Scout's Analysis: First ranking of top 32 prospects for 2027 NHL Draft

With prospects around the globe having completed their first segment of games I’m now comfortable providing feedback on the players who have my full attention to start the 2027 NHL Draft cycle. 

Throughout the year, every prospect will tell their own “story”. Some will rise dramatically in my rankings, while others might fall off their early-season perch and slide down the draft board.

The 2026 draft in Buffalo provided several options for teams looking to add defencemen to their pool of prospects. The 2027 class is positioned to provide the opposite. I’ve identified 20 centres in my November rankings who could be selected in the first round. In total I only have six defenders in my top 32 to start the season. 

Here is how my rankings look to start the cycle.

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

My top-rated prospect is Michigan Wolverines freshman defenceman Landon DuPont and it’s not particularly close. The right-shot defenceman is off to a solid start with the top-ranked team in NCAA hockey. DuPont contributed eight assists in his first eight games. He’s quarterbacking the Wolverines top power-play unit and his ice time has recently spiked to over 20 minutes per game. The bulk of his shifts come at even strength and power play, but DuPont is trustworthy and engaged defensively. He can kill penalties when asked and projects as a complete player at the NHL level. 

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

Zhilkin is one of the top point producers in junior hockey in Canada. He’s tied with teammate Braidy Wassilyn for the OHL points lead and currently sits sixth in the entire CHL with 12G-13A in 16 games.

I appreciate Zhilkin’s competitive approach. He leans goal scorer, but never shies away from grinding along the boards or pushing back against opponents to extend plays and win pucks. Zhilkin was whistled for 100 penalty minutes last season and he’s on pace for around the same this year. A prospect tracking towards over 100 points and the same number of penalty minutes is an anomaly.

He averages over 21 minutes per game of ice time, with most of his shifts coming at even strength and the first unit power-play, but he also has a “spot duty” role as a secondary penalty killer. 

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

Privalov is a massive human being. His size and strength, combined with his skating ability and skill, project him as an imposing top-six forward at the NHL level. Privalov can play centre or the wing. He’s not going to be afforded the luxury of a ton of ice time in his draft year while playing in Russia’s top pro league, so teams will have to pay close attention to his development throughout the year. His power game is very attractive. The saying “you can’t teach size and skill” definitely applies to Privalov. 

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

Skvortsov is a dynamic player who projects as a potential top-line NHL point producer. He’s elusive in traffic, makes plays in small areas, and is a massive threat off the rush. Skvortsov craves having the puck on his stick. He’s equal parts goal scorer and distributor, and is a handful to check overall. I don’t envision Skvortsov playing a heavy style at any point in his career. In many ways he reminds me of a young William Nylander.

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

Over the past couple seasons, Neuenschwander burst on to the international stage as an underage prospect competing for Switzerland at the U18 and U20 levels. His approach to the game is similar to Chicago Blackhawks centre Anton Frondell. Neuenschander is being deployed in a variety of roles at the pro level in Switzerland. When he isn’t providing offence, he can be trusted to kill penalties and match up versus top six forwards. He’s mature beyond his years and, as a result, could end up in the NHL as soon as next season. 

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

Meyer made the move north to compete in the CHL after suiting up at the USNTDP last season. He’s off to a fantastic start, too. Through his first 15 games he’s contributed 5G-12A. Meyer is a threat to produce offence at even strength and on the power play. He isn’t the heaviest player in the draft class, but opponents can’t sleep on his speed off the rush and willingness to drive to the net. I appreciate his overall approach. Meyer is very competitive and strives to make an impact every time his number is called. 

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

Sundstrom is playing most of his games at the pro level in Sweden and he’s been impressive overall. In his first 15 games playing for MoDo in Sweden’s second division, Sundstrom has contributed 2G-8A. When he has played at the J20 level against his peer group, he has produced 4G-5A in five games. In my opinion, Sundstrom is just scratching the surface. His skating continues to evolve, resulting in more small area quickness and agility combined with above average open ice speed. Sundstrom is the son of former NHL forward and current San Jose Sharks scout Niklas Sundstrom. 

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

Meijer has impressed in the early stages of the season playing in Sweden’s top pro league, the SHL. His ice time comes at even strength and power play. His compact frame might concern some people, but the reality is he plays quick and fast and doesn’t shy away from setting screens or battling for pucks along the boards. He’s produced 3G-4A in 16 games with Frolunda. I anticipate Meijer will suit up for Sweden at the world juniors in Edmonton and Red Deer over the Christmas holidays. His energy, competitiveness, quickness and skill are hard to miss. 

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

Joseph was a first overall selection into the QMJHL and he has long been touted as a priority player for the 2027 NHL Draft. Like several other players on my list, his combination of size and skill is attractive. Joseph is a better than average skater who, once up to speed, utilizes his length to shield pucks from opponents and make plays in the offensive zone.

