2017 NHL Draft Rankings: The Next Ones Preliminary Edition

Goodbye Buffalo. Hello Chicago.

With the highly touted, talent laden 2016 NHL entry draft now in the rear view mirror, it’s time to switch focus to the intriguing 2017 draft class which has the makings of a deep one. There will undoubtedly be plenty of jockeying for position amongst the eligible prospects with offseason training to be done, and a full season of hockey yet to be played.

The following is an early glimpse at some of the talented young guns to keep on the radar for the 2017 NHL Draft.  Mark your calendars as the entry draft makes its way to the Windy City, Second City, taking place June 23rd–24th 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Keep plugged into THW’s The Next Ones draft coverage as the season progresses for in-depth prospect profiles, updated exclusive rankings, mock drafts, team previews and other unique insight.

[Related: The Next Ones 2016 NHL Draft Guide (Free)]

2017 NHL Draft Rankings: The Next Ones Preliminary Edition

The Early Fab Five

Nolan Patrick leads the way as a potential franchise centreman. Sublime puckmoving blueliner Timothy Liljegren is nipping at his heels. Kailor Yamamoto is somewhat undersized, but compensates with dynamic offensive skills, impressive instincts, and game-changing ability. Gabriel Vilardi is another stud centre with immense potential. Nico Hischier will make a push to be the highest Swiss player drafted ever.

