The Philadelphia Flyers just landed a center they can build around for years. With the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NHL entry draft, they selected Nolan Patrick from the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings.
NHL draft 2017: Flyers select Nolan Patrick with No. 2 overall pick
Injuries are the only thing holding Patrick back.
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Patrick instantly becomes the Flyers’ top prospect and further bolsters their forward depth alongside key names such as Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny.
A year ago, Patrick would’ve been the surefire first overall pick after winning the WHL Playoffs MVP with Brandon as a 17-year-old (and through a sports hernia injury). But injuries lingered during his draft year, keeping him out of most of the regular season and all of Brandon’s playoff games and allowing Swiss center Nico Hischier to challenge him for the top spot.
In the end, the New Jersey Devils selected Hischier with the No. 1 overall pick, leaving Patrick for the Flyers at No. 2.
Injuries are the only concerns, though. At 6’3, 200 pounds, Patrick is considered a special all-around talent. His awareness and energy keeps him active at both ends of the rink, and he can dish the puck to teammates or finish scoring plays with aplomb.
The loftiest comparisons he’s drawn have been to Kings captain Anze Kopitar and Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, both of whom are considered the NHL’s elite two-way players.
He may not win scoring titles, but Patrick is certainly an impactful player.
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