TSN’s Craig Button gives final draft rankings; two Michigan natives in top seven

By @MichaelCaples –

If Craig Button’s latest draft projections are correct, the first day of the NHL Draft will be very good to Kyle Connor and Zach Werenski.

The two Michigan natives are in the top seven of the TSN Director of Scouting’s final rankings, with Connor taking the No. 6 spot, and Werenski just one behind.

Connor, a Shelby Township native, was recently named the USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year and USHL Player of the Year after an outstanding season with the Youngstown Phantoms.

Werenski, meanwhile, impressed as a 17-year-old freshman defenseman with the Michigan Wolverines after graduating high school a year early to make the jump to the NCAA.

NTDP alum Jack Eichel (Boston University) is ranked No. 2 behind Connor McDavid, while fellow NTDP product Noah Hanifin (Boston College) has dropped to No. 12.

Jack Roslovic (No. 28) takes the top spot of the current NTDP products on the list; he’s followed by Colin White at No. 32, Christian Fischer at No. 42 and Jeremy Bracco at No. 60.

The next Michigan native on the list is Carleton native Brendan Warren, also a NTDP alum. The Wolverines commit checks in at No. 68.

NTDP alum Caleb Jones, brother of NHL star Seth Jones, is projected at No. 81, with teammate Jordan Greenway coming in at No. 90.

Saginaw Spirit forward Mitchell Stephens is ranked No. 45.

The 2015 NHL Draft takes place on June 26-27 in Florida.