I’m not doubting he can produce at least secondary offence at the NHL level, but I’m closely monitoring his energy over the course of the entire game. He’s logging a ton of ice time and being deployed in all situations in Saint John. It appears veteran Sea Dogs head coach Jim Hulton is pushing Joseph to play with pace and detail. Joseph has produced 6G-8A in his first 14 games this season. 

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

Cripps is logging an incredible amount of ice time for the Raiders. For example, he was deployed for 27:12 versus Seattle recently, including 2:43 quarterbacking the power play and 4:28 on the penalty kill. Cripps isn’t the biggest defenceman in the class, but he’s quick to take away space defensively and creative making plays with the puck. I appreciate how he leads by example with his high-end competitiveness. Cripps has contributed 1G-18A in his first 15 games this fall. 

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

The bulk of England’s shifts come at even strength and on the power play, but he’s also capable of killing penalties if required. England works. He’s engaged in all three zones and is a threat to score off the rush. He plays fast and has a fantastic release in open space and a knack for finding pucks in traffic. Much of his playmaking comes off his pure determination to extend plays. England has produced 5G-8A in his first 14 games this season. 

No. 12: Jaakko Wycisk, 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, right shot forward, Guelph Storm (OHL)

Wycisk is capable of playing both centre and the wing and is being deployed in all situations by Storm head coach Cory Stillman. He’s trustworthy on both sides of the puck and utilizes his long reach to kill plays defensively and extend possession offensively. The Storm are hosting the Memorial Cup next June and have a deep, talented roster. With that in mind, Wycisk’s offensive stats might not reach the same standard as some of the other prospects on this list, but he’s a powerful two-way forward who has shown he can also be dangerous while killing penalties. 

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

Pustovoy is a name to keep close tabs on as the season progresses. He’s being deployed in a limited role in the KHL, but he has been noticeable nonetheless. He’s a relentless competitor who desperately wants to win puck battles and he plays with infectious energy and skill. 

Here’s an example of what Pustovoy can accomplish off an offensive zone face-off. Notice the route he takes to beat his opponent to open space out in front of the net. Most wingers will skate through the circle on their way to the crease. Pustovoy beats his opponent along the wall and around the bottom of the circle before depositing a one-timer in the back of the net:

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

Davidson is currently on the shelf rehabbing a lower-body injury from last spring. He’s a bit of a throwback for me. He’s big, strong and involved in traffic. Davidson is the kind of player who loves setting up shop around his opponent’s crease to set screens and box out defenders. He arrives on time in all three zones and leans on people physically. Davidson leans goal scorer more than distributor, but he has sound vision and great puck touch. Time will tell how he responds when he returns, but his body of work to date lands him in this area of my first round. Davidson produced 30G-32A in 67 regular season games last year. 

No. 15: Sammy Nelson, 6-foot-3, 193 pounds, right shot forward, Notre Dame (NCAA)

Nelson is a freshman at the college level who joined a Notre Dame program in transition to play alongside his older brother, New York Islanders draft pick Danny. The Irish are going to struggle on both sides of the puck this season so a player like Nelson has to be watched very closely to be appreciated. Nelson can play centre and the wing. Some of his best work comes off the puck with his positional awareness and vision identifying soft ice that leads to scoring chances. The former USNTDP forward is a late birthday, born September 19, 2008, who produced 20G-25A for Team USA last season at the U18 level. 

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

Glance is a stocky/strong dual threat winger who works pucks off the wall and finds open ice quickly and effectively. He too has a late birth date, September 23^rd 2008, and arrives in Saint John from the USNTDP where he produced 21G-25A last season. 

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

Jacobson is the captain in Brandon and leads by example. He’s being deployed in a variety of roles and providing consistent impact. Jacobson is very competitive and creative with the puck on his stick. He has a somewhat compact frame, but he’s plenty strong in traffic. Jacobson produced 25G-60A in his underage season last year. He’s contributed 5G-11A in 17 games so far this fall. 

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

Yakunin is an intriguing prospect who is bouncing around three different leagues in Russia to start the season. He has great hand/eye coordination and the ability to make something out of nothing quickly in the offensive zone. His off-puck detail is generally sound as well. Yakunin has historically hovered around a point per game offensively. He appears willing to provide a reliable two-way game that contributes to overall team success at this point in his development. 

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

It feels like Harper is always on the ice when I view him live. He easily averages over 25 minutes per game of ice time. The bulk of his shifts come at even strength and when he’s quarterbacking the power play. Harper sees the ice and distributes the puck extremely well. He’s also shown he can put the puck in the back of the net. His elite element is what he provides offensively, but he does have occasional bite defensively. 

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

Stroeder is a two-way centre who has the skill set to be used in a variety of roles. He’s the kind of player who can slot up and down the lineup. In my opinion, Stroeder is equal parts shooter and playmaker. He’s easily defined and reliable. So far this fall Stroeder has contributed 8G-6A in 13 games and is averaging 19 minutes per game in ice time. 

