Prospect Info: NHL 2017 Entry Draft: Year of the Homegrown Talent

Constable · Jun 25, 2016

Aavco Cup · Jun 25, 2016

I actually really liked Rasmussen at the U18 camp, more than Comtois Vilardi or Tippet. (small sample size alert)

And I liked Hague more than Stanley.

Constable · Jun 25, 2016

Aavco Cup said:
I actually really liked Rasmussen at the U18 camp, more than Comtois Vilardi or Tippet. (small sample size alert)

And I liked Hague more than Stanley.

I agree, all of the top D in this draft so far are A: Large and B: Talented. Foote looks like a younger version of his father at this age, and he comes from the NHL Defenseman factory of Kelowna

Hammer Slammer · Jun 25, 2016

Cal Foote is incredible, he had such a good rookie season with Kelowna. His brother Nolan was drafted by Kelowna as well and could report there next year if he wants (would be a 2018 pick).

Aavco Cup · Jun 25, 2016

This is the earliest draft thread ever on this board. Appropriate in many ways though since the amateur scouts have already turned the page.

Deif · Jun 26, 2016

Where would Patrick have gone in the 2016 draft? Probably 3 or 4 after Laine and Matthews, right?

portamoral · Jun 26, 2016

Deiferson said:
Where would Patrick have gone in the 2016 draft? Probably 3 or 4 after Laine and Matthews, right?

3 to cbj?

Aavco Cup · Jun 26, 2016

portamoral said:
3 to cbj?

Would we have passed on the local boy?

portamoral · Jun 26, 2016

Aavco Cup said:
Would we have passed on the local boy?

hope so, can't say chevy would have though. don't see nolan being on the matthews level and laine clearly is.

Aavco Cup · Jun 26, 2016

portamoral said:
hope so, can't say chevy would have though. don't see nolan being on the matthews level and laine clearly is.

He looked pretty damn good in the dub playoffs but I tend to agree with you.

Constable · Jun 26, 2016

Deiferson said:
Where would Patrick have gone in the 2016 draft? Probably 3 or 4 after Laine and Matthews, right?

IMHO in a tie for #2 with Laine.

FinPanda · Jun 26, 2016

Yes a 2017 Draft thread!

Keep an eye on D Miro Heiskanen and G Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

EastRiver · Jun 26, 2016

FinPanda said:
Yes a 2017 Draft thread!

Keep an eye on D Miro Heiskanen and G Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

That is quite the mouthful. Are you surge you didn't miss a K in there somewhere?

FinPanda · Jun 27, 2016

EastRiver said:
That is quite the mouthful. Are you surge you didn't miss a K in there somewhere?

I am sure. :laugh:

TheDeuce · Jun 28, 2016

No Win For Nolan! Get the tank talk out early before we march to a home ice advantage playoff spot.

OP related: It'll be interesting to see the jockeying over the course of the season and compare the final list next June to what's up there now.

Go Jets Go!

m.

Deif · Jun 28, 2016

TheDeuce said:
No Win For Nolan! Get the tank talk out early before we march to a home ice advantage playoff spot.

OP related: It'll be interesting to see the jockeying over the course of the season and compare the final list next June to what's up there now.

Go Jets Go!

m.

You mean it's too early to start the tank thread?

Aavco Cup · Jun 28, 2016

1st look at the draft class. Some (like Patrick) will be at the U20 camps instead.

Daximus · Jul 23, 2016

My very very very preliminary rankings for the 2017 class. Of course I threw in a few guys to keep on eye on that are on my radar. My list will likely have a small CHL bias because of the amount of CHL games I viewed last season but for now this is my preliminary top 15, which is likely to change as the season gets under way and I get some viewings in. We should start seeing top 31 lists now that Vegas has a team in a few months.

1. Nolan Patrick - C – 6'3 – 194
Brandon, WHL
Patrick has all the makings of an elite two-way 1C in the NHL. He can play all situations, is an excellent skater and has a deadly elite level shot. He reminds me of a mix between Getzlaf and Perry. Almost a hybrid of the two. If he can maintain close to the same production or better in 16/17 he should be a lock to go 1st overall.

