Way-Too-Early Top 10 Rankings for the 2027 NHL Draft

There are already multiple 2027 NHL Draft storylines to follow. More will definitely show up.

One major storyline to keep an eye on? The exodus of multiple American players from the USNTDP to various CHL teams. A set-in-stone reason isn't yet apparent, but as the development landscape continues to evolve, USA Hockey will want to get a handle on this before it loses all of its best and brightest to the major-junior leagues. 

Another key storyline to watch this season is one you've probably heard about ad nauseam, but that remains extremely relevant: the apparent new development path. All road signs are pointing to the structure becoming CHL, NCAA, then turning pro for the majority of top North American prospects. If all parties embrace it, it has the potential to broaden strong development opportunities to a wider range of players; we'll see how it plays out in practice.

But we know that you're here for the goods on who to watch. 

By no means is this top ten set in stone. This is just a quick-and-dirty introduction to players you should be keeping an eye on. As we've learned, things can change dramatically as the season progresses. We're going with our gut for now, and as we get more information, these rankings will continue to evolve.

10. Jaxon Jacobson, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

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We're heading to the WHL for our first prospect, to center Jaxon Jacobson of the Brandon Wheat Kings. You're going to hear a lot of people mention that Jacobson is undersized at 5'10"; we instead implore you to look at his point totals, if you're going to look at numbers. Jacobson put up 83 points in 63 games last season, up from 44 in 51 the previous year, and looked to be one of the league's better forwards.

Jacobson already has layers to his game, showcasing manipulation and dynamism as last season wore on. He's also tenacious as they come in a way that absolutely reads as annoying to opponents. He brings composure and really nice detail already; his physical game is not a drawback despite his size. This season, it'll be interesting to see whether he raises his playmaking ability to a true play-driving ability.

9. Sammy Nelson, C, University of Notre Dame (NCAA)

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Nelson is one of the older players in the 2027 draft, having missed the cutoff for the 2026 draft by four days. As such, you'll likely see him graded a little more intently and judged a little more harshly against others in his draft class. Being an older player means more is expected out of you, and that goes double for a player like Nelson, who is already showcasing leadership abilities. 

He played for the USNTDP this past season and will join his brother, Danny Nelson (NYI), at the University of Notre Dame in the fall. It's a smart move to deliberately face tough college competition in his draft season as an older player. Nelson has shown he can be a consistent play driver and creator for the NTDP thanks to solid hands and good vision; he finished last season with 54 points in 58 games for the U18 team. With his work ethic, he should be able to translate that to the NCAA as well. It's going to be fun to watch his development unfold.

8. Dima Zhilkin, RW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Dima Zhilkin is one of those players who might not go first overall, but will definitely end up someone's favorite.

He's already the captain of the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL, a title he got in January of this year. This winger might be undersized, but his skill set already projects him as a play driver at the next level; his size isn't really something to worry about unless there's some dramatic change in his playing style between now and next June. He finished last season with 75 points in 59 games, up from 43 in 54 the previous year.

He's got more energy than a nuclear power play, always pushing, always getting involved in play, and that includes physically. When you watch him, it feels like he dives headfirst into situations with no fear; it works out for him pretty often. Standout aspects of his game include his stick skills and speed, all driven by an undercurrent of relentless tenacity. It's hard to envision a scenario where he isn't a scout magnet next season.

7. Brock England, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

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Center Brock England of the Seattle Thunderbirds could've easily been dubbed one of the best skaters in the WHL last season. Not a bad honor to receive in your D-1 season.

He finished his first full season with the Seattle Thunderbirds with 51 points in 64 games, including 21 goals, and though he slowed down for a while, he was playing at a point-per-game pace. Did we mention that he's still 16, and won't turn 17 until Aug. 22?

One of England's biggest assets—no surprise, given his skating—is his speed. With just a few crossovers, he separates himself from his opponent and then puts his high-end playmaking to work. He's got good hands and is crafty enough to create on the fly. And while people will mention his size—he's 5'11"—as a detriment, he certainly doesn't shy away from physical contact. There's truly so much potential here, and it's going to be a lot of fun watching it unfold.

6. Carter Meyer, C, USNTDP

On our next board, this could very well say Carter Meyer of the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL—but we don't know that for certain yet. One of the members of the exodus from the USNTDP, Meyer has requested a release to make the jump to the QMJHL. However, as far as we know at the time of writing, USA Hockey has not granted that release. 

Meyer, a center, is a Boston University commit and was one of the NTDP's best U18 players last season, as a U17. He's smart as a whip, he's tenacious, and he makes sure that you know it when he's on the ice. He's more of a two-way player than strictly offense-first, with a strong physical game and great hands. Meyer is one of those players who could stick in the top five and who could just as easily fall out of the top ten altogether. There are moments when the skill level is eye-popping; there are equally many moments when what you're noticing is the work rate.

Unfortunately, what ends up happening with his development path is going to play a significant role, so it's all eyes on USA Hockey right now.

5. Sergei Skvortsov, LW, Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)

Unlike his fellow Russian top prospect, Nazar Privalov, left winger Sergei Skvortsov does not currently have a long-term KHL deal. It'll be interesting to watch whether a) that changes during the course of this season and b) whether that makes a team more willing to draft him over Privalov despite Privalov currently being the more skilled player. Whichever way that wind blows, this 2009-born Russian draft class is looking pretty good. There's something to keep your eye on.

So what makes Skvortsov top-five worthy? In a nutshell: incredible hands, powerful skating, and a fantastic hockey IQ. He's been beating up on older opponents at the U18 level for a couple of years now, thanks to that high-end intelligence. He's creative and consistently engaged, both with and without the puck. His handling allows him to manipulate opponents.

This is one of those times when it's easy to lament Russia not being included in the major international junior tournaments, because he's one who would be really wonderful to watch against his peers.

4. Milan Sundström, C, MoDo Hockey U20

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Milan Sundström, son of former NHL player Niklas Sundström, brings significant hockey sense to the table and is definitely the top Swede available next year as things currently stand. He's a 6'2", two-way center, and that alone is catnip enough for some scouting staffs, but that's thankfully not all that Sundstrom brings to the table. Two of the driving forces of his game are his hands and his vision—the way he's going to beat you is by seeing the ice a step ahead of everyone else and using that to slip passes through. 

He plays for MoDo Hockey of the U20 Nationell in Sweden, and played significant minutes as a 16-year-old on a U20 roster last season. He brings a nice layer of physicality and finishing ability as well.

His skating is somewhat of a question mark, with his mechanics looking a little clunky at times, but we're giving him time to improve. Similar things could be said of half the guys drafted in the first round this year. His intelligence and puck-moving ability truly are the highlights here.

3. Nazar Privalov, LW, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

Russian left winger Nazar Privalov recently signed a four-year contract with CSKA Moscow, keeping him in Russia until it expires in May 2030.

This is something to note up front because, despite the fact that he is a clear top-2027 talent (who could genuinely move into the conversation for first overall), it will impact how seriously NHL organizations consider drafting him. Do they think they can entice him to terminate his KHL contract and come to North America sooner, a la Matvei Michkov and the Philadelphia Flyers? Are they willing to be patient for longer, a la Kirill Kaprizov and the Minnesota Wild? 

It's just something to keep in mind.

No matter which team drafts him in the end, they're getting one heck of a player. Privalov feels like he's just a step ahead of his peers in nearly every category, bringing high-end skill in skating, hockey sense, handling, you name it. He's absolutely one to keep an eye on for those top spots.

2. Alexis Joseph, C, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

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For our next entry on this list, we cross Canada to the center, Alexis Joseph of the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL. Joseph is going to be high on a lot of people's lists early on for one reason: he's a center who is already 6'5" and skates well with that giraffe height, with good explosiveness and mobility.

Whether that "well" moves up the chain to high-end or elite is something we're going to watch across the season; we thought Keato Verhoeff was a good skater prior to last season, too, and moving to the NCAA exposed some warts in that area. 

Joseph had 13 points in 5 games at the U-17 World Challenge last November, and while we don't judge prospects off one tournament, we do sit up and take notice when players perform like that. He's the kind of player who can take over a game; a commanding presence from the moment he steps foot on the ice, and it's not just because of his height. The offensive skill set that produced his 60 points in 54 games as a QMJHL rookie is also worth keeping an eye on. He's able to make difficult plays thanks to high-end vision and sense, and he pairs those with a strong work ethic and solid attention to detail.

1. Landon DuPont, D, University of Michigan (NCAA)

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Another year, another top prospect who has chosen to jump from the WHL to the NCAA. Landon DuPont, a Canadian defenseman previously out of the Everett Silvertips of the WHL, is headed to the University of Michigan in the fall. DuPont was flagged as a potential 2027 first overall pick by some when he joined the WHL in the 2024-25 season as an exceptional status player. When you watch him play, it's immediately clear why.

Unlike 2026, the 2027 first round is shaping up to be forward-heavy. DuPont is the standout defenseman of the group, and enough of a standout that he shoots to the top of the list. He finished last season with 73 points in 63 games (18 goals, 55 assists) for the Silvertips, but don't let the numbers fool you into thinking he brings only offense.

DuPont is a special player, excelling in all areas of the ice. He brings creativity, phenomenal handling skills, and the high-end skating required to succeed in today's NHL (highlighted elements include edgework and top speed). His transition to the University of Michigan will be an interesting one to watch, particularly regarding which elements of his game translate best. Initial thoughts are that his tenacity and puck movement will serve him well.