NHL DRAFT SCORECARD SNEAK PEEK
Five on track for June and one down the road
Brandon Wheat Kings centre Nolan Patrick, the prohibitive favourite to go first overall in the next NHL draft, is out with an upper-body injury and won’t play for Canada at the world junior hockey championship. Even though the tournament is mostly for 19-yearolds who have already been drafted, it’s virtually unheard of for the topranked prospect to miss out — not since Patrik Stefan in 1999.
“It’s more disappointing for him, because every young man wants to be part of Team Canada,” Maple Leafs assistant GM Mark Hunter says of Patrick. “It’s an experience he’s going to miss. He’s more disappointed than us scouts. He’ll get back playing and he’ll be fine.”
There are draft eligibles worth watching, however, starting on Boxing Day, and some of them could see their draft stock soar with an impressive performance. Here’s a look at five to keep an eye on for next June’s draft, and one for 2018:
NICO HISCHIER
Switzerland, centre Shoots left Six-feet, 174 pounds 23 goals, 25 assists in 31 games with Halifax Mooseheads
North American draft ranking: second International draft ranking: eighth Hischier is right on Patrick’s tail in some eyes and could take the No. 1 spot with a good tournament. “He is an offensive machine,” said Mark Seidel, chief scout for North American Central Scouting. “He can score, but he’s also a great setup man. This should be a coming-out party for him.” . . . If Switzerland scores an upset or two, it will be because of Hischier. “It’s going to be a good test for him,” said Hunter. “A lot of eyes will be on him.”
EELI TOLVANEN
Finland, right winger Shoots left Six-feet, 181 pounds 16 goals, 11 assists in 23 games for Sioux City
North America rank: seventh International rank: 14th International Scouting Services describes his heavy shot as “downright lethal.” . . . Tolvanen could be Finland’s trigger man on the power play. “This kid is a finisher,” says Seidel. “Is he Patrik Laine? They’re in the same world in that they both score goals. He doesn’t shoot the puck as well as Laine, but he’s the same kind of opportunistic guy. He’s a dynamic player who can put up points.”
KRISTIAN VESALAINEN Finland, right winger
Shoots left Six-feet-two, 190 pounds One goal, four assists in 16 games for Frolunda HC North American rank: 14th International rank: seventh The big winger reminds some of Aleksander Barkov of the Panthers. Vesalainen left Finland at 16 to play in Sweden and is in the top league . . . “He’s got big shoes to fill with Patrik Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi (in the NHL),” said Hunter. . . . His size and skill-set draw attention. “The Finns are going to need him,” said Seidel. “They don’t have a lot.”
ELIAS PETTERSSEN
Sweden, centre Shoots left Six-feet, 150 pounds 12 goals, 15 assists in 27 games for Timra IK North American rank: 13th International rank: 13th The Swedes have several first-round prospects, but Petterssen looks to be the only one to crack this lineup. “From last year to now, he’s a completely different guy,” said Seidel . . . ISS calls him a “consistent, two-way forward.”
MARTIN NECAS
Czech Republic, forward Shoots right Six-feet, 167 pounds Six goals, seven assists in 29 games for Brno Kometa North America rank: 28th International rank: 19th Necas already plays in the elite league on a top line . . . “My concern is his size,” said Seidel. “He’s real light.” . . . ISS calls him “skilled, smart, deceptive and explosive, with hands as quick as anyone eligible in the 2017 NHL draft.”
RASMUS DAHLIN (2018)
Sweden, defence Six-feet-one, 165 pounds One goal, one assist in 12 games of Frolunda HC Dahlin is just 16, but already playing against men in Sweden. He’s laying claim to the No. 1 spot for 2018 . . . “He reminds you so much of (Senators star) Erik Karlsson,” says Seidel.