CHICAGO -- The 2017 NHL draft is finally here. You've already prepared well by checking out my top 100 skater prospects, top 10 goalies, the top prospect at every skill and my final mock draft.
All that's left is for teams to make their first-round selections, followed shortly thereafter by my scouting report as well as insights on how the player fits his new team.
1. New Jersey Devils
The pick: Nico Hischier, C, Halifax, (QMJHL)
Nationality: Switzerland | Pronman rank: 1
Scouting notes: Hischier is the complete package offensively. He's a very good skater, with the ability to be dangerous due to his first step and top gear but particularly due to how elusive he is from a standstill. Hischier is a creative puck handler who can dictate possession with his skill and often stands out with how he can generate offense with his creativity. However, his best trait is his hockey sense. He anticipates pressure so well, moves the puck into the right places and outsmarts defenders. "[Hischier] can take over a game and does so consistently," one scout said. He's not a bulky guy, but he gets to the net with frequency and is a solid defensive center. He can potentially be a top-six center for his NHL team.
Team fit: Hischier becomes a potential top-six center for the Devils, providing youth and skill in the organization at a position where outside Pavel Zacha, and even arguably with him, the Devils do not have a true dynamic talent. Unlike past first overall selections, he might not be ready to step in right away and score 20 goals or 50 points as a rookie, but he has a promising future.
2. Philadelphia Flyers
The pick: Nolan Patrick, C, Brandon (WHL)
Nationality: Canada | Pronman rank: 2
Scouting notes: Patrick didn't have the best draft season he could have envisioned, mostly because he missed a substantial part of the season due to injury. However, he remains a top prospect. Patrick's best trait is his hockey sense. He's a highly creative playmaker, with high-end vision and puck skills. He can dictate the tempo of a game, with pro-level pace in his decisions and the ability to slow the play and find his options. Patrick also shows an above-average shot and can generate it from tight spaces. His skating isn't as dynamic as his playmaking, as it's more about pro average than top level, but he'll be able to keep up in the NHL. He's a player without a glaring flaw, as he'll be what you want in a top-level center: a two-way forward with skill, size and intelligence who can contribute in all areas of the game.
Team fit: Nolan Patrick becomes one of the most interesting Flyers' picks in decades. Was there an overreaction to a small sample because of his injury, or are there signs of stagnation in his development? If it's the former, Patrick could become a core player in the organization for years to come. He is the most NHL-ready player in the draft, and could, at the least, be a third-line center next season -- and maybe more.
3. Dallas Stars
The pick: Miro Heiskanen, D, HIFK (Liiga)
Nationality: Finland | Pronman rank: 8
Scouting notes: Heiskanen established himself as a regular in the middle of a top Finnish league team's lineup as one of the younger players in this draft class. I would characterize him as more of an offensive defenseman, but he shows great ability at both ends of the rink. His hockey sense is advanced to the point that he dictates the play due to how effectively he moves the puck. He makes great decisions, understands how to create chances while keeping his plays simple and overall shows no issues playing at a pro pace. His mobility is very good as well, as he can get up into the rush and close his gaps efficiently. He's a little shorter than average for an NHL defender and needs bulk, but I see his hockey IQ translating well down the line.
Team fit: Heiskanen joins a group of good young defensemen in the Stars' system -- coincidentally enough many of them also Finnish like Julius Honka and Esa Lindell -- as the clear cornerstone player at the position for their future. He will need two years at most to be NHL-ready -- and probably less time -- but he has the potential to be a big-minutes, two-way defenseman for the Stars.
4. Colorado Avalanche
The pick: Cale Makar, D, Brooks (AJHL)
Nationality: Canada | Pronman rank: 15
Scouting notes: Makar was lights-out this season in the AJHL, including a dominant performance at the World Junior A challenge. Small, old (he's a late 1998 birth date) defensemen from Junior A don't get me excited that often, but Makar deserves a ton of recognition, thanks to his talent level. Makar skates very well, with a good burst out of each stride. He's aggressive jumping into the play, and he can pressure opponents with his speed. He's also a highly skilled puck handler, with high-end offensive instincts. He can make tough offensive plays with consistency and quarterback a power play with the best of them. His defense was passable at the Junior A level, but scouts are concerned about him checking pros. He has as much upside as any defenseman in the class, and though he might seem like a guy I usually tend to like, there's a bunch of alarm bells going off in my brain at the same time. He is committed to UMass-Amherst for next season.
