The 2017 NHL Draft is right around the corner. While history has taught us a lot about the relative unpredictability of the selection process there are some obvious signs that we can consider in order to more accurately assess the talent at the top of the Central Scouting rankings. Overall potential is an important factor in the draft process but NHL general managers also put a lot of time in to limiting risk. We took the time to identify a handful of players that GM’s might want to stay away from in the opening round of this year’s draft. Here is a look at the “Do Not Draft” list for the 2017 NHL Draft.
W: Klim Kostin, Dynamo Balashikha (KHL)
Some mock drafts have Kostin listed as a top-five pick but he should probably go in the 15-20 range. The Russian winger is the top-ranked European skater but there is also potential for him to be an absolute bust. There is no doubt about his talent level but there are plenty of examples of skilled wingers that haven’t panned out at the NHL level. Kostin has the potential to be one of the most talented players in this year’s NHL Draft but he could also be a complete bust if a team selects him with a top-five pick.
D: Timothy Liljegren, Rogie BK (Sweden)
There has been no shortage of top defensemen selected out of Sweden over the years. The fact that so many of them have had success is one reason why Liljegren is being ranked so high on a lot of mock drafts. There is no doubt that the 18-year-old has potential but he has had injury concerns throughout his career and he isn’t considered an elite skater at this point. Liljegren could go on to be a quality NHL defensemen but he likely shouldn’t be a top-15 pick in this year’s draft.
C: Casey Mittelstadt, Green Bay (USHL)
Mittelstadt is a top-10 player in the final mock draft rankings by TSN’s Craig Button. However, there is reason to be hesitant about selecting the No. 3 overall North American skater that high. Mittelstadt’s stock has really climbed over the past couple of months and the hype could lead to a team selecting him higher than he should likely go. Mittelstadt could still be a top-25 pick but it’s important for teams not to reach on him and select him higher than projected top-10 players like Gabriel Vilardi, Owen Tippett and Cody Glass.
G: Jake Oettinger, Boston University (NCAA)
This spot on this list belongs to the only goaltender in Button’s first round mock draft. While Oettinger is the consensus top-ranked netminder, there might not be a single player in this year’s goaltending class that is worth reaching for in the first round. With so much talent at the other positions on the board GM’s can afford to be patient and wait until the second round to select a goalie. Oettinger could turn out to be a solid NHL goaltender. However, he just isn’t worth taking in the first round and that is why he is on our “Do Not Draft” list.
Any Goaltender In Round One
While we singled out Oettinger above, the truth is that there isn’t another goaltender who is worthy of being drafted in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. There are a whole list of names who are going to be bandied about as guys that should slide in near the end of round one. It’s true that goaltending brings you closer to championships and in the modern day NHL, it’s probably the most important position. However, we just don’t have those types of difference makers in this draft.
Keith Petruzelli, Ian Scott, Michael DiPietro and Cayden Primeau are some of the names you are going to hear about. Cayden Primeau is actually the son of former NHL power forward Keith Primeau. If you’re wondering whether Michael DiPietro is related to former New York Islanders netminder Rick, he is not.
At any rate, look for a lot of these names to go in the second round and beyond but there’s no need to burn a first-rounder on this crop.
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