CONNOR MCDAVID, NO. 1 OVERALL 2015

• It is rare to see a player hyped as much as Connor McDavid was leading up to the 2015 draft. The only thing that might be more unique is a player who covers that bet and all the pressure that comes with it. McDavid is magic with a work ethic and a desire to be the best. Oilers fans have been blessed.
• McDavid will win his first major award this summer (Art Ross) and may win the Hart Trophy.
• Summary: McDavid is the most valuable player in the game in terms of team building. He is what’s beyond ‘sky’s the limit’ at this time.

CALEB JONES, NO. 117 OVERALL 2015

• Drafted out of the USHL (Oilers fans should be excited if this becomes a trend), Jones immediately jumped to the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL.
• Jones was an inspired selection. Red Line Report had him No. 214 overall, basically end of draft. A re-do of the 2015 selection would have him higher than he was chosen.
• He has posted two impressive seasons (55 and 62 points) offensively, reaching just shy of a point-per-game in 2016-17.
• Jones played a prominent role for Team USA at the World Juniors over Christmas. His impressive speed was on display all tournament and gave Oilers fans an indication of what he will bring to pro hockey.
• Summary: We should expect at least one year in the AHL before Jones sees NHL time. We should also factor in the LHD depth chart (Klefbom, Sekera, Nurse) when projecting him forward. Jones speed is going to be an extreme positive for him and it will be interesting to see how long the club keeps him in pre-season.

ETHAN BEAR, NO. 124 OVERALL 2015

• Drafted after a strong two-way season with the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), he was second-round value. Red Line Report had him at No. 81.
• Bear’s season over season WHLpoint totals have grown from 38 to 65 to 70.
• He won the WHL Defenseman of the Year award this spring.
• Summary: Bear has improved a lot since draft day and I can’t wait to see him in pro hockey. I think timeline may be similar to Jones in that we may not see him much or at all in Edmonton 2017-18. His shot and passing ability are quality, so Bear could surprise. Either way, a brilliant junior career and he has put himself in good position to have an NHL career.

JOHN MARINO, NO. 154 OVERALL 2015

• Drafted out of the South Shore Kings (in the United States Premier Hockey League) in Foxboro, Mass. Charlie Coyle came from the same team.
• Played well in the USHL in draft+1 year and was on the strong Harvard (NCAA) team that won the ECAC title in 2016-17.
• Marino has offensive potential but played more of a two-way role for Harvard this year.
• Summary: Based on scouting reports Marino would appear to be developing well. We’ll have a better idea about him after year two in the NCAA. His skills (fine skater, good passer, makes quick decisions) fit perfectly with the modern game and he is progressing.

MIROSLAV SVOBODA, NO. 208 OVERALL 2015

• Svoboda was an overager, 20 when Edmonton drafted him. His timeline needed to be ahead of the others on this list (aside from McDavid) but he’s played mostly in the Czech 2 league.
• He has been brilliant there, but how good a league is it?
• Svoboda’s SP in Czech 2 was .944 this season. That’s an outstanding total no matter the league.
• Summary: At 22, Svoboda now moves up to the Czech elite league and we’ll see how things go for him. This year’s draft (2017) will mean two years since Svoboda’s selection, and I believe that would make him a free agent (although NHL rules change in this area from time to time and are vague at the best of times).

ZIYAT PAIGIN, NO. 209 OVERALL 2015

• Paigin was drafted out of Kazan-Ak Bars of the KHL. Like Svoboda, Paigin was 20 at the time of his draft and quick development was the priority.
• He posted a stunning (37gp, 9-18-27) season after being dealt to Sochi HC of the KHL during the 2015-16 season. That year ignited his NHL prospects and he would eventually sign a contract with the Oilers (this spring).
• Back with Kazan in 2016-17, he didn’t play a feature role and was eventually demoted to the Russian minor leagues. Often in a case of this kind, a team will attempt to sign the player to another contract, using playing time and role as a carrot. Paigin did not sign, and was used sparingly (perhaps) because of it.
• Paigin signed his entry-level deal in April and played 5 games on a PTO for the Bakersfield Condors in the spring. I saw a couple of those games, he is tall and big with a massive wingspan. Looks like it may take some time to adjust to the speed and smaller ice but he can shoot the puck and defend.
• Summary: It’s difficult to project European players until we see them for a season in North America. We’ll get that opportunity in 2017-18 with Paigin. The fact he earned a contract from Edmonton within two years of the draft is a positive arrow.