Who are the top prospects in the 2017 NHL draft?
With the Detroit Red Wings entering Thursday second from the bottom in the Eastern Conference with 22 games remaining this season, it's time to look to the future, and that means June's 2017 NHL draft.
Of course, having made the playoffs for 25 straight years, the Wings have not picked in the top-10 since 1991, when they chose Martin Lapointe 10th overall. The previous year, 1990, was the last time the team picked in the top five, taking Keith Primeau at No. 3.
With the expansion Las Vegas Golden Knights automatically given the same odds in the draft lottery as the team finishing with the third-fewest points this season, the Wings (58 points) are behind Colorado (35 points), Arizona (49 points), Dallas (56 points) and Carolina (56 points) — though the Hurricanes have played four less games than the Wings — in the race for the bottom.
Odds of the No. 1 pick are 20% for the league's worst team, 13.5% for the second-worst team, 11.5% for third, 9.5% for fourth and 8.5% for fifth.
For the second straight year, the lottery will assign the top three picks — a change from the past when it was only utilized to assign the first overall selection — then slot teams based on their regular-season finish. So say the Wings finish with the fifth-best lottery odds, they would end up picking either in the top three or 5-8.
Who could the Wings be looking to draft at United Center in Chicago on June 23-24?
Here are the top-10 prospects (North American skaters only), according to NHL Central Scouting. Commentary in quotes taken from NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale's mock draft last month.
Fans can simulate the draft lottery at the popular Web site Tankathon.
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With star power lacking, no quick fixes in 2017 NHL draft
Nolan Patrick, center, Brandon (WHL)
Patrick is 6-foot-3, 198 pounds. He missed 35 games earlier this season because of a groin/stomach muscle injury. "The right-shot center is as dangerous a passer as he is a shooter, and has great hockey sense."
Nico Hischier, center, Halifax (QMJHL)
He is 6-1, 176. His four goals and seven points for Switzerland at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship were the most among draft-eligible players. "The Switzerland-born left-shot forward has elite hockey sense, a nice scoring touch and underrated edge to his game."
Gabriel Vilardi, center, Windsor (OHL)
He is 6-3, 201 pounds. "A right-shot forward, Vilardi has excellent hockey sense and puck-handling ability, is very composed with the puck and able to influence the game in all three zones."
Owen Tippett, right wing, Owen Sound (OHL)
He is 6-0, 200 pounds. "An exceptionally strong skater and shooter. He knows where to go on the ice to properly give or receive a pass and has an NHL-caliber shot and release."
Casey Mittelstadt, center, Eden Prairie (Minn.) High School
He is 6-1, 201 pounds. "The University of Minnesota recruit has elite puck skills, NHL quickness, and has excelled at every level."
Michael Rasmussen, center, Tri-City (WHL)
He is 6-6, 215 pounds. "Does a fine job getting to the dirty areas to provide screens and get deflections, and knows how to protect the puck with his reach."
Eeli Tolvanen, left wing, Sioux City (USHL)
He is 5-10, 170 pounds. "He has plenty of speed, hockey sense and intensity to complement a solid skill set and NHL-caliber release."
Cody Glass, center, Portland (WHL)
He is 6-2, 178 pounds. "Plays all three forward spots but is better in the middle because he has a constant motor and is an opportunist in the offensive zone. He has good hands and playmaking ability with a style of play that has been compared to Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron."
Juuso Välimäki, defenseman, Tri-City (WHL)
He is 6-2, 204 pounds. "The two-way defenseman has brought more assertiveness to his game in his second WHL season .. and has shown more offensive drive and confidence in his game."
Cale Makar, defenseman, Brooks (AJHL)
He is 5-11, 180 pounds. "He's a dynamic skater with quickness and elusiveness with or without the puck."
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