ISS Top 31 prospects ranked for Feb 2017

[Axeman33]

Rank Player Position Team League
1 Patrick, Nolan C Brandon WHL
2 Liljegren, Timothy RD Rogle SweJE
3 Hischier, Nico C Halifax QMJHL
4 Tippett, Owen RW Mississauga OHL
5 Vilardi, Gabe C Windsor OHL
6 Mittelstadt, Casey C Eden Prairie MN-HS
7 Rasmussen, Michael C Tri-City WHL
8 Foote, Callan RD Kelowna WHL
9 Kostin, Klim C Dynamo KHL
10 Tolvanen, Eeli LW Sioux City USHL
11 Valimaki, Juuso LD Tri-City WHL
12 Hague, Nicolas RD Mississauga OHL
13 Makar, Cale RD Brooks AJHL
14 Glass, Cody C Portland WHL
15 Poehling, Ryan C St. Cloud State NCHC
16 Popugaev, Nikita A. LW Prince George WHL
17 Comtois, Maxime LW Victoriaville QMJHL
18 Necas, Martin RW Brno Kometa HC CzeE
19 Mattheos, Stelio C Brandon WHL
20 Strome, Matthew LW Hamilton OHL
21 Pettersson, Elias C Timra SweAl
22 Martin, Luke RD Michigan BigTen
23 Vaakanainen, Urho LD JYP Jyvaskyla FinE
24 Bowers, Shane C Waterloo USHL
25 Andersson, Lias LW HV71 SweE
26 Jokiharju, Henri RD Portland WHL
27 Suzuki, Nick C Owen Sound OHL
28 Lind, Kole C Kelowna WHL
29 Vesalainen, Kristian LW V. Frolunda SweE
30 Formenton, Alex LW London OHL
31 Anderson-Dolan, Jaret C Spokane WHL



Nolan Patrick (rank #1), Timothy Liljegren (rank #2) and Nico Hischier (rank #3) all remain untouched at the top of February?s Release of the ISS Top 31. Beyond that, the rankings see a slight shuffle from the previous month. In goal, the top spots remain status-quo with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Jake Oettinger ranked first and second, respectively, for a second consecutive month. ISS Hockey Director of Scouting Dennis MacInnis has been impressed by the play of the top-ranked Luukkonen, stating, ?He is a large butterfly style goaltender that covers most of the net while possessing strong lateral movement with very good quickness and technique.?

[VintageVibe]

Surprising to see Hischier down to #3. I think he's making the same case Patrick Laine made last year. He's a big-time gamebreaker - reminds me of a grittier Patrick Kane. And Nolan Patrick is no Auston Matthews... I think we could end up seeing more discussions surrounding Hischier at #1 overall as we get closer to the draft.

[Axeman33]

Hischier was #3 last month too for ISS. Not sure why you say "down".

[Eskimo Brother]

I think it's just because people have been seeing him at #2 in the NA rankings.

I will be curious to see where Liljegren ends up getting drafted. I feel like he could go second, or drop similar to Cam Fowler years ago.

Also is it just me or does Suzuki seem a touch low?

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I think it's just because people have been seeing him at #2 in the NA rankings.

I will be curious to see where Liljegren ends up getting drafted. I feel like he could go second, or drop similar to Cam Fowler years ago.

Also is it just me or does Suzuki seem a touch low?

[VincentVega]

Should be Patrick and Hischier 1 and 2. I think they are a cut above the rest.

[Axeman33]

It's hard to judge Liljegren because I haven't seen much of him at all. The scouts love the kid though so there must be something there.

I am fortunate enough to get to see Hischier up front and personal at the Mooseheads games. The kid is unreal.

If the Avalanche get the 1st overall pick (you have to like their odds) one has to wonder if they don't go with the Dman this time instead of the forward due to their overall needs. These rankings are always fun to read but don't always portray the end result come draft time. Team needs sometimes come into play even though teams should go with the BPA at that stage of the draft. If Liljegren is close enough to Hischier and Patrick, there's certainly cause to believe he could go 1st overall.

[Jouko-Pouko]

Miro Heiskanen not on the list is just getting ridiculous. This is from the TSN Mid-Season Draft Ranking:

13. Finnish blueliner Miro Heiskanen of IFK is also in the mix for top defenceman in this draft and the last of the prospects who got some consideration for being in the top five of the entire draft. Four scouts had him in their Top 10, including one vote as high as third overall. He's a solid skating and puck-moving blueliner.

"in the mix for top defenceman in this draft", "consideration for being in the top five of the entire draft"... And ISS probably has no idea who he is.

[Doug Glatt]

Hey J-P, you are the resident Euro expert around here. Who are the best European players who project as NHL centers in this draft?

[Jouko-Pouko]

Hey J-P, you are the resident Euro expert around here. Who are the best European players who project as NHL centers in this draft?

I'm only familiar with the projected 1st rounders at this point but from them, it's slim pickings. The two Finns (Tolvanen and Vesalainen) are pure wingers. I know the Finnish players really well but I'll do my best to dig some information about the others. Here we go...

Klim Kostin is marked as 'C' here but EliteProspects list him as RW. He only played 8 games in the KHL and didn't take a single FO (then again his ice-time was only 4:28 on average). In MHL, he's played a total of 31 games (over two years) and took 27 FO. So just based on the numbers from the past two years, I'd say he doesn't play center. He just hasn't really played much this season, so very difficult to say.

Elias Pettersson took 187 FO in 33 games this season and that was only the 7th highest total from his team. But he did win 51.87% of them which was 3rd best from that group. Unfortunately I haven't seen him play outside the WJC, so I can't say if his game is better suited for center or wing. He scored 15 goals in 33 games but he only took 80 SOG (18.75 SH%), so it doesn't look like he's a big time shooter. That could tell that center is the better position for him because he can create plays from there.

Martin Necas took 324 FO in 35 games (3rd most on the team) but only won 42.28% of them. Lias Andersson took 234 FO in 32 games (6th highest on team) but only won 46.58% of them. I'm wondering if these guys are big enough to play center at the NHL level. Marcus Davidsson is listed as C/W but he only took 86 FO in 34 games (and only won 34.88% of them).

All in all, you may want to focus on North American players if you need a center. If I had to guess, I would probably take my chances with Pettersson and Necas.

[Doug Glatt]

Great stuff J+P, thanks. I'm definitely looking C in the first round for my prospect draft this fall. My farm is loaded with wingers and Barzal is my only C as of now. Would like to find a big strong kid who isnt drafted in the top 3 who could develop along the lines of Johansen or Schiefele. I will take a look at the NA guys, there are several who appear to be projected as Cs that should be available at my pick. Vilardi, Mittelstadt, Rasmussen and Glass will be the group I am probably going to get to pick from.