Scout’s Analysis: First rating of high 32 prospects for 2027 NHL Draft

With prospects across the globe having accomplished their first phase of video games I’m now snug offering suggestions on the gamers who’ve my full consideration to begin the 2027 NHL Draft cycle. 

Throughout the 12 months, each prospect will inform their very own “story”. Some will rise dramatically in my rankings, whereas others would possibly fall off their early-season perch and slide down the draft board.

The 2026 draft in Buffalo supplied a number of choices for groups trying so as to add defencemen to their pool of prospects. The 2027 class is positioned to offer the other. I’ve recognized 20 centres in my November rankings who might be chosen within the first spherical. In complete I solely have six defenders in my high 32 to begin the season. 

Here is how my rankings look to begin the cycle.

No. 1: Landon DuPont, 6-foot, 190 kilos, proper shot D, Michigan (NCAA)

My top-rated prospect is Michigan Wolverines freshman defenceman Landon DuPont and it’s not significantly shut. The right-shot defenceman is off to a stable begin with the top-ranked staff in NCAA hockey. DuPont contributed eight assists in his first eight video games. He’s quarterbacking the Wolverines high power-play unit and his ice time has not too long ago spiked to over 20 minutes per sport. The bulk of his shifts come at even energy and energy play, however DuPont is reliable and engaged defensively. He can kill penalties when requested and initiatives as an entire participant on the NHL degree. 

No. 2: Dima Zhilkin, 5-foot-10, 195 kilos, proper shot winger, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Zhilkin is likely one of the high level producers in junior hockey in Canada. He’s tied with teammate Braidy Wassilyn for the OHL factors lead and at the moment sits sixth in the complete CHL with 12G-13A in 16 video games.

I admire Zhilkin’s aggressive strategy. He leans objective scorer, however by no means shies away from grinding alongside the boards or pushing again in opposition to opponents to increase performs and win pucks. Zhilkin was whistled for 100 penalty minutes final season and he’s on tempo for across the identical this 12 months. A prospect monitoring in the direction of over 100 factors and the identical variety of penalty minutes is an anomaly.

He averages over 21 minutes per sport of ice time, with most of his shifts coming at even energy and the primary unit power-play, however he additionally has a “spot duty” position as a secondary penalty killer. 

No. 3: Nazar Privalov, 6-foot-4, 227 kilos, left shot ahead, CSKA Moscow (KHL)

Privalov is an enormous human being. His dimension and energy, mixed along with his skating capability and talent, undertaking him as an imposing top-six ahead on the NHL degree. Privalov can play centre or the wing. He’s not going to be afforded the luxurious of a ton of ice time in his draft 12 months whereas enjoying in Russia’s high professional league, so groups should pay shut consideration to his improvement all year long. His energy sport may be very enticing. The saying “you can’t teach size and skill” positively applies to Privalov. 

No. 4: Sergei Skvortsov, 6-foot-1, 165 kilos, proper shot winger, Nizhny Novgorod/HC Chaika (KHL/MHL)

Skvortsov is a dynamic participant who initiatives as a possible top-line NHL level producer. He’s elusive in site visitors, makes performs in small areas, and is an enormous risk off the push. Skvortsov craves having the puck on his stick. He’s equal elements objective scorer and distributor, and is a handful to verify total. I don’t envision Skvortsov enjoying a heavy model at any level in his profession. In some ways he jogs my memory of a younger William Nylander.

No. 5: Jonah Neuenschwander, 6-foot-3, 185 kilos, left shot centre, Biel (Switzerland)

Over the previous couple seasons, Neuenschwander burst on to the worldwide stage as an underage prospect competing for Switzerland on the U18 and U20 ranges. His strategy to the sport is just like Chicago Blackhawks centre Anton Frondell. Neuenschander is being deployed in a wide range of roles on the professional degree in Switzerland. When he isn’t offering offence, he will be trusted to kill penalties and match up versus high six forwards. He’s mature past his years and, in consequence, may find yourself within the NHL as quickly as subsequent season. 

No. 6: Carter Meyer, 6-foot-1, 176 kilos, left shot centre, Quebec Remparts, (QMJHL)

Meyer made the transfer north to compete within the CHL after suiting up on the USNTDP final season. He’s off to a implausible begin, too. Through his first 15 video games he’s contributed 5G-12A. Meyer is a risk to supply offence at even energy and on the facility play. He isn’t the heaviest participant within the draft class, however opponents can’t sleep on his velocity off the push and willingness to drive to the web. I admire his total strategy. Meyer may be very aggressive and strives to make an impression each time his quantity is named. 

