What Happened
Jason Bukala has released his first ranking of the top 32 prospects for the 2027 NHL Draft, according to Sportsnet. Michigan freshman defenceman Landon DuPont tops the list, with Saginaw Spirit winger Dima Zhilkin at No. 2. Bukala writes that the class is heavy on centres, with 20 identified as potential first-round picks, and light on defencemen, with only six in his top 32.
Key Details
- DuPont, a 6-foot, 190-pound right shot, has eight assists in eight games at Michigan.
- DuPont quarterbacks Michigan's top power-play unit and has recently played over 20 minutes per game.
- Zhilkin, 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, has 12 goals and 13 assists in 16 OHL games.
- Zhilkin is tied for the OHL points lead with Saginaw teammate Braidy Wassilyn.
- Bukala lists 20 centres as possible first-round picks in the 2027 class.
- Only six defencemen appear in Bukala's initial top 32.
What It Means
Bukala's ranking offers an early read on the shape of the 2027 draft class. His assessment points to a centre-rich group, a contrast with the 2026 draft in Buffalo, which he says gave teams several defencemen to consider. DuPont's placement at No. 1, ahead of the rest of the class, makes him the early name to track as the season progresses.
What's Next
Bukala's rankings are expected to shift as prospects play through the rest of the season, with some rising and others sliding down the board.