ISS Hockey 2017 Preliminary Draft Rankings (1 - 10)
Apr 6, 2016 12:45:27 GMT -5
Beans (BOS), bjernagris (PHI), and 3 more like this
Post by brentdog on Apr 6, 2016 12:45:27 GMT -5
1. Nolan Patrick (C) – Brandon Wheat Kings - WHL
The son of former first-round pick Steve Patrick, this Manitoba-born Center enjoyed a spectacular debut season in the WHL, posting 59 points in 61 games, before following up with 23 in 20 games so far this season. At 6'3” and 219 lbs, Patrick owns a projectable frame, good hands, great two-way awareness and a long powerful skating stride. Compared favourably to a young Jonathan Toews and is widely considered the consensus #1 pick.
2. Timothy Liljegren (RD) – Everett Silvertips - WHL
Drafted 5th overall in the 2015 CHL import draft after earning tournament all-star honours at the Under-17 Challenge, posting 5 points in 6 games for bronze medallists Sweden. An excellent offensive defenseman who skates well, handles the puck with authority and can really finish with his shot, as attested to by 18 points in 16 games for the Silvertips.
3. Maxime Comtois (C) – Victoriaville Tigres - QMJHL
Former consensus choice as the 1st overall pick in the 2015 QJMHL draft, but eventually fell to 3rd after Joe Veleno was granted exceptional status, Comtois has 9 goals and 10 assists in just 24 games for Victoriaville this year. Talented goal-scorer who anticipates plays extremely well and never loses track of options when closed down. Considered a real workhorse who can play in all situations and is a significant contributor in all of them.
4. Nikita Popugayev (RW) – Moose Jaw Warriors - WHL
At 6'3” and 200 lbs, a 16-year old Popugayev won the fastest skater contest at the KHL pre-draft show in the spring of '15. Has grown since then and looks every inch the prototype iNHL power-forward with a devastating combination of size, speed and skill. Still somewhat raw but 17 points in 14 OHL games attest to his tremendous upside potential.
5. Gabe Vilardi (C) – Windsor Spitfires – OHL
Kingston, Ontario-born Vilardi has 17 points in 16 games for the Windsor Spitfires and is arguably the best '99 class prospect in the OHL. A high-end, big bodied playmaker who possesses great hands and is very difficult to check because of his reach. Speed is not great but his balance in tight areas frees him up for scoring chances.
6. Eeli Tolvanen (LW) – Victoriaville Tigres - WHL
Top scorer at the Under-17 Challenege with 10 points in 6 games, this talented Finnish flyer was drafted 14th overall by Victoriaville in the CHL import draft. Great hands with an early release that doesn’t allow the goalie to get a read on the shot. Quick, fast and agile and he can free himself quickly for a scoring chance. Has formed an instant understanding with Maxime Comtois and rattled up 22 points in 24 games.
7. Michael Pastuov (RW) - NTDP - USHL
Younger brother of 2015 49th overall pick Nick Pastujov. Big, powerful two-way forward who isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas to play. Has good stick control and really stands out when driving the puck to the net. 17 points in 14 games for the US National Development Team.
8. Patrick Khodorenko (C) - NTDP - USHL
A formidable scorer and strong two-way pivot, Khodorenko shone for the US at the WHC-17 tournament with six points in six games. Has followed up with 14 points in 9 games for the NTDP so far this season. Questions remain over his consistency but if he can put it all together he could easily be drafted inside the Top 10.
9. Nico Hischier (C) - Sudbury - OHL
Arguably the most exciting native-born prospect to come out of Switzerland since Nino Niederreiter. Fast, skilled skater with great balance. Adept playmaker who is quick to spot offensive opportunities and take advantage. Dubbed the Swiss Ryan Nugent-Hopkins by some, has 13 points in 18 games for SC Bern in the Swiss National Liga A.
10. Max Gildon (D) – Vancouver Giants - WHL
Texas-born Gildon first began making noise in the hockey world when he played two levels up on the Dallas Stars AAA U16 club in his 14-year-old season. At 6'3” and 203 lbs has an appealing combination of size and smooth-skating ability. 11 points in 17 games for the Vancouver Giants show his offensive skills have started to improve. Has been drawing comparisons to Seth Jones for several years already.
The son of former first-round pick Steve Patrick, this Manitoba-born Center enjoyed a spectacular debut season in the WHL, posting 59 points in 61 games, before following up with 23 in 20 games so far this season. At 6'3” and 219 lbs, Patrick owns a projectable frame, good hands, great two-way awareness and a long powerful skating stride. Compared favourably to a young Jonathan Toews and is widely considered the consensus #1 pick.
2. Timothy Liljegren (RD) – Everett Silvertips - WHL
Drafted 5th overall in the 2015 CHL import draft after earning tournament all-star honours at the Under-17 Challenge, posting 5 points in 6 games for bronze medallists Sweden. An excellent offensive defenseman who skates well, handles the puck with authority and can really finish with his shot, as attested to by 18 points in 16 games for the Silvertips.
3. Maxime Comtois (C) – Victoriaville Tigres - QMJHL
Former consensus choice as the 1st overall pick in the 2015 QJMHL draft, but eventually fell to 3rd after Joe Veleno was granted exceptional status, Comtois has 9 goals and 10 assists in just 24 games for Victoriaville this year. Talented goal-scorer who anticipates plays extremely well and never loses track of options when closed down. Considered a real workhorse who can play in all situations and is a significant contributor in all of them.
4. Nikita Popugayev (RW) – Moose Jaw Warriors - WHL
At 6'3” and 200 lbs, a 16-year old Popugayev won the fastest skater contest at the KHL pre-draft show in the spring of '15. Has grown since then and looks every inch the prototype iNHL power-forward with a devastating combination of size, speed and skill. Still somewhat raw but 17 points in 14 OHL games attest to his tremendous upside potential.
5. Gabe Vilardi (C) – Windsor Spitfires – OHL
Kingston, Ontario-born Vilardi has 17 points in 16 games for the Windsor Spitfires and is arguably the best '99 class prospect in the OHL. A high-end, big bodied playmaker who possesses great hands and is very difficult to check because of his reach. Speed is not great but his balance in tight areas frees him up for scoring chances.
6. Eeli Tolvanen (LW) – Victoriaville Tigres - WHL
Top scorer at the Under-17 Challenege with 10 points in 6 games, this talented Finnish flyer was drafted 14th overall by Victoriaville in the CHL import draft. Great hands with an early release that doesn’t allow the goalie to get a read on the shot. Quick, fast and agile and he can free himself quickly for a scoring chance. Has formed an instant understanding with Maxime Comtois and rattled up 22 points in 24 games.
7. Michael Pastuov (RW) - NTDP - USHL
Younger brother of 2015 49th overall pick Nick Pastujov. Big, powerful two-way forward who isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas to play. Has good stick control and really stands out when driving the puck to the net. 17 points in 14 games for the US National Development Team.
8. Patrick Khodorenko (C) - NTDP - USHL
A formidable scorer and strong two-way pivot, Khodorenko shone for the US at the WHC-17 tournament with six points in six games. Has followed up with 14 points in 9 games for the NTDP so far this season. Questions remain over his consistency but if he can put it all together he could easily be drafted inside the Top 10.
9. Nico Hischier (C) - Sudbury - OHL
Arguably the most exciting native-born prospect to come out of Switzerland since Nino Niederreiter. Fast, skilled skater with great balance. Adept playmaker who is quick to spot offensive opportunities and take advantage. Dubbed the Swiss Ryan Nugent-Hopkins by some, has 13 points in 18 games for SC Bern in the Swiss National Liga A.
10. Max Gildon (D) – Vancouver Giants - WHL
Texas-born Gildon first began making noise in the hockey world when he played two levels up on the Dallas Stars AAA U16 club in his 14-year-old season. At 6'3” and 203 lbs has an appealing combination of size and smooth-skating ability. 11 points in 17 games for the Vancouver Giants show his offensive skills have started to improve. Has been drawing comparisons to Seth Jones for several years already.