The Top 61 Prospects

*Prospect Profiler Notes for the Top 30

# PLAYER POS HT WT TEAM Prospect Profiler Notes
1 PATRICK, NOLAN RC 6’02” 193 BRANDON (WHL) Dominating #1 centre
2 LILJEGREN, TIMOTHY RD 6’00” 190 ROGLE J20 (SWE J20) Dynamite skater; PMD
3 YAMAMOTO, KAILER RW 5’09” 160 SPOKANE (WHL) Sublime skills, instincts
4 VILARDI, GABRIEL RC 6’02” 193 WINDSOR (OHL) Cornerstone centre
5 HISCHIER, NICO LC 6’00” 172 SC BERN (NLA) Swiss Crosby?
6 COMTOIS, MAXIME LW 6’01” 192 VICTORIAVILLE (QMJHL) Powerful winger
7 LODNIA, VANYA RC 5’09” 171 ERIE (OHL) Visionary, speedy forward
8 TOLVANEN, EELI LW 5’10” 172 SIOUX CITY (USHL) Skilled sharpshooter
9 FOOTE, CALLAN RD 6’03” 198 KELOWNA (WHL) Huge, mobile, skilled
10 MITTLESTADT, CASEY LC 5’11” 190 EDEN PRAIRIE (HS-MN) Smart, skilled 2-way C
11 PETTERSSON, ELIAS LC 6’01” 152 TIMRA IK (ALLSVENSKAN) Speedy. Creative. Energetic.
12 TIPPETT, OWEN RW 6’01” 181 MISSISSAUGA (OHL) Strong, scoring winger
13 KOSTIN, KLIM RW 6’03” 190 HK MVD BALASHIKHA (MHL) Power winger, goal scorer
14 REEDY, SCOTT RC 6’01” 187 USA NTDP U17 (USHL) Powerful, skilled C
15 VESALAINEN, KRISTIAN LW 6’03” 203 FROLUNDA HC (SEL) Power winger, soft hands
16 HAGUE, NICOLAS LD 6’05” 207 MISSISSAUGA (OHL) Size. Skill. Skating.
17 POPUGAEV, NIKITA A. RW 6’04” 204 MOOSE JAW (WHL) Size. Agility. Skill.
18 ANDERSSON, LIAS LC 5’11” 198 HV71 (SEL) High hockey IQ; 2-way C
19 STROME, MATTHEW LW 6’03” 190 HAMILTON (OHL) Ryan & Dylan’s brother
20 MORAND, ANTOINE LC 5’09” 170 ACADIE-BATHURST (QMJHL) Offensive catalyst
21 DAVIDSSON, MARCUS LC 6’00” 185 DJURGARDEN J20 (SWE) All-around playmaking C
22 VAAKANAINEN, URHO LD 6’01” 187 BLUES (SM LIIGA) Poised, smart 2-way D
23 RASMUSSEN, MICHAEL LC 6’05” 200 TRI-CITY (WHL) Blend of power & skill
24 OKSANEN, EMIL RW 6’00” ESPOO BLUES (SM LIIGA) Agile, lethal scoring winger
25 KOTKANSALO, KASPER LD 6’02” 190 ESPOO BLUES (SM LIIGA) 2-way D; potential!
26 BOQVIST, JESPER RC 5’11” 175 BRYNAS JR20 (SUPERELIT) Lightning fast, playmaker
27 VALIMAKI, JUUSO LD 6’02” 200 TRI-CITY (WHL) Rock solid, 2-way D
28 BOWERS, SHANE LC 6’01” 170 WATERLOO (USHL) Versatile all-around C
29 GILDON, MAX LD 6’02” 179 USA NTDP U17 (USHL) All-situation 2-way D
30 SALO, ROBIN LD 6’00” 181 SPORT (SM LIIGA) All-around D; big shot
31 SKINNER, STUART G 6’04” 197 LETHBRIDGE (WHL)
32 SAMORUKOV, DMITRI LD 6’01” 168 CSKA MOSKVA U17 (RUS)
33 SCHEEL, ADAM G 6’02” USA NTDP U17 (USHL)
34 HEISKANEN, MIRO LD 5’10” 154 HIFK U20 (FIN JR.)
35 ROBERTSON, JASON LW 6’02” KINGSTON (OHL)
36 OETTINGER, JAKE G 6’04” 200 USA NTDP U17 (USHL)
37 THILANDER, ADAM RD 6’00” SKELLEFTEA (SWE)
38 GLASS, CODY RC 6’01” 165 PORTLAND (WHL)
39 KEATING, AUSTEN LC 5’11” OTTAWA (OHL)
40 MATTHEOS, STELIO RW 6’01” 194 BRANDON (WHL)
41 CHAINEY, JOCKTON LD 6’01” HALIFAX (QMJHL)
42 MARTIN, LUKE RD 6’02” 201 USA NTDP U18 (USHL)
43 SAFIN, OSTAP LW 6’04” 198 HC SPARTA PRAHA U18 (CZE)
44 MISMASH, GRANT LC 6’00” 183 USA NTDP U17 (USHL)
45 VERTIY, DANIIL LW 6’00” 198 NORTH BAY (OHL)
46 RUZICKA, ADAM LC 6’04” 209 HC PARDUBICE U18 (CZE)
47 ELVENES, LUCAS LW 6’00” ROGLE J20 (SWE)
48 MINULIN, ARTEM RD 6’02” SWIFT CURRENT (WHL)
49 PAQUETTE, JACOB LD 6’02” 203 KINGSTON (OHL)
50 MAKSIMOV, KIRILL RW 6’01” SAGINAW (OHL
51 SLEPETS, KIRILL RW 5’10” 155 NATIONAL U18 (MHL)
52 JOKIHARJU, HENRI RD 5’11” TAP. TAMPERE (SM LIIGA)
53 SUZUKI, NICK RC 5’10” 183 OWEN SOUND (OHL)
54 RONDBJERG, JONAS LW 6’01” RUNGSTED (DEN)
55 BUCEK, SAMUEL LW 6’02” 192 CHICAGO (USHL)
56 DIPIETRO, MIKE G 6’00” 198 WINDSOR (OHL)
57 STUDNICKA, JACK RC 6’00” 163 OSHAWA (OHL)
58 FLEURY, CALE RD 6’01” 192 KOOTENAY (WHL)
59 BLACKER, IAN LD 6’03” 181 OAKVILLE (OJHL)
60 LIND, KOLE RC 6’00” 172 KELOWNA (WHL)
61 TARASOV, DANIIL G 6’03” 154 TOLPAR UFA (MHL)