#1. Dylan Holloway, C, LW (University of Wisconsin, NCAA)
Anytime you can draft a 6-foot, 205 pound two-way centre/winger, you do it. Described as a versatile player, Holloway has drawn comparisons to Sean Couturier. That may not be a sexy name, but the two time 30-goal scorer is one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL, having just won a Selke award.
If Holloway falls to 15, Toronto Maple Leafs fans should be ecstatic. As a 200-foot player, his ability to play a defensively-sound game is just as strong as his offensive skills.
Clare McManus of Dobber Prospects described his game like this:
"“He’s a unique athlete in this class, an outstanding skater, a physical presence and a talented scorer with a hard wrist shot. I’d expect a breakout season as a sophomore. It wouldn’t surprise me, either, if he quickly becomes an NHL player in the next couple of years, given his A-level skating and advanced physical maturity.”"
Holloway scored 40 goals in his last season in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (Jr. A), so the scoring touch is there. Adapting to the NCAA is hard as a freshman, so the ability to finish his freshman season with 17 points in 35 games is also very impressive.
It’ll be an interesting night in Leafs-Land, but if the team selects any of these five players, you should be excited.