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Way-too-early 2017 NHL draft prospect rankings

Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings was named the MVP of the 2016 WHL playoffs. Marissa Baecker/Getty Images

At this point (granted, it's very early), the top of the 2017 draft class looks to be below average. Nolan Patrick is a decent No. 1 prospect, but he is not at the level of top guys in the past two classes, such as Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine.

The rest of the top prospects are solid, but they don’t rise to the levels we’ve seen the past two seasons. Congrats to the new Las Vegas franchise, it appears you aren't so ... lucky. Anyway, on to the rankings: