Normally when discussing the two or three prospects each year who have a chance at being selected first overall in the NHL Entry Draft, the comparisons look at their offensive totals over the past season, trying to compare the strength of the leagues those players competed in and breaking down their offence to see which situations they’re thriving in.
That strategy isn’t applicable to Nolan Patrick’s situation, as multiple long-term injuries limited him to just 33 regular-season games. The captain was unable to participate in his Brandon Wheat Kings’ playoff run, one limited to just four games as they were swept in the first round of the WHL playoffs.