Is Hischier closing in on Patrick to be No. 1 pick?
Jan 18
Nolan Patrick is widely considered to be the No. 1 pick in this year's NHL Draft, but is Swiss sensation Nico Hischier closing the gap? TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button weighs in, and also lists the greatest asset of each player.
Transcript:
James Duthie: "And those two young men lead us to our Director of Scouting, Craig Button. Central Scouting releasing its ranking of the 2017 draft prospects on Wednesday, and Nolan Patrick is expected to be No. 1 overall, but Nico Hischier, the Swiss sensation -- is he right behind him now, Craig?
Craig Button: "Well, Nolan Patrick is No. 1., but it's not clear No. 1. Nico Hischier is definitely nipping at his heels. If you watched Nico in the World Junior Hockey Championships, he just got better and better as the tournament went on -- and against very good competition. He was a dominant player. And now, I go on Sunday and watch him in Halifax, and just when you think it's hard to build on that World Junior performance, he does. He takes over the game, he scores two goals, and you see things that remind you of Henrik Zetterberg: that ability to play a lot of minutes, a lot of critical situations, and to produce at those moments. But, right now, Nolan Patrick remains 1. He hasn't had the opportunity to play because of injury. The Prospects Game coming up on January 30th is gonna give scouts a real opportunity to watch him play, head to head vs Nico Hischier, and it's an opportunity for Nolan Patrick, who's been a little bit behind here because of the injury, to show what he can do. You look back to previous drafts, there was Taylor vs Tyler, there was Jack vs Mac, and I suggest now there is a case for Nolan vs Nico.
Duthie: "All right. Give me the greatest asset of each player. We might as well start with Nolan, who is back, as you mentioned, after three months off."
Button: "Nolan Patrick has a real economy of effort when he plays the game. He is exceptionally smart, understands what's unfolding, and there's not a lot of wasted energy. But when the opportunity arises, he takes full advantage of it and has that quick strike ability. Nico Hischier has a real quiet fire to him. He's got a determination that will not allow himself to be denied. They both have very good skill, they're both very good centers, but those are the two elements that I think stand out for each of the two players."
Duthie: "Patrick would be the first Manitoban who would go first overall if he goes there. Which NHLer's style of play does he most remind you of right now?"
Button: "He reminds me of Eric Staal: that ability to make plays, the ability to shoot the puck, that big centerman that can play down low, that can play defence, be good on faceoffs. He's not gonna wow you with a lot of flash and dash a la a Connor McDavid -- but Connor McDavid is an exceptional player -- but Nolan Patrick, to me, is like Eric Staal, and if you're building your team up the middle of the ice with a player like Nolan Patrick, you're in really good shape."