Team fit: Makar becomes one of the top prospects at the defense position Colorado has had in a long time, after the failed development of former top pick Duncan Siemens. He's a dynamic skater and puck-mover who brings the kind of offensive upside at that position sorely lacking in the system. However, he also needs time, potentially being two to three years away from being a full-time NHL player.
5. Vancouver Canucks
The pick: Elias Pettersson, C, Timra (Allsvenskan)
Nationality: Sweden | Pronman rank: 18
Scouting notes: Pettersson was a significant riser this season, after producing at a point-per-game pace versus men in Sweden and often appearing on highlight reels for positive reasons. Pettersson has very quick hands and a ton of creativity in his game, and even when he's being tightly checked, he's able to generate space for himself. He sees the ice very well and can make difficult feeds. "He has the talent to be a star," one scout said. That doesn't mean Pettersson's game is perfect. He has heavy feet and struggles to win battles as he has a wiry frame and isn't a very intense battler. On the other hand, it's hard to ignore his significant point-producing potential as a pro and his ability to be a game-breaker on the ice. In my viewings, I didn't see him ever have a great game. However, every Swedish scout I've talked to was willing to go to bat for him as a top-end prospect.
Team fit: Pettersson provides a dynamic talent at center the Canucks' system has lacked, with their young forward pipeline looking to be shot, in part due to the subpar development of former sixth overall pick Jake Virtanen. Pettersson could track quickly on his skill but will need to have a good summer of bulking up.
6. Vegas Golden Knights
The pick: Cody Glass, C, Portland (WHL)
Nationality: Canada | Pronman rank: 4
Scouting notes: Glass wasn't on my top 30 to start the season, nor was he on Canada's radar for the Ivan Hlinka tournament, but he erupted at the start of the season and maintained his play throughout the campaign. He's a dynamic playmaker, who has the skill, size and IQ to be a significant scorer in the NHL. Glass' puck skills are very good, with the IQ and skill combo to create scoring chances out of nothing. He's very coordinated with the puck for a player his size, and he makes tough dekes seem easy. He's a smart playmaker who can make plays at a quick tempo and control the center third of the ice. Some scouts I talk to praise his skating. I haven't seen a blow-you-away gear from him, but he's certainly above average in that area. Defensively, he is decent. His frame needs to bulk up a ton, as he can be pushed off pucks too easily, but he works hard for pucks and has the IQ to be useful in his own end.
Team fit: Glass becomes an important piece of the Golden Knights' future, building the right way with a dynamic center. He trended up this season, and has the potential to outplay his draft slot, even if he was inconsistent.
7. New York Rangers (from Arizona Coyotes)
The pick: Lias Andersson, C, HV 71 (SHL)
Nationality: Sweden | Pronman rank: 16
Scouting notes: Andersson was a solid piece for HV 71 and Sweden's World Junior team this season. All he has done is produce wherever he's gone the past few seasons. He won't dazzle with high-end dekes, but there is a lot of skill to Andersson's game. He makes quick decisions, has a quick shot, sees his options well and has good puck skills. He can be a standout offensive player, though that isn't always the case. Andersson might be below average in size, but he's tough and strong for a player his age, and he can kill penalties adequately. I don't love his skating, but he isn't dragging anvils all over the ice, and considering all the other positive attributes in his offensive game, you can live without game-breaking speed.
Team fit: Andersson adds important skill to the Rangers' system at forward and particularly at center. The Rangers' system is thin at center, especially so since J.T. Miller graduated to the NHL. Andersson has a developed two-way game, and could fast track to the NHL.
