2014 NHL Draft: Getting To Know The Top 10

Before the 2014 NHL Draft has even started, people have already been talking about the 2015 draft for a long while. There's no bigger prize than Connor McDavid next year, but I assure you, there is a lot to get excited about in this year's draft.

The Florida Panthers will have the first pick on June 27th, after winning the draft lottery over the Buffalo Sabres. Poor Buffalo, they can't win anything. But have no fear, Sabres fans, there are 10 great players ripe for the picking.

The first round of the draft is stacked with prolific scoring talent and outstanding defencemen. You won't find many players not ready for the NHL in the first 30 picks. This draft is full of mature, well-built prospects who could very well find themselves cracking their NHL rosters next season.

So without any further adieu, here are my picks, and your guide, to the top ten players in the 2014 NHL Draft.

10. Anaheim Ducks - Haydn Fleury (D)

Fleury is a second year player in the WHL. He is a strong two way defenceman who can lay out a big hit but also jump into the play offensively. Maturity is no worry with Fleury as he was given an "A" this year, at the ripe age of 17.

Junior Team: Red Deer Rebels

Height/Weight: 6'3"/204 lbs

Player Compared To: Jay Bouwmeester

9. Winnipeg Jets - Nick Ritchie (LW)

Ritchie is a tall right winger in the OHL who uses his reach much to his advantage. Although not the best defensively, Ritchie makes up for it with his soft hands and great hockey sense. He knows when to pass and when to shoot, and seeing that in a big kid tends to be a rarity.

Junior Team: Peterborough Petes

Height/Weight: 6'2"/218 lbs

Player Compared To: Steven Stamkos

8. Toronto Maple Leafs - Kasperi Kapanen (RW)

Kapanen has all of the offensive weaponry you could ask for. Hands of a surgeon, fast feet and the ability to see the ice. But what's most impressive about Kapanen is his quick and accurate shot. He doesn't need much time to get off a good wrister which makes him a huge threat in the slot.

Junior Team: Kalpa (Finnish League)

Height/Weight: 5'11"/ 172 lbs

Player Compared To: Sami Kapanen (Father)

7. Carolina Hurricanes - Jake Virtanen (RW)

Backhand, forehand, slap shot, wrist shot, it doesn't make any difference for Jake Virtanen. The 17-year-old has one of the hardest shots in the WHL and one of the most accurate. Virtanen scored 45 goals in 71 games this year, using his powerful shot but also his big frame. He is a big body forward with two of the best abilities. Size and shot.

Junior Team: Calgary Hitmen

Height/Weight: 6'0"/213 lbs

Player Compared To: Logan Couture

6. Vancouver Canucks - Nikolaj Ehlers (LW)

I've had the pleasure of watching Ehlers play many times in Halifax, and as a Mooseheads fan, it was hard not to rank him higher. The kid is fast. Crazy fast. Ehlers is by far the quickest skater in the draft, but his ability goes beyond that. He is the only rookie to score 100 points in a QMJHL season since Claude Giroux in 2007. But the most impressive thing about him may be the fact that even though he plays on a line with Jonathan Drouin, half the time, Ehlers is the most impressive player on the ice.

Junior Team: Halifax Mooseheads

Height/Weight: 5'11"/162 lbs

Player Compared To: Pavel Bure

5. New York Islanders - Michael Dal Colle (LW)

Michael Dal Colle is an extremely smart player. He always knows where to be with and without the puck and is very well rounded. Though he shows flash and brilliance at sometimes, most of the goals Dal Colle scores are from being in the perfect position for a one-timer or tap-in. Finishing isn't something he would have a problem with in the NHL.

Junior Team: Oshawa Generals

Height/Weight: 6'2"/171 lbs

Player Compared To: Corey Perry

4. Calgary Flames - Leon Draisaitl (C)

What you see isn't always what you get with Leon Draisaitl. He is a tall forward at 6'2" which makes it easy for him to drive hard to the net and make plays along the boards, but, the big man also has the awareness and hockey sense that it takes to make perfect passes without even looking. What impresses me most is Draisaitl's ability to see the play developing. He has a good shot and his skating is up to par but the behind-the-back passes and tic-tac-toe plays he creates are his best attribute.

Junior Team: Prince Albert Raiders

Height/Weight: 6'1"/208 lbs

Player Compared To: Evgeni Malkin

3. Edmonton Oilers - Sam Reinhart (C)

Sam Reinhart was named captain of the Kootenay Ice at age 17. How many 17-year-olds do you know that captain their junior team? Not many, I'm sure. That pretty much sums it up. Reinhart is everything you want in a captain. He works extremely hard, has hockey intelligence like you wouldn't believe, and also knows how to put a puck in the net remarkably well. Reinhart uses all his capabilities every shift and that's what makes him special. The fact that he's able to use his full repertoire at all times.

Junior Team: Kootenay Ice

Height/Weight: 6'1"/185 lbs

Player Compared To: Jonathan Toews



2. Buffalo Sabres - Sam Bennett (C)

Bennett is pure goal scorer. And though that might be all he is, he is still one hell of goal scorer. Bennett's drive is second to none and his willingness to sacrifice everything for a goal is outstanding. He does have a playmaking side to him, but the goal scoring ability shines brighter. Bennett's skating is NHL ready and his offensive arsenal is too.

Junior Team: Kingston Frontenacs

Height/Weight: 6'0"/178 lbs

Player Compared To: Corey Perry

1. Florida Panthers - Aaron Ekblad

Aaron Ekblad is a man among boys. Even when he came into the OHL at the young age of 15, he was already looking like a man. Ekblad is the first defenceman ever to recieve "exceptional player" status to the OHL and they couldn't have given that honour to a more deserving player. Ekblad is the captain of the Barrie Colts and able to play superhuman-like minutes. He's a specialist on the penalty kill and the power play, and he plays just as well even strength. Ekblad will become a star in the NHL very soon because he's matured far beyond his actual age. The 6'5" giant is franchise player material.

Junior Team: Barrie Colts

Height/Weight: 6'5"/216 lbs

Player Compared To: Ryan Suter


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Alright, now you can get excited about Connor McDavid.