While we won't be able to read the outcome of the 2017 entry draft for at least three years, this year's draft class will realize great value in its later rounds. After all, 2015 Art Ross winner Jamie Benn didn't hear his name called until the fifth round, future Hall of Famer Pavel Datsyuk was still on the board in Round 6, and Pekka Rinne was chosen in a round that no longer exists.
For now, here are three late picks to keep an eye on from the 2017 NHL Draft:
Jason Robertson
Drafted: Round 2, 39th Overall, by the Dallas Stars
In the top third of the second round, the Stars added Kingston forward Jason Robertson, a scoring winger with a big frame who uses his size to generate offensive chances. It's this style of play that likens Robertson to Toronto Maple Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk, according to Last Word on Sports.
While skating deficiencies may be the reason for Robertson's draft-day slide, there is still a lot to like, and no doubt the Stars believe they can cash in on a player who tallied 81 points in 68 games last season to lead the Frontenacs in scoring.
Robertson placed 14th among North American skaters, as ranked by NHL Central Scouting, a significant climb from his 34th slot in the midterms. He will lace up for his third season with Kingston in 2017-18.
The Wild nabbed a modern winger in Ivan Lodnia of the Erie Otters. While undersized, Lodnia's playing style does not reflect his lesser stature, as scouts beam about the American-born winger's knack for maneuvering through the opposition.
A shifty playmaker, Lodnia boasts exceptional skating and high-end hockey sense, abilities that helped him notch 56 points in 66 games in his first OHL season with the Otters. Lodnia continued to impress at the Memorial Cup, adding three points in five games, and then three goals and an assist in four contests with Team USA at the under-18s.
Lodnia placed 36th among North Americans skaters in the final rankings by NHL Central Scouting, a slight uptick from his finish at the midterms. He is expected to return to the Otters next season.
Hockey bloodlines run deep with the Stromes, with brothers Ryan and Dylan both high picks by the New York Islanders and Arizona Coyotes, respectively, in recent years. Matthew is the latest Strome brother to come along.
But unlike his brothers, both selected inside the top five, the Flyers called on Matthew in the middle of the fourth round, a steep fall from a year ago when the early projections saw him as first rounder. Scouts point to a slow stride that could hold him back from making it to the next level, but that doesn't mean his game isn't without its strengths.
Already 6-foot-3, Strome is excellent down low, using his size to protect the puck. Coupled with high-end hockey IQ, it is this ability that helped Strome collect 62 points in 66 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs, where he will return next season for his third OHL campaign.
All the goaltender had to do was send Dierks Bentley a signed jersey so the country star could fulfill the bet he lost when the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Nashville Predators in the Stanley Cup Final.
But Murray clearly couldn't help himself. The netminder inscribed the sweater with the phrase Predators fans chanted at him during the series.
Bentley performed in Pittsburgh on Saturday night, and he held up his end of the bargain.
We're pretty sure that's Larry David (it has to be, right?) joining several members of the Los Angeles Kings and broadcaster Erin Andrews for drinks Friday night.
The Seinfeld co-creator and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star was apparently among the guests at the wedding of Andrews and Jarret Stoll, which reportedly took place Saturday in Montana.
Here's a brighter version of the picture from former King Willie Mitchell.
David has shown up to Kings games in the past, most notably during the 2014 playoff series against the San Jose Sharks.
While we likely won't know they all fared for a few years yet, we can take a quick look at the results and assess how the teams made out.
Here's our take on the teams in the Atlantic Division:
Boston Bruins
Round
Pick
Player
1
18
Urho Vaakanainen (D)
2
53
Jack Studnicka (C)
4
111
Jeremy Swayman (G)
6
173
Cedric Pare (C)
7
195
Victor Berglund (D)
7
204
Daniel Bukac (D)
The Bruins missed out on a wave of higher upside defenseman in the first round, so they opted to select Vaakaneinen, who, by all accounts, projects to be a solid, safe blue-liner. Though he isn't flashy, he held his own playing with men in the top Finnish league, and could be NHL ready sooner than later. His ceiling is capped by a lack of physical attributes and little offensive ability.
With their next two picks, the Bruins selected Studnicka, who didn't produce much offense in the OHL last year, and an undersized goaltender in Swayman. Sub-6-foot-2 goaltenders have a difficult time succeeding in today's NHL. Obviously, there are a few exceptions, but it's rare.
Grade: C+
Buffalo Sabres
Round
Pick
Player
1
8
Casey Mittelstadt (C)
2
37
Marcus Davidsson (C)
2
54
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (G)
3
89
Oskari Laaksonen (D)
4
99
Jacob Bryson (D)
7
192
Linus Weissbach (LW)
Mittelstadt needs to work on his upper body strength (he failed to do a pullup at the NHL combine), but he is oozing with offensive upside. He may have dropped slightly for playing high school hockey in his draft year, but when he played against stiffer competition in the USHL, he still flourished. It may take time, but he could be an offensive difference-maker for the Sabres.
The Sabres arguably snagged the best goaltender in the draft in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Doesn't that name just scream Vezina Trophy? The Finn stands at 6-foot-4 and posted a 1.78 GAA and .916 save percentage in the Finnish junior league.
They took a huge gamble in the third round, going way off the board to select Laaksonen, a defenseman listed at 5-foot-9 and just 133 pounds(!) on NHL.com. This pick will draw criticism, but obviously the Sabres know something about him that most don't. It's not uncommon to see strong skating, undersized defenseman shine in today's NHL. In the third round, it's okay to start taking risks.
Grade: A
Detroit Red Wings
Round
Pick
Player
1
9
Michael Rasmussen (C)
2
38
Gustav Lindstrom (D)
3
71
Kasper Kotkansalo (D)
3
79
Lane Zablocki (RW)
3
83
Zach Gallant (C)
3
88
Kieth Petruzzelli (G)
4
100
Malte Sekov (D)
5
131
Cole Fraser (D)
6
162
John Adams (RW)
6
164
Reilly Webb (D)
7
193
Brady Gilmour (C)
Rasmussen is a 6-foot-6 center. Every team covets a big center. However, Rasmussen's skating is a major question mark. He had 55 points in 50 games in the WHL this year (pretty low for a top-10 pick), and just 19 of those points came at even strength. That's extremely alarming. This pick has bust written all over it.
Despite the red flags over the first-round selection, Detroit had an astonishing six more picks in the top 100, gathering a large quantity of high-end talent, including three, 6-foot-2 European defenseman with upside.
Grade: C+
Florida Panthers
Round
Pick
Player
1
10
Owen Tippett (RW)
2
40
Aleksi Heponiemi (C)
3
66
Maxwell Gildon (D)
5
133
Tyler Inamoto (D)
6
184
Sebastian Repo (RW)
As a winger, Tippett's overall upside is somewhat limited compared to most centers taken in the top 15, but he has an absolute laser of a shot and might be one of the safest picks of the draft. He's a lock to be a future 20-goal scorer, and could end up being a perennial 30-goal scorer. He would fit nicely alongside playmakers Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov.
In the second round, the Panthers nabbed an undersized Finnish center in Heponiemi (he weighs just 149 pounds, per NHL.com), but he's a quick, elusive skater and an even quicker thinker with the puck on his stick.
Grade: B
Montreal Canadiens
Round
Pick
Player
1
25
Ryan Poehling (C)
2
56
Josh Brook (D)
2
58
Joni Ikonen (C)
3
68
Scott Walford (D)
3
87
Cale Fleury (D)
5
149
Jarret Tyszyka (D)
7
199
Cayden Primeau (G)
Though Poehling was just a freshman at St. Cloud State this past year, he was clearly outclassed, tallying just 13 points in 35 games. When watching video on him, the majority of his goals were tip-ins. While this is certainly an effective way to score, a first-round center should be able to create offense on his own, not rely on others to create it for him.
However, the Canadiens looked to salvage their draft by going for need, adding a plethora of defensemen and centers in the later rounds. They also added the son of NHL great Keith Primeau, Cayden, with their final pick.
Grade: C-
Ottawa Senators
Round
Pick
Player
1
28
Shane Bowers (C)
2
47
Alex Formenton (LW)
4
121
Drake Batherson (C)
6
183
Jordan Hollett (G)
It's difficult to say a team had a great draft when they only had four selections.
However, Bowers finished tied for 10th in USHL scoring this year. He is regarded as a player with a strong two-way game, though lacks any wow factor in any particular attribute. Nonetheless, it sounds like the Senators have a future top-9 forward on their hands.
Grade: C-
Tampa Bay Lightning
Round
Pick
Player
1
14
Callan Foote (D)
2
48
Alexander Volkov (RW)
3
76
Alexei Lipanov (C)
6
169
Nicklaus Perbix (D)
6
180
Cole Guttman (C)
7
200
Samuel Walker (C)
The Lightning took a safe pick in the form of Callan Foote, the son of longtime NHLer Adam Foote. Callan is a chip off the old block, having shutdown defenseman written all over him, but he could prove to be a better skater and puck-mover than his old man.
Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman opted to complement his security blanket first-round pick nicely with some highly skilled Russian forwards in Rounds 2 and 3.
Grade: B
Toronto Maple Leafs
Round
Pick
Player
1
17
Timothy Liljegren (D)
2
59
Eemeli Rasanen (D)
4
110
Ian Scott (G)
4
124
Vladislav Kara (LW)
5
141
Fedor Gordeev (D)
6
172
Ryan McGregor (C)
7
203
Ryan O'Connell (D)
In almost every single preseason mock draft, Liljegren was going first or second overall. He failed to progress in his second year, but that can be tough to do as a 17-year-old defenseman playing with men. He also battled injuries and an illness, resulting in a halt in his development. He is one of the smoothest skaters in the draft and has elite offensive upside.
The Leafs addressed a huge need after the first round, adding two towering defensemen. Rasanen stands at 6-foot-7, while Gordeev is 6-6.
The Buds also took a chance on a 6-foot-3 netminder, Scott, who may have fallen in the draft due to his results. He posted an ugly goals-against average and save percentage, but played for the worst team in the WHL.
Sexton will also serve as GM of the Sabres' AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.
He's been with the Penguins since 2010, becoming the team's sole amateur scouting director in 2015. Botterill worked with the Penguins for nearly a decade beginning in 2007 before being hired as Sabres GM last month.
Sexton has NHL GM experience of his own, having previously occupied that position with both the Ottawa Senators and the Florida Panthers.
While we likely won't know they all fared for a few years yet, we can take a quick look at the results and assess how the teams made out.
Here's our take on the teams in the Pacific Division:
Anaheim Ducks
Draft picks
ROUND
PICK
PLAYER
2
50
Maxime Comtois
2
60
Antoine Morand
3
91
Jack Badini
4
122
Kyle Olsen
5
153
Olle Eriksson Ek
After dealing their first-rounder to acquire Patrick Eaves at last year's trade deadline, the Ducks played shorthanded this weekend, not announcing their first pick until the 50th selection.
Still, Anaheim made the most of it, drafting Victoriaville winger Maxime Comtois in the middle of the second round. Comtois has played two seasons in the QMJHL, where he finished this year with 51 points in 64 games. The French Canadian forward is noted for his versatility, as not only is he familiar with taking faceoffs, he's a left shooter who can play right wing.
With their final pick, the Ducks opted for Olle Eriksson Ek, the second-highest-ranked European netminder and brother of Joel Eriksson Ek, a first-round pick by the Minnesota Wild in 2015. With Farjestad Jr. this season, Eriksson Ek appeared in 30 games, posting a 2.16 goals-against average and .924 save percentage.
Grade: C
Arizona Coyotes
Draft picks
ROUND
PICK
PLAYER
1
23
Pierre-Olivier Joseph
2
44
Filip Westerlund
3
69
Mackenzie Entwistle
3
75
Nate Schnarr
3
82
Cameron Crotty
4
108
Noel Hoefenmayer
5
126
Michael Karow
5
128
Tyler Steenbergen
7
190
Erik Walli Walterholm
The Coyotes were left with one pick in the opening round after dealing the seventh overall selection to the New York Rangers for Derek Stepan. He fills an immediate need in the desert, while the Coyotes hope Pierre-Olivier Joseph is an option down the road.
Selected with the pick Arizona obtained for Martin Hanzal, Joseph is a smooth-skating, puck-moving defenseman who likens his playing style to San Jose Sharks blue-liner Marc-Edouard Vlasic. With Charlottetown this season, Joseph tallied six goals and 33 assists in 62 games.
Outside of the opening round, the Coyotes made an interesting selection in Hamilton forward Mackenzie Entwistle, a budding power forward who plays an effective game by keeping things simple. In his second season in junior, Entwistle finished with 25 points in 54 games.
Grade: B
Calgary Flames
Draft picks
ROUND
PICK
PLAYER
1
16
Juuso Valimaki
4
109
Adam Ruzicka
5
140
Zach Fischer
6
171
D'Artagnan Joly
7
202
Filip Sveningsson
Deadline deals to acquire Curtis Lazar and Michael Stone left the Flames with just five picks this weekend, but Calgary still came away with some key selections.
Juuso Valimaki, the No. 16 pick overall, is a dynamic, offensive defenseman who plays a new-age game. Valimaki is noted for his speed and mobility, not to mention strong skating that allows him to join the rush and generate offensive chances. In 60 games with Tri-City this season, Valimaki registered 19 goals and 42 assists, nearly double his 32 points in 2015-16.
With pick No. 109, the Flames added Adam Ruzicka, a Czech-born center whom NHL Central Scouting ranked 37th among North American skaters. At 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, Ruzicka has no shortage of size. He finished his first season with the OHL's Sarnia Sting with 46 points in 61 games.
Grade: C
Edmonton Oilers
Draft picks
ROUND
PICK
PLAYER
1
22
Kailer Yamamoto
3
78
Stuart Skinner
3
84
Dmitri Samorukov
4
115
Ostap Safin
5
146
Kirill Maksimov
6
177
Skyler Brind'Amour
7
208
Philip Kemp
Kailer Yamamoto promised Edmonton it'd be a mistake not to choose him, and the Oilers listened, grabbing the Spokane winger 22nd overall.
As the NHL landscape changes, there is more room for players like Yamamoto, a 5-foot-8 offensive dynamo who weighs in at about 150 pounds. But his lack of stature didn't stop Yamamoto from finding the scoresheet in the WHL, finishing the 2016-17 campaign with 99 points in 65 games, tops among his Chiefs' teammates. Yamamoto's playing style is built on speed and quickness, a model he compares to Patrick Kane and Mats Zuccarello.
In Round 6, the Oilers opted for a bloodlines pick, adding Skyler Brind'Amour, son of Rod who captained the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup in 2006. Skyler is a product of the U.S. National Development Program and is committed to Michigan State for 2019-20.
Grade: B
Los Angeles Kings
Draft picks
ROUND
PICK
PLAYER
1
11
Gabriel Vilardi
2
41
Jaret Anderson-Dolan
3
72
Matt Villalta
4
103
Michael Anderson
5
118
Markus Phillips
5
134
Cole Hunts
5
138
Drake Rymsha
The Kings may have the steal of the draft with Windsor Spitfires center Gabriel Vilardi, a hulking pivot who plays a strong possession game and boasts exceptional hockey sense and puck-handling skills.
While other teams may have been scared off by Vilardi's slow stride, the Kings are confident they can cash in on a player who finished with 61 points in 49 games. Vilardi followed up that performance with seven points in four games en route to a Memorial Cup championship with the Spitfires.
Anderson-Dolan chalks in as another key pick by the Kings, a reliable center with Spokane who excels in the details of the game. He finished the 2016-17 campaign with 76 points in 72 games, trailing only Yamamoto for the team scoring lead.
Grade: A
San Jose Sharks
Draft picks
ROUND
PIKC
PLAYER
1
19
Joshua Norris
2
49
Mario Ferraro
4
102
Scott Reedy
6
159
Jacob McGrew
6
185
Alexander Chmelevski
7
212
Ivan Chekhovich
It was a relatively quiet draft weekend for the Sharks, who had just two picks before the draft boards hit triple digits.
In the opening rounds, the Sharks called the name of Joshua Norris, an American-born center who impressed at the scouting combine, where he took the top spot in five of the 14 fitness tests among the 104 participants. With the U.S. National Development Program Juniors this season, Norris tallied above a point-per-game pace. He then chipped in seven points in as many games with Team USA at the Under-18s. He is committed to the University of Michigan for 2017-18.
In the second round, the Sharks selected Mario Ferraro, a mobile, puck-moving defenseman. At 5-foot-11, Ferraro is a tad undersized to man the blue line, but his skill set is that of a modern rearguard. He tallied 41 points in 60 games this season with the USHL's Des Moines Buccaneers.