2. Maxime Comtois – LW/C – 6'1 – 192
Victoriaville, QMJHL
Comtois played mostly LW for the Tigers last season so not entirely sure about his future at Center. He held his own as a 16 year old in the QMJHL last season with 60 points in 62 games and leading his team in scoring. He is a very good skater and displays an excellent shot with some smooth hands.

3. Tim Liljegren – RD – 6'0 – 190
Rogle, SHL
Craig Button has already called Liljegren a mix of Doughty and Karlsson which is some hype to live up to. He shows incredible puck moving and passing abilities as well as elite vision and shot in the offensive zone with high IQ and is possibly the fastest and best skater in the class so far. I have him at 3 for now because of a lack of viewings but I suspect he could climb up my list as I pay more attention this coming season.

4. Kailer Yamamoto – C/LW – 5'9 – 159
Spokane, WHL
Yamamoto is a prospect that really excites me. He is an incredible skater and stickhandler and displays an excellent wrist shot. He reminds me of a Patrick Kane-lite. His vision and playmaking skills are already at an elite level in the WHL and he should have a very big season with Spokane next year. Hard to say if he will remain a Center at the NHL level without bulking up more, his likely path of least resistance will be on the wing.

5. Gabriel Vilardi – C – 6'2 – 185
Windsor, OHL
Vilardi is the prototypical big body pivot. He is a trench warfare center who is hard on the forecheck, he goes to the dirty areas and comes out with the puck. He is also a shifty skater which allows him to move through the offensive zone quickly and can make a solid set-up pass when needed. He could go higher with a good year for Windsor, especially with a guaranteed spot in the Memorial Cup.

6. Nico Hischier – C – 6'0 – 172
Halifax, QMJHL
Already dubbed the "Swiss Crosby", Hischier is a very speedy and smooth skater who may be the best playmaker in this class. Many in the Swiss ranks are already calling him the best Swiss prospect ever and now that he has signed on with the Halifax Mooseheads we should all have plenty of opportunities to see how he stacks up against this CHL dominated class. If he manages to have a strong showing I expect he could catapult his way up both mine and everyone's rankings.

7. Antoine Morand – C – 5'9 – 170
Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL
Morand is a small but gritty center. He is an excellent skater and stickhandler and shows elite vision and passing ability. I suspect that he will likely be a wing at the NHL level given his size and will likely be taken in the late 1st or early 2nd because of it but I think with the way the league is headed; speed, skating ability and skill as well as the emergence of other small players are paving the way for guys like Morand to be given more opportunities to succeed.

8. Eeli Tolvanen – LW – 5'10 - 172
Sioux City, USHL
Tolvenen, a 17/18 Boston College commit and Finnish born player, is another in the long line of the highly skilled but small in stature wingers in this class. He looks to be a pure goalscorer who uses his speed and skating ability to find the open areas and drive the puck home. He owns both a deceptive wrist shot and a powerful slap shot and could be the best pure scorer in the class. Looks to be a PP specialist as well.

9. Michael Rasmussen – C – 6'5 – 203
Tri-City, WHL
Rasmussen reminds me a lot of Logan Brown. A big and powerful center who can control the play and has the potential to really stand out with more icetime in Tri-City. Look for him to rise up the rankings, no doubt because of both his size and the accompanying production that will come with it.

10. Callen Foote – RD – 6'3 – 195
Kelowna, WHL
Foote has both pedigree and the skill to go with it and to add to that he comes from Kelowna, everyone's favourite defencemen factory. With a big body and powerful stride Foote can control the play on both sides of the ice. He displays solid shutdown abilities in the dzone with good reach and anticipation, is great at finding open ice or a streaking forward on the transition making him a great quarterback and puck mover and has a fast and heavy shot from the blueline. He compares favorably to Shea Webber but not as physical and IMO could very well be the best defender in the 2017 class. Look for him to climb the rankings as all eyes will be on him while he leads the charge from the backend in Ktown this coming season.

11.Owen Tippet – RW – 6'1 – 181
Mississauga, OHL
Tippet looks to be pretty high on a number of lists already this season making most top 5's. But from my limited viewings I have yet to see the pure sniper many are anticipating he will become. He could very well climb my rankings and remain at the top of many. Either way he is an excellent skater and has a very good shot. If it manages to find the net more he could be another high end goal scoring threat in this class.