8. Buffalo Sabres
The pick: Casey Mittelstadt, C, Eden Prairie (MN HS)
Nationality: USA | Pronman rank: 12
Scouting notes: Mittelstadt has been a highly touted player for a few years, and he was a top player in the USHL this past season for Green Bay and also had a successful stint back with his high school team. Mittelstadt is a dynamic playmaker who can generate scoring chances in bunches. He can dangle in open ice with the best of them, playing with pace, and can make a highlight happen at any given moment. Mittelstadt sees the ice very well, often executing on high-difficulty feeds and being a primary starting point of offense. His skating isn't as dynamic as his hands, but he skates well and has a separation gear in his feet. Off the puck, he isn't as great. Despite a strong frame, he loses more battles than he should. His defense has a ways to go, but it could be worse, as he can make the odd defensive play. He is committed to the University of Minnesota for next season.
Team fit: In Mittelstadt, Buffalo adds a very dynamic forward who brings risk factors as well. He has been touted for many years, and can make plays with the best of them but can be inconsistent. He will need years and patience in the Sabres' system but has game-breaker potential.
9. Detroit Red Wings
The pick: Michael Rasmussen, C, Tri-City (WHL)
Nationality: Canada | Pronman rank: 19
Scouting notes: It's easy to imagine why some scouts would be optimistic about a 6-foot-6 center with significant scoring numbers. Although Rasmussen has put up a ton of goals this season, I've been more impressed by his passing skills. He's a smart playmaker who plays at a pro-level pace. He has vision and a good shot, and I've seen Tri-City lean on his size as a net-front player on the power play. Rasmussen is also solid defensively and wins puck battles using his size. His main drawback is his skating. He's below-average in terms of speed, and though that isn't a huge issue in the grand scheme of his skill set, it keeps him from being truly dynamic. Additionally, his even-strength production was pretty poor.
Team fit: Rasmussen joins the organization as a skilled center with great size. However, despite his massive upside, he is a player who will need several years of development through the WHL and potentially AHL before making the jump. He has the toolkit to do it, but he needs to show some dominance before he is ready to help Detroit. Regardless, he is the top center in the Red Wings' pipeline now.
10. Florida Panthers
The pick: Owen Tippett, RW, Mississauga (OHL)
Nationality: Canada | Pronman rank: 6
Scouting notes: The cousin of the No. 33 overall pick in 2015, Mitchell Stephens (Tampa Bay Lightning), Tippett is a very exciting winger to watch. He was a dominant goal scorer this season, due to both the quality and quantity of shots on goal. Tippett is one of the best speedsters in the draft class. His ability to go from 0 to 60 -- metaphorically speaking, though he's darn quick -- is very impressive, and he can gain the offensive blue line with ease. He has a high skill level and can make some open-ice plays, but he's much more comfortable going north-south than east-west. He can kill penalties due to his speed and IQ, and can be a shorthanded scoring threat while doing so. Tippett's game is more about playing in straight lines, but don't let his very tilted goal-to-assist ratio fool you, as he can make plays to his teammates too, a facet of his game that improved as the season went on.
Team fit: Tippett becomes the top wing prospect in the Florida system, and one of the best goal-scoring prospects the Panthers have had in years. He was dominant at times in the OHL this season but looks to be a few years away from reaching the NHL.
11. Los Angeles Kings
The pick: Gabriel Vilardi, C, Windsor (OHL)
Nationality: Canada | Pronman rank: 3
Scouting notes: Big men who can make plays with the puck are hard to find, and Vilardi fits the bill. His skill is legitimately at the top level, as his ability to maintain possession, create offense off the rush and evade pressure is as good as that of some of the better 5-foot-11 forwards. He also possesses good vision and can make tough distributions seem easy. He's a player who makes his teammates better, with Windsor's coach noting how Vilardi's teammates have a giant Corsi differential with him, as opposed to without him on their line. He'll battle hard for pucks and use his size well on some shifts, and although he isn't perfectly consistent in that area, he has shown more edge in his game this season and has gotten better defensively because of it. Vilardi's skating is an issue, with a below-average top gear. Scouts I talk to are divided on him. Some NHL people see him as a clear top-five guy in this draft class, due to his size/skill combo and the upside, while others are more tentative, due to warts in the all-around game.
