Can you believe it? We’re only a couple of days away from the start of the 2017 NHL Draft and anticipation is building to a fever pitch for this great sporting spectacle. To further whet your hockey appetite, we writers here at TopBet each made our own mock draft for the top 10 picks in the upcoming NHL Draft.
Have you made one yourself? Read on below and see how it compares to our top-10 list!
Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier go 1-2 in TopBet’s 2017 NHL Mock Draft
The debate between Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick going No. 1 overall to the New Jersey Devils will likely last until a name is called at the podium in Chicago on Friday night. TopBet writers, however, are unanimous in their belief that Patrick will emerge as the top pick in this year’s NHL Draft. Talent is definitely oozing from the 18-year-old Patrick who went for 102 points in 72 games while winning the WHL MVP in 2015-16. Injuries may have hampered Patrick’s 2016-17 season but he’s definitely a risk worth taking for New Jersey.
That being said, we wouldn’t be totally surprised if the Devils go the Hischier route. He was spectacular in his first full campaign in North America, recording 86 points in his stint with the Halifax Mooseheads. Hischier is the most dynamic offensive player in this year’s draft and New Jersey’s attack will improve leaps and bounds with the 18-year-old Swiss star in the lineup.
Gabriel Vilardi is the Best of the Rest
Gabriel Vilardi has solidified himself as the next-best prospect in this year’s Draft with the Dallas Stars poised to make him their No. 3 selection this coming Friday. Despite missing some time this past season, Vilardi still emerged as Windsor’s leading scorer, racking up 61 points (29 goals, 32 assists) in just 49 matches. The 17-year-old Canadian finished third in points per game (1.24) among all under-18 OHL players, next only to Owen Tippett (1.25) and Nick Suzuki (1.48). We have to take note, though, that both Tippett and Suzuki played on higher-scoring teams than Vilardi’s Spitfires. Look for Vilardi to bring some immediate impact to Dallas this coming season.
