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:

While Canada has the top overall prospect and two of the top three, this looks to be another somewhat subpar class by their standards, following 2016, which was awful by their standards. This class is one of the best from Sweden in a few years, with two in the top 10, not including Kristian Vesalainen -- a Finn who plays in Sweden -- and several other names who were just outside the top 10.

1. Nolan Patrick, C, Brandon (WHL)

Patrick was one of the best players in the WHL this past season and was the MVP of the WHL Playoffs. He’s a big center who can accomplish a lot through a variety of means. Patrick is a fantastic playmaker with high end if not better hockey IQ, and he is a dangerous in-tight player who can dangle past defensemen. He features a top-echelon shot as well and can score on wrist or slap shots from a distance. Patrick plays solid in his own end, in addition to all his offensive exploits. He isn't a poor skater -- he's probably around average, if not a tick better -- but he doesn’t have that ideal, explosive top gear.

2. Eeli Tolvanen, LW, Sioux City (USHL)

I’m sure some folks will eviscerate me for saying this, but I had to think about Tolvanen over Patrick at No. 1. I think Patrick has a decent hold on it for now, but it’s not a lock; that’s how good Tolvanen has looked for the past little while. Tolvanen led both the major under-17 and the under-18 world tournaments in goals, and he was great on a less than stellar team in the USHL. He has such a well-rounded offensive tool kit. Tolvanen can beat you with his speed, outmaneuver a defender in a tight space, set up plays or finish chances from long distance. Size is the obvious issue in his projection.

3. Maxime Comtois, LW, Victoriaville (QMJHL)

Comtois was one of the best rookies in the CHL this season, and he was a quality player in the Q from the first puck drop. He’s smart, quick and skilled, and he can finish. His hockey IQ shined throughout the season, as he continued to outpace his age group through league and international performances. His combination of skill, intelligence and the work he puts into his game will likely pay dividends next June.

4. Timothy Liljegren, D, Rogle (SHL)

Liljegren was one the top under-18 defenseman in Sweden the past season (if not the best one), and he just now enters his 17-year-old season. He’s an exciting offensive defenseman who has special skating ability, and he can rush the puck with the best of them. He’s a creative offensive player with a quality shot as well. Liljegren can shoot himself in the foot, though. He makes many questionable decisions with the puck, he is overly aggressive at times, and his defense is a major work in progress.

5. Kristian Vesalainen, LW, Frolunda (SHL)

Vesalainen was a regular on a good SHL team for a large chunk of the season as a 17-year-old, and 6-foot-3 forwards with high-end skill don’t grow on trees. Vesalainen probably wouldn’t be described as a "tough guy," but he can use his size to his advantage in puck protection. He’s always around the play, and though he doesn’t have an explosive stride, he can ratchet it up to a decent top gear.

6. Casey Mittelstadt, C, Green Bay (USHL)

Mittelstadt is small, but he’s an incredibly dynamic forward who can accomplish much with the puck. He’s got lightning-quick hands and can execute tough plays to evade pressure, thanks to his puck skills and above average skating. He has great offensive IQ in terms of his creativity and vision, and he processes the game very quickly. Mittelstadt also has an above average wrist shot. His drawbacks are a lack of physical play, which isn’t ideal in a small player, and subpar defensive positioning.

7. Kailer Yamamoto, LW, Spokane (WHL)

Yamamoto was one of the top scorers in the WHL this past season, and he was the leading goal scorer at the world under-18 championship. He’s a 5-foot-8 pipsqueak, but he is fun to watch. Yamamoto features top-of-the-line skating, hands and vision. Every time he gets a bit of open ice, you can sense the scoring chance appearing before your eyes. He’s incredibly elusive and can set up plays with the best major junior players.

8. Erik Brannstrom, D, HV71 (J20 SuperElit)

Brannstrom was the top-scoring under-18 defenseman in the top Swedish junior league as a 16-year-old the past season, and he was the captain of his age group in international play. Brannstrom is a great skater who is so good on his edges and can get up into a rush very effectively. His hockey sense is top-end. He moves the puck efficiently and can quarterback a power play. Despite being undersized at 5-foot-10, he is quite good in his own end because of how well he anticipates the play.

9. Nico Hischier, C, Bern (NLA)

Hischier hasn’t put up a huge performance in a recent event or season, but a careful observation of the player will reveal that he is an elite playmaker. Hischier processes the game in a unique way in how he handles the puck, finds his options and can dictate the pace of the offense. He’s not big or super fast, but he’s always finding a way to make something happen that distinguishes himself.

10. Owen Tippett, RW, Mississauga (OHL)

Tippett missed a good chunk of the season because of an injury, but when he was healthy, he was a goal-scoring machine. Tippett plays a great north-south style of game. He’s quick and aggressive and can score from a distance or by getting to the net. He has a good skill level too and is able to make open-ice dekes, but he probably isn’t going to be a team's primary puck handler to quarterback a man advantage situation.

Honorable mentions

Lias Andersson, C, HV71 (SHL)
Callan Foote, D, Kelowna (WHL)
Klim Kostin, RW, HK MVD (MHL)
Scott Reedy, C, USA U18 (USHL)
Gabriel Vilardi, C, Windsor (OHL)