DuPont Tops Wheeler's First 2027 NHL Draft Rankings
Source: nytimes.com
TL;DR
- Scott Wheeler releases first top 25 for 2027 NHL Draft.
- Landon DuPont tops list as WHL exceptional status defenseman.
- Class features Alexis Joseph, Nazar Privalov in elite tiers.
The story at a glance
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.
Key moments & milestones
- Landon DuPont granted WHL exceptional status, second after Connor Bedard.
- DuPont sets WHL U16 scoring record with 60 points in 64 games as 15-year-old.
- DuPont breaks record again with 73 points in 63 games as 16-year-old.
- Alexis Joseph leads World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with 6 goals in 5 games.
- Nazar Privalov scores two hat tricks in first 8 MHL games, breaks Kucherov record.
Signature highlights
- 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).
- Tier 2 (4-5) starts with Milan Sundström (C, MoDo, J20, 6'2", 187 lbs), top player on Sweden's U17 team.
- DuPont elite in zone exits, entries, denials, shot/pass creation; plays 24-25 minutes per game.
- Joseph No. 1 QMJHL pick in 2025, over 1 point per game on rebuilding team.
- Privalov leads CSKA in goals/points at point-per-game pace; only Michkov scored more goals at U17 in MHL.
- Class noted for strong Russians, DuPont as top WHL D since records began.
Why it matters
The 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.