The NHL draft had more of a long-term feel to it in 2017 than it had in previous years. While there were a number of outstanding prospects, it's not likely any of those players are going to overwhelm the league with dazzling play in 2017-18.Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick were the first two picks in the draft, and the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers have selected two players who have a chance to become superstars.But unlike Connor McDavid in 2015 and Auston Matthews last year, both will need more time before they become consistent contributors.A look at the complete draftcan be had via the league's website, and here we offer a grade for each team's performance.We also analyze the overall performance of three teams that may have helped themselves the most during the two-day draft at the United Center in Chicago.NHL Draft GradesAnaheim Ducks: B+Arizona Coyotes: BBoston Bruins: CBuffalo Sabres: BCalgary Flames: B-Carolina Hurricanes: A-Chicago Blackhawks: C-Colorado Avalanche: AColumbus Blue Jackets: C-Dallas Stars: C+Detroit Red Wings: B+Edmonton Oilers: BFlorida Panthers: B-Los Angeles Kings: A-Minnesota Wild: B-Montreal Canadiens: B+Nashville Predators: B+New Jersey Devils: ANew York Islanders: BNew York Rangers: C+Ottawa Senators: B+Philadelphia Flyers: APittsburgh Penguins: C-San Jose Sharks: C-St. Louis Blues: B+Tampa Bay Lightning: B-Toronto Maple Leafs: BVancouver Canucks: B+Vegas Golden Knights: B+Washington Capitals: D (first pick came in fourth round)Winnipeg Jets: B-New Jersey Devils, Grade: AThe New Jersey Devils have a lot of work to do to become a winning team again, and they are not going to get it all done with one draft. However, they made significant progress this time around, and it started with the selection of Hischier, who should become a dynamic scorer at the NHL level.Hischier has an explosive first step that allows him to beat most defensemenoff the hop, and he also has an exceptional shot. His puck-handling ability allows him to hold the biscuit a split second longer, enabling him to find open teammates with perfect passes. He also has hockey sense in that he can go to the open area and the puck will find him.Second-round selection Jesper Boqvist should develop into another top offensive talent. While he is not close to being ready from a defensive perspective, he is a smart and creative player with speed and quickness when he is attacking in the offensive zone.Fabian Zetterlund, Reilly Walsh and Nikita Popugaev all have a chance to contribute sooner rather than later, and that's what a team that has not been to the playoffs since 2012 needs. Round/Selection, Name, Position1/1: Nico Hischier, C 2/36:Jesper Boqvist, C 3/63: Fabian Zetterlund, LW 3/81: Reilly Walsh, D 4/98: Nikita Popugaev, LW 5/129: Gilles Senn, G 5/143: Marian Studenic, RW 6/160:Aarne Talvitie, LW 7/191:Jocktan Chainey, D 7/205:Yegor Zaitsev, D 7/214: Matthew Hellickson, DVegas Golden Knights, Grade: B+Most observers have fallen in love with what Vegas Golden Knights general manager George McPhee has done with the expansion team. McPhee has been busy, and the Golden Knights should not embarrass themselves in their first yearno easy featbut their first draft was not flawless.The Knights accumulated three first-round picks, and while Nick Suzuki is going to be a star because of his dynamic play-making ability, there are questions about Cody Glass and Erik Brannstrom.Glass needs to get a lot stronger to make the pick worthwhile. He has the skills to play in all three zones, but he may never reach first-line status. Brannstrom is an undersized defenseman at 5'9" and 175 pounds, and while he has some wonderful puck-moving and offensive skills, he will have a problem in his own end.The Knights countered with 6'6" defenseman Nicolas Hague in the second round, which makes sense. Vegas certainly helped itself in its first draft, but there are some key questions. Round/Selection, Name, Position1/6: Cody Glass, C1/13: Nick Suzuki, C1/15: Erik Brannstrom, D2/34: Nicolas Hague, D2/62: Jake Leschyshyn, C3/65: Jonas Rondbjerg, RW4/96:Maksim Zhukov, G5/127: Lucas Elvenes, C/RW5/142: Jonathan Dugan, C6/158: Nick Campoli, C6/161:Jiri Patera, G7/189: Ben Jones, C San Jose Sharks, Grade: C-The San Jose Sharks are in a transition period, with older players Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau each nearing the end of his career.They need an infusion of young blood, and the selection of Joshua Norris with their first-round pick was quite ordinary. He looked much more like a second-round selection than a first-round star. Perhaps the Sharks were overwhelmed by his showing in the fitness testing.However, the skill level of this center is OK, not sensational.Second-round pick Mario Ferraro has excellent skating ability, but the defenseman is ordinary with the puck and does not look like he will help out much on the offensive end unless he develops significantly on the skilled aspects of the game.Fourth-round selection Scott Reedy, at 6'1" and 201 pounds,has the size to be a factor down low, and he can get the puck out of the corners and make plays.Round/Selection, Name, Position1/19: Joshua Norris, C2/49: Mario Ferraro, D4/102: Scott Reedy, C6/159: Jacob McGrew, RW6/185: Alexander Chmelevski, C7/212: Ivan Chekhovich, LW/C
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