The NHL Central Scouting list is generally the best pre-draft list you can find, but is still highly subjective, and thus always sure to stir up some debate. Here is a look at five different pairings of players that I would swap spots on the list with.
#13 Stefan Matteau for #27 Nic Kerdiles
Matteau currently holds a slight edge for the NTDP team scoring lead over Kerdiles, but long-term, I see Kerdiles having more potential to be a scorer, which is what I think you should look for if you're going to take a forward in the first round of the draft.
#77 Dakota Mermis for #157 Connor Carrick
Maybe not an outright swap, but I don't think the gap is this big between the two talented, undersized, puck-moving defensemen. I was a little surprised Carrick was ranked this low.
#100 Austyn Young for #111 Hunter Fejes
Young is a little more gifted offensively, but not exactly putting up big numbers in the USHL. Fejes plays a more physical style of game that makes him more effective even if he isn't able to put up big numbers at the next level.
#153 Cliff Watson for #166 Justin Wade
This is a pretty minor change, but Watson has struggled in his transition to the USHL, while Wade, now in his first full year is starting to capitalize on the tremendous upside that he has. They seem to be heading in opposite directions, and it wouldn't surprise me if they've passed each other by draft day.
#198 Dom Toninato for NR Justin Kloos
It's maybe not worth arguing much about two guys in the range of guys unlikely to be picked. Toninato has more size than Kloos, but he's not huge by any means, and Kloos is a much more dynamic player. If Kloos plays in the USHL once the high school season and can average a point per game, he'll likely move way up the rankings.