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2017 NHL Entry Draft: First Round Mock Draft

By Santagata JJ

Feb 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman during a press conference to announce that Chicago will host the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman during a press conference to announce that Chicago will host the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NHL Entry Draft: is 41 days away, while playoff hockey is still underway and conference final matchup’s started Friday night. To ease into draft talk here is a mock draft for all to see and critique.

2017 NHL Entry Draft: Round 1, all 31 picks right here. Some picks may surprise you, some may be obvious, but here’s the 1st round of the 2017 NHL draft.

2017 nhl entry draft
Apr 14, 2016; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panther fans cheer their team’s first period goal in game one of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports /

#1 New Jersey Devils- Nico Hischier

New Jersey needs another center, while Nolan Patrick very well could end up in New Jersey, Hischier’s ability to score and offensive power looks best suitable for New Jersey. The Devils would like Hischier to make their roster for the 2017-2018 season he seems best to be NHL ready due to Patrick’s injury last season.

#2 Philadelphia Flyers- Nolan Patrick

Another versatile center, that can play the powerplay and fits well with the Flyers roster, Patrick looks to be going to Philadelphia. Patrick was injured for much of the Wheat Kings season, so you expect him to play in juniors again instead of being sent to the Flyers lineup right away.

#3 Dallas Stars- Casey Mittelstadt

Dallas has an array of young defensemen so passing up on another defenseman would make sense for Dallas here. Mittelstadt posted great numbers in the USHL and Dallas could use a forward prospect due to their numerous defensemen prospects.

#4 Colorado Avalanche- Gabriel Vilardi

Since Colorado just signed KHL defenseman Andrei Mironov, looking to draft a forward to add to their young offense seems likely here. Gabriel Vilardi posted 61 points in 49 games in the OHL this season.

#5 Vancouver Canucks- Miro Heiskanen

Vancouver has a few young forward prospects brewing right now, to add to their lacking defensive core, Heiskanen being the #1 defensemen prospect looks suitable for Vancouver here.

#6 Vegas Golden Knights- Cody Glass

Vegas was supposed to land in the top 3 draft picks but with the #6 Glass still provides some up value for the unknown Vegas roster. Glass had an outstanding WHL season with 94 points in 69 games, Glass falling to Vegas could be a likely possibility.

#7 Arizona Coyotes- Cale Makar

Arizona needs some help on the back end and Makar’s s speed and offensive ability gives them that. Makar posted 75 points in 54 games for the Brooks Bandits in the 2016-2017 season.

#8 Buffalo Sabres- Owen Tippett

Buffalo needs a solid defenseman but to pass on Tippett would be silly. Tippett will be the next best forward available and Buffalo seems to develop their forwards well, Tippett had 75 points in 60 games for the OHL Steelheads in the 2016-2017 season.

#9 Detroit Red Wings- Timothy Liljegren

Liljegren is the best available defensemen and with an aging defensive core, Detroit could very well gamble on the 6’0 defensmen. While he has not posted incredible numbers, Liljegren is a defensive defenseman Detroit could use.

#10 Florida Panthers- Martin Necas

While Florida has a lot of young forwards making some noise in the NHL, along with a solid defense, Necas seems to be a likely option for Florida at #10 here.

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