He was never that impressive of a prospect, and he isn't exactly lighting up the NHL
He's on pace for 6o plus points as the youngest player in the league. You also don't realize that his two way game is just outstanding, possibly the best two way game as an 18 year old since Bergeron. Plus he as has more skill and hockey sense than Bergeron ever had. He's already a first line center on a first place team playing in what's most likely the best division in hockey. He's also not just a passenger he driving the play along with Hall, while also missing Palmieri our first line right winger. Also anyone who thinks Bratt is better is high off their ass, even if he's a elite young player in his own right. Same goes for Butcher. Nico has tangibles that cannot be teacher.
He was a very impressive prospect as well. It was his first year in North America and the Halifax coaches consistently said he wa farther along and more well rounded than Mackinnon, Drouin and Meier. That Halifax team was supposed to be terrible last year and not make the playoffs. His points per game were as good if not better than those three until he injured his wrist the last 6 weeks of the season.
The scouts got one thing right the 2017 draft was and is subpar as a whole. However they made one glaring mistake and that was underestimating Nico Hischier. The fact Nolan Patrick was even in the same tier as Nico during draft time is gonna be looked baxk upon in a humorous way.