Nolan Patrick will go into the NHL Draft on June 23 as the top-ranked prospect available. However, he’s not as clear cut of a choice as we’ve seen in recent years with players such as Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid — for the first time in many years there is a real question as to who will be chosen first overall.
Nico Hischier is the big challenger to Patrick after a huge year with the Halifax Mooseheads. Patrick has been the projected top pick in the 2017 draft for more than a year, but he’s dealt with a number of injuries over the past few years and was limited to just 33 games this season. Although Patrick wasn’t healthy enough to play for the Brandon Wheat Kings in their first round exit during the WHL playoffs, he told NHL.com that he plans to participate in every drill at the combine this week.
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“I’m cleared for full testing,” Patrick said. “Good news. I’m feeling close to 100 percent. I’m going to give it all a go and it should be fun.”
Last year, Patrik Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi were both limited in their combine participation by nagging injuries, but it didn’t hurt their draft stock. Laine went second overall to Winnipeg and Puljujarvi went fourth to Edmonton.
Hischier is also expected to be a full participant at the combine.
While Patrick missed most of this season — including the WJC — with injuries, he had a great 2015-16 campaign and was named playoff MVP en route to his Wheat Kings being crowned WHL champions.
A 6-foot-3 centre who scored 102 points with Brandon in 2015-16, there is no denying Patrick’s natural ability and in what is regarded as a weaker draft than we’ve seen in the past few years, it might be hard for a team to pass him up.
“Nolan’s situation is part of the game and for NHL clubs it’s a talking point in draft deliberations,” said Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting. “And from many recent discussions with NHL personnel it will have absolutely no negative implications or bearing on Nolan’s draft status.”
The New Jersey Devils hold the first overall pick in the draft this year, with Philadelphia second and Dallas third.
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