2017 NHL Draft Expert Picks and Predictions

It’s an exciting build-up to the draft. Though Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier are expected to go within the first two picks, no one’s sure who’s going to which team. Being the reigning bottom-feeders that they are, the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers are certainly in need of such impact players, so it is simply tough to predict which direction they are going.

Putting things in perspective are experts of the sport. We’ve listed what some saying; let’s see who made the top 10 of their mock drafts. Read on!

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2017 NHL Draft Expert Picks and Predictions

ComCast SportsNet-New England (Joe Haggerty)

TEAM | PICK
New Jersey Devils | Nico Hischier, C/RW
Philadelphia Flyers | Nolan Patrick, C
Dallas Stars | Miro Heiskanen, D
Colorado Avalanche | Gabriel Vilardi, C
Vancouver Canucks | Casey Mittelstadt, C
Vegas Golden Knights | Owen Tippett, RW
Phoenix Coyotes | Michael Rasmussen, C
Buffalo Sabres | Timothy Liljigren, D
Detroit Red Wings | Cody Glass, C
Florida Panthers | Cale Makar, D

Joe Haggerty believes that Nico Hischier is the best route for the Devils. The 18-year-old showed explosiveness last season with the Halifax Mooseheads, as he scored 86 points (38 goals, 48 assists) in just 58 games.

The Flyers, meanwhile, should have no worries. Haggerty said that Philly will be getting a player that he thinks is comparable to Jonathan Toews, Anze Kopitar, and Patrick Bergeron.

As for the very defensively-challenged Stars and expansion Golden Knights, they should be banking at acquiring the best defensive (Heiskanen) and offensive (Tippett) players available in their slots, respectively.

NHL.Com

TEAM | ADAM KIMELMAN | MIKE MORREALE | GUILLAME PAGE
New Jersey Devils | Nolan Patrick | Nolan Patrick | Nico Hischier
Philadelphia Flyers | Nico Hischier | Nico Hischier | Nolan Patrick
Dallas Stars | Casey Mittelstadt | Gabriel Vilardi | Miro Heiskanen
Colorado Avalanche | Miro Heiskanen | Miro Heiskanen | Casey Mittelstadt
Vancouver Canucks | Gabriel Vilardi | Cody Glass | Gabriel Vilardi
Vegas Golden Knights | Owen Tipett | Casey Mittelstadt | Owen Tipett
Phoenix Coyotes | Cale Makar | Cale Makar | Michael Rasmussen
Buffalo Sabres | Juuso Valimaki | Owen Tipett | Cody Glass
Detroit Red Wings | Elias Petterson | Klim Kostin | Cale Makar
Florida Panthers | Kristian Vesalainen | Michael Rasmussen | Martin Necas

Adam Kimelman and Mike Morreale echoed each other on who should be number one and two. Both believe that Nolan Patrick’s abilities on offense is the upgrade that the Devils are looking for, particularly on wisely using his size and other strengths. It’s not a knock on Hischier, though, as they also commended what he can bring in the scoring department.

Guillame Page, on the other hand, has Hischier going first, saying that the kid is the most complete forward in the class. Page added that the rookie will be bringing in speed, skill, depth, and intelligence.

Three experts have differing visions on what the next picks could or should be, although their views on certain players are pretty much the same.

Miro Heiskanen

– Best two-way player in the draft

Gabriel Vilardi

– Can bring in energy, leadership, playmaking, and presence in the offensive zone.

Casey Mittelstadt

– Can do a lot of things. A surefire impact player that possesses great agility and handles the puck very well.

Owen Tipett

– Has a lot of offense in his arsenal. Best goal scorer in the draft.

Cale Makar

– One of the best defensemen in the draft. Although short in stance, he is able to make up for it with his mobility, elite skating, and great hockey IQ.

Michael Rasmussen

– The big frame will be enough to draw attention from any team. He is the prototype NHL power forward who can bang bodies and help facilitate his teammates on offense.

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