Director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr knows this draft class back to front.
While the draft has been criticized for its quality, particularly at the top when compared to the level of talent over the last few years, Marr sees the depth in it.
"I don't want to diminish the product," said Marr. "This isn't a draft where you're going to have a generational - to use that term - players from the last couple of classes. They normally only come once a decade but we were fortunate that we had some back-to-back years that way."
Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel are all recent picks to come out with that "generational talent" label. This year, the top spot will likely go to either Nolan Patrick from the Brandon Wheat Kings and Nico Hischier - both excellent prospects but not held up to the same evaluations as the aforementioned trio.
"The players at the top-end of this draft are going to be solid, franchise players for their clubs once they get established," said Marr.
As for the rest of the first-round crop, there is a healthy mix of players that can develop into key contributors to NHL clubs.
"The rest of the first round is going to sort themselves out to be really good contributors," said Marr.
"There are some pretty solid hockey players coming down."
BLOG: Marr comments on 2017 Draft
