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          Way-too-early 2017 NHL draft prospect rankings

          Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings was named the MVP of the 2016 WHL playoffs. Marissa Baecker/Getty Images
          • Corey Pronman, Special to ESPNJun 25, 2016, 01:40 PM ET
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              Corey Pronman is ESPN's NHL Draft and Prospects analyst. He provides analysis on the top draft-eligible players, prospects drafted by NHL teams and all other relevant prospect information. He lives in New York.
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          At this point (granted, it's very early), the top of the 2017 draft class looks to be below average. Nolan Patrick is a decent No. 1 prospect, but he is not at the level of top guys in the past two classes, such as Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine.

          The rest of the top prospects are solid, but they don’t rise to the levels we’ve seen the past two seasons. Congrats to the new Las Vegas franchise, it appears you aren't so ... lucky. Anyway, on to the rankings: