NHL
Nazar Privalov, a winger for CSKA Moscow's junior team, is one of the top 2027 NHL Draft prospects. Photo courtesy of the KHL
The World U17 Challenge in Truro, Nova Scotia, wrapped up on the weekend, so now is a good time to do a way, way too early top 10 of the 2027 NHL Draft class. I cannot caveat this enough about how early this ranking is and how much will likely change in the coming 12-18 months.
The 2027 draft is highlighted by three premium prospects in Alexis Joseph, Nazar Privalov and Landon DuPont. Privalov should be a fascinating case as a Russian player in the conversation as the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft. Russia’s national teams have been banned from IIHF competition since the country invaded Ukraine in February 2022, so a player like Privalov can’t participate in the U18 Worlds or the World Juniors. That means NHL scouts wouldn’t get important live viewing opportunities, which are already difficult to come by for a Russia-based prospect, of a player their teams would be using a potentially franchise-changing draft pick to select.
Advertisement
Joseph is the potential No. 1 center teams dream of when picking at the top of the draft. He’s a huge, fast, competitive pivot with a high skill level and great hockey sense. He can dominate a game with his athleticism and offensive touch, and did so often at the U17 Challenge for Canada Red.
Privalov has been a goal-per-game player to start his year in the MHL. He’s a super-skilled big man at 6-foot-4, who plays a hyper-physical brand of hockey and is a good skater, too. He has every indicator of a potential NHL star.
Granted exceptional status in the WHL as a 15-year-old, DuPont has been a wildly successful junior player. He’s been a top player on a top junior team in Everett since he entered the league. He’s a fantastic skater and puck-mover who, while being average-sized, works hard and with his feet should be a fine NHL defender while providing a ton of offense.
Nelson is an exciting all-around center prospect and is the top player on the U.S. NTDP 18’s this season. He’s 6-3, fast, plays both ways and has a good amount of skill as well. I wouldn’t describe him as dynamic, but he can make plays and projects to score at the next level.
Zhilkin is an extremely skilled and intelligent smaller winger who has a very high motor as well and wins far more battles than you would expect at his size. He skates well enough to be in this range, too.
Meyer is the top U.S. player in his 2009 age group. He’s a well-rounded center, with the aesthetic skill and speed you want in a top prospect, while also being a smart and hardworking two-way player with decent size.
Gutierrez isn’t the flashiest defenseman, but he’s a 6-2 right-shot who can skate and move the puck very well. He projects as a two-way defenseman who can play heavy minutes as a pro.
Advertisement
Cripps exemplifies what you want in a dynamic small defenseman. He’s an excellent skater with clear NHL speed and edge work. He’s a deceptive, highly creative player with the puck who makes top-tier plays frequently.
One of the best prospects out of Switzerland in a while, Neuenschwander is a huge center with legit hands and vision who has played in the top Swiss league for two years in a row already.
England may be the fastest player in his age group, and he combines his tremendous skating with a strong individual skill level and natural scoring ability. However, he’s 5-11 and not the best playmaker you’ll ever see.
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today's puzzle
Corey Pronman is the senior NHL prospects writer for The Athletic. Previously, Corey worked in a similar role at ESPN. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreypronman
Hockey News