Team fit: My No. 3 prospect, Vilardi slid all the way to the Kings, as some scouts were concerned with his speed or battle level, but the Kings get a big center with high-end skill. He could potentially be a pivot on their team in a few years if his development goes well, particularly if he builds skating strength. He becomes the top prospect in their system by a wide margin.
12. Carolina Hurricanes
The pick: Martin Necas, C, Brno (Czech)
Nationality: Czech | Pronman rank: 17
Scouting notes: Necas was an effective player this season for a team in the top Czech league at age 17, though he played on a team that was deep in scoring talent. He's a dynamic talent, and his skating ability is very good, as he is one of the quicker skaters available this year. Although he excels when playing a fast-paced game, Necas is also a very good playmaker who can slow the game down and make plays from the boards. He controls the puck well and can make above-average plays with his hands. His off-the-puck will need work going forward. You see the odd good defensive play that exemplifies his work ethic and IQ, but he's clearly more polished with the puck than without, and has a lot to learn to get bigger minutes as a pro. As a smaller player, winning more battles will go a long way.
Team fit: Necas becomes the top center prospect in the Hurricanes' organization ahead of Nicolas Roy. He's a player with a ton of upside who was up and down through the season. He requires patience, which Carolina can afford due to a deep system.
13. Vegas Golden Knights (from Winnipeg Jets)
The pick: Nick Suzuki, C, Owen Sound (OHL)
Nationality: Canada | Pronman rank: 5
Scouting notes: Suzuki was consistently impressive and one of the top overall players in the OHL this season. The first thing any scout will say about him is to praise his hockey sense. He sees the ice very well as a playmaker, but his ability to make quick, creative and correct decisions consistently helps him make a dangerous two-way force. Suzuki can make a difficult open-ice dangle or a quick chip to get the puck up and to the right spot. Defensively, he's solid on his positional play, winning battles without taking penalties, and he is a shorthanded scoring threat to boot. His skating technique isn't sublime, but I wouldn't categorize him as slow -- maybe just a little awkward in how his feet get him where he's going. However, his top speed is fine. At the end of the day, he's one of the smartest players in the draft, and that means a lot when projecting a player into the NHL. However, given his subpar size and skating, that means he'll be another data point in the experiment of how far elite smarts can take you.
Team fit: By picking Suzuki, Vegas grabbed my No. 4- and No. 5-ranked prospects and is building a great foundation at forward for the future. Suzuki was dominant in the OHL, and like Glass, might not be too far away from being a full-time NHL forward -- potentially in as little as two years -- but it is debatable if sticks at center or moves to the wing in the NHL.
14. Tampa Bay Lightning
The pick: Callan Foote, D, Kelowna (WHL)
Nationality: Canada | Pronman rank: 25
Scouting notes: 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.
Team fit: In Foote, Tampa continues to improve the defense part of its pipeline. This was a glaring need addressed in the Jonathan Drouin trade in landing Mikhail Sergachev but now is much more stable with multiple top talents. Foote will need a few years, but as a skilled, right-handed defenseman, provides help to a forward-heavy organization.
15. Vegas Golden Knights (from New York Islanders)
The pick: Erik Brannstrom, D, HV 71 (SHL)
Nationality: Sweden | Pronman rank: 11
Scouting notes: Brannstrom is a favorite of mine relative to the opinions of many scouts. I've been very impressed the past two to three seasons, and I think he has a good pro ceiling. He's a small defenseman at 5-foot-10, but he does a lot well. Brannstrom is a great skater, is gifted on his edges and has a good top gear. He can make plays in open ice because though his puck skills aren't fantastic, they are solid, and his feet and great vision allow him to make a lot happen. His defense could use a little tweaking, as I've seen him make errors he shouldn't, but he has still displayed the ability to play tough minutes. Despite the occasional gaffe, his hockey IQ shines most shifts. Although he is small, Brannstrom has an edge to his game as well.
