NHL draft 2015: Noah Hanifin atop defensemen class full of puck movers

This year's blue line crop of prospects at the NHL draft is heavy on skilled puck movers, which is the most important facet of the game for defensemen in today's fast-moving NHL, where making quick decisions and clearing the zone under forechecking pressure has become crucial.

RED LINE'S TOP 10 DEFENSEMEN FOR THE 2015 DRAFT

Noah Hanifin is the biggest and most advanced of all the defenders available this year, and as such, has landed at the top of Red Line Report's rankings. Hanifin entered a top college program at age 17, and played with poise and presence nightly for Boston College against players who were frequently 5-6 years older than himself. While he checks in at 6-3 and 202 pounds, Hanifin is not a baggage smasher who is going to run guys through the end boards. But he can impact games at both ends of the ice, is strong positionally in the defensive zone and a fine power play quarterback with vision at the offensive end.

Next up is Ivan Provorov, who has done nothing but ascend since the first day of the season. His two-way game is so mature that he has developed into one of the safest picks in this draft, and we could envision a scenario where he actually sticks in the NHL permanently out of training camp this fall. In Provorov's case, safe doesn't mean he lacks upside; he's got great four-way mobility, makes quick decisions and crisp outlet passes, and is terrific running the power play. While just average-sized, he's quite strong and gets good leverage on his hits, easily removing opposing forwards from the puck. Most importantly, Provorov wants to impact the game at both ends on every shift — and he usually does.

After those two, the next duo consists of Jeremy Roy and Zach Werenski. Though consensus has Werenski ahead, at Red Line we give the slight edge to Roy. Opinion is divided on Roy, who is not that big or physical, but we believe he has a very special "It" factor and will be an even better pro than a junior. He is the best pure puckhandler and passer in the bunch, and showed his toughness and determination playing through a broken wrist early in the season. Roy is a dynamic player both in transition and on the power play, and we love his passion and instincts all over the ice.

Like Hanifin, Werenski entered a top college program early as a 17-year-old; so early, in fact, that he won't turn 18 until three weeks after the draft. That means he's still got lots of upside growth left in his game. He's already advanced offensively with an attacking mindset, and he will join the rush often and force the action at the offensive end. Beyond that, we like his combination of size and four-way mobility, though he does not use his size to much advantage. He's actually a bit passive physically and needs to improve his defensive awareness.

Thomas Chabot comes in at No. 5, and nobody made as dramatic a climb up Red Line's rankings this season as this angular blue-liner. Chabot was nothing more than an afterthought at the start of the year, but quickly showed great skating ability with a long, fluid stride, plus terrific puck skills and offensive instincts. At 6-2, 180 pounds, he should easily add another 15-20 pounds to his lean frame with losing any of his tremendous mobility. His defensive game is still raw and Chabot will need refinement in his positioning and awareness, but there's substantial upside.

The one true pounding physical presence on our top 10 list is Nicolas Meloche. He's a true shutdown defender who likes to punish opposing forwards in corner battles and makes them pay a steep price for real estate around the slot. Meloche is outstanding in defensive zone-coverage and a workhorse who logs huge minutes in all key situations. We also think his offensive game is underrated, and believe he can be a solid power play contributor with his fine vision and distribution skills. He's also strong in the transition game, turning the play up-ice quickly to start the counter-attack.

Jakub Zboril came over from the Czech Republic to play in the QMJHL this year, and became one of the league's better power play triggermen with a low, heavy point shot that he gets on net through traffic, causing either goals or dangerous rebounds. The kid is also a workout warrior off the ice with unusual strength and a great work ethic. He's also an ultra competitive, aggressive battler who will step up to make big open ice hits and plays with a mean streak around his own net.

One of Red Line's real sleepers is Noah Juulsen, a fine two-way rearguard who has been somewhat surprisingly overlooked in the WHL. Despite a lean frame, Juulsen proved to be very tough and physical in his own end, and was matched up against the opposing team's top line every night. His confidence in his own offensive game progressed dramatically throughout the season, and he became more assertive, forcing the play with aggressive pinches. Juulsen also owns a potent right-handed point shot with accuracy as a PP triggerman.

At No. 9 is Oliver Kylington, and the flashy Swede is the biggest enigma in the entire draft, entering the year as a potential top-five overall talent, and finishing barely on the edge of the first round. Kylington is far and away the best pure skater in this year's crop with exquisite edging, light and nimble footwork, balance, and great acceleration out of his cuts. He's got the speed and puck skills of a P.K. Subban/Erik Karlsson type, but is completely lacking their judgement and instincts. He's extremely vexing in that — for all his stupendous gifts — he seems either incapable, or perhaps simply unwilling, to make the simple, correct play with the puck, instead always opting for the impossibly flashy one just to show off his skills.

And rounding out Red Line's list of the top defenders is the underrated Vince Dunn. He's a very confident puck mover who sees the ice beautifully and has no panic in his game. He loves to jump up into the play and shows outstanding reads and instincts for when to move in and create odd-man rushes. Dunn is tremendous on the power play, where he can act as either the quarterback or triggerman, and fires absolute bombs that he keeps low for deflections and rebounds. Defensively, he's not big, but competes well and uses his quick feet to contain well in coverage.

SLEEPER: By Red Line's definition, a sleeper is a guy who probably won't get selected that high, but has a chance to develop into one of the better players at his position in the draft. Using that as our criteria, we would select Jeremy Lauzon as the blue line sleeper. Lauzon got a bit lost in the shuffle of an exceptionally deep blue line crop in the Quebec League this year, but actually scored more goals than any other draft eligible defenseman in the Q, and combines a big shot with toughness and a physical edge. He shows vision and patience with the puck, always skating with his head up looking to make plays, and usually makes very good decisions in puck distribution. Luazon has got good footwork defensively and likes the physical aspect of the game; he's even willing to drop the gloves when necessary. He was unable to play at the end of the season and playoffs due to injury, so he lost valuable time to make a final impression. Very much an underappreciated hidden gem.

Red Line Report Chief Scout Kyle Woodlief will be providing position-by-position analysis of the top prospects leading up to the NHL Entry Draft in Sunrise, Fla., on June 26-27. Last week he covered the forwards, and next he will finish with the goalies Red Line Report will also provide a mock draft and a complete overview of the draft a week prior to it. Red Line also produces a full service Draft Guide that can be purchased by fans and media on-line at: www.redlinereport.com, or over the phone at: (518) 523-4289.

PHOTOS: Top 10 prospects for NHL draft