The 2017 NHL draft class is 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 such as Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews available for the taking.
Without a true top talent or two, players who would usually be selected Nos. 3-6 go at the top, players who would normally go in the teens are in the discussion in the top 10, and so on throughout the first round. The result is a draft class that is projected to be below average.
Although discussions with many sources in the industry take place to gather information, the rankings, profiles and analysis are completely my own and reflect my opinion of who I believe the top prospects in the draft class are. These might differ from the industry -- at times in a significant manner. This is not a projection of what will transpire on draft day in Chicago; for that, be sure to check out my forthcoming mock draft.
We'll continue my ranking of the top 100 prospects with a look at Nos. 21-40:
21. Henri Jokiharu, D, Portland (WHL)
DOB: 6/17/99 | Ht: 5' 11.75" | Wt: 180
2016-17 stats: 71 GP | 9 G | 39 A
Jokiharju started off a little slow as he adjusted to hockey life in North America, but he made the transition and was very good in Portland as a WHL rookie. I've always been impressed by his skill set and think he has significant NHL upside. He's a great skater and one of the more mobile defenders available in this class. He's a smart, two-way defenseman who can dictate tempo and move the puck efficiently. I don't think his skill is top-end level, but he's going to be able to rack up a lot of points thanks to his vision, feet and decision-making. Despite not being a big guy, Jokiharju is quite effective defensively because he's very smart with his positional play.
22. Juuso Valimaki, D, Tri-City (WHL)
DOB: 10/06/98 | Ht: 6' 1.75" | Wt: 204
2016-17 stats: 60 GP | 19 G | 42 A
Valimaki has been a leading player in his age group for years, and he was excellent this season for Tri-City in the WHL. He's a very well-rounded defenseman. Valmaki stands 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, but skates like a 5-foot-11 player, with an easy, powerful stride. His puck skills aren't dynamic, but he has decent hands to couple with very good offensive instincts. He moves the puck quite well and can project as a potential second-unit power-play man in the pros. I've been more impressed with his offensive instincts in the WHL than I have been in international play for Finland. Defensively, he's a rock, with ability to close gaps with his speed, in addition to winning a lot of battles and making smart, simple plays.
23. Jason Robertson, LW, Kingston (OHL)
DOB: 7/22/99 | Ht: 6' 1.75" | Wt: 192
2016-17 stats: 68 GP | 42 G | 39 A
Robertson had a big draft season that generated a fair amount of discussion in scouting circles. He put up big scoring numbers, including great shot numbers, generating shots at the pace of the best prospects in this class such as Nico Hischier and Owen Tippett. He is a tall, strong forward who works hard to win pucks, and his ability to win battles is a plus attribute. He has above-average puck skills and can make plays in open ice. Robertson is often tagged as a goal scorer, with a very good shot that helped him be one of the top scorers in the OHL this season. However, he is also a smart player who gets his chances through good reads and getting to the right spots on the ice. I've also seen him make nice passes and smart reads that help his team maintain possession. The big problem with Robertson is that he has anvils for feet, and it's his skating that causes a lot of debate on his long-term value.
24. Joni Ikonen, C, Frolunda (SHL)
DOB: 4/14/99 | Ht: 5' 11.0" | Wt: 172
2016-17 stats: 40 GP | 22 G | 19 A
Ikonen was impressive all season at the junior level, establishing himself as one of the more skilled forwards in his age group. He's a dynamic playmaker who can control the puck for lengthy periods of time and create space for himself. He has the sense to make high-level plays to his teammates but also has a shooter's instinct and will get his shot attempts as well. He skates more than fine but doesn't have the sixth gear in his feet, which isn't ideal for a 5-foot-10 player. He's decent defensively and certainly not a world-killer in that aspect of the game, but I've seen him competently kill penalties; I think he can stick at center at the higher levels. I also see him as a player who can dictate puck possession and be a quarterback on a team's power play.
25. Callan Foote, D, Kelowna (WHL)
DOB: 12/13/98 | Ht: 6' 3.75" | Wt: 212
2016-17 stats: 71 GP | 6 G | 51 A
Big defensemen with skill aren't easy to find, and that's why Foote -- Adam Foote's son, for those concerned with bloodlines -- will make himself a valuable asset on draft day. He stands 6-foot-4, has above-average puck skills, sees the ice well and was a pillar for Kelowna this season, quarterbacking their top power-play unit. He's coordinated for a player his size when handling the puck, and he can make deft touch plays when under pressure. His defense is fine. He uses his frame to win battles and has adequate defensive sense. Given his size and offensive skill, he'll be a competent two-way defenseman as a pro. I don't love his skating, particularly his first step, and that's what keeps him from being a true upper-echelon prospect.
26. Aleksi Heponiemi, C, Swift Current (WHL)
DOB: 1/09/99 | Ht: 5' 9.75" | Wt: 147
2016-17 stats: 72 GP | 28 G | 58 A
I was impressed by Heponiemi all season, from his dominant performance at the Ivan Hlinka tournament in the summer through his season in the WHL. Heponiemi is a dynamic playmaker. He can use his great skating ability to push the pace and create chances off the rush. He also has the top-level vision to see plays develop from a slower pace and make the difficult feeds. Heponiemi has above-average stick skills, and though he isn't a very dangerous shooter, overall he's a dangerous offensive weapon. Detractors will point to his 5-foot-10 frame, and that he isn't very physical. I think he's OK defensively, and given his high hockey IQ, I think he'll find a way to survive.
27. Ryan Poehling, C, St. Cloud State (NCHC)
DOB: 1/03/99 | Ht: 6' 1.75" | Wt: 183
2016-17 stats: 35 GP | 7 G | 6 A
Poehling was one of the most impressive players at the Ivan Hlinka tournament last summer, and he was good for the USA's under-18 team in the spring. As one of the youngest players in college hockey this season, he was decent at times, with the inconsistencies expected in a 17-year-old playing against young men in their early 20s. Poehling is a smart playmaker down the middle, who can score as well. He displays good hand-eye coordination, consistently makes above-average skill plays and can play with pace. His skating isn't fantastic but shows at an average level. Defensively, he thinks the game fine, but a thin frame limits his ability to win battles despite a willingness to compete.
28. Grant Mismash, LW, US U-18 (USHL)
DOB: 2/19/99 | Ht: 6' 0.25" | Wt: 186
2016-17 stats: 56 GP | 23 G | 27 A
Mismash is an interesting player who can create mismatches on the ice (blame my editor for that bad pun). He rarely dominates a game in a fashion that he stands out in a significant way, but he's a versatile, skilled big man who was one of the NTDP's top players this season. He makes skilled plays through the neutral zone using his solid speed (for a bigger player) and hands to get successful zone entries. I don't think his skill level is extraordinary, but I like his hockey sense, and he's able to make creative plays. Mismash can hold onto the puck for an extra second, and he sees the ice well, often making difficult feeds. He uses his big body very well and has an edge to his game. Overall, I see a jack-of-all-trades type of player who won't dominate but is effective.
29. Ivan Lodnia, RW, Erie (OHL)
DOB: 8/31/99 | Ht: 5' 10.0" | Wt: 182
2016-17 stats: 66 GP | 24 G | 33 A
Lodnia is a personal favorite of mine. I know I'm higher on him than the industry, but I've been impressed by him this season. He has one of the highest skill levels among all players in the draft class. He dangles defenders seemingly every shift and can create dangerous chances with consistency. His vision isn't as good as his puck skills, but he's clearly an above-average playmaker. He isn't a perfect player, and that's because he's small. He isn't a great skater for a player at 5-foot-10, and he isn't going to be the first guy you want to kill a penalty. However, I've seen improvements during the course of the season in his speed and hustle. He can score -- that's unquestioned -- and he has significant upside as an NHL player.
30. David Farrance, D, US U-18 (USHL)
DOB: 6/23/99 | Ht: 5' 10.75" | Wt: 189
2016-17 stats: 55 GP | 5 G | 27 A
There wasn't a ton to watch at the USNTDP this season -- unlike in most recent seasons -- but Farrance was one of the few players who consistently stood out to me among that group. He's a fantastic skater who can get up into the rush in a blink while having the four-way mobility to evade pressure and control the puck. He's a pretty creative and coordinated puck handler who makes tough offensive plays. It's easy to point to his 5-foot-11 frame and say "no, thank you" without accompanying giant counting numbers, but he's a player I believe in due to his talent and intelligence. Defensively, he'll need to show progression, as he can lose his check too often. He is headed to Boston University this fall.