Team fit: After two of my top-ranked forwards, Vegas adds a dynamic defenseman who despite being small holds his own in the defensive end. As one of the youngest players in the draft, Branstrom has so much upside, and if Vegas lets him develop with proper time, he could provide big payoff down the road.
16. Calgary Flames
The pick: Juuso Valimaki, D, Tri-City (WHL)
Nationality: Finland | Pronman rank: 22
Scouting notes: 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. Valimaki 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.
Team fit: Calgary adds an advanced two-way defenseman to complement the skilled puck-movers like Oliver Kylington, Rasmus Andersson and Adam Fox in their system. Valimaki could fast track to the NHL in a year or two if his development continues to trend in this direction.
17. Toronto Maple Leafs
The pick: Timothy Liljegren, D, Rogle (SHL)
Nationality: Sweden | Pronman rank: 13
Scouting notes: You can tell when Liljegren has the puck. "He was able to quarterback a SHL power play when he was 16. You just don't see that," noted one scout. He's quite creative and quite skilled. He can make the in-tight plays and control the puck in ways that distinguish him as a puck mover. LIljegren skates very well and can get up in a rush, but it's his skill and offensive mind that elevate him to the highest levels. Although he's a very imaginative and effective puck mover, he can get himself into trouble. He gives the puck away a lot going for the one extra play. His defense isn't elite, but it's decent, as he can make a check and not get completely killed in his own end without the puck; however, there are times when he is a clear negative on that side on the puck.
Team fit: In Liljegren, Toronto gets one of the most dynamic players in the draft who had one of the most up-and-down seasons. He can blow you away with skill but needs a lot of work away from the puck. With patience and more fortune in his development, Liljegren could provide Toronto with one of the top players in the draft -- or alternatively, a middling return.
18. Boston Bruins
The pick: Urho Vaakanainen, D, JYP (Liiga)
Nationality: Finland | Pronman rank: 38
Scouting notes: 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.
Team fit: In Vaakanainen, the Bruins get a solid two-way defenseman who was considered an elite prospect not too long ago. He's rather dull now, possibly needing three-plus years before he can slide in at a two-way role for the Bruins, but if he gets back to his prior development curve, there could be a big return on investment. He will be their top prospect on D once Charlie McAvoy graduates to the NHL.
19. San Jose Sharks
The pick: Josh Norris, C, USNTDP (USHL)
Nationality: USA | Pronman rank: 35
Scouting notes: 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.
Team fit: The Sharks provide much-needed help at the center position in their system. He is a smart two-way pivot who continued to develop very well during the past two years. At his great fitness level, and advanced all-around play, he could provide help at the bottom of a lineup within a few years.
20. St. Louis Blues
The pick: Robert Thomas, C, London (OHL)
Nationality: Canada | Pronman rank: 20
Scouting notes: Thomas consistently impressed me all season and was an important part of yet another dominant London team in the OHL. He's a very smart and very skilled center. His coordination and creativity with the puck are top-notch, and he consistently moves the puck into good spaces to generate chances. Thomas can also be quite effective on the defensive side of the puck, despite his smaller frame, and he was one of London's better penalty-killers this season. He could be marginally faster for a player his size, but I think he skates fine and will be competent in that area as a pro. Don't let his somewhat underwhelming counting stats fool you; buried behind top Sabres prospect Cliff Pu as the Knights' No. 2 center this season, Thomas can be an impactful player.
Team fit: The Blues add a dynamic small center, much like they did with Robby Fabbri. Thomas has a little less upside than Fabbri but also provides better two-way play. There isn't much in the Blues' system now at center, so Thomas becomes the top prospect at the position and is arguably ahead of Tage Thompson in terms of forwards overall.
21. New York Rangers
The pick: Filip Chytil, C, Zlin (Czech)
Nationality: Czech | Pronman rank: 31
Scouting notes: 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.
Team fit: The Rangers pick up one of the youngest players in the class, and a riser this season. Along with Lias Andersson, the Rangers provided a much-needed shot in the arm to their system. Chytil will need a number of years to progress, though.
22. Edmonton Oilers
The pick: Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Spokane (WHL)
Nationality: USA | Pronman rank: 14
Scouting notes: It takes a lot of talent for teams to be convinced that a player under 5-foot-8 should go in the top 15, but Yamamoto clears that bar, partly on talent alone, and partly on a relatively weak draft class. He's a plus skater, puck handler and passer. Yamamoto has great agility on his edges, combined with a good top gear. He can create when he is carrying the puck due to his skill, creativity and ability to see the ice. He can come down the wing with speed one shift and quarterback a power play the next. At the WHL level as an 18-year-old, he showed he could be decent defensively, but the main concern going forward is how will he do away from the puck at his size. I have reasonable concerns about that, and it's why I don't think he's at the level of say, Mitch Marner, at the same age. However, there is still a lot of promise in his game.
Team fit: Edmonton adds a small player with elite offensive tools to an organization that has plenty of players like that, but he is a natural winger. The Oilers can afford to be patient with him, but if Yamamoto turns pro in 2018-19 and hits the ground running, his skill is NHL level.
23. Arizona Coyotes (from Minnesota Wild)
The pick: Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D, Charlottetown (QMJHL)
Nationality: Canada | Pronman rank: 32
Scouting notes: 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.
Team fit: Joseph is a skilled, puck-moving defenseman who can make plays with his feet and hands. He didn't dominate the QMJHL, so he will need three-plus years of patience by Coyotes fans, but he adds needed defense talent to the Arizona pipeline that is more forward-heavy now, especially after the trade of Anthony DeAngelo.
24. Winnipeg Jets (from Columbus Blue Jackets via Vegas)
The pick: Kristian Vesalainen, LW/RW, Frolunda (SHL)
Nationality: Frinland | Pronman rank: 10
Scouting notes: Vesalainen split time between the SHL and Liiga as he struggled to establish himself at either level as a 17-year-old, but he ended his season on a strong note, as he was named the MVP of the IIHF under-18 championship. His poor regular season aside, he has a lot of promise as an NHL prospect. Players his size who can jet as well as Kristian does are hard to find. He's a player whose speed makes him incredibly dangerous, given his long wingspan, and he has great puck skills. He won't be a premier playmaker but is able to generate quite a bit of offense from his creativity, speed and ability to drive the high-percentage areas. His game needs to round out a lot, though. He isn't that great defensively, and though he can play a power game, he needs to work on being more consistent in loose puck battles.
Team fit: Vesalainen, the MVP of the IIHF under-18 championship, was very up and down this season, but like past Jets picks, brings a ton of skill and upside. He will need a few years, but he has the talent to be a top-six forward in the NHL, which is great to get with a pick in the 20s.
25. Montreal Canadiens
The pick: Ryan Poehling, C, St. Cloud State (NCHC)
Nationality: USA | Pronman rank: 27
Scouting notes: 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.
Team fit: Poehling is a smart center who becomes part of Montreal's never-ending venture to find a top center for its organization. He will need a couple of years, as he was just OK in St. Clould as a 17-year-old freshman, but he has shown flashes of dominant play. In a very light Habs system, he becomes one of the best young talents.
26. Dallas Stars (from Chicago Blackhawks)
The pick: Jack Oettinger, G, Boston University (Hockey East)
Nationality: USA | Pronman rank: G1
Scouting notes: 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.
Team fit: Oettinger becomes the highest goalie Dallas has picked since Jack Campbell. Goalies are a risky investment, but he immediately becomes the top netminder in the Dallas system, and has looked very promising for years. He could turn pro very soon.
