The 2021 NHL draft season is going to be tricky -- to put it mildly. Start dates for leagues in North America are all over the map, and European leagues are already underway amid the constant threat of a coronavirus disruption. Many prospects haven't played much, if at all, since March. In short, expect plenty of changes to these early rankings between now and whenever the 2021 draft is held. There is a lot we don't know about this class. Consider the following an extremely preliminary look at what the class could be.
Further complicating matters is a complete lack of consensus on which player is the No. 1 prospect in the class. There is no Alexis Lafreniere or Jack Hughes this season. Rather, there is a handful of high-end talents who could be the top pick. With talent more evenly spread across the top prospects, the class is very exciting. (One more NHL team will be evaluating the group of prospects, too. The Seattle Kraken will be making their first draft pick and will enter the lottery with the third-best odds of acquiring the No. 1 selection.)
Which prospects stand out at this point in the process? Here is my early look at the top 32 players in the 2021 class, based on the information I've collected and the video I've reviewed so far.
1. Owen Power, D, Michigan (Big Ten)
Power is unique. He has the big frame at 6-foot-6 and 214 pounds, and he adds a fluidity to his game that belies his size. Most everything Power does looks effortless. Coming from the Chicago Steel program that played a big role in the 2020 draft, Power will be a true freshman defenseman on one of the youngest teams in the country. He's going to be leaned on to play a big role right away -- and with good reason.
The reigning USHL defenseman of the year, Power posted 40 points in 45 games for the Steel in 2019-20. His 0.89 points per game is fourth highest in USHL history for a U18 defenseman (minimum 30 games). While he played on the highest-scoring team in league history, he was a driver and made things happen in transition. Power has tremendous hockey sense and vision, with an ability to get around the offensive zone without any issues. To have Power's combination of size, range, mobility and hockey sense is rare.
2. Aatu Raty, C, Karpat (Finland)
Expectations are high for Raty, one of the top juniors in Finland for the past few years. He is one of those players who does pretty much everything well. That said, there isn't one thing that jumps out as a "special" trait for him.
Raty is committed to playing in all zones, he excels in the offensive elements of the game, and his hockey sense is probably his most notable tool. He has good size, has been borderline dominant against his age group internationally and has earned the pro time he has received. I like his skating and shot, too. He always plays up a level and has tremendous maturity both on and off the ice.
3. Kent Johnson, C, Michigan (Big Ten)
A magician with the puck on his stick, Johnson is one of the most purely skilled puck handlers in this draft. There's a creativity to his puck play when it comes to creating space for himself and beating defenders one-on-one. Johnson's ability to process the game is at an advanced level, too.
Although he played against somewhat weaker competition relative to his peers, Johnson made so many incredible plays last season, and the end result was an eye-popping point total. He averaged nearly two points per game before the 2019-20 BCHL season shut down. Over the past 15 years, only Kyle Turris and Tyson Jost averaged better at the same age in BCHL play.
4. Brandt Clarke, D, Barrie (OHL)
Clarke's 38 points as a rookie in 2019-20 qualified as a top-20 total for a U17 defenseman in OHL history. His 0.67 points per game rate is sixth among U17 blueliners in the past 20 years, and all but one of the defensemen ahead of him on that list became an NHL regular, with Ryan Ellis and Alex Pietrangelo qualifying as stars. Clarke has been among the top players in the 2003 birth year for some time now and has only built a better case for himself.
Clarke is a gifted puck-mover who surveys the ice well and makes good decisions with the puck. He has good hand skills and is very much in the business of setting up goals, as opposed to scoring them. His ability to jump into plays and make good offensive reads is also advanced, to say the least.
5. Dylan Guenther, LW, Edmonton (WHL)
The WHL's Rookie of the Year in 2019-20, Guenther played a leading role for Edmonton, finishing third on the team in scoring and second among WHL rookies with 59 points. His 1.02 points per game puts him in the top 30 all time of U17 players in the WHL with a minimum of 30 games played.
Guenther has high-end hockey sense, a good frame and an ability to get to the hard areas of the ice. He's good in tight spaces and protects pucks well. Guenther is simply an effective player who takes care of both ends of the ice and gives trouble to opposing teams, whether he is in on the forecheck or has the puck on his stick. He's good at a lot of things but really excels offensively.
6. Fabian Lysell, LW, Frolunda U20 (Sweden Jr.)
Another highly skilled forward with a gift for making high-end plays all over the ice, Lysell is currently tearing up the Swedish U20 ranks while in the exceptionally deep Frolunda program. He dominated the U18 ranks as a 16-year-old, led Sweden in scoring at the U17 Hockey Challenge last fall and saw action with the U18 national team at the end of last season. His ability to take pucks to the net, extend plays in the offensive zone and back down defenders in transition all suggest a high-end skill set that is going to be a handful for the opposition for years to come.
7. Carson Lambos, D, Winnipeg (WHL)
The WHL has been a haven for offensive defensemen in recent years, and Lambos looks to be another to join that line. With his 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame, he can be physical -- and he plays solidly in his own end. What stand out for me are his puck skills and north-south skating, as he has real talent for exploiting open ice. Looking at the past 15 seasons in the WHL, Lambos had the third-highest points-per-game rate among U17 defensemen. There are a lot of talented NHL defensemen behind him on this list. Lambos has a pretty comprehensive package of skills, with puckhandling and vision among his best offensive attributes.
8. Matthew Beniers, C, Michigan (Big Ten)
Beniers is a Swiss Army knife kind of forward, and there isn't a lot he can't do for a team. His versatility is a key trait, highlighted by advanced hockey sense, excellent skating ability, solid puck skills and unshakable tenacity. Beniers is an absolute handful for opposing defenses on the forecheck and in transition. That's also a big reason that he was the only under-ager to make the U.S. World U18 Championship team in 2019, playing alongside eight first-round draft picks and not looking out of place. Beniers was originally slated to attend Harvard this season, but when Ivy League schools delayed all sports until January, he was able to flip his commitment to play for Michigan, where he joins the best recruiting class in the country -- and two names already on this list.
9. Chaz Lucius, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)
Lucius has been highly regarded for years and helped turn up the spotlight with his incredible performance at the World U17 Hockey Challenge, where he led the tournament with seven goals and 10 points as the U.S. finished second. He led the U17 team in scoring throughout the season, with 31 goals and 50 points in 46 games, and likely would have been added to the U18 team for the World U18 Championship had it not been canceled. Lucius has elite hands, shown not only by his stickhandling but also in his ability to catch passes, corral loose pucks and quickly turn a retrieved puck into a threatening offensive play.
10. Luke Hughes, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)
The youngest Hughes brother is ready for his big moment, as Luke steps out of the shadows of Quinn and Jack to make a name for himself. The big difference between him and his brothers, however, is that Luke is 6-foot-2, apparently stealing all of the height in the family. He also out-scored Quinn at the same age at the NTDP, putting up 28 points in 48 games of a shortened season. The extra reach and size give Hughes some good range in the defensive zone as well, and he has a similar sweeping skating style to Quinn, with the ability to deceive and create extra time and space for himself. Expectations are going to be high for the Michigan commit, but early indications are strong.
11. Jesper Wallstedt, G, Lulea (Sweden)
Wallstedt is a bit of a goaltending prodigy and certainly the best Swedish goalie prospect I've seen since I've been evaluating prospects. He got his first taste in Sweden's top U18 league when he was 14 years old, and he was playing U20 games by 15 before playing his first pro game at 16. Now he's primarily playing for Lulea in a tandem role at the pro level.
Wallstedt's rapid rise has been impressive, but more impressive has been his play. He's the kind of goaltender who makes everything look easy because he anticipates well. Because he has been playing a level up from a young age, his hockey sense is really sharp. It helps to have Wallstedt's sound technique, too. He can make the big saves you need, but more times than not, he makes the simple save because he's always in a comfortable position.
12. Simon Edvinsson, D, Frolunda U20 (Sweden Jr.)
Edvinsson is one of the more exciting prospects of this draft class because of the sheer potential he seems to possess. The mobility and puck skills are advanced, especially for a player at his 6-foot-4 size. He has a lot of filling out to do, but Edvinsson has showcased a lot of skills that suggest he has top-four potential. He's nimble on his skates and escapes pressure exceptionally well. I'm very impressed by his ability to handle pucks under pressure and spin out of danger to get out of his zone.
13. Daniil Chayka, D, Guelph (OHL)
A big, rangy defenseman with excellent mobility, Chayka has spent the past three seasons in North America, starting when he moved to Canada at 15 to play his final season of youth hockey. Over the past two seasons with the Guelph Storm in the OHL, he has developed a strong, two-way game with improving offensive skills. As a 16-year-old in 2018-19, he was a regular on an OHL champion team, and last season, he was the fourth-highest scorer among U18 defensemen in the league, with 34 points.
Chayka has a good shot, knows when to engage in the offensive zone and is tough to get around, thanks to his range and reach. As he gets stronger, he can get a little more physical and be more effective in his own zone, but the raw tools are very intriguing.
14. Prokhor Poltapov, RW, Krasnaya Armiya (Russia Jr.)
In terms of pure puck skills and the ability to finish plays, few players are as reliable as Poltapov. He's an entertainer because of his incredible hands, but he works hard for his offense. He is committed at both ends of the ice, is hard on pucks and never quits on plays.
15. Zachary Bolduc, C, Rimouski (QMJHL)
After scoring 30 goals for Rimouski last season, Bolduc was named the QMJHL's Rookie of the Year. He couldn't have asked for a better situation as a rookie, playing on the same team as 2020 No. 1 pick Alexis Lafreniere, but Bolduc has the skills to create and make plays on his own. He has a good shot and plays a strong game between the faceoff dots. As he gets stronger, you might expect more power elements in his game to pop over the next few seasons, which would take his effectiveness to the next level.
16. Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Chicago (USHL)
An extremely quick skater, Samoskevich can zoom around defenders and has the skills to make high-end plays at speed. He was one of the younger players on the Chicago Steel last season but was given a lot of run in a lineup loaded with veteran talent, scoring 34 points. The expectation for him in an expanded role this season is to be a dominant force in the USHL and lead the Steel to heights similar to what they experienced in 2020-21.
Samoskevich, whose sisters Maddy and Melissa are also highly regarded hockey players, is headed to the University of Michigan in 2021. (Man, Michigan hockey could be really special over the next few years.)
17. Xavier Bourgault, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
Among U18 players in the QMJHL last season, none had more points than Bourgault's 71. A rapid release on his shot helped propel him to 33 goals as a leading player for a Shawinigan squad that saw players selected in the first and second rounds of the most recent draft. Bourgault tied with Dallas first-rounder Mavrik Bourque for the team's scoring lead. With good hand skills and outstanding offensive instincts, Bourgault is one to watch.
18. Brennan Othmann, RW, Flint (OHL)
Expectations were so high for Othmann going into last season, given that he was the leading scorer on the 2018-19 Don Mills Flyers team that was widely considered the best youth hockey team in the world that season (and maybe one of the all-time greats). He had 146 points in 72 games that year in the Greater Toronto Hockey League. Last season, he had 33 points for Flint as a rookie, which put him 10th among all OHL first-year players. Othmann has a lot to offer, though, as a strong, fluid skater with an elite release on his shot.
19. Mason McTavish, C, Peterborough (OHL)
With 29 goals this season, McTavish showed that he can put the puck in the net in a variety of ways. He has a deceptive release and can fire it from a variety of angles. He's good at shooting off the pass and has such a tremendous awareness of where to be and how to create chances for himself. He is a shoot-first player, but he has the nose for the net to always give him the green light. McTavish has some good physical strength that will only improve, and I'd like to see a little more burst in his skating, but his offensive awareness is high-end.
20. Sasha Pastujov, RW, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)
An especially gifted playmaker, Pastujov finished second on the NTDP's U17 team last season with 50 points, including 36 assists. Despite good soft-touch skill with the puck, he plays with some edge, which is one of the things that helps him create offense. There's no play he can't make under pressure, and he is willing to take contact to do it. The Notre Dame commit is off to a strong start to his 2020-21 season, though he is looking more like a goal-scoring threat than a setup man this time around.
21. Nikita Chibrikov, RW, SKA-1946 (Russia Jr.)
A standout with the puck on his stick, Chibrikov became the youngest player to score a goal for KHL power SKA St. Petersburg while playing at the pro level. He'll probably spend most of his season in the junior ranks, but he held his own while SKA dealt with a COVID-19 outbreak among its senior players. He has also looked dominant at the U20 level, with high-end offensive sense and skating ability.
22. William Eklund, LW, Djugardens (Sweden)
After producing at a high clip in the junior ranks last season, Eklund got a good run with the pro team in a limited role. He had only two assists over 20 games but also averaged just over eight minutes per game. This season, he is getting time with Devils first-round pick Alexander Holtz on Djugardens' top line, and he has already out-produced his rookie campaign while getting more ice time. He's a smart player with good soft-touch skills and hockey sense.
23. Cole Sillinger, C, Medicine Hat (WHL)
Armed with a lightning-quick release, Sillinger had the best points-per-game average by a 16-year-old in the WHL since 1994-95, with a 1.10 mark. He had 53 points in just 48 games in his first full junior season, which included 22 goals. The son of longtime NHLer Mike Sillinger really made a name for himself with his ability to produce. Offensively, he seems to have all the tools in terms of hand skills, vision and awareness. His off-puck play is going to need to improve to allow him to go higher in this draft, though.
24. Corson Ceulemans, D, Brooks (AJHL)
Playing for the same junior team for which Cale Makar became a top draft pick, Ceulemans has potential to be a big riser in this draft. He's 6-foot-2 and nearly 200 pounds, and he has really good puck skills for a big defenseman. A true two-way player, Ceulemans had the third-highest point total and second-highest points-per-game average among U17 defensemen in the AJHL the past 20 seasons, with 35 in 44 games.
25. Zachary L'Heureux, C, Halifax (QMJHL)
Scoring 53 points as a QMJHL rookie, L'Heureux led all U17 players in the league while playing for Moncton. An offseason move to Halifax has had very positive early returns for a forward who brings a little bit of everything to the table. L'Heureux is especially good at getting to the net, shows some physical edge and has a strong release. That combination of skill and toughness will take him far.
26. Samu Tuomaala, RW, Karpat U20 (Finland Jr.)
Skill and speed are big parts of what Tuomaala brings to the table, having already earned one call-up to Karpat's pro team this season. He's a dominant force in Finland's U20 ranks in the early stages, showing an ability to dart around the ice and make plays at speed. Tuomaala put up strong numbers internationally for Finland, including when he was called up to the U18 team last season. He's one to keep an eye on as a draft-year riser.
27. Daniil Lazutin, C, SKA-1946 (Russia Jr.)
The son of Olympic gold medalist cross-country skier Larisa Lazutina, Daniil is a big, skilled forward who has the ability to defeat defenders with his hands or his size. He can really fire the puck and makes good plays in tight to the net. His numbers in U20 last season were not terribly strong, but he was a dominant force for Russia at the World U17 Hockey Challenge and was highly coveted by SKA in a trade over the summer.
28. Logan Stankoven, RW, Kamloops (WHL)
In the past 20 years, only four U17 players have scored 29 or more goals in a season in the WHL. Stankoven is one of them, potting 29 last season as a goal-scoring machine for Kamloops. With an incredible release on his shot, Stankoven could score from distance last season but also was able to get some chances from in tight. He's a good skater, which helps mitigate some concerns about his size, as he is generously listed at 5-foot-8. Either way, when a player has the offensive touch and the shooting ability of Stankoven, he has a chance.
29. Sean Behrens, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)
Had last season not ended prematurely, Behrens would have gotten a nice showcase playing as an underager for Team USA at the World U18 Championship. An extremely talented puck-mover who navigates all zones with ease, thanks to high-end skating skills, he had 40 points last season between the U17 and U18 teams to lead all NTDP defensemen.
30. Fyodor Svechkov, C, Ladia Togliatti (Russia Jr.)
A quality center with an especially good release, Svechkov really popped at the U17 World Hockey Challenge. He earned time in Russia's minor pro league to start the season and performed well. His shot is special, but he's also a good center who takes care of his responsibilities without sacrificing the offense in his game. The one thing that could hold him back from being a first-rounder is his heavier stride.
31. Matthew Knies, RW, Tri-City (USHL)
There aren't a ton of highly skilled, big forwards in this draft, but Knies is one of them. He made the jump from AAA U16 hockey to the USHL and finished fourth among U18 players in league scoring with 45 points. The three players ahead of him were USHL veterans, and each was drafted in 2020. He makes plays but also has some power to his game and can engage physically. Committed to Minnesota, Knies will play one more year in the USHL, in which he should dominate.
32. Joshua Roy, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
Roy used his quick hand skills to vault his way to the No. 1 pick in the QMJHL draft in 2019. He had a standout rookie season with the Sea Dogs and is off to a very strong start in his second QMJHL campaign. He has good one-on-one puck skills and can create that little bit of extra space for himself to get a good shot or pass away. His vision and offensive instincts are all there.
Honorable mentions
Zachary Dean, C, Gatineau (QMJHL)
Jeremy Wilmer, LW, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)
Aidan Hreschuk, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)
Francesco Pinelli, C, Kitchener (OHL)
Kirill Kirsanov, D, SKA-1946 (Russia Jr.)
Isak Rosen, LW, Leksands U20 (Sweden Jr.)
Stanislav Svozil, D, HC Kometa Brno (Czech)
Samu Salminen, C/W, Jokerit U20 (Finland Jr.)
Simon Robertsson, RW, Skelleftea U20 (Sweden Jr.)
Isaac Belliveau, D, Rimouski (QMJHL)