12. Nick Hague – LD – 6'6 – 207
Mississauga, OHL
Hauge is essentially everything you want in a young defencemen. Big, agile and dominating. He is already everything that we want Logan Stanley to be and has the production to go along with it. He has good reach, can break up plays up with ease, makes great passes out of the zone and can walk the line like Johnny Cash and owns a powerful shot to go with it. If Hague continues to develop at this rate expect him to go inside the top 10 very easily.

13. Lias Andersson – C/LW – 5'11 – 198
HV71, SHL
Andersson is a smart, skilled and strong two-way center whose rights were recently drafted by Kitchener in the Import Draft. Really hoping he comes over so I can get more looks. He looks to be a producer though.

14. Ostap Safin – W – 6'4 – 198
Sparta Praha, Czech
Definitely a guy to keep on eye on in the Czech league. A big body with high production, over a PPG at every level he's been a fixture at. Kid should see regular time in the Czech pro league with Praha.

15. Nick Suzuki – C - 5'10 - 183
Owen Sound, OHL
Remember Suzuki's name because by the end of the season I suspect you will be hearing about it. Suzuki is a small but skilled center who is an excellent two-way player. He can anticipate and read plays well and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. If he can add more size and strength by next season he should go in the 1st round. His play really speaks for itself.

Deif · Jul 23, 2016

Nice job. Really good read. Thanks!

Daximus · Jul 23, 2016

A few others to keep an eye on.

Casey Mittelstadt – C – 5'11 – 190
Green Bay, USHL

Scott Reedy – C – 6'1 – 187
USNT, USHL

Matthew Strome – LW – 6'3 – 190
Hamilton, OHL

Adam Ruzicka – C – 6'4 – 209
Pardubice, Czech

Nikita Popugayev – RW – 6'4 - 203
Moose Jaw, WHL

Juuso Valimaki – LD – 6'2 – 201
Tri-City, WHL

Max Gildon – LD – 6'2 – 179
USNT, US

Vesalainen Kristian – W – 6'3 – 203
Frolunda, SHL

Urho Vaakanainen – LD – 6'1 – 187
JYP, Liiga

Erik Brannstrom – LD – 5'10 – 172
HV71, SHL

Robin Salo – LD – 6'1 – 187
Sport, Liiga

Brady Gilmour – C – 5'10 – 165
Saginaw, OHL

Grant Mismash – C – 6'0 – 183
USNT, USHL

Ostap Safin – W – 6'4 – 198
Sparta Praha, Czech

Ivan Lodnia – RW – 5'10 – 179
Eerie, OHL

Stelio Mattheos – C – 6'1 – 194
Brandon, WHL

Stu Skinner – G – 6'3 – 209
Kethbridge, WHL

SIV · Jul 23, 2016

Nolan Patrick is recovering from a sports hernia, is that going to effect his draft rankings if he has a Laddesk type of season this year?

Channelcat · Jul 23, 2016

Deif said:
Where would Patrick have gone in the 2016 draft? Probably 3 or 4 after Laine and Matthews, right?

I would have taken him #1

Daximus · Jul 24, 2016

Channelcat said:
I would have taken him #1

Would have been close but I think I take Matthews by a hair. I'd have to think Patrick goes #2 pretty easily though.

It really is crazy how we have had 5 Franchise centers in the last 5 drafts. MacKinnon, McDavid, Eichel, Matthews and Patrick. With the potential to have more in the 18/19 drafts still.

AngelicAssassin* · Jul 24, 2016

EastRiver said:
That is quite the mouthful. Are you surge you didn't miss a K in there somewhere?

FinPanda said:
Yes a 2017 Draft thread!

Keep an eye on D Miro Heiskanen and G Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

First vote for drafting him and dubbing him "Special K"

Daximus · Jul 24, 2016

SIV said:
Nolan Patrick is recovering from a sports hernia, is that going to effect his draft rankings if he has a Laddesk type of season this year?

As far as I know it is typically easier to recover from sports injuries as an 18 year old than it is as a 30 year old with some heavy miles on your body like Ladd has. I don't know if that's the case with sports hernias.

Prospect Info: NHL 2017 Entry Draft: Year of the Homegrown Talent

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