31. Filip Chytil, C, Zlin (Czech)
DOB: 9/05/99 | Ht: 6' 0.5" | Wt: 178
2016-17 stats: 38 GP | 4 G | 4 A
Chytil was a regular in the top Czech league as a bottom-six forward for his team, despite being one of the youngest players eligible for the 2017 draft. It was hard for me to get a read on Chytil this season. On the one hand, I see a player with a fair amount of talent. On the other, I never saw him take over a game when playing against his age group, and he was often the best player on the second-best line more than being a game-changer. Chytil is an impressive skater who can be tough to check when he's coming through the neutral zone with speed. His stick skills are above average, and I watched him create chances out of nothing. He moves the puck around fine and is creative offensively. Off the puck, I'd like to see more from him in terms of grit and awareness.
32. Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D, Charlottetown (QMJHL)
DOB: 7/01/99 | Ht: 6' 2.25" | Wt: 161
2016-17 stats: 62 GP | 6 G | 33 A
Joseph is a talented defenseman and the brother of Tampa prospect Mathieu Joseph (No. 120 pick in 2015), who turned heads this season in the QMJHL. Joseph is an above-average skater with good quickness in all directions. He's a quality puck mover who can make a skilled play but is more effective when he's seeing his options develop and making a good pass. Joseph will work hard and grind, but he needs to add a lot of bulk on his frame. He's a very smart, two-way player who closes gaps quickly and tends to not hurt his own team with his decision-making. NHL scouts that I talk to about him note that he might be a long-term type of player, but his upside has warranted discussion of him being picked fairly early.
33. Mason Shaw, C, Medicine Hat (WHL)
DOB: 11/03/98 | Ht: 5' 8.5" | Wt: 180
2016-17 stats: 71 GP | 27 G | 67 A
Shaw was one of the top playmakers in the CHL this season. I was really impressed by him at the under-18 world championship in North Dakota last year as well. Shaw has high-end puck skills, great vision and makes quick decisions with the puck. Shaw has a pass-first mentality to his game and is often the starting point of offense for Medicine Hat. His foot speed has gotten a little better this season, but it's not a selling point, particularly for a 5-foot-9 player. He's got shifty feet though and can make a defender miss, but doesn't blow down the outside lane very well. He also works hard to win battles and can succeed as much as you hope for at his height. He's surprisingly decent defensively, too, especially on the penalty kill.
34. Nicolas Hague, D, Mississauga (OHL)
DOB: 12/05/98 | Ht: 6' 5.5" | Wt: 215
2016-17 stats: 65 GP | 18 G | 28 A
There's a lot to like about Hague's toolkit. He's very tall, skates well, can move the puck and uses his big frame to his advantage. Digging into the details of those attributes, his skill level isn't incredibly high, but he's more than competent on the power play in terms of his playmaking, and he has a decent shot too. Hague was a shot-generating machine this season, in part due to how well he creates space with his speed, which is great for such a large player. His shot in itself is a great weapon, and he can generate goals and second chances. He's a rock defensively, arguably as good if not better than his offensive game. Hague closes his gaps well, wins battles and is often creating turnovers to get his team back up the ice quickly.
35. Joshua Norris, C, US U-18 (USHL)
DOB: 5/05/99 | Ht: 6' 1.25" | Wt: 192
2016-17 stats: 52 GP | 23 G | 28 A
Norris was the top center for the USNTDP this season. He had a tough time following up previous No. 1 centers like Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews, but overall he looks like a solid prospect. Norris is a well-rounded but not outstanding player. He's got decent stick skills, above-average offensive hockey sense and can finish chances from middle distance. Norris was also one of the top penalty killers for the NTDP, and an occasional shorthanded threat. I've heard some scouts praise his skating as high-level. From what I've personally seen, I can't say he's a speedster by any means, although his skating is above average. The Michigan native is headed to Ann Arbor to be a Wolverine this fall.
