2017 NHL mock draft: Canucks pick Pettersson in full first-round mock

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Olli Juolevi puts on a team jersey after being selected as the number five overall draft pick by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Olli Juolevi puts on a team jersey after being selected as the number five overall draft pick by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 7
vancouver canucks
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Olli Juolevi puts on a team jersey after being selected as the number five overall draft pick by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

‘Nico or Nolan’ is one of the questions answered in this 2017 NHL mock draft. But it sure isn’t the only one.

Just when you thought you had everything figured out, a 2017 NHL mock draft comes along and pretends everything is different. The reality is that we have no idea at all how things will shake out at this year’s draft, but the least we can do is try to make predictions.

The biggest question is of course, Nico or Nolan?

And while fans and media have turned it into the most important decision, I personally find everything that follows much harder, and much more interesting.

Whether the New Jersey Devils pick Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier, they will get a future top-six centre. They really can’t go wrong here.

But what happens after that?

Gabriel Vilardi or Casey Mittelstadt? Or Cody Glass? But what about Miro Heiskanen? Did I mention Cale Makar? Owen Tippett? Elias Pettersson?

Let’s dive right into the decisions.