NHL draft 2015: Timo Meier voted on to the board at No. 13

The 13th spot on our community draft board goes to a native of the great country of Switzerland, as right winger Timo Meier grabbed the latest spot put up on the board with a 50 percent share of the vote.

For the third straight year, the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL have a forward who’s going to be taken in the lottery, and while Meier doesn’t have quite the pedigree of Nathan MacKinnon (the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft), Jonathan Drouin (No. 3 in 2013) and Nikolaj Ehlers (No. 9 in 2014), there’s a lot to like in him as he sits among the other guys in this just-beyond-the-top-5 tier.

With 44 goals and 46 assists in 61 games this year, Meier took a big step forward in his second year in North America. He’s got pretty good size, at 6’1″ and 209, and his eye-popping scoring numbers this year were largely a product of that aforementioned physicality, his intelligence and ability to find open spaces in the offensive zone, and his excellent shot.

It did seem like Meier took some big steps forward in terms of his offensive game this year. As Scott Reynolds pointed out over at Copper & Blue, Meier almost doubled his shot rates from last year to this year, from 2.8 per game in 2013-14 to 5.5 in 2014-15. That helps eliminate some of the concern that Meier may have been lucky this year in seeing his numbers hike so much.

He even won an award this year in the QMJHL, taking the Michael-Bossy Trophy as the “best professional prospect“. Since he is the first QMJHL prospect to make it onto the big board here, one could argue that this makes some sense.

There are a couple of questions about Meier, though. He doesn’t have great speed, though he’s still a guy who’s tough to take off the puck when he’s got a head of steam going. There are also conflicting reports on his defense — some reports suggest that it’s very solid, others suggest that he gives effort in his own zone but needs to improve his positioning, and others still who just suggest it needs a lot of work on the whole. So there are questions.

Another point that’s followed Meier around in the process leading up to the draft is his supporting cast. In particular, how much did he benefit from playing with Ehlers, who was generally seen as one of 2014’s very top prospects? And with him having an October 1996 birthday, is he a bit farther along in the development curve than a lot of these other guys?

It’s tough to give a hard answer in either of those cases. There are some reasons for hesitation. But the dynamic offensive talent he’s shown at times despite those will surely leave some team — in all likelihood, a lottery team — pretty happy to come away from the draft with him regardless.

We’ll add a couple of names here. Three more days of polling. Enjoy!

Jeremy Bracco, RW, US National Team Development Program – 30 G, 64 A in 65 GP

He’s small, that’s for sure. Coming in at 5’9″ 172 lbs, he would be considered too small for the NHL by scouts, coaches, general managers, analysts, and the list goes on. With his lack of size, Jeremy Bracco nullifies it with his incredible offensive skill. Perhaps he is small, but he’s hard to get off the puck due to his elite skating and stride. Once he gets going, it’s difficult to catch up. … Jeremy Bracco is a very “pass first” type of player, but when given the chance can score some gorgeous highlight reel goals.

— via Kyle M at Winging It In Motown

Daniel Sprong, RW, Charlottetown (QMJHL) – 39 G, 49 A in 68 GP

[Possesses] first line offensive tools, including excellent skating, adept stick handling ability in tight, a heavy shot. … What really distinguishes him on the ice are two uncommon characteristics in young players. The first, Sprong’s innocent creativity and imagination with the puck, allows him to create plays in situations where other players would bail on the play. … The second, his bullish, aggressive mentality as a skater, presents an angry-like stride and pushes a relentless tempo up-ice. … And while he isn’t the most complete player, and has a tendency to try to do too much (common in gifted draft-eligible players), Sprong’s size (6’0″) isn’t an issue and his defensive game has rounded out better than most give him credit.

— via Scott Wheeler at Pension Plan Puppets

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The 2015 BSH Community NHL Draft Board

1. Connor McDavid, C, Erie (OHL)
2. Jack Eichel, C, Boston University (NCAA)
3. Dylan Strome, C, Erie (OHL) (45% of the vote)
4. Mitch Marner, C/RW, London (OHL) (54%)
5. Noah Hanifin, D, Boston College (NCAA) (77%)
6. Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon (WHL) (45%)
7. Mathew Barzal, C, Seattle (WHL) (39%)
8. Mikko Rantanen, RW, TPS (Liiga) (41%)
9. Zach Werenski, D, Michigan (NCAA) (35%)
10. Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston (OHL) (31%)
11. Kyle Connor, C/LW, Youngstown (USHL) (37%)
12. Pavel Zacha, C/LW, Sarnia (OHL) (52%)
13. Timo Meier, RW, Halifax (QMJHL) (50%)
14. ???

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As always, please use your vote below to answer the following question: If all of the players listed were available when the Flyers were on the clock, who would you want them to pick?

Who should be No. 14 on the Community Big Board?