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The Hlinka Gretzky Cup and World Junior Showcase wrapped up recently, officially kicking off the 2027 NHL draft cycle. Every year, ESPN puts together a watch list of players to track to start the season. Many, if not all, of the players on this list are likely to be drafted in the top 20. They are the players being most closely watched, and a few of them are potential NHL stars.
To start your foray into the 2027 NHL draft, here’s a look at nine players likely to generate much of the discussion as the draft cycle commences.
Editor’s Picks
The consensus to be the top overall pick going into the season, DuPont is headed to Ann Arbor to play for the Michigan Wolverines after racking up more than a few scoring records in the WHL.
At 5-foot-11, DuPont is shorter than NHL teams prefer for their defenders, but there was no denying his role in Everett’s WHL championship last season, averaging more than 25 minutes per game. Michigan has developed quite a few top defenders over the past decade, and DuPont will be a key piece of the Wolverines blue line with his play-driving ability, play off the puck and ability to control the pace of play.
As with many other players granted exceptional status, his game gets picked apart and overanalyzed more than any other player in the draft class. There is no denying the talent, and if DuPont looks good in the NCAA, he should cement himself as the No. 1 pick.
One of the most exciting players to watch in the draft class, England combines breakaway speed with great hands and a high-end release on his shot. If he’s one stride behind the defender at the red line, there’s a good chance he’s overpowering the defender for a clean-cut breakaway. He’s a smaller center, but there is no denying his offensive skill set, which combines high-end creativity with elite speed. England’s next step is to understand gear changes to take advantage of his acceleration, and if he demonstrates that, he has a real chance to be an offensive dynamo in the NHL.
One of the youngest players in the draft class (Aug. 22, 2009), England isn’t as physically mature as some counterparts, but that doesn’t stop him from engaging physically and delivering hits. The willingness to get involved physically, combined with a developing two-way game, will make England a highly sought-after talent in the upcoming draft and one of the top players in the WHL this season.
If there is one thing we know about NHL GMs, it’s that they love big centers. At 6-4 and 205 pounds, Joseph ticks those boxes with ease. He has quick hands and good finishing ability, drives the net and uses his size to his advantage.
He has demonstrated the ability to dominate his peer group as an all-situations player but has left scouts wanting more with inconsistent competitiveness and performances at recent international tournaments. If Joseph can get back to the player he was as a 16-year-old and improve his skating and physical engagement, he has a chance to go in the top three. If he doesn’t, concerns about plateaued development and willingness to compete are likely to impact his draft stock.
His season will be one of the more interesting ones to watch because of the variety of outcomes associated with it.
There is a real chance Nelson goes in the top 10 of the 2026 NHL draft had he been born a few weeks earlier. One of the standout players in the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge last season and the recent World Junior Showcase, Nelson will play his draft season at Notre Dame, following in his brother’s footsteps.
He’s an all-situations center and a threat to score on the penalty kill with his speed. Already showing signs of high-end two-way play, how Nelson’s game translates to the NCAA as a true freshman is worth watching closely. He’s an exciting player because of his speed and ability to find space in transition to facilitate offense. If his offense continues to develop while being relied upon on both special teams, the 6-2 center is going to be in the conversation for a top-five selection in June. His statistical profile would indicate second-line center potential, with a high confidence to be an NHL player.
A player who has been on the radar for years given his appearance as a 15-year-old at the World Juniors, Neuenschwander’s draft year is finally upon us. At 6-4, the versatile forward is a natural center with great off-puck details which have continued to improve in the Swiss NL, one of the best professional leagues in the world. If he can be an all-situations player, drive play and develop his finishing ability to become a well-rounded dual threat, he’s going to be a coveted commodity in June. He creates offense with his puck protection and off-puck play.
At worst, he has a long career in the middle six of an NHL lineup. If he continues to develop, he will be a top-line, 200-foot player, much like his fellow countryman, Nico Hischier.
Privalov’s statistical profile makes him a player to watch. Add in that he is a 6-4, 215-pound power forward and it’s easy to understand why NHL scouts and executives are keeping a close eye on him. The combination of size, NHL shot and ability to create off the rush is exciting.
Privalov is likely to play KHL minutes this season, which is a rarity for draft-eligible players, and producing any offense in the KHL at that age would be extremely rare. He had one of the best U17 seasons in MHL history last year and more than deserves significant minutes in the KHL to start the season.
Privalov is a top-three talent in this draft but his contract situation (2030 expiry) complicates matters. There is a very real scenario where he falls out of the top three and a team lands significant value if it is willing to wait.
Leading your MHL team in scoring during your 16-year-old season is going to garner a lot of attention. The right-handed left winger was the best player on Nizhny Novgorod last season, culminating in a point-per-game playoff run.
Skvortsov possesses game-breaking potential, largely because of his high-end offensive instincts, a release that catches goalies by surprise and the playmaking ability to make every teammate dangerous. He brings flashiness and gets fans out of their seats with his puck skill. He needs to be stronger on pucks and physically mature to prevent getting pushed off pucks by tougher competition. If he can add strength without sacrificing his raw talent, his willingness to drive the net and ability to create offense will carry him to a top-six NHL role.
Sundstrom is likely to be in the conversation for top center in the draft because of his physical stature and his attention to details on and off the puck. He’s strong on pucks, wins board battles and has the most refined defensive game of the centers at the top of the draft. His ability to read the play in defensive transition allows him to strip pucks and turn up ice to create quick counterattacks. He possesses a heavy shot and the capability to drive off the wall to the middle of the ice to create offense.
Though his offensive ceiling isn’t as high as the other premier centers, Sundstrom has translatable NHL tools that would make him a better bet to play in the NHL on an expedited timeline. There is a real chance he’s a middle-six, shutdown center who contributes secondary scoring. If his skating improves, his offensive production will likely follow and elevate the projection to a top six, two-way center.
Saying it now: No one should be surprised if Zhilkin ends up going in the top five. Yes, he’s small and one of the older players in the draft (Oct. 21, 2008). However, the skilled “rat” is one of the most coveted player types in the NHL, and Zhilkin plays that role perfectly. He has some Zach Benson skills, with a Brad Marchand-type demeanor.
One of the hardest workers in this draft class, Zhilkin drives play, throws opponents off their game, owns a quick release and can flip momentum in a single shift. The phrase “He’s the type of player you win with” gets thrown around a lot, but Zhilkin is a big-moment player, consistently making an impact when the game needs it. He plays through contact and in traffic very well for a player who stands 5-10 and continues to show that he will not be pushed to the perimeter when the games get tighter and more physical.
He has a real chance to make Canada’s World Junior team this winter, and it would not be the least bit surprising if he becomes an instant fan favorite. He’s one of my favorite players to watch in this draft class and could be one of the most talked about players in the lead-up to the draft.
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