27. Philadelphia Flyers (from Washington Capitals via St. Louis Blues)
The pick: Morgan Frost, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
Nationality: Canada | Pronman rank: 53
Scouting notes: Frost showed significant development in his 17-year-old season, being a top player for the Greyhounds. His hockey sense is what stands out to me. Frost is a great playmaker who is often a primary creator of scoring chances. While he's great when he has the puck on his stick in general, I'd like to see him improve away from the puck. He's also not a fierce competitor in puck battles. Moreover, his skating doesn't look explosive. His top gear is just okay, although he shows great agility and burst in his first few steps. I see a lot of potential in Frost's game, but he'll need time to round out some of those deficiencies.
Team fit: Frost is a great playmaker who continues to trend up. He isn't a game-breaker, but he was one of the Soo's top players, and could be a middle-of-the-lineup player with a lot of time and good development by the Flyers.
28. Ottawa Senators
The pick: Shane Bowers, C, Waterloo (USHL)
Nationality: Canada | Pronman rank: 42
Scouting notes: Bowers has been a name to know for several years when he was coming up as a bantam in Halifax, and he had a very solid second USHL season. Bowers is a great skater, with an easy first few steps. He works hard to pressure defensemen, and can play on both sides of the ice. The ultimate question with Bowers is his offensive ceiling. Some scouts I talk to swear by him as a potential frontline NHL player; other scouts, including myself, question whether he'll be able to score much as an NHLer. That's not to say Bowers can't make high-level offensive plays. He has good hands and vision, and was more consistent in that regard in the second half of the season. Bowers is committed to Boston University starting in the 2017-18 season.
Team fit: Bowers is a former highly touted player who dipped a little in his draft season. He brings great speed and two-way play, but there are questions about how dynamic his skill is. He complements Logan Brown in the Senators' system as a very different type of center, who is still very effective.
29. Chicago Blackhawks (from Anaheim Ducks via Dallas Stars)
The pick: Henri Jokiharu, D, Portland (WHL)
Nationality: Finland | Pronman rank: 21
Scouting notes: 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.
Team fit: Chicago gets one of my favorite prospects. He has very good upside as a two-way defenseman who can transport the puck. While this team doesn't usually pick defensemen high due to blue-line prospects being riskier than forwards, Jokiharu provides enough potential to make him a worthy pick at No. 29.
30. Nashville Predators
The pick: Eeli Tolvanen, RW, Sioux City (USHL)
Nationality: Finland | Pronman rank: 7
Scouting notes: Simply put, Tolvanen has produced everywhere he has gone. In my opinion, he was the best player in the USHL this season, and he has looked very good in international play for Finland the past few seasons. Tolvanen is known mostly for his big-time shot, which makes him one of the more feared goal-scorers in this year's class. However, he is more than a shooter. Tolvanen has great hands, can make difficult feeds and can play at a quick pace, though he is most comfortable when winding up his cannon. He's small and not incredibly quick for a player his size (though I think his skating is adequate), but he's smart enough to put himself in position to score and has a little physical edge to his game too. He's committed to Boston College for 2017-18.
Team fit: This is the steal of the first round. Nashville gets Tolvanen, one of the best goal scorers in the class, and a player who becomes their clear top forward prospect. He was reportedly rejected by Boston College, so if he doesn't end up on campus, he could potentially enters the Predators' system right away in the AHL.
31. St. Louis Blues (from Pittsburgh Penguins)
The pick: Klim Kostin, C/LW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
Nationality: Russia | Pronman rank: 9
Scouting notes: Kostin's ice time was very limited playing versus men in Russia, but he has impressed in international play the past few years. His skill level at size is incredible, as he makes tough offensive plays seem easy. Kostin can stick handle in open space, but he also excels as a playmaker and can make the smart play when an option is available. There's the odd time he can get caught trying to do too much, but often he reads the ice well and can make the right decision. Kostin's skating isn't high-end, but he skates well for a player his size, showed significant improvements during the course of the past year and could be average as a pro. His off-the-puck game is fine too.
Team fit: Kostin slipped in the draft due to a rough season and injury issues, but he has as much talent as the top picks of this class, even more than the Blues' earlier first-round pick Robert Thomas. He could be on the Blues AHL team as soon as this upcoming season.