36. Kole Lind, RW, Kelowna (WHL)
DOB: 10/16/98 | Ht: 6' 1.25" | Wt: 178
2016-17 stats: 70 GP | 30 G | 57 A
I wasn't particularly enamored with Lind coming into the season, but he grew on me. Now I can buy him scoring in the NHL one day, due to his combination of size, speed and skill. I don't see one tool from Lind that is elite, but he does a lot well. Lind skates at an above-average level, has soft hands and can create off the rush. He sees the ice well and can beat goalies from a distance with his wrist shot, serving as the high-slot option for Kelowna's top power-play unit to launch shots and finish plays. I never see him take over a shift, but he's always generating offense in some form or fashion due to his talent, and he has the work ethic to win pucks back on the defensive end.
37. Maxime Comtois, LW, Victoriavillie (QMJHL)
DOB: 1/08/99 | Ht: 6' 2.25" | Wt: 200
2016-17 stats: 64 GP | 22 G | 29 A
Comtois has trended down this season after entering his draft year as a potential top-five pick. I'm left wanting for the "wow" in his game. He's steady, and there are pro attributes in his skill set, but he isn't going to take over a shift. For a guy standing at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, he's a very good skater with an easy burst out of his stride. He competes for pucks, is good defensively and can get to the tough areas. There is certainly skill in his game, but it's not of the high-end variety. He can make the odd play using his hands to create space, but he gets more chances with his speed and grit. That's useful but not the type of player on whom a team is going to use a top-five pick. I keep him ranked this high due to his track record and belief in his tools, but I'd like to see more production.
38. Urho Vaakanainen, D, JYP (Liiga)
DOB: 1/01/99 | Ht: 6' 0.5" | Wt: 185
2016-17 stats: 41 GP | 2 G | 4 A
Vaakanainen has been on the prospect radar for many years. While he didn't have the draft season he may have hoped for, he still showed well at various points and remains a coveted player. Vaakanainen has excellent two-way hockey sense. He's a smooth, creative puck mover who can dictate tempo and QB a power play due to his vision and a good slap shot. His skating isn't explosive, but he has an easy stride, with the ability to evade pressure and get around the ice. Defensively, he's solid. He can use his body to win battles and play a sound positional game, closing his gaps effectively. If he gets back to the development track he was on when he was 15 and 16 years old, he could be a great pro.
39. Markus Phillips, D, Owen Sound (OHL)
DOB: 3/21/99 | Ht: 5' 11.75" | Wt: 202
2016-17 stats: 66 GP | 13 G | 30 A
Although Phillips doesn't get a ton of acclaim, I see a smart, skilled defenseman who has shown that he can be a useful contributor everywhere he goes. His skating stands out immediately. He isn't blazing fast, but he has an easy stride and skates well in all directions. Phillips possesses good coordination as a stick handler, and though his offensive skills aren't elite, he can make some above-average plays off the rush to evade pressure. However, he isn't a one-dimensional player, and that's why I see value in his game. He's quite solid defensively, as he can grind for pucks and win battles despite a subpar frame. He's a smart positional player who can be trusted in tough situations. Overall, I see him as a reliable all-situations player who doesn't wow but is consistently effective.
40. Matthew Strome, LW, Hamilton (OHL)
DOB: 1/06/99 | Ht: 6' 3.75" | Wt: 206
2016-17 stats: 66 GP | 34 G | 28 A
This is Part III of the Strome trilogy -- Return of the Strome? Revenge of the Strome? -- but scouts generally aren't as big fans of this installment as they were of Dylan Strome and Ryan Strome. Matthew isn't as good a prospect as his older brothers were at the same age, but he's still a noteworthy prospect. He's a little more of a pure goal scorer and less of a playmaker than his brothers, but the latter part of his game is more than competent. He's got above-average stick skills and can make plays to his teammates at a high level. The OHL coaches polled called him the second-smartest player in that league's Eastern Conference. I like his power game a lot, too. He's very strong for a player his age and he uses his big frame well to win pucks and maintain possession. Strome's major issue is his skating. He's very sluggish out of the gates and struggles to put OHL defenders on their heels.