Other notable draft prospects

Callum Booth, goalie, Quebec Remparts – As Central Scouting’s second-ranked North American netminder, Booth is easily one of the top draft prospects in the tourney. He hasn’t, however, seen any ice time because he’s behind Montreal Canadiens prospect Zachary Fucale on Quebec’s depth chart.

With a 6-foot-3, 196-pound frame, Booth, who posted a .900 save percentage and 3.05 average in 41 games, is an imposing goalie who possesses a quick glove and good reflexes. In addition, he moves quickly in the crease and is good down low.

Simon Bourque, defence, Rimouski Oceanic – The 6-foot, 190-pound Bourque is in the running to have his name called in the second round, as Central Scouting pegged him 76^th overall. He put up quality numbers this year, 10 goals and 38 points in 68 matches, while playing a positionally sound game and making smart decisions with puck on his stick.

Samuel Laberge, wing, Rimouski Oceanic – Laberge, who is ranked 119^th by Central Scouting, already has a man’s body with a 6-foot-2, 209-pound stature. His size along with his physical edge helped him make an impact as a rookie on Rimouski this year, scoring 15 goals and 26 points in 61 games while spending 68 minutes in the sin bin.

Devante Stephens, defence, Kelowna Rockets – The White Rock, B.C., native, similar to teammate Joe Gatenby, is on the radar as a possible late-round pick. He showed off his incredible speed and good passing abilities as a rookie this year, adding four goals and 11 points in 64 games.

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen