Early Look at the Top 10 Prospects for the 2017 Entry Draft
This year's draft crop has not yet established a clear top tier, mostly due to injuries and inconsistent performance. There is no generational talent—no Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews—but the top end should provide NHL teams with quality players who can perform important roles for a decade or more.
The Canadian junior leagues house much of the top 10 talents available, but a Minnesota high school player and a Swedish defender found a way onto the list.
There are so many variables this year that we could see several names move in and out of the top 10 by the end of June and draft day. That said, here are the current top 10 talents for the 2017 NHL draft on June 23-24.
10. Eeli Tolvanen, LW, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
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What Kind of Player Is He? Eeli Tolvanen of the Sioux City Musketeers is one of the best snipers in this year's draft. Although he possesses a range of skills and is a fine puck-handler and passer, a lot of his hockey value comes from his role as a shooter. His quick, accurate shot is a constant worry for opposition goalies.
What Is He Doing This Year? Tolvanen has 16 goals in 23 games with the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers. It took him 49 games to score 17 one year ago in the same league, so he is on pace to double his goal total year over year.
Which NHL Team Would Represent a Perfect Fit for His Skills? The Detroit Red Wings rank No. 21 in shots per 60 this season, according to Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com. Tolvanen is off to Boston College in the fall, and Detroit as an organization has shown exceptional ability to remain patient with prospects. The Red Wings and Tolvanen may be a perfect fit at the 2017 draft.
9. Casey Mittelstadt, C, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
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What Kind of Player Is He? Casey Mittelstadt is a complete center prospect who is playing for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL and Eden Prairie High this season. There is some risk in that he is playing high school hockey, which makes his actual potential difficult to measure. That said, he looks like the complete package of size, speed and skill.
What Is He Doing This Year? Mittelstadt has been scoring at will in both high school and USHL play, delivering almost two points per game at the high school level. He has little left to prove, and it might be wise for him to concentrate on the USHL for the rest of his draft season.
Which NHL Team Would Represent a Perfect Fit for His Skills? The Carolina Hurricanes may be picking in this range come the 2017 draft. The Hurricanes dealt previous franchise center Eric Staal last season, and Mittelstadt has the range of skills associated with that kind of impact player.
8. Kristian Vesalainen, LW, Frolunda HC (SHL)
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What Kind of Player Is He? Kristian Vesalainen is a two-way winger with size (6'3", 207 lbs) and possesses more of a North American skill set. He can win board battles, is a good passer and has a strong shot, but he plays a more traditional up-and-down wing style than what we often see with Finnish players.
What Is He Doing This Year? Vesalainen plays for Frolunda of the Swedish League, one of the top leagues in Europe. He is posting some offense (five points in 16 games) and the SHL website has him logging close to 11 minutes per game in ice time. It is rare for a player to get substantial playing time in a high league during his draft season.
Which NHL Team Would Represent a Perfect Fit for His Skills? The Winnipeg Jets place high value on responsible wingers with size and a scoring touch. Vesalainen may not be NHL-ready, but he is probably closer than most of the names on this list—and that could also be attractive to Winnipeg management.
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7. Nikita Popugaev, RW, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
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What Kind of Player Is He? Nikita Popugaev is a somewhat unique player in this year's draft. He has terrific foot speed while also being a large player—he's listed at 6'6", 203 pounds—and NHL scouts love that combination. He also has good offensive instincts and is an outstanding passer.
What Is He Doing This Year? Popugaev is in his second season with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. His progress has been outstanding, and he passed last year's point total in fewer than 40 games during 2016-17. He is tracking as a top-flight prospect for this coming draft.
Which NHL Team Would Represent a Perfect Fit for His Skills? The New Jersey Devils remain starved for offense, and Popugaev might be a nice fit for that young group of forwards general manager Ray Shero is building. He is probably not close to NHL-ready but might be able to contribute by the fall of 2018.
6. Juuso Valimaki, D, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
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What Kind of Player Is He? Juuso Valimaki is a fast offensive defenseman who is a delight to watch with the puck on his stick. He makes good decisions at high speed, is a quality passer and has a good shot. His defensive ability is less developed, but he has the tools to be a solid defender.
What Is He Doing This Year? In his second season in the WHL, Valimaki has spiked offensively and is vital to the Tri-City Americans attack. His special brand of puck-moving was also on display over the Christmas period at the World Junior Championships, as he represented Finland.
Which NHL Team Would Represent a Perfect Fit for His Skills? The Dallas Stars have a large contingent of young and emerging defenders, but a player like Valimaki might be hard to resist. If the No. 1 centers and snipers on the wing are gone when the Stars pick, do not be surprised if they add another puck-mover to an enormous group of quality defensemen in Texas.
5. Owen Tippett, RW, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
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What Kind of Player Is He? Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads might be the most explosive goal-scoring prospect in this year's draft. He is an excellent skater and can score in tight or off the rush, and he is dangerous every time he crosses the blue line.
What Is He Doing This Year? Tippett is ripping up the OHL, scoring at an incredible clip. At last count, he had 29 goals in 36 games, a trajectory that would put him over 50 goals at season's end.
Which NHL Team Would Represent a Perfect Fit for His Skills? The Vegas Golden Knights are the NHL's new entry into the league, playing the first games in franchise history later this year. Nothing sells tickets more rapidly than goals, and Tippett should fill the net in the NHL if he continues to progress.
4. Nico Hischier, LW, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
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What Kind of Player Is He? Nico Hischier is a splendid talent who plays for the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. He is a nightmare for opposition defensemen and goalies, boasting incredible skill, quickness and creativity. Hischier may be the most talented offensive player in this year's draft.
What Is He Doing This Year? Hischier is posting big numbers in the QMJHL this season, scoring 23 goals and 48 points in 31 games. He was also breathtaking during the World Junior Championships over Christmas, giving Switzerland a formidable offensive option in every game.
Which NHL Team Would Represent a Perfect Fit for His Skills? The New York Islanders are looking for quality offensive talent, and Hischier might be a fabulous match for a center like John Tavares—should the Islanders center remain with the team through free agency. Hischier is unlikely to fall outside the top five overall, so New York might have to trade up in order to get him.
3. Timothy Liljegren, Rogle (SHL)
8 of 10What Kind of Player Is He? Timothy Liljegren plays for Rogle of the Swedish Hockey League, that country's top professional league. He is a mobile defender who can help his team in all three zones and projects as a top-pairing defenseman. He is an expert passer and a smooth skater.
What Is He Doing This Year? Liljegren is playing in the SHL, averaging 10 minutes per game. It is sometimes difficult to track defenders who play in higher leagues because they don't get a chance to play a lot. That said, Liljegren has played in several different leagues this year and has flourished in all of them. He is a bona fide blue-chip prospect.
Which NHL Team Would Represent a Perfect Fit for His Skills? The Buffalo Sabres are building a strong program through the draft, and a complete defender like Liljegren could be a key final piece of the puzzle. His range of skills, skating and passing ability makes him a strong candidate for the No. 1 overall selection.
2. Gabriel Vilardi, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
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What Kind of Player Is He? Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires is a strong two-way center with top level scoring ability. He possesses quality passing and shooting skills, including a quick release that goalies have difficulty tracking and stopping. He has the complete range of offensive skills, including puck protection, strength and finding scoring zones.
What Is He Doing This Year? Like many in the top 10 this season, Vilardi has had some injury issues and at this point has played in only 20 games. He has 12 goals and 28 points in those games, establishing himself as one of the top prospects in this year's draft.
Which NHL Team Would Represent a Perfect Fit for His Skills? Every team in the league would be thrilled to draft a player with Vilardi's talent, but he should be gone early in the draft this year. A team like the Arizona Coyotes might be an ideal fit for a complete talent like Vilardi.
1. Nolan Patrick, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
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What Kind of Player Is He? Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings has been the top-ranked player in the 2017 draft since last summer. He has across-the-board skills, and those positives are supercharged by his intelligence and hockey sense. Watching Patrick at 16 was an unusual experience, as he played the game like a much older junior.
What Is He Doing This Year? Patrick has been injured much of the season, so he has posted just nine points in six WHL games so far. He scored 41 goals and 102 points in the same league last season, so the numbers should spike as soon as he arrives back on the active roster.
Which NHL Team Would Represent a Perfect Fit for His Skills? The Colorado Avalanche are about to enter a period of transition, with a franchise center among the first items on the needs list. Patrick is among the most NHL-ready players in the draft, and he is also the best one. The Mile High City needs a hero, and the broad shoulders of Patrick might be a perfect fit.
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