{"url":"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7116102/2026/03/31/nhl-draft-2027-ranking-dupont-joseph-privalov/","title":"DuPont Tops Wheeler's First 2027 NHL Draft Rankings","domain":"nytimes.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/18924643/pexels-photo-18924643.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","category":"Sports","language":"en","slug":"9d31da4d","id":"9d31da4d-4f35-4388-b7e2-caefe0ca8713","description":"Scott Wheeler releases first top 25 for 2027 NHL Draft.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **Scott Wheeler** releases first top 25 for **2027 NHL Draft**.\n- **Landon DuPont** tops list as WHL exceptional status defenseman.\n- Class features **Alexis Joseph**, **Nazar Privalov** in elite tiers.\n\n## The story at a glance\n**Scott Wheeler** of The Athletic published his initial top 25 ranking for the **2027 NHL Draft** class of mostly **2009-born** prospects after weeks of scouting. The list highlights **Landon DuPont** at No. 1, followed by **Alexis Joseph** and **Nazar Privalov** in Tier 1. It comes ahead of further rankings after the **Hlinka Gretzky Cup**.\n\n## Key moments & milestones\n- **Landon DuPont** granted WHL exceptional status, second after **Connor Bedard**.\n- **DuPont** sets WHL U16 scoring record with **60 points** in **64 games** as 15-year-old.\n- **DuPont** breaks record again with **73 points** in **63 games** as 16-year-old.\n- **Alexis Joseph** leads **World Under-17 Hockey Challenge** with **6 goals** in **5 games**.\n- **Nazar Privalov** scores two hat tricks in first **8 MHL games**, breaks **Kucherov** record.\n\n## Signature highlights\n- **Tier 1 (1-3)**: **1. Landon DuPont** (RHD, **Everett**, WHL, **6'0\"**, **190 lbs**); **2. Alexis Joseph** (C, **Saint John**, QMJHL, **6'5\"**, **201 lbs**); **3. Nazar Privalov** (LW, **CSKA**, MHL, **6'4\"**, **214 lbs**).\n- **Tier 2 (4-5)** starts with **Milan Sundström** (C, **MoDo**, J20, **6'2\"**, **187 lbs**), top player on Sweden's U17 team.\n- **DuPont** elite in zone exits, entries, denials, shot/pass creation; plays **24-25 minutes** per game.\n- **Joseph** No. 1 **QMJHL** pick in **2025**, over **1 point per game** on rebuilding team.\n- **Privalov** leads **CSKA** in goals/points at point-per-game pace; only **Michkov** scored more goals at U17 in MHL.\n- Class noted for strong Russians, **DuPont** as top WHL D since records began.\n\n## Why it matters\nThe **2027 draft** shapes future NHL rosters with high-end defensemen and big centers like **DuPont** and **Joseph**. Scouts and teams gain early benchmarks for trade and development decisions. Watch **Hlinka Gretzky Cup** for next top 32 update.","hashtags":["#nhl","#nhldraft","#hockey","#prospects","#whl","#qmjl"],"viewCount":4,"publishedAt":"2026-04-04T19:28:42.409Z"}