NHL Entry Draft: All 31 Picks By Each Team’s Biggest Need
1st Overall, New Jersey Devils – Nolan Patrick, C
(Via YouTube.com)
The Devils need help on offense. That includes the center position. Travis Zajac will continue to hold down the fort for a while, but he needs someone to eventually take the reigns. Pavel Zacha had a rough first year as the second line center for the Devils. There’s potential there, but the Devils are going to want to bring in somebody new. And that’s where Nolan Patrick, the prize of the 2017 NHL entry draft, comes in.
Patrick put up 46 points in 33 games in the WHL this year. That includes 20 goals and 26 assists. He’s the universal number one pick, and he’s bigger than Nico Hischier. He’s faster and he’s a better puck handler. Nolan Patrick will become a top 6 center for the Devils for a while to come.
2nd Overall, Philadelphia Flyers – Nico Hischier, C
(Via YouTube.com)
Yes, the Philadelphia Flyers have Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier at center for the long term future. Yeah, they just brought in Valtteri Filppula. But they could always get younger on offense, and if Nico Hischier is able to realize his offensive potential, Couturier can become a lock down the third-line center. That’s setting the Flyers up for the future. Also, they have too many defensive prospects already. They gotta start working them in.
3rd Overall, Dallas Stars – Miro Heiskanen, D
(Via YouTube.com)
The Stars choosing to draft a center would just be the rich getting richer. There’s no call for any more offense in Dallas, and it’s time for the Stars under new coach Ken Hitchcock to get going in other areas. Goaltenders are too risky to be drafted this high.
Which is why Dallas should choose the best defenseman in this year’s draft class: Miro Heiskanen. Heiskanen is a sound two-way defenseman, one who could be paired with John Klingberg in the future. Heiskanen has the potential to be a PK Subban type player, which, judging by Subban’s post-season, would help Dallas tremendously.
4th Overall, Colorado Avalanche – Gabriel Vilardi, C
(Via YouTube.com)
Carl Soderberg didn’t cut it last year. After the Matt Duchene line, the Colorado Avalanche needed something else offensively, and it wasn’t there for them. While the Avalanche also need a good defenseman to put along with Tyson Barrie, the offense has to be the primary concern. It’s hard to win games if you can’t score.
Enter Gabe Vilardi. In 49 games in the Ontario Hockey League this year, Vilardi posted 61 points, including 29 goals. He’s capable offensively, which is what the Avalanche need. Plus, Duchene can help him grow. Gabriel Landeskog can teach him the physical parts of the game. And that gives both of them a reason to stay in Colorado. By the way, Vilardi is also capable defensively. He’s a two-way solution to some of Colorado’s problems.
5th Overall, Vancouver Canucks – Owen Tippett, RW
I want you to notice something about the above caption. Sven Baertschi and Daniel Sedin are both left wings. The Vancouver Canucks have a right wing problem. And there’s a really good right wing in this draft. One who’s young, physical, and capable of scoring. That’s Owen Tippett. And that’s who the Canucks should draft.
Tippett had 75 points and 44 goals in 60 games in the OHL this season. He’s a dynamic goal scorer, one who can also muscle his way to the front of the net. Again, the Canucks are lacking that. Tippett gives them size and skill in one package, and it’s something Vancouver can’t turn down. Plus, they already have Bo Horvat at center and drafted a defenseman last year.