NHL draft prospects: Our list is loaded with centers at the top, starting with Western Hockey League star Nolan Patrick.
Minnesota high school star sure to go early
Here is Red Line Report’s final identification list of the top eligible prospects for the NHL entry draft. This is based on skill and is independent of which team is drafting at that position. The draft will be Friday and Saturday in Chicago.
1. Nolan Patrick
(injured) Center, 6-3, 198, shoots right, plays for Brandon (Manitoba), Western Hockey League (WHL)
The big, skilled, poised center that every team wants.
2. Nico Hischier
Center, 6-0, 176, left, Halifax (Nova Scotia), Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Smooth, superbly skilled and progressing rapidly.
3. Cody Glass
Center, 6-2, 179, right, Portland (Ore.), WHL
The lanky playmaker has hockey IQ that is off the charts.
4. Gabriel Vilardi
Center, 6-3, 203, right, Windsor, Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Big, strong, rugged and skilled, but foot speed is a question mark.
5. Nick Suzuki
Center, 5-11, 187, right, Owen Sound (Ontario), OHL
Excels in every facet and makes teammates better.
6. Kristian Vesalainen
Left wing, 6-3, 207, left, Frolunda, Swedish Hockey League (SHL)
The huge, skilled winger had a tough year, but we still believe.
7. Casey Mittelstadt
Center, 6-0, 198, left, Eden Prairie (Minn.) High
Speedy and dominant.
8. Michael Rasmussen
(injured)
Center, 6-6, 215, left, Tri-City (Kennewick, Wash.), WHL
Enormous. Most physically gifted player in the draft.
9. Jason Robertson
Left wing, 6-2, 196, left, Kingston (Ontario), OHL
Most underrated in this draft.
10. Cale Makar
Defenseman, 5-11, 179, right, Brooks (Alberta), Alberta Junior Hockey League
Erik Karlsson light?
11. Erik Brannstrom
Defenseman, 5-10, 178, left, HV 71 juniors (Sweden), SHL
Karlsson light, part two?
12. Miro Heiskanen
Defenseman, 6-0, 172, left, IFK Helsinki, Finnish Elite League
A quintessential poised, puckmoving modern defenseman.
13. Owen Tippett
Right wing, 6-1, 204, right, Mississauga (Ontario), OHL
Best pure sniper in the draft.
14. Martin Necas
Center, 6-1, 167, right, Brno, Czech Extraliga
Terrific skater and puckhandler and an imaginative passer.
15. Klim Kostin
(injured) Right wing, 6-3, 183, left, Dynamo Moscow, Kontinental Hockey League
A big, nasty bull whose season was shortened by injury.
16. Eeli Tolvanen
Right wing, 5-11, 178, left, Sioux City (Iowa), U.S. Hockey League
Has the best one-timer since Brett Hull and Mike Bossy.
17. Juuso Valimaki
Defenseman, 6-2, 204, left, Tri-City, WHL
A tall, smooth blueliner who contributes at both ends.
18. Elias Pettersson
Right wing, 6-1, 168, left, Timra (Finland), Hockey-Allsvenskan
Thin as a rail, but offensively gifted with a great shot.
19. Nikita Popugayev
Left wing, 6-5, 204, right, Prince George (British Columbia), WHL
Gargantuan size, wicked shot and a natural scorer.
20. Lias Andersson
Center, 5-11, 198, left, HV 71, SHL
Aggressive and competitive with underrated skills.
21. Cal Foote
Defenseman, 6-4, 198, right, Kelowna (British Columbia), WHL
Big, skilled rear guard with fine offensive instincts.
22. Kailer Yamamoto
Right wing, 5-8, 160, right, Spokane (Wash.), WHL
Highly skilled and super productive but undersized.
23. Michael DiPietro
Goalie, 6-0, 193, left, Windsor (Ontario), OHL
A top-10 talent lacking height.
24. Nicolas Hague
Defenseman, 6-5, 216, left, Mississauga (Ontario), OHL
Huge with a rocket shot, but he lacks awareness in his own end.
25. Conor Timmins
Defenseman, 6-1, 182, right, Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario), OHL
His rapidly developing offensive game was a surprise.
26. Isaac Ratcliffe
Left wing, 6-6, 195, left, Guelph (Ontario), OHL
Looks like a Sasquatch on skates. Wait till he fills out.
27. Pierre- Olivier Joseph
Defenseman, 6-1, 158, left, Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island), QMJHL His footwork is so smooth, Joseph could win Dancing with the Stars.
28. Timothy Liljegren
Defenseman, 5-11, 189, right, Rogle (Sweden), SHL
An elite skater, but his decision-making needs a lot of work.
29. Robert Thomas
Center, 6-0, 184, right, London (Ontario), OHL
The smooth, rangy center is a complete all-around player.
30. Jaret Anderson-Dolan
Center, 5-10, 180, left, Spokane, WHL
Only 2 inches and 20 pounds separate him from the top 15.
31. Filip Chytil
Center, 6-1, 176, left, Zlin, Czech Extraliga
Dynamic speed and puck skills; always looking to create.
32. Ryan Poehling
Left wing, 6-2, 188, left, St. Cloud (Minn.) State
Rugged and versatile. A solid, safe pick who lacks upside.