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Sam Reinhart, William Nylander top WJC’s top 10 NHL-drafted prospects
From Buffalo Sabres prized pick Sam Reinhart to Nashville Predators first-rounder Kevin Fiala, the 2015 world junior championship is full of the NHL’s stars of tomorrow. There will be over 50 NHL prospects taking part in the tournament.
In an effort to get an accurate assessment on the best of the best in the tourney, BTN teamed up with a handful of scouts to put together a ranking of the top NHL-drafted talent. Players that were loaned to their countries by NHL clubs such as Canada’s Curtis Lazar and Anthony Duclair were excluded from the list because they ultimately can’t be considered prospects anymore. A separate ranking was done earlier on the top 10 2015 NHL draft prospects in the tourney.
1. Sam Reinhart, centre, Canada (Buffalo Sabres, 2nd overall, 2014) – Reinhart slightly edged William Nylander as the tourney’s top NHL-drafted prospect. The North Vancouver, B.C., native’s blend of superb hockey instincts, vision and maturity leads scouts to believe he will develop into a future first-line centre. After being sent back to junior after a nine-game stint in Buffalo, he has led the Kootenay Ice back into the WHL playoff picture by being an offensive force with eight goals and 27 points in 15 games.
2. William Nylander, centre, Sweden (Toronto Maple Leafs, 8th overall, 2014) – The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Nylander has exceeded expectations this year with MODO in the Swedish Hockey League. His eight goals and 19 points in 19 contests puts him at a higher scoring pace than the 18-year-old seasons of Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Peter Forsberg and Mats Sundin. With hindsight vision, many scouts believe that the Leafs were lucky that he was still around when they went up to the 2014 draft podium.
3. Nikolaj Ehlers, wing, Denmark (Winnipeg Jets, 9th overall, 2014) – When it comes to raw skill, few and far between can match Ehlers. He uses his explosive speed to beat defenders wide and has the ability to cradle the puck while flying at top speed. He picked up this season with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads right where he left off last year as he has 16 goals and 47 points in 23 matches following racking up 104 points last year.
4. Josh Morrissey, defence, Canada (Winnipeg Jets, 13th overall, 2013) – The Calgary, Alta., native solidified himself as one of the best offensive blueliners in the CHL last year when he scored 28 goals 73 points in 59 games with the Prince Albert Raiders. He showed off his incredible poise with the puck on his stick and his smooth skating ability. He will get a chance at a WHL championship after the world juniors as the powerhouse Kelowna Rockets acquired him from the Raiders on Dec. 10.
5. Darnell Nurse, defence, Canada (Edmonton Oilers, 7th overall, 2013) – Nurse is the complete package. He brings size at 6-foot-4, 205-pounds, physicality, mobility, offensive skill and leadership abilities to the table. The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds captain, who has six goals and 19 points in matches, projects to be a future top-pairing defender who can play a big role at both ends of the ice.
6. Max Domi, wing, Canada (Arizona Coyotes, 12th overall, 2013) – The 5-foot-10, 193-pounder has been on fire, notching 17 goals and 58 points in 27 contests, in his fourth season with the London Knights this year. He would likely be leading the OHL in scoring, but the two players ahead of him have seven games in hand on him. The combination of his offensive skill and truculent swagger leads scouts to believe he will blossom into a player similar to Boston Bruins wing Brad Marchand in The Show.
7. Robby Fabbri, centre, Canada (St. Louis Blues, 21st overall, 2014) – The Mississauga, Ont., native is living proof that skill trumps size. He has developed into one of the CHL’s top scorers and one of the top prospects of the 2014 draft class despite his 5-foot-10, 170-pound stature, which played a big role in him falling to the 21st overall pick in last year’s draft. The Guelph Storm sniper almost averages two-points per game this year in the OHL with 18 goals and 38 points in 22 games.
8. Kasperi Kapanen, wing, Finland (Pittsburgh Penguins, 22nd overall, 2014) – Following a good training camp with the Penguins, Kapanen’s development has skyrocketed forward in his second season with KalPa in the Liiga this year. While using his creative hands and quick feet, he has scored nine goals and 16 points in 19 games after netting 14 points in 47 matches last year. He has the potential to stick in Pittsburgh next year in his 19-year-old season.
9. Jake Virtanen, wing, Canada (Vancouver Canucks, 6th overall, 2014) – Opposing junior teams know when Virtanen is on the ice for the Calgary Hitmen. The 6-foot-1, 209-pounder, who has nine goals and 23 points in 20 games, plays with an edge as a physical force while possessing top-notch offensive abilities. His style of play will give Team Canada and the Canucks the option of moving him up and down the lineup because he can play an energy role if he doesn’t fit into a scoring role.
10. Kevin Fiala, wing, Switzerland (Nashville Predators, 11th overall, 2014) – Fiala can use his soft hands, incredible puck-control and shiftiness to be a game-changer. He does lack strength and only possesses a 5-foot-10, 187-pound frame, but he uses his elusiveness and agility to dodge checks and come out of tight areas with the puck. He has done well for himself with HV71 in the SHL this year, potting five goals and 14 points in 20 contests along the way.
Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen
