2017 NHL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions and Top Prospects on the Rise

There is no dominant No. 1 draft choice in the NHL this year.

After Connor McDavid went with the No. 1 pick in 2015 and Auston Matthews was selected with the top pick last year, there are no charismatic and dominant players to be had at the top of this year's draft.

However, that doesn't mean there aren't some excellent players who will be able to help teams in the near future. It may not mean the 2017-18 season, but it could be 2018-19 or shortly thereafter.

The New Jersey Devils have the first pick, and they will likely use it on highly rated center Nico Hischier, but they are not necessarily locked into the pick. 

He will almost certainly be a top-three pick if the Devils don't select him, and he looks like the kind of player who will be able to make a solid contribution to a team that has playoff aspirations.

Hischier is a 6'0", 179-pound center who has been dynamic while playing for Halifax Mooseheads of Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and for the Swiss national teams. He scored 38 goals and 48 assists for Halifax this season and finished with a plus-20 rating.

Hischier has made a steep climb up the draft ladder. He had a 3-3-6 night earlier in the season for Halifax and that set his rise in the hockey rating in motion.

Here's a look at our mock draft and a more detailed focus on three other prospects.

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2017 NHL Mock Draft, First Round

1. New Jersey Devils: Nico Hischier, C, Halifax 

2. Philadelphia Flyers: Nolan Patrick, C, Brandon

3. Dallas Stars: Miro Heiskanen, D, HIFK

4. Colorado Avalanche: Cody Glass, C, Portland

5. Vancouver Canucks: Martin Necas, C, Brno

6. Vegas Golden Knights: Gabriel Vilardi, C, Windsor

7. Arizona Coyotes: Casey Mittelstadt, C, Eden Prairie

8. Buffalo Sabres: Cale Makar, D, Brooks

9. Detroit Red Wings: Klim Kostin, LW/C, Dynamo Moscow

10. Florida Panthers: Owen Tippett, RW, Mississauga 

11. Los Angeles Kings: Eeli Tolvanen, RW, Sioux City

12. Carolina Hurricanes: Timothy Liljegren, D, Rogle (Sweden)

13. Winnipeg Jets: Lias Andersson, C, HV 71d 

14. Tampa Bay Lightning: Nicolas Hague, D, Mississauga

15. New York Islanders: Elias Pettersson, C, Timra

16. Calgary Flames: Callan Foote, D, Kelowna

17. Toronto Maple Leafs: Nick Suzuki, C, Owen Soun

18. Boston Bruins: Juuso Valimaki, D, Tri-City

19. San Jose Sharks: Kristian Vesalainen, LW/RW, Frolunda

20. St. Louis Blues: Ryan Poehling, C, St. Cloud State

21. New York Rangers: Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Spokane

22. Edmonton Oilers: Shane Bowers, C, Waterloo 

23. Arizona Coyotes (from Minnesota): Maxime Comtois, LW, Victoriaville

24. Columbus Blue Jackets: Conor Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

25. Montreal Canadiens: Michael Rasmussen, C, Tri-City 

26. Chicago Blackhawks: Josh Norris, C, USNTDP

27. St. Louis Blues (from Washington): Urho Vaakanainen, D, JYP

28. Ottawa Senators:  Nikita Popugayev, LW, Prince George

29. Dallas Stars (from Anaheim): Jake Oettinger, G, Boston University 

30. Nashville Predators: Jason Robertson, LW, Kingston

31. Pittsburgh Penguins: Jesper Boqvist, LW, Brynas

Center Nolan Patrick, Brandon

Patrick is 6'2", 199-pound center who could also go with the No. 1 pick, and if he doesn't, he may not get past the Flyers with the No. 2 pick.

He was named the top Central Hockey League prospect after scoring 20 goals and 26 assists in 33 games in 2016-17. He was slowed by a stomach muscle problem this season, but when he came back, he showed no ill effects.

Canadian scouting website Future Considerations explained that in addition to his skill and talent level, he plays the game in a responsible manner:

"Plays very responsibly with the puck, but also makes something happen each time he possesses it. Uses his strength and reach to guard the puck, driving his way around the offensive zone. Has a sharp release on his wrist shot and is capable of beating a goaltender from anywhere in the offensive zone."

Defenseman Callan Foote, Kelowna

The first thing that jumps out about Foote is his skill on the defensive side because his technique is excellent.

That ability stands out even more than his size. The son of former NHL defenseman Adam Foote is 6'4" and 215 pounds, and he has a solid physical presence.

At this point in his development, Foote is not a rough, tough, mean prospect, but the edgy part of his game is likely to develop as his career progresses. 

Jeff Marek of Sportsnet described him as a "solid, safe pick" who could have a 12-year career.

Center Nick Suzuki, Owen Sound

Suzuki is another player who has shown quite a bit of improvement this year. He had an excellent season with Owen Sound as he scored 45 goals and 51 assists during the regular season, and he followed that up with eight goals and 15 assists during his 17-game playoff run.

Suzuki is a 5'11", 183-pound center who has made his jump up the ladder because of his overall intensity.

"He's very consistent in his play and he plays the game within the rules," Owen Sound coach Ryan McGill said, per Ryan Kennedy of the Hockey News. "He plays hard every shift and his teammates love him. His game has grown so much that the sky’s the limit because of how he thinks the game."

While our mock draft has him going with the 17th pick to the Maple Leafs, he would probably like to go one pick later to the Bruins, since he cited Patrice Bergeron as one of the players he admires most.

Suzuki probably needs a year or more of seasoning, but he has the game to be a solid two-way player in the foreseeable future.