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          Cross Checks Blog

          Connor McDavid is clear No. 1 pick

          • Corey Pronman, Special to ESPNApr 18, 2015, 08:47 PM ET
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              Corey Pronman is ESPN's NHL Draft and Prospects analyst. He provides analysis on the top draft-eligible players, prospects drafted by NHL teams and all other relevant prospect information. He lives in New York.
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          While the gap between Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel isn't huge, and someone, somewhere, will advocate that the Edmonton Oilers need defensemen, let's not kid anyone, this pick will be McDavid.

          McDavid is a prospect along the same levels as recent elite draft prospects Sidney Crosby and John Tavares when they were entering their draft years.

          A realistic boost next year by adding McDavid -- as I've shown before -- amounts to about 4-5 extra points in the standings in his first season. His realistic long-term upside is a top-25 player in the league, with his best case being one of the league's very best players.

          McDavid projects to step into the Oilers' lineup next season as a clear top-six forward, with the potential to leap Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as the team's No. 1 center either right away or at some point during the season. McDavid does not change it all, though. The Oilers still need to add quality depth at forward and quality defensemen -- and maybe a new goalie -- before they're a playoff team next season.