FC’s Draft Countdown: 5-1 Overall

In the days leading up to the draft, Future Considerations will count down its top-ranked prospects for the 2014 NHL Draft in prospect profile segments.

Draft Countdown 30-26
Draft Countdown 25-21
Draft Countdown 20-16
Draft Countdown 15-11
Draft Countdown 10-6
Draft Countdown 5-1

To go even deeper into the draft class, pick up Future Considerations’ 2014 NHL Draft Guide, containing our ranking of the top-210 prospects, full profiles on 210 draft eligibles, a two-round mock draft, a glimpse at the 2015 NHL Draft and much, much more! Click HERE to find out more!

5. Leon Draisaitl – C – Prince Albert Raiders
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound German has got himself a tremendous skill set, including a pair of razor sharp mitts with which he navigates around the ice. Speaking of navigating around the ice, his skates aren’t nearly as fast as his hands, but are sufficient enough in the task of getting Draisaitl from point A to B. In the offensive zone, Draisaitl can be something of a wizard, distributing the puck around effortlessly through the most remote openings.

This translated into 38 goals and 105 points in 64 games this year. He’s also got wicked shot, which he’s not afraid to flash at goaltenders. Draisaitl’s effort level is something of a peculiar topic as it doesn’t wane game-to-game, rather shift to shift. He can look both engaged and apathetic in a matter of minutes during a game. A consistent work ethic is one of Draisaitl’s biggest areas requiring improvement.

4. William Nylander – LW – MODO
Son of Michael – a longtime NHLer – Nylander plays a similar up-tempo game as his father and pumps out the same volume of points too. Nylander junior possesses a dynamic skill set highlighted by his puck handling. Nylander makes dazzling dekes and tops them off with fantastic feeds, as he is primarily a playmaker.

On top of that, he has a very high hockey IQ and vision beyond his years, making him a threat at all times. He registered a goal and 8 points in 22 SHL games this year. The 5-foot-11, 165 pounder’s functional strength has been an issue and will continue to be until it is shored up. His character has also been questioned, with labels of ‘cocky’ and ‘selfish’ applied to him in the past.

3. Sam Bennett – C – Kingston Frontenacs
His inability to do a pull up won’t scare too many teams away as aside from upper body strength, the 6-foot, 180 pound Bennett is a package few wish to miss. He’s got elite level speed, skill and smarts and projects as an all around threat at the NHL level.

Bennett amassed 36 goals and 91 points in just 57 games, showing an ability to not only score every which way, but dish the puck in a similar varied manner. The creative pivot has an uncanny ability to find open areas on the ice and create scoring chances. Aside from the obvious lack of strength, Bennett tends to over handle the puck at times, leading to turnovers.

2. Sam Reinhart – C – Kootenay Ice
Brian Burke titled him the Albert Einstein of the draft, Reinhart thinks the game at a scholar level. Reinhart slows down time when he’s with the puck, and short of the physical limitations of the statement, it’s not far off. His stickhandling and skating are both solid, but it’s his time with the puck, and the following release of the puck that is special to watch. His vision is unlike anything in this class and his passing ability has military grade accuracy.

He could thread a pass through the ugliest of rush hour traffic jams. Reinhart mustered up a 36 goal, 105 point campaign this past season, hiding doubts of his offensive limitations. Nonetheless, the translation of offence to the pros remains a question mark for Reinhart. Also, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound son of former NHLer Paul isn’t yet the strongest of players, finding himself on the losing end of puck battles. His skating also, while very good, lacks an explosive element looked for in elite prospects, and had by some of his peers.

1. Aaron Ekblad – D – Barrie Colts
He entered the year at number one, and like is true on the ice, Aaron Ekblad was tough to move. The imposing 6-foot-4, 220-pound rearguard has all the tangibles NHL teams looks for in a cornerstone defenseman. He obviously has tremendous size and strength, but is quick and mobile nonetheless. He has a booming shot and possesses heads up passing ability. His hockey sense is top notch not to mention his maturity is that of a middle-aged man.

The blueliner recorded 23 goals and 53 points in 58 games, a point per game average better than some of his peers… who are forwards. While Ekblad is already a tremendously polished prospect, his acceleration and agility still could use improvement and his game could use a more nasty edge to it. All in all however, Ekblad should be and is, the undisputed number one prospect available at 2014 edition of the National Hockey League Draft.