Some other reports based on some names that have been mentioned:
6. Mathew Barzal
C, Seattle (WHL)
DOB: 5/26/97 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 181
2014-15 GP: 44 | G: 12 | A: 45
In prospect circles, Barzal has been a name in discussion for most of this decade as he came up through the Bantam ranks. The former first overall WHL pick is an exciting and well-rounded prospect with significant upside. He's one of the best skaters in this draft class, with an explosive first step, high-end top speed and his edge work that is among the most impressive of his age group.
Barzal's skill level is also pretty good, with his vision and playmaking being standout attributes. He's patient, creative, and shifty with the puck. He succeeds in many different ways, whether it is off the rush with pace, a quick no-look pass from the cycle, or by making a defenseman miss.
He's not an incredibly physical player, but shows great energy and effort on the ice at both ends. He is often one of his team's top scoring-chance creators and penalty killers.
Ranking explanation: Both players are highly skilled, right-handed centers with great character. Konecny's impressed me more when they've played on the same ice, but he's been hurt more often, too. Konecny's overall production during his CHL career has been more impressive, but Barzal arguably was more so this season. I leaned Barzal due to the small gap in skill and seeing more upside.
8. Zach Werenski
D, Michigan (Big Ten)
DOB: 7/19/97 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 214
2014-15 GP: 35 | G: 9 | A: 16
Werenski was incredible this season, and was arguably Michigan's best defenseman despite being 17 years old.
"He's smooth as silk" said one scout; with another saying "he makes everything look easy."
His skating won't blow you away, but he's certainly above average, with power out of his first step, good edges and footwork. Werenski is at the top of his game when he has the puck, whether it's on an outlet, bringing it up on the rush or controlling a power play. He makes a ton of plays offensively and never looks panicked when doing so.
He's pretty developed physically already, measuring in at 6-2 and 214 pounds, although he's not a very physical player. His defense isn't poor, in fact I'd say it's better than average, but he can get caught making mistakes in his positional play. He's a potential top-four D-man, who can also be a first-unit power-play option.
Ranking explanation: While this may be seem like semantics -- and often outside of a "tier" that's what one-on-one rankings end up being -- the reasons for taking Werenski over Mathew Barzal is a matter of degrees relative to the Konecny vs. Werenski ranking explanation.
The main difference is that while Svechnikov's skill set is of a very high degree, it is just not as high as Konecny's, and thus tilts the scale towards the defenseman Werenski. His skating and vision are around the same level, and his off-the-puck game somewhat better, but his pure skill and offensive creativity are not at the same level of Konecny. Thus, when you consider the merits of Weresnki's game, and his incredible production with Michigan, it tilts the scale in his favor.
10. Lawson Crouse
LW, Kingston (OHL)
DOB: 6/23/97 | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 212
2014-15 GP: 56 | G: 29 | A: 22
Crouse is a player with fantastic physical gifts, and despite a lack of amazing statistical production, he's consistently impressive. He's an outstanding skater for a 6-4 forward and will be an above-average skater at the NHL level. Given his large body mass, the way he gets up to his top gear so quickly is a standout attribute of his game.
Crouse plays a tough brand of hockey, supplemented by his filled-out frame, and he projects as an elite physical player in the NHL. Crouse is very advanced defensively for an under-18 prospect, showing very good defensive awareness and penalty-killing skills. He's not a standout offensively, but he's above average in terms of puck skills and offensive ability; he just doesn't show it consistently. I'm not sure if this is due to a lack of offensive IQ, or not yet being comfortable playing that kind of game. But, I've seen him make high-level plays, the points will come.
11. Pavel Zacha
C, Sarnia (OHL)
DOB: 4/6/97 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 214
2014-15 GP: 37 | G: 16 | A: 18
Zacha's season was a little up and down, as he lost time due to injuries and performed pretty well, but was somewhat below expectations considering he's been a highly touted prospect for the past few years. All the tools point in the right direction for Zacha. He's a big, strong forward who uses his body well to win battles and deliver hits. He's a fantastic skater for a big man. His technique is very refined, he's good in tight spaces, and can explode through the neutral zone.
He's also a pretty skilled playmaker who shows skilled, coordinated puck handling and the vision to make plays. Zacha's shot is notably above average, with a ton of torque behind it. He'll need to improve his defensive positioning, but he does show effort to come back on D.
14. Ivan Provorov
D, Brandon (WHL)
DOB: 1/13/97 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 201
2014-15 GP: 60 | G: 15 | A: 46
Provorov is a very skilled and advanced defenseman who has shown a strong commitment to North America, having played on this side of the Atlantic for the past four seasons. He's a very gifted skater with good agility and power out of his stride. Mechanically, he isn't perfect -- he has an awkward lean-over skating style -- but the end result looks promising, with room to improve. He's above average as an offensive player, with good puck skills and great ability to find lanes and move the puck.
He's slightly undersized for a defenseman, but he's decent-to-solid in his own end, with good angles, positioning and stick work. There are times when his defensive zone play shows a read error, but overall, he makes enough stops to be reliable at even strength.
15. Oliver Kylington
D, Farjestad (SHL)
DOB: 5/19/97 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 181
2014-15 GP: 18 | G: 2 | A: 3
Kylington's season was a little bumpy due to reassignments and injury, but overall, it was very impressive considering the high level at which he played in tough, pro leagues. He's a brilliant skater who gains speed easily, and has the four-way movements to stay with quick forwards. Kylington is a very skilled puck handler, who makes a lot of creative plays and controls the puck in tight spaces as well as the best forwards in this class. He stretches the ice well, and can control a power play very effectively. His offensive IQ and vision are high-end, and his total package offensively can create chances out of nowhere and control the game.
He has his warts, however, as he isn't the best in the physical aspects of the game in terms of effort or his frame, and his shot could be better. His defense isn't perfect, but it isn't bad. If anything I'd project him to be about average defensively, while being a top-end offensive defenseman.