Grade: B
Vancouver Canucks
Draft picks
ROUND
PICK
PLAYER
1
5
Elias Pettersson
2
33
Kole Lind
2
55
Jonah Gadjovich
3
64
Michael DiPietro
4
95
Jack Rathbone
5
135
Kristoffer Gunnarsson
6
181
Petrus Palmu
7
188
Matt Brassard
The Canucks came away with a good haul at the draft, but may have reached by taking Elias Pettersson with the fifth pick. Only time will tell, but Vancouver may have fared better in taking Cody Glass or Casey Mittelstadt, who went sixth and eighth overall, respectively.
Still, Pettersson is no slouch. The Swedish center was the second-best European skater as ranked by NHL Central Scouting. Pettersson boasts a skill set that will have Canucks fans excited, as the slick pivot is known for his quick stride and energetic style. With Timra this season, Pettersson scored 40 points in 43 games, finishing behind only Jonathan Dahlen, a Canucks prospect, for the team lead.
In Round 3, Vancouver added Windsor netminder Michael DiPietro, who put together a strong performance with the Spitfires to capture this year's Memorial Cup. He'll be part of the Canucks' future in the crease, joining the likes of Thatcher Demko, a second-round pick by the Canucks in 2014.
Grade: B
Vegas Golden Knights
Draft picks
ROUND
PICK
PLAYER
1
6
Cody Glass
1
13
Nick Suzuki
1
15
Erik Brannstrom
2
34
Nicolas Hague
2
62
Jake Leschyshyn
3
65
Jonas Rondbjerg
4
96
Maksim Zhukov
5
127
Lucas Elvenes
5
142
Jonathan Dugan
6
158
Nick Campoli
6
161
Jiri Patera
7
189
Ben Jones
Vegas liked their odds with so many spins at the wheel, walking away from their first entry draft with 12 selections.
Key among them was Glass, a highly skilled center with the WHL's Portland Winterhawks. The Golden Knights recognize the value of strength up the middle and trust they have that piece in Glass, a strong playmaker who is a constant scoring threat. Glass led the Winterhawks in scoring this season, wrapping the 2016-17 campaign with 94 points in 69 contests. It was an impressive finish for Glass, to say the least, after he tallied 27 points in the previous season.
Aside from Glass, a handful of other selections highlighted the weekend for the Golden Knights, including Owen Sound center Nick Suzuki, a diminutive but skilled pivot who boasts elite vision and a high hockey IQ. Suzuki scored 96 points in 65 games with the Attack this season. Fellow OHLer Nicolas Hague, a defenseman with Mississauga, was another impressive pick by the Golden Knights.
The Philadelphia Flyers general manager admitted to the Courier-Post's Dave Isaac on Saturday that his club is "methodically getting younger," but refused to classify it as rebuilding.
"Yeah, we're getting younger. A rebuild, absolutely not," Hextall said from the NHL Draft in Chicago.
The Flyers had the 11th-youngest roster in the league this past season at 27.006 years of age, according to NHL Numbers, and they'll once again be complementing their veteran core with a bit of a youth movement next season.
"We have young players," Hextall said Saturday. "At some point here we have to open up opportunity. We'll let them play when we feel they're ready to play. Unlike what people think about our philosophy, we do not want to hold players back. When they're ready to take that next step we'll allow them to take that next step. In saying that, we feel like we've got some young players who, if they're not ready they're close.”
Travis Konecny showed flashes of skill in his rookie season, and the 2017-18 Flyers will also likely feature 23-year-old college free-agent signing Michael Vecchione as well as 19-year-old defenseman Ivan Provorov and 23-year-old blue-liner Shayne Gostisbehere.
The biggest concern for Philadelphia, though, will be compensating for the loss of Schenn's offense. Patrick should be able to contribute relatively soon, but head coach Dave Hakstol said the top prospect's teammates might have to raise their games, too.
"It's a lot (to make up), but I think that's where some of it has to come from," Hakstol said. "Some of the quality minutes that Brayden Schenn has been in, not necessarily all, some of those minutes could go to young players. Not only a couple guys that may be new to the roster this year but a guy like Travis Konecny, guys like that that can benefit from more minutes in more situations."
Call it a rebuild, a refresh, or whatever R-word is more applicable, but only Wayne Simmonds scored more goals for Philadelphia than Schenn did in 2016-17, so the Flyers are going to need to match that lost production somehow.