Mock Draft: Gabriel Vilardi moves up to Stars at No. 3

LNH.com staff writer Guillaume Lepage projects the 2017 NHL Draft presented by adidas after the May 29-June 3 Scouting Combine in Buffalo:

2. Philadelphia Flyers - Nolan Patrick, C, Brandon (WHL)

The Flyers won't complain about having Patrick fall to them at No. 2. Even if he is not the greatest skater, Patrick (6-2, 198) compensates for it with his ability to handle and protect the puck. His vision makes him dangerous, as evidenced by his 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) in 33 games. The Flyers also will appreciate the toughness in his game.

3. Dallas Stars - Gabriel Vilardi, C, Windsor (OHL)

A center with size (6-3, 201), Vilardi is not the fastest skater but has a knack for making those around him better. His work ethic, determination and touch around the net will be a welcome addition to the Stars. He had 61 points (29 goals, 32 assists) in 49 games this season.
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4. Colorado Avalanche - Miro Heiskanen, D, HIFK (FIN)

The Avalanche need a good, two-way defenseman, and Heiskanen (6-0, 170) fits the bill perfectly. He opened a lot of eyes at the 2017 IIHF World Under-18 Championship with 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in seven games and was named the tournament's best defenseman.

5. Vancouver Canucks - Casey Mittelstadt, C, Eden Prairie (HIGH-MN)

The Canucks had the second-best odds to get the No. 1 pick but getting Mittelstadt at No. 5 is an outstanding consolation prize. The 6-foot, 201-pound center had 64 points (21 goals, 43 assists) in 25 games with his high school team and averaged 1.25 points per game in 24 games with Green Bay of the United States Hockey League. His best assets are his high-end agility and puckhandling skills.

6. Vegas Golden Knights - Owen Tippett, RW, Mississauga (OHL)

The 6-foot, 200-pound forward has the natural instincts of a scorer; his 44 goals this season ranked fifth in the Ontario Hockey League. Opposing defenders have to keep an eye on Tippett because he is an excellent skater who is able to make his way through traffic and get to the net. Tippett already has an NHL-caliber shot.

7. Arizona Coyotes - Michael Rasmussen, C, Tri-City (WHL)

At 6-6, 215, Rasmussen's size makes him a very attractive prospect; he's the prototype of a classic NHL power forward. Rasmussen is able to use his size to put the puck in the net and set up his teammates. He had 55 points (32 goals, 23 assists) in 50 games this season.

8. Buffalo Sabres - Cody Glass, C, Portland (WHL)

Glass (6-2, 178) has an enticing mix of speed and smarts on the ice. He had 94 points (32 goals, 62 assists) in 69 games, the fourth-highest total among 2017 draft-eligible players in the CHL. Glass' explosive style allows him to create scoring chances on nearly every shift.

9. Detroit Red Wings - Cale Makar, D, Brooks (AJHL)

If you only looked at his size (5-11, 180), Makar would not appear to be the most attractive NHL defense prospect. But he's very mobile, uses his high-end skating ability to get the play moving toward the offensive end, and his intelligence helps makes up for his size. Glass improved steadily all season and finished with 75 points (24 goals, 51 assists) in 54 games.

10. Florida Panthers - Martin Necas, C, Brno (CZE)

Necas is not the biggest forward available in the draft (6-0, 167), but sets himself apart with his offensive flair and hockey IQ. He battles for loose pucks and has good vision, allowing him to find teammates and create scoring chances. Necas had 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 41 games in the top Czech league.

11. Los Angeles Kings - Klim Kostin, C/LW, Dynamo Moscow (RUS)

Kostin (6-3, 196) played eight games in the Kontinental Hockey League before season-ending shoulder surgery in January. When healthy, he's shown himself to be a puck-possession monster, which fits the Kings perfectly. Kostin has energy to burn and is a tireless worker.

12. Carolina Hurricanes - Timothy Liljegren, D, Rogle (SWE)

Liljegren (6-0, 191) came into this season considered by some scouts to be the top defenseman in the draft. But he missed the first two months with mononucleosis and had trouble finding his rhythm upon his return. However, his skills as an offensive-minded defenseman are obvious, and Liljegren has a very high ceiling. He has been compared to Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson.

13. Winnipeg Jets - Elias Pettersson, C, Timra (SWE-2)

Pettersson (6-2, 161) gained a lot of experience playing against men in Allsvenskan, the second division in Sweden, and finished with 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) in 43 games. He has excellent hands and a fluid skating stride, allowing him to create separation from defenders, as well as a high-end wrist shot.

14. Tampa Bay Lightning - Juuso Valimaki, D, Tri-City (WHL)

The Finland-born defenseman has an intriguing mix of speed and mobility that allows him to join the attack. He had 61 points (19 goals, 42 assists) in 60 games, seventh among WHL defensemen. In addition to his vision and ability to quickly transition from defense to offense, his size (6-2, 204) makes him an imposing figure protecting his net.

15. New York Islanders - Nick Suzuki, C, Owen Sound (OHL)

What Suzuki gives up in size (5-11, 183) he makes up for in offensive ability. Suzuki was fifth in the OHL with 96 points (45 goals, 51 assists) in 65 games. He's a dynamic forward who plays with no fear and is relentless in the corners.

16. Calgary Flames - Callan Foote, D, Kelowna (WHL)

Intelligence and vision are the calling cards of this massive (6-4, 212) defenseman. He has shutdown abilities in his own zone because of his strong positioning and also can contribute offensively, as his 57 points (six goals, 51 assists) in 71 games indicate.

17. Toronto Maple Leafs - Nicolas Hague, D, Mississauga (OHL)

With their prospect pool overflowing at forward, the Maple Leafs won't be able to resist taking this big body (6-6, 215) to patrol their blue line in the near future. Hague's long reach causes problems for opposing forwards, and he has the skill to be useful on the power play. He had 46 points (18 goals, 28 assists) in 65 games.

18. Boston Bruins - Lias Andersson, C, HV 71 (SWE)

An excellent two-way forward who plays a smart game in all three zones, Andersson (5-11, 198) already is a very responsible player who shows good maturity and leadership and plays a mistake-free style. He has some skill offensively with 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 42 games, but it's his work without the puck that sets him apart.

19. San Jose Sharks - Kristian Vesalainen, LW/RW, Frolunda (SWE)

Vesalainen was considered by some scouts to be one of the top players in the draft at the start of the season, especially because of his large frame (6-3, 207). But his lack of production with Frolunda, with six points (one goal, five points) in 26 games, has been a cause for concern in terms of his ability to transition to the NHL.

20. St. Louis Blues - Eeli Tolvanen, RW, Sioux City (USHL)

The Finland native is an offensive menace, using his strong wrist shot and lightning-quick release to finish with 54 points (30 goals, 24 assists) in 52 games in his second season in North America. He is small (5-10, 170) but quick, and has the ability to back off defenders with his acceleration.

21. New York Rangers - Ryan Poehling, C, St. Cloud State (NCHC)

The youngest player in the NCAA this season -- he turned 18 on Jan. 3 -- Poehling stood out with his creativity and knack for generating scoring chances at the most important moments. He protects the puck well, and his defensive game improved as the season went along. He had 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 35 games.

22. Edmonton Oilers - Isaac Ratcliffe, LW, Guelph (OHL)

Ratcliffe is a prototypical power forward because of his size (6-6, 200), touch in the offensive end and physical play. He had 54 points (28 goals, 26 assists) in 67 games, a marked improvement from the 13 points (five goals, eight assists) he had in 46 games last season as an OHL rookie.

23. Arizona Coyotes (via Minnesota Wild) - Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Spokane (WHL)

If he were a bit bigger, Yamamoto (5-8, 153) would probably be a top-10 pick. With 99 points (42 goals, 57 assists) in 65 games, the doubts about his game have nothing to do with production, but rather his ability to adapt his game to play in the NHL. His speed and skill would suggest he should be able to do it.

24. Columbus Blue Jackets - Shane Bowers, C, Waterloo (USHL)

A player who excels in all three zones, Bowers has built a reputation as a tireless worker who can handle the rough stuff in the corners. With his strength (6-1, 183), Bowers protects the puck well and his vision has served him well in the offensive zone. He had 51 points (22 goals, 29 assists) in 60 games.

25. Montreal Canadiens - Maxime Comtois, LW, Victoriaville (QMJHL)

Expectations were raised after he had 60 points (26 goals, 34 assists) in 62 games as a rookie last season, but he backslid a bit this season with 51 points (22 goals, 29 assists) in 64 games. However, his rookie season gave an indication of his potential. Comtois (6-2, 200) also can play center, a position of serious need for the Canadiens.

26. Chicago Blackhawks - Jason Robertson, LW, Kingston (OHL)

Robertson, who won't turn 18 until July 22, is one of the youngest players eligible for the draft as well as one of the most intriguing. He had 81 points (42 goals, 39 assists) in 68 games this season, scoring 23.5 percent of Kingston's goals. His offensive ability is undeniable, though his skating remains a question mark.

27. St. Louis Blues (via Washington Capitals) - Conor Timmins, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

The right-handed defenseman (6-1, 185) has a natural instinct to his game that allows him to jump up in the play and create offensively. He improved throughout the season and eventually became Sault Ste. Marie's offensive driver from the back end with 61 points (seven goals, 54 assists) in 67 games.

28. Ottawa Senators - Kole Lind, RW, Kelowna (WHL)

His intelligence and hockey sense are remarkable. Lind (6-1, 178) had a consistent season, knows where to go on the ice and has no trouble finding his teammates, as his Kelowna-best 87 points (30 goals, 57 assists) in 70 games attest.

29. Dallas Stars (via Anaheim Ducks) - Nikita Popugaev, LW, Prince George (WHL)

It is difficult to miss this massive (6-6, 217) Russia-born forward on the ice. But not only is he big, he had the offensive skill to produce 69 points (29 goals, 40 assists) in 71 games. He is a constant threat around the net and is very mobile for his size.

30. Nashville Predators - Henri Jokiharju, D, Portland (WHL)

In his first season in North America, the Finland-born defenseman had a slow start but took off after Christmas; he finished the season with 48 points (nine goals, 39 assists) in 71 games. Jokiharju's fluid skating stride and his speed help him in the transition game, and he is an excellent passer.

31. Pittsburgh Penguins - Robert Thomas, C, London (OHL)

Thomas (6-0, 188) had 66 points (16 goals, 50 assists) in 66 games, but it's his defensive game and puck-possession skills that make him stand out. It appears as though Thomas has yet to reach his full potential, but the Penguins have the luxury of giving him time to develop.