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Heading into the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers were slotted for the thirteenth pick before the draft lottery. Then, defying odds, the Flyers jumped up to the second pick in the NHL draft after the lottery. With that pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, the best North American skater available was selected. Philadelphia drafted Nolan Patrick with the second overall pick.
The first overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft went to a Metropolitan Division rival. Nico Hischier, the second-best North American skater, was selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils.