What Happened
NHL Central Scouting released its preliminary watch list for the 2027 NHL Draft on Monday, giving A ratings to 28 players. Landon DuPont, a 17-year-old Calgary defenseman and University of Michigan freshman, is among them and is projected to be selected first overall. The A rating identifies players viewed as potential first-round picks. DuPont has six assists in six games this season after two years with the Western Hockey League's Everett Silvertips.
Key Details
- DuPont, 17, is a Calgary-born defenseman in his freshman season at the University of Michigan.
- He has six assists in six games this season.
- He spent the previous two years with the WHL's Everett Silvertips.
- Other A-rated prospects: Dima Zhilkin (Saginaw), Alexis Joseph (Saint John) and Brock England (Seattle).
- Central Scouting will release midseason rankings in January and final rankings in April.
- 176 CHL-developed players made the list, 19 of them with A ratings.
What It Means
The preliminary list is Central Scouting's first broad assessment of the 2027 class, and an A rating puts a player in the early first-round conversation. DuPont's placement at the top reflects his standing as a projected No. 1 pick well before the draft. The 19 A-rated CHL players show the major junior pipeline remains a large part of the pool, while DuPont's NCAA route is notable for a player rated this highly.
What's Next
Central Scouting's midseason rankings, due in January, will update the ratings, with final rankings to follow in April ahead of the 2027 NHL Draft.