Friday Dobber Prospect Ramblings – January 31st
Your resource to the 2015 NHL Draft and its midseason rankings - who's too high/low, Maple Leafs rant, Dylan Strome vs. Mitch Marner debate, Johnny Gaudreau and Max Domi post-WJC update...
Friday,January 30th
As a draft enthusiast and one that follows its eligible players religiously, January/February is an extremely busy time of the year. Some of the world’s best prospects have just wrapped up competing in the illustrious World Junior tournament, league play resumes shortly after for them and then the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game (as well as USHL Top Prospects Game) unfolds. Following that busy stretch, it marks a time where new rankings are constructed based on first half play and those rankings are usually very close to the final lists that come out pre-draft. Of course, there’s always chance to elevate their stock down the final 20 game stretch in their schedules and a long standout playoff run can certainly help a draft stock but generally speaking, scouts have a good idea of where players will fall in the upcoming draft.
On Wednesday, I put out my updated 2015 NHL Draft rankings (Midseason version). It was the first time that I have included players outside of the OHL. I wanted to make sure that I’ve been able to catch most of the top prospects live (if possible) or through online viewing. The Top 30 ranked prospects have profiles attached to them.