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) |