In the past five years, one European player was a top-two pick in the NHL Entry Draft. Is there an Alexander Barkov in the cla s of 2015? Drafting Ru sian players is a risk because of the Kontinental Hockey League's drive to keep talent at home. And this year there are few elite prospects from the rest of Europe. MORE: | Barkov proved to be a plum for the Florida Panthers. The No. 2 pick of 2013, he is a key piece in the team's progre s. Before Barkov, Victor Hedman was chosen second overall in 2009. It's clear what Hedman has done for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Take a look at the 2015 prospects that could follow the succe sful route from European league teenager to rising NHL player. There's a ton of uncertainly beyond Nos. 1 and 2, which should make for a special display June 26-27 at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla. (Order based on NHL Central Scouting ranks; all skaters below perform for European teams) European skaters: 1. Mikko Rantanen, RW, TPS (Finland) Vitals: 6-3, 211 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "An exceptionally talented playmaker and always a consistent threat on the ice; Rantanen is a combination of elite-level hockey sense, silky smooth hands, and nimble skating. Needs to improve his shot and physical play, as he doesn't take advantage of his size in many situations. All-in-all, an intelligent, big-bodied forward that oozes skill." 2014-15 stats: 9 goals, 19 a sists, 28 points in 56 games played Projection: Top 10 2. Gabriel Carl son, D, Linkoping Jr. (Sweden) Vitals: 6-4, 183 pounds, What they're saying: Carl son is a tall, physically strong two-way defenseman who has improved a lot during the season. He plays a smart, cool, mature game and uses his size without being overly aggre sive. A smart player who can both pa s or play the puck out of danger. 2014-15 stats: 2 goals, 12 a sists, 14 points in 53 games played Projection: Late first round 3. Jacob Lar son, D, Frolunda Jr. (Sweden) Vitals: 6-2, 191 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "Jacob Lar son is not flashy, but he has solid all-around skill. His wrist shot and slap shot are good, but not bombs. He is extremely smart though, and makes sure to get it on net, and keep it low for rebounds and tip-ins." 2014-15 stats: 10 goals, 14 a sists, 24 points in 53 games played Projection: Early second round 4. Joel Erik son Ek, C, Farjestad (Sweden) Vitals: 6-1, 180 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "A very competitive center who uses his size, skill, and skating to power to the net and create scoring chances. Po se ses an elite-level shot, great vision, and slick puckhandling skills; as a result, it's no surprise that he has a natural knack for scoring big goals. Offensive catalyst, but also defensively responsible. Plays a creative, 200-foot game." 2014-15 stats: 25 goals, 13 a sists, 38 points in 59 games played Projection: Early second round 5. Michael Spacek, RW, Pardubice (Czech Republic) Vitals: 5-11, 187 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "He's a hard worker with a good skill set, makes good decisions, is a smart pa ser and playmaker. He's quick and mobile, an all-around player with a nose for the net. He is a bit smallish and needs more physical strength." 2014-15 stats: 7 goals, 12 a sists, 19 points in 45 games Projection: Early second round 6. Oliver Kylington, D, Farjestad (Sweden) Vitals: 6-0, 180 pounds What they're saying: "A smart two-way defenseman, who has tremendous feeling for the game and reads the plays well. Oliver Kylington is only average sized but lets you forget the mi sing inches with his hockey sense, his strong vision and remarkable skating abilities. Owns a good shot from the blue-line and combined with this very good puck and pa singskills, he can guide a power-play and the teams offensive game to succe s." 2014-15 stats: 10 goals, 9 a sists, 19 points in 45 games played Projection: Mid-first round 7. Denis Guryanov, RW, Togliatti (Ru sia) Vitals: 6-2, 183 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "A highly skilled forward who intimidates with his speed and proficient puckhandling ability, Denis Guryanov may have one of the highest ceilings as a forward prospect for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Very strong on his skates and uses his size to protect the puck well. Drives the net hard and knows where he will shoot before he is even in a position to do so." 2014-15 stats: 15 goals, 11 a sists, 26 points in 31 games played Projection: Early second round 8. Robin Kovacs, RW, AIK (Sweden) Vitals: 6-0, 172 pounds What they're saying: "A speedy winger that likes to agitate opponents and then strike quickly. Po se ses great stickhandling ability and creativity, and is potent on the power play and penalty kill, as he recognizes scoring chances and is quick to act. Loves to play a puck-po se sion game and can pick his spot like no other when ripping his shots." 