No. 7: Milan Sundstrom, 6-foot-3, 207 kilos, left shot centre, MoDo (Swedish Allsvenskan)

Sundstrom is enjoying most of his video games on the professional degree in Sweden and he’s been spectacular total. In his first 15 video games enjoying for MoDo in Sweden’s second division, Sundstrom has contributed 2G-8A. When he has performed on the J20 degree in opposition to his peer group, he has produced 4G-5A in 5 video games. In my opinion, Sundstrom is simply scratching the floor. His skating continues to evolve, leading to extra small space quickness and agility mixed with above common open ice velocity. Sundstrom is the son of former NHL ahead and present San Jose Sharks scout Niklas Sundstrom. 

No. 8: Bosse Meijer, 5-foot-9, 165 kilos, left shot ahead, Frolunda (SHL)

Meijer has impressed within the early phases of the season enjoying in Sweden’s high professional league, the SHL. His ice time comes at even energy and energy play. His compact body would possibly concern some folks, however the actuality is he performs fast and quick and doesn’t shrink back from setting screens or battling for pucks alongside the boards. He’s produced 3G-4A in 16 video games with Frolunda. I anticipate Meijer will go well with up for Sweden on the world juniors in Edmonton and Red Deer over the Christmas holidays. His power, competitiveness, quickness and talent are exhausting to overlook. 

No. 9: Alexis Joseph, 6-foot-4, 207 kilos, left shot centre, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

Joseph was a primary total choice into the QMJHL and he has lengthy been touted as a precedence participant for the 2027 NHL Draft. Like a number of different gamers on my checklist, his mixture of dimension and talent is enticing. Joseph is a greater than common skater who, as soon as up to the mark, makes use of his size to defend pucks from opponents and make performs within the offensive zone.

I’m not doubting he can produce not less than secondary offence on the NHL degree, however I’m carefully monitoring his power over the course of the complete sport. He’s logging a ton of ice time and being deployed in all conditions in Saint John. It seems veteran Sea Dogs head coach Jim Hulton is pushing Joseph to play with tempo and element. Joseph has produced 6G-8A in his first 14 video games this season. 

No. 10: Brock Cripps, 5-foot-11, 170 kilos, proper shot defenceman, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

Cripps is logging an unimaginable quantity of ice time for the Raiders. For instance, he was deployed for 27:12 versus Seattle not too long ago, together with 2:43 quarterbacking the facility play and 4:28 on the penalty kill. Cripps isn’t the most important defenceman within the class, however he’s fast to remove house defensively and artistic making performs with the puck. I admire how he leads by instance along with his high-end competitiveness. Cripps has contributed 1G-18A in his first 15 video games this fall. 

No. 11: Brock England, 5-foot-11, 179 kilos, left shot centre, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

The bulk of England’s shifts come at even energy and on the facility play, however he’s additionally able to killing penalties if required. England works. He’s engaged in all three zones and is a risk to attain off the push. He performs quick and has a implausible launch in open house and a knack for locating pucks in site visitors. Much of his playmaking comes off his pure dedication to increase performs. England has produced 5G-8A in his first 14 video games this season. 

No. 12: Jaakko Wycisk, 6-foot-2, 205 kilos, proper shot ahead, Guelph Storm (OHL)

Wycisk is able to enjoying each centre and the wing and is being deployed in all conditions by Storm head coach Cory Stillman. He’s reliable on either side of the puck and makes use of his lengthy attain to kill performs defensively and lengthen possession offensively. The Storm are internet hosting the Memorial Cup subsequent June and have a deep, proficient roster. With that in thoughts, Wycisk’s offensive stats may not attain the identical customary as among the different prospects on this checklist, however he’s a robust two-way ahead who has proven he can be harmful whereas killing penalties. 

No. 13: Andrei Pustovoy, 6-foot-3, 201 kilos, left shot winger, Yaroslavl Lokomotiv (KHL)

Pustovoy is a reputation to maintain shut tabs on because the season progresses. He’s being deployed in a restricted position within the KHL, however he has been noticeable nonetheless. He’s a relentless competitor who desperately desires to win puck battles and he performs with infectious power and talent. 

Here’s an instance of what Pustovoy can accomplish off an offensive zone face-off. Notice the route he takes to beat his opponent to open house out in entrance of the web. Most wingers will skate by way of the circle on their option to the crease. Pustovoy beats his opponent alongside the wall and across the backside of the circle earlier than depositing a one-timer behind the web:

No. 14: Noah Davidson, 6-foot-3, 215 kilos, left shot centre, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Davidson is at the moment on the shelf rehabbing a lower-body damage from final spring. He’s a little bit of a throwback for me. He’s huge, sturdy and concerned in site visitors. Davidson is the type of participant who loves establishing store round his opponent’s crease to set screens and field out defenders. He arrives on time in all three zones and leans on folks bodily. Davidson leans objective scorer greater than distributor, however he has sound imaginative and prescient and nice puck contact. Time will inform how he responds when he returns, however his physique of labor so far lands him on this space of my first spherical. Davidson produced 30G-32A in 67 common season video games final 12 months. 

No. 15: Sammy Nelson, 6-foot-3, 193 kilos, proper shot ahead, Notre Dame (NCAA)

Nelson is a freshman on the school degree who joined a Notre Dame program in transition to play alongside his older brother, New York Islanders draft decide Danny. The Irish are going to battle on either side of the puck this season so a participant like Nelson needs to be watched very carefully to be appreciated. Nelson can play centre and the wing. Some of his finest work comes off the puck along with his positional consciousness and imaginative and prescient figuring out smooth ice that results in scoring possibilities. The former USNTDP ahead is a late birthday, born September 19, 2008, who produced 20G-25A for Team USA final season on the U18 degree. 

No. 16: Jamie Glance, 5-foot-11, 184 kilos, proper shot winger, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

Glance is a stocky/sturdy twin risk winger who works pucks off the wall and finds open ice rapidly and successfully. He too has a late delivery date, September 23^rd 2008, and arrives in Saint John from the USNTDP the place he produced 21G-25A final season. 

No. 17: Jaxon Jacobson, 5-foot-10, 193 kilos, left shot centre, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Jacobson is the captain in Brandon and leads by instance. He’s being deployed in a wide range of roles and offering constant impression. Jacobson may be very aggressive and artistic with the puck on his stick. He has a considerably compact body, however he’s a lot sturdy in site visitors. Jacobson produced 25G-60A in his underage season final 12 months. He’s contributed 5G-11A in 17 video games thus far this fall. 

No. 18: Yevgeni Yakunin, 6-foot-3, 194 kilos, proper shot centre, Spartak Moscow (KHL/MHL/VHL)

Yakunin is an intriguing prospect who’s bouncing round three completely different leagues in Russia to begin the season. He has nice hand/eye coordination and the power to make one thing out of nothing rapidly within the offensive zone. His off-puck element is usually sound as nicely. Yakunin has traditionally hovered round some extent per sport offensively. He seems prepared to offer a dependable two-way sport that contributes to total staff success at this level in his improvement. 

No. 19: Levi Harper, 6-foot, 180 kilos, proper shot defenceman, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

It seems like Harper is all the time on the ice once I view him reside. He simply averages over 25 minutes per sport of ice time. The bulk of his shifts come at even energy and when he’s quarterbacking the facility play. Harper sees the ice and distributes the puck extraordinarily nicely. He’s additionally proven he can put the puck behind the web. His elite aspect is what he offers offensively, however he does have occasional chew defensively. 

No. 20: Kayden Stroeder, 6-foot, 170 kilos, left shot centre, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

Stroeder is a two-way centre who has the talent set for use in a wide range of roles. He’s the type of participant who can slot up and down the lineup. In my opinion, Stroeder is equal elements shooter and playmaker. He’s simply outlined and dependable. So far this fall Stroeder has contributed 8G-6A in 13 video games and is averaging 19 minutes per sport in ice time. 

No. 21: Vladimir Shtyrkhunov, 6-foot, 171 kilos, proper shot defenceman, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

Shtyrkhunov is a lightweight, transitional defenceman who has the talent set to quarterback a high energy play unit. He makes a sound first move, joins the push as an additional layer in transition, and makes performs within the offensive zone. Despite his comparatively gentle body, Shtyrkhunov is usually engaged defensively and has the hockey sense, and soar, to learn and react on time and kill performs in his zone 

No. 22: Ryerson Edgar, 5-foot-11, 170 kilos, proper shot centre, Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)

Edgar is one other participant on my checklist who’s logging a ton of ice time. There are nights Edgar skates over 25 minutes whereas being deployed in all conditions. He’s extraordinarily expert and artistic offensively. His routes, with and with out the puck on his stick, communicate to his imaginative and prescient and hockey sense. Edgar’s defensive element is evolving, but it surely’s not for lack of compete. So far this season Edgar has contributed 7G-8A in 15 video games. 

No. 23: Luca Santala, 6-foot-2, 190 kilos, proper shot centre, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Santala began the season with the London Knights earlier than being dealt to the Rangers. Most nights he’s being deployed in all conditions. Santala isn’t a pure burner, however as soon as up to the mark he’s a risk to supply offence off the push. What stands out most for Santala is his deadly launch. He can actually shoot the puck, particularly off the flank on the facility play and in movement skating down hill and utilizing opponents as a display screen. Santala clearly leans shooter greater than distributor. Four of his seven targets thus far this season have come on the power-play. 

No. 24: Aleks Kulemin, 6-foot-3, 190 kilos, left shot centre, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

Kulemin is the son of former NHL ahead Nikolai Kulemin. He’s being utilized in all conditions in Kingston and approaches the sport with a calculating degree of accountability. Kulemin makes use of his dimension and energy to his benefit within the trenches and capitalizes on his offensive alternatives. In brief, he’s reliable and performs the sport the precise manner. Kulemin has already produced 5G-12A after contributing 11G-20A in his underage 12 months final season. 

No. 25: James Scantlebury, 5-foot-9, 173 kilos, left shot centre, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

Scantlebury is an attention-grabbing prospect. He isn’t a burner for his dimension, however he makes up for it along with his elite hockey sense. He has a knack for figuring out how performs are growing and reacts accordingly. He’s particularly harmful on the facility play. Scantlebury has contributed 12G-12A in his first 15 video games within the QMJHL after producing 16G-23A with the Chicago Steel within the USHL final season. 

No. 26: Max Calce, 5-foot-11, 190 kilos, left shot centre, Adler Mannheim (DEL)

Calce is growing in Germany’s high professional league enjoying for Adler Mannheim, the place he’s been averaging round 12 minutes of per sport ice time. Most of his deployment has come at even energy, however he has additionally had some spot responsibility on each particular groups items. Calce is an uber-competitive participant. He performs quick and is generally detailed, whereas monitoring up and down the ice on time. He stands out for Team Germany on the worldwide stage when enjoying along with his age group. Calce is a two-way ahead who ought to produce not less than secondary offence on the NHL degree in time. 

No. 27: Nolan Fitzhenry, 5-foot-11, 175 kilos, left shot ahead, USNTDP

Fitzhenry is one other ahead on this checklist who’s able to enjoying centre or the wing. He’s a powerful skater in open ice who assaults with the puck on his stick, or off the puck when it slides by way of open appears on his option to the web to make himself obtainable for a tip or rebound. He can lead the facility play breakout and push opponents off their blue line along with his velocity. I particularly like how pucks are on and off his stick in a flash, which doesn’t permit opponents to entrance him defensively within the course of. 

No. 28: Max Mares, 6-foot-7, 234 kilos, left shot centre, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

Mares was one in all my favorite gamers on the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August and he’s slot in properly with Rimouski. He skates very nicely for his stature, makes use of his attain as a bonus on either side of the puck, and he’s very exhausting to defend. Mares may be very aggressive. He has the hockey sense to be deployed in all conditions and play a job up and down the lineup. He’s produced 6G-10A in his first 15 QMJHL video games and registered a plus-10 ranking within the phase. 

No. 29: Cooper McAslan, 6-foot-2, 200 kilos, proper shot defenceman, London Knights (OHL)

McAslan is averaging over 21 minutes per sport in London and being deployed in all conditions. He’s an environment friendly distributor who additionally possesses a tough, correct shot from distance. An argument will be made that McAslan has the most effective all-around hockey minds within the draft class. The two-way defenceman doesn’t have any actual weaknesses in his sport. He’s already produced 4G-12A in 15 video games. McAslan is an unimaginable plus-19 within the phase. 

No. 30: Malik L’Italien, 6-foot-3, 203 kilos, left shot defenceman, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

I admire how aggressive L’Italien is total. He persistently works to one of the best of his capability. He’s a stable skater who can be utilized in a wide range of roles and log a ton of ice time. There have been nights already this season the place L’Italien has clocked in for over 28 minutes of ice time. He’s contributed 1G-9A in his first 14 video games. My solely hesitation relating to L’Italien is I’ve seen his sport administration wander from time to time, which resulted in some uneven puck play. If he makes some small enhancements over the course of the season he’ll rise in my rankings. 

No. 31: Easton Walos, 5-foot-11, 190 kilos, left shot ahead, Sarnia Sting (OHL)

Walos rips pucks from the weak facet flank on the facility play and has confirmed he can beat OHL goalies earlier than they’ve an opportunity to get set and sq. as much as his launch. He’s contributed 10G-13A in his first 17 video games with six of his tucks approaching the facility play. I’d prefer to see Walos play with extra velocity at instances, however there’s little question he has nice puck contact and a harmful “shoot-first” strategy total. 

No. 32: Petr Tomek, 5-foot-9, 159 kilos, left shot centre, Karlovy Vary HC (Czech Elite League)

I don’t advise opponents disrespect Tomek on account of his dimension. He’s an aggressive, energetic, aggressive and expert ahead who has the look of a prospect that simply likes to play the sport. Tomek approaches the sport the precise manner. When he doesn’t have the puck, he works to create turnovers. When he does find yourself with possession, he has fast strike capability and the talent to be a distinction maker. His strategy is infectious.

• Player playing cards created by The Pro Hockey Group
• Video assist supplied by Hudl Instat
• Player stats courtesy of Elite Prospects 
• Further detailed evaluation discovered at puckpedia.com