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

Shtyrkhunov is a light, transitional defenceman who has the skill set to quarterback a top power play unit. He makes a sound first pass, joins the rush as an extra layer in transition, and makes plays in the offensive zone. Despite his relatively light frame, Shtyrkhunov is generally engaged defensively and has the hockey sense, and jump, to read and react on time and kill plays in his zone 

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

Edgar is another player on my list who is logging a ton of ice time. There are nights Edgar skates over 25 minutes while being deployed in all situations. He’s extremely skilled and creative offensively. His routes, with and without the puck on his stick, speak to his vision and hockey sense. Edgar’s defensive detail is evolving, but it’s not for lack of compete. So far this season Edgar has contributed 7G-8A in 15 games. 

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

Santala started the season with the London Knights before being dealt to the Rangers. Most nights he’s being deployed in all situations. Santala isn’t a pure burner, but once up to speed he is a threat to produce offence off the rush. What stands out most for Santala is his lethal release. He can really shoot the puck, especially off the flank on the power play and in motion skating down hill and using opponents as a screen. Santala clearly leans shooter more than distributor. Four of his seven goals so far this season have come on the power-play. 

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

Kulemin is the son of former NHL forward Nikolai Kulemin. He’s being used in all situations in Kingston and approaches the game with a calculating level of responsibility. Kulemin uses his size and strength to his advantage in the trenches and capitalizes on his offensive opportunities. In short, he’s trustworthy and plays the game the right way. Kulemin has already produced 5G-12A after contributing 11G-20A in his underage year last season. 

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

Scantlebury is an interesting prospect. He isn’t a burner for his size, but he makes up for it with his elite hockey sense. He has a knack for identifying how plays are developing and reacts accordingly. He’s especially dangerous on the power play. Scantlebury has contributed 12G-12A in his first 15 games in the QMJHL after producing 16G-23A with the Chicago Steel in the USHL last season. 

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

Calce is developing in Germany’s top pro league playing for Adler Mannheim, where he’s been averaging around 12 minutes of per game ice time. Most of his deployment has come at even strength, but he has also had some spot duty on both special teams units. Calce is an uber-competitive player. He plays fast and is mostly detailed, while tracking up and down the ice on time. He stands out for Team Germany on the international stage when playing with his age group. Calce is a two-way forward who should produce at least secondary offence at the NHL level in time. 

No. 27: Nolan Fitzhenry, 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, left shot forward, USNTDP

Fitzhenry is another forward on this list who is capable of playing centre or the wing. He’s a strong skater in open ice who attacks with the puck on his stick, or off the puck when it slides through open seems on his way to the net to make himself available for a tip or rebound. He can lead the power play breakout and push opponents off their blue line with his speed. I especially like how pucks are on and off his stick in a flash, which doesn’t allow opponents to front him defensively in the process. 

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

Mares was one of my favourite players at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August and he’s fit in nicely with Rimouski. He skates very well for his stature, uses his reach as an advantage on both sides of the puck, and he’s very hard to defend. Mares is very competitive. He has the hockey sense to be deployed in all situations and play a role up and down the lineup. He’s produced 6G-10A in his first 15 QMJHL games and registered a plus-10 rating in the segment. 

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

McAslan is averaging over 21 minutes per game in London and being deployed in all situations. He’s an efficient distributor who also possesses a hard, accurate shot from distance. An argument can be made that McAslan has one of the best all-around hockey minds in the draft class. The two-way defenceman doesn’t have any real weaknesses in his game. He’s already produced 4G-12A in 15 games. McAslan is an incredible plus-19 in the segment. 

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

I appreciate how competitive L’Italien is overall. He consistently works to the best of his ability. He’s a solid skater who can be used in a variety of roles and log a ton of ice time. There have been nights already this season where L’Italien has clocked in for over 28 minutes of ice time. He’s contributed 1G-9A in his first 14 games. My only hesitation regarding L’Italien is I have seen his game management wander on occasion, which resulted in some uneven puck play. If he makes some small improvements over the course of the season he will rise in my rankings. 

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

Walos rips pucks from the weak side flank on the power play and has proven he can beat OHL goalies before they have a chance to get set and square up to his release. He’s contributed 10G-13A in his first 17 games with six of his tucks coming on the power play. I’d like to see Walos play with more speed at times, but there’s no doubt he has great puck touch and a dangerous “shoot-first” approach overall. 

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

I do not advise opponents disrespect Tomek due to his size. He’s an aggressive, energetic, competitive and skilled forward who has the look of a prospect that just loves to play the game. Tomek approaches the game the right way. When he doesn’t have the puck, he works to create turnovers. When he does end up with possession, he has quick strike ability and the skill to be a difference maker. His approach is infectious.

• Player cards created by The Pro Hockey Group
• Video support provided by Hudl Instat
• Player stats courtesy of Elite Prospects 
• Further detailed analysis found at puckpedia.com