The 2017 NHL draft class is one without the fanfare of the prior two seasons due to the lack of bona fide elite prospects at the very top of the class. That doesn't mean the class is devoid of talent, but everything gets shifted downward without a player like Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews for the taking.
When it comes to the guys with the cool masks standing in front of the nets, this year's goalie class is about average.
Top goalie prospect Jake Oettinger is projected to be a high second-round pick, with a chance of sneaking into the first round. Most of the industry has rallied behind Oettinger, but I think Michael DiPietro is a reasonable choice as the top goaltender as well.
One of the biggest wild cards of the entire draft class is Daniil Tarasov, who could be argued into the top two on my board -- or could go in the seventh round. Here are my top 10 goalies, along with some honorable mentions:
1. Jake Oettinger, Boston University (Hockey East)
DOB: 12/18/98 | Ht: 6' 4.0" | Wt: 212
2016-17 stats: 35 GP | 2.11 GAA | .927 SV%
Oettinger, who has been a big-name prospect for years, was nothing short of fantastic as a freshman at BU, being named a second team All-Star in Hockey East. He stands tall and looks like a pro in the net with a refined technique, good positional play and the ability to consistently absorb pucks. While he's not a dynamic, athletic type of goalie, Oettinger has solid to average ability to make lateral saves, and has decent footwork. He's not perfect yet -- as is the case with many 19-year-old goalies -- as he occasionally overcommits on his slides and lets in some soft ones, but overall he's pretty advanced in many critical areas for a player his age.
2. Michael DiPietro, Windsor (OHL)
DOB: 6/9/99 | Ht: 6' 0.0" | Wt: 200
2016-17 stats: 51 GP | 2.35 GAA | .917 SV%
Though the name sounds familiar, no, New York Islanders fans, he is not related to former No. 1 overall pick (2000) Rick DiPietro. Michael DiPietro is one of my favorite prospects in this year's class, and is one of the quickest and more athletic first-year eligible goalies I've seen during the past few years. He has dynamic qualities in his game, and he often stands out for his ability to make tough saves. He's also a smart player who anticipates plays and gets to pucks with his feet, making the proper reads. He also possesses a strong glove hand, and he can trap pucks away from his body. Because of his speed, aggressiveness and size, he often can seem to be sprawling around the crease somewhat, and his positioning is off as a result. His 6-foot frame also can result in his missing some fluke shots.
3. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, HPK (Jr. A Liiga)
DOB: 3/9/99 | Ht: 6' 4.25" | Wt: 196
2016-17 stats: 35 GP | 2.35 GAA | .917 SV%
Luukkonen established himself as a top prospect two springs ago, when he was very impressive playing as an underage goalie for the gold-medal champs at the world under-18 championships. His follow-up to that wasn't incredible this season, but there is a lot to like. "UPL" is a physically towering netminder, and he takes away a lot of net before we even get into his skill set. He's not a super-athletic goalie, but rather gets his stops by taking away space, being economical with his movements, and reading the play well. He can get across the crease when he needs to, with solid power from his legs, and can make the occasional highlight-reel type of play. UPL looks like a pro in how he moves around the net and squares up pucks. In sum, I see a well-rounded goalie without a glaring weakness, but one who also may not steal many games on his own.
4. Daniil Tarasov, Ufa (MHL)
DOB: 3/27/99 | Ht: 6' 3.0" | Wt: 174
2016-17 stats: 0 GP | 0.00 GAA | .000 SV%
Tarasov missed all of 2016-17 with a serious knee injury. Excited yet?! Safe to say there are some question marks on him going into this draft, but he's been a touted goalie for a while, and there is reason to gamble on Tarasov. For example, scouts have a long memory of how he stepped into the world under-18 championships as an underage player amid the drug scandal plaguing Team Russia and was a wall versus older players. When I scouted Tarasov in 2015-16, I saw an athletic 6-foot-3 goalie who could move side to side well while maintaining solid reads in how he squared up pucks. His technique isn't perfect, as he can look a little jumpy at times, but I attribute that to his inherent quickness and not yet knowing how to harness his ability.
5. Maxim Zhukov, Green Bay (USHL)
DOB: 7/22/99 | Ht: 6' 2.5" | Wt: 187
2016-17 stats: 31 GP | 2.25 GAA | .913 SV%
Zhukov was the best goalie at the world under-18 championship this season, and he also was solid, albeit inconsistent, through his first USHL season. When I've talked to USHL scouts about Zhukov, the first thing they always mention is his athleticism. He's a very dynamic goalie at his size, and he can steal a game. He can be a little all over the place, though. Some scouts I've talked to question his hockey IQ, and while I don't think he's bad in that area, he can make the occasional poor read or reaction. However, when he's on his game, Zhukov is aggressive and quick to pucks.
6. Keith Petruzzelli, Muskegon (USHL)
DOB: 2/9/99 | Ht: 6' 5.25" | Wt: 180
2016-17 stats: 35 GP | 2.40 GAA | .918 SV%
Petruzzelli didn't put up giant numbers this season, but he was pretty good in the USHL, and on a tools level, there is a lot to like about him. He stands in tall at 6-foot-5 and change, and while he's no acrobat in the net, he moves pretty well for a guy his size. I've seen him frequently make impressive lateral saves that required significant movement. He's more at home when he uses his body to cut down angles, squaring up shots and reacting well to make a simple save. His hockey sense stands out with frequency. What I like most about him is that unlike many young goalies, I don't see him shoot himself in the foot often. He makes the saves he needs to make, and he shows the tools to make the tough stops too. When he fills out physically and gains more experience, he could be an impactful player.
7. Cayden Primeau, Lincoln (USHL)
DOB: 8/11/99 | Ht: 6' 2.75" | Wt: 181
2016-17 stats: 30 GP | 3.16 GAA | .895 SV%
Cayden, the son of Keith Primeau, had an up-and-down season for Lincoln in the USHL, but he showed well when he played internationally for Team USA several times during the season. Primeau is a big goalie, and he plays aggressively with his angles, leaving shooters very little room to pick corners. He's a methodical goaltender in his movements, lacking real explosive bursts, but being agile enough for his size to make quick-twitch movements and get himself across the crease. He also plays the puck quite competently. I've seen him give up a lot of soft/low-percentage goals, however, and whether it's a matter of focus or technique, he has shown he has a long way to go before he's a pro-level goalie.
8. Stuart Skinner, Lethbridge (WHL)
DOB: 11/1/98 | Ht: 6' 3.25" | Wt: 205
2016-17 stats: 60 GP | 3.26 GAA | .905 SV%
Skinner has been a highly touted prospect for many years, but he had a bit of a down season in his third WHL campaign. He's a big goalie with a developed frame who moves fine for a player his size, and can get to pucks away from his body. When he's playing aggressively, he can make the net disappear and get to tough shots. He is strong in his net, holding his post well and often battling to make a second save. However, Skinner can leave you wanting on many occasions. There are times he seems locked in and making all the right reads, but he doesn't show those instincts consistently. He also tends to cough up soft goals, whether that's due to poor focus or technique. I see a lot of potential in Skinner, but there are warning signs flashing, too.
9. Ian Scott, Prince Albert (WHL)
DOB: 1/11/99 | Ht: 6' 3.25" | Wt: 172
2016-17 stats: 50 GP | 3.69 GAA | .895 SV%
Scott didn't have a great statistical season, but he's been one of the top players in his age group for a few years, so there is reason to be hopeful about his future. Scott is a big goalie at 6-foot-3 who understands his angles and depth in the net. He plays a simple, quiet game in how he sets and squares up pucks. He's a very smart player who can make the game look easy some nights, even when he's making the tough lateral saves. The main issue with Scott is a lack of dynamic qualities. He may be smart enough to carry his way into the NHL, but his lack of ability to make the toughest saves could end up making him mediocre as a pro, unless he gains a little more explosiveness. His frame also needs to fill out significantly.
10. Alex D'Orio, Saint John (QMJHL)
DOB: 4/28/99 | Ht: 6' 2.75" | Wt: 204
2016-17 stats: 28 GP | 2.40 GAA | .903 SV%
I ranked D'Orio in part because he reminds me of Oreos. Mmm ... Oreos. But more importantly, he had a really impressive first CHL season for the juggernaut Sea Dogs in the Q. D'Orio has solid power in his push-offs, and he doesn't shy away from playing an aggressive style at the top of his crease. However, he's at his best when he's not moving around a ton, using his big frame to absorb pucks and cut off the angles of shooters. He's able to make a quick play to get over to make a stop when he needs to, and do it well for a guy his size, but he does it while maintaining a smooth butterfly style. He doesn't have dynamic elements in his game, but he's well-rounded.
Honorable mentions:
Adam Ahman, HV71 (J20 SuperElit)
Olle Eriksson Ek, Farjestad (J20 SuperElit)
Lassi Lehtinen, Lukko (Liiga Jr. A)
Dylan St. Cyr, USNTDP (USHL)
Tomas Vomacka, Corpus Christi (NAHL)