Redrafting the 2017 NHL Draft: Who would've actually gone 1st overall?

The 2017 NHL draft was kind to some teams and brutal to others. Notable among those teams were the Dallas Stars, who hit on nearly all of their picks. Out of the top 10, six picks do not show up on the following list.

Similar to leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB, top draft picks don't always turn out what they were projected to be. That said, let’s take a look and redraft the 2017 NHL draft's top 10.

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#1. New Jersey Devils - Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)

Going into the 2017 NHL draft, there were questions as to whether Cale Makar’s skill set would translate to the NHL. With 225 points in five seasons as one of hockey’s best defensemen, he seems to have proven himself worthy. Cale Makar has set himself apart from the rest due to his game-breaking speed. He is clearly one of the best names in this class.

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#2. Philadelphia Flyers - Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars)

Dallas had a very good draft in 2017. The best player they snagged came in the form of 2020 NHL rookie runner-up Jason Robertson. Robertson has emerged as one of the league’s best offensive forwards and would look pretty good on the Flyers right now.

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#3. Dallas Stars - Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks)

The Stars passed on Pettersson in 2017, but in this redraft, they take him at three. Pettersson is an elite offensive talent and can score from anywhere on the ice. He could have been the type of player that set the Stars apart from the competition in playoff races in past seasons.

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#4. Colorado Avalanche - Miro Heiskanen (Dallas Stars)

Dallas Stars v Los Angeles Kings

The Avalanche miss out on Makar, but pick up the next best thing in Heiskanen. Miro Heiskanen is a very similar player to Makar in the fact that they are both speedy and athletic defensemen. Heiskanen may not have Makar’s scoring knack but is still one of the most unique players in the NHL.

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#5. Vancouver Canucks - Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars)

2017 was a very good goalie draft. Jeremy Swayman and Ukko Pekka-Lukkonen were also picked, but Jake Oettinger has been the standout in Dallas. Picked using the Minnesota Wild’s first-rounder acquired for Martin Hanzal, Oettinger has emerged as one of the league’s best goaltenders.

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#6. Vegas Golden Knights - Nick Suzuki (Vegas Golden Knights)

Vegas stays true and selects Nick Suzuki, who they ended up trading to Montreal shortly after. Suzuki hasn’t been as good since his rookie season, but the potential is still there for him to be a key contributor on a playoff-bound team in the future.

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#7. New York Rangers - Nico Hischier (New Jersey Devils)

Nico Hischier doesn’t get selected very far from where he was actually picked. Hischier has been consistent since being picked first overall in 2017 but hasn’t played to the level expected of a first-overall pick. Hischier has consistently hit 40 points in five out of the last six seasons and has already nearly matched his career high this season.

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#8. Buffalo Sabres - Robert Thomas (St. Louis Blues)

St Louis Blues v Seattle Kraken

Despite being injured for much of the 2020-21 season, Robert Thomas has been a very effective forward for the St. Louis Blues. Thomas exploded last season for 77 points and was clutch in the playoffs as well. He would be a pretty nice piece on the Buffalo Sabres with all of their young talent.

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#9. Detroit Red Wings - Josh Norris (Ottawa Senators)

Josh Norris has had two seasons that have put him in the upper half of quality players in the NHL. He’s been out for most of the 2022 season for the Senators, though. Last season, Norris scored 55 points and finished with votes for the Lady Byng Trophy.

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#10. Florida Panthers - Drake Batherson (Ottawa Senators)

The Senators had a decent draft in 2017 and Drake Batherson is the second example of that. There’s plenty of potential for Batherson, who already in 2022 is having his best scoring season. Playing for a contributor like the Panthers, Batherson could have been a valuable player.