2014-15 stats: 22 goals, 16 a sists, 38 points in 61 games played Projection: Mid-second round 9. Filip Ahl, LW, HV71 (Sweden) Vitals: 6-3, 211 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "Hulking pro-sized wing with an explosive shot that jumps off his blade. Just starting to develop a strong stride and with it much better acceleration. Regardle s he is very strong on his skates and a soft pa ser and playmaker. Still needs to keep his feet moving at both ends, is good on the cycle and stick handles out nicely to get loose and let that big shot go." 2014-15 stats: 20 goals, 23 a sists, 43 Larry Johnson Jersey points in 40 games played Projection : Mid-second round 10. Jens Looke, RW, Brynas (Sweden) Vitals: 6-0, 180 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "A smooth skating winger with tremendous playmaking ability. Po se ses good puckhandling skills and can weave his way into the offensive end and make plays on a consistent basis. In terms of pa sing, he can find a seam in a fog; don't be fooled into thinking he is simply a pa ser, as he also exhibits a very sneaky, erratic shot that often finds its way to the back of the net." 2014-15 stats: 13 goals, 16 a sists, 29 points in 62 games played Projection: Mid-second round 11. David Kase, RW, Chomutov (Czech Republic) Vitals: 5-11, 169 pounds, 18 years old 2014-15 stats: 14 goals, 15 a sists, 29 points in 38 games played Projection: Third round 12. Jonas Siegenthaler, D, Zurich (Switzerland) Vitals: 6-2, 220 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "Jonas Siegenthaler is a smooth skating defenseman with a tremendous combination of size and mobility. Keeps his game simple, by not risking too much and always looking to make a short safe pa s. Needs to improve his shot, despite most of the time being on target, his release is poor and it lacks power. Has fine hands and puck handling and his pa ses are soft and accurate, but like his shot they lack power. Stands his ground along the boards and is not afraid to use his body, while playing a reliable defensive game." 2014-15 stats: 1 goal, 10 a sists, 11 points in 51 games played Projection: Mid-second round 13. Sebastian Aho, D, Skelleftea (Sweden) Vitals: 5-9, 165 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "Although only 5-foot-9, Aho is not afraid to get physical and will also go down to block shots. Offensively, he is very skilled with the puck and has the skating ability to effectively carry it into the attacking zone. He is however an effective pa ser as well, making solid multi-zone stretch pa ses." 2014-15 stats: 1 goal, 10 a sists, 11 points in 45 games played Projection: Third round 14. Roope Hintz, LW, Ilves (Finland) Vitals: 6-2, 185 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "A highly intelligent Finn who can play the role of scorer or playmaker; has killer instincts and a keen eye for scoring opportunities. Very high hockey-IQ and has incredible awarene s on the ice; is able to play the puck creatively, all the while creating space for his adjoining teammates. Creates separation, not through physical play, but through outskating the opposition." 2014-15 stats: 5 goals, 12 a sists, 17 points in 42 games played Projection: Mid-second round 15. Julius Nattinen, C, JYP Jyvaskyla (Finland) Vitals: 6-1, 191 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "An athletic two-way center that leads by on-ice example. Boasts refined skating habits that allow him to accelerate very quickly yet maintain a perfect amount of steam to grind out long shifts. A highly-skilled puckhandler who is confident in his abilities, Nattinen has the skill traits that drop jaws." 2014-15 stats: 11 goals, 21 a sists, 32 points in 48 games played Projection: Late second round 16. Erik Cernak, D, Kosice (Slovakia) Vitals: 6-3, 203 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: Huge, strength and reach. Has very good experience for his age. He is an impre sive talent with solid physical play, Cernak shows brilliant defensive game and the play in front of his own goalie. He is useful on the power play. He is big defenseman, but don't spend a lot of time on the penalty box. Could be better skater." 2014-15 stats: 5 goals, 8 a sists, 13 points in 43 games played Projection: Early second round 17. Alexander Dergachyov, C, Ska St. Petersburg 2 (Ru sia) Vitals: 6-4, 200 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "Dergachyov brings a high level of skill and intelligence to the table. Plays with a lot of grittine s and is able to create scoring chances through bullying his way to the net and then exhibiting his fine puckhandling skills. Po se ses a set of soft hands and a keen awarene s of teammates' positions; although an intimidating sniper in nature, Dergachyov has proven himself to be a formidable and creative playmaker." 2014-15 stats: 10 goals, 29 a sists, 39 points in 45 games Projection: Third round 18. Sebastian Aho, RW, Karpat (Finland) Vitals: 5-11, 172 pounds, 17 years old 2014-15 stats: 5 goals, 18 a sists, 23 points in 40 games played Projection : Third round 19. Jesper Lindgren, D, Modo Jr. (Sweden) Vitals: 6-0, 161 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying : "Jesper Lindgren, an impre sive blend of skill, speed, determination, and intelligence, is the one player you don't want to see carrying the puck if you are his adversary. The nimble puck-carrying defenseman plays above his age, and is confident enough in his abilities to make creative plays under pre sure." 2014-15 stats: 6 goals, 37 a sists, 43 points in 49 games played Projection: Third round 20. Denis Malgin, C, Zurich (Switzerland) Vitals: 5-8, 163 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "An offensive forward with decent playmaking abilities, the diminutive Denis Malgin impre ses with his strong hockey sense and offensive instincts. Has tremendous puck control and handles the puck with fine se, while rushing up the ice or deking past the opponents defense. Needs to improve his shot, although accurate it's mi sing power. He also lacks confidence in his face-off play, regardle s of his excellent puck skills." 2014-15 stats: 8 goals, 12 a sists, 20 points in 47 games Projection: Third round European goalies: 1. Ilya Samsonov, Magnitogorsk (Ru sia) Vitals : 6-3, 200 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: He has good size and covers the net well. He plays at the top of the crease and effectively squares to the shooter. He shows good instincts and is well balanced. He can make acrobatic saves and is considered to be the best Ru sian goalie prospect in many years. 2014-15 stats: 2.66 goals-against average, .918 save percentage in 18 games played Projection : Early second round 2. Daniel Vladar, Kladno (Czech Republic) Vitals: 6-5, 185 pounds, 17 years old What they're saying: "For a guy of his size, he has above average quickne s and is almost unbeatable acro s the goal line. His positional play could use a bit of work, but Vladar has cat like reflexes, similar to Hasek, but in a more contained fashion. His rebound control may be the very best in the draft cla s, absorbing pucks with ease from pretty much every angle. 2014-15 stats: 2.78 goals-against average, .926 save percentage in 29 games played Projection: Third round 3. Felix Sandstrom, Brynas Jr. (Sweden) Vitals: 6-2, 191 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "Following the typical development pattern for Swedish goaltenders, Felix Sandstrom got his feet wet at multiple levels in 2014-15. He played at all four levels of the Brynas development system, building off his succe s as the J18 Allsvenskans Best Goaltender last year. He won an SM Gold Medal, posting a .928 save percentage in the playoffs. Sandstrom played for his country at the U18s this year, and was named as one of Swedens three best players." 2014-15 stats: 2.63 goals-against average, .907 save percentage in 14 games played Projection: Third round 4. Ales Stezka, Liberec Jr. (Czech Republic) Vitals: 6-3, 178 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "The first of two talented Czech goaltenders available for the 2015 draft, Ales Stezka has stayed close to home in Liberic over the course of his career. This season, he was the clear number one goaltender for Bili Tygri, playing in 40 games and running up a 2.76 goals-against average with a .913 save percentage. He split time at the U18s with Daniel Vladar, and may have an opportunity to play in North America soon as the Sioux Falls Stampede selected him in the 2015 USHL Entry Draft." 2014-15 stats: 2.77 goals-against average, .907 save percentage in 40 games played Projection: Fourth round 5. Joren Van Pottelberghe, Linkoping U18 (Sweden) Vitals: 6-2, 187 pounds, 18 years old What they're saying: "After reaching the top level of junior hockey in Switzerland at just 15 years old, Joren van Pottelberghe departed for the Linkoping program in Sweden where he has been a mainstay for the last two seasons. Technically sound, van Pottelberghe had the best goals-against average (1.25) and save percentage (.949) in the J18 Allvenskan. He also participated at the U18s for Switzerland, where he was named as one of the top players for his country." 2014-15 stats: 1.25 goals-against average, .949 save percentage in 15 games played Projection: Fourth round Lamar Stevens Jersey