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Draft Rankings

2021 Draft Class

By Jesse Ambrock

2021 NHL Draft — Top 20 Pre-Draft Rankings

As of draft week, July 2021.

Top 20 Rankings

1. Owen Power, LD, University of Michigan (NCAA)

The best bet in the class to become a true No. 1 NHL defenseman and the prospect with the most well-rounded, translatable toolkit. As a 6-foot-6 freshman at Michigan, he produced 3 goals and 13 assists (16 points) in 26 games, and then went to the World Championship, where he played heavy minutes for Canada and impressed with poise and retrieval/transition play against NHLers. His combination of size, mobility, calm puck-moving, and ability to eat minutes in all situations at a premium position stands apart in this class.

2. Matthew Beniers, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)

The best center prospect in the draft and a strong bet to become a top-line 1A/1B NHL pivot. He recorded 10 goals and 14 assists (24 points) in 24 games as a freshman, played a major role for the U.S. at the World Juniors, and then held his own at the World Championship with mature two-way play and high compete level. His skating, defensive reliability, motor, and offensive sense project to a Selke-caliber, 70-plus-point center who drives play and handles tough matchups.

3. William Eklund, LW/C, Djurgårdens IF (SHL)

The most polished forward in the draft playing full-time against men in the SHL. He produced 11 goals and 12 assists (23 points) in 40 games for Djurgården as a draft-eligible, finishing among league leaders in points per game for U20 players while driving a struggling team’s top line. His combination of pace, playmaking, scoring touch, and three-zone detail in a pro league gives him top-line upside, with a strong probability of at least becoming a high-end top-six forward.

4. Dylan Guenther, RW, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

A highly skilled scoring winger who drove one of the WHL’s best teams. He posted 12 goals and 12 assists (24 points) in just 12 WHL games in a shortened season, then added strong performances in the AJHL and for Canada internationally, showcasing a quick release, good off-puck sense, and adequate pace. His projection as a top-six, 30-goal winger is strong.

5. Luke Hughes, LD, USNTDP U18 (USHL)

An elite-skating, offense-driving defenseman with top-pair potential. He produced 6 goals and 28 assists (34 points) in 38 NTDP games and added 15 points in 18 USHL games, showing end-to-end rush ability, dynamic edgework, and a strong point shot. His frame (6-foot-2), skating, and puck-moving give him a realistic ceiling as a No. 1 or high-end No. 2 offensive defenseman.

6. Kent Johnson, C/LW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

One of the most creative, skilled forwards in the draft and a high-upside offensive playmaker. He scored 9 goals and 18 assists (27 points) in 26 games at Michigan, frequently producing highlight-reel plays with deception, hands, and vision that few in the class can match. If his skating and strength catch up to his skill, he projects as a top-line offensive driver capable of playing center or wing.

7. Brandt Clarke, RD, Barrie Colts (OHL) / HC Nove Zamky (Slovak Extraliga)

A creative, right-shot offensive defenseman with strong junior-level production and pro experience in Slovakia. With the OHL shut down, he played for Nove Zamky (5-10-15 in 26 Slovak Extraliga games), then stood out at the U18 World Championship for Canada (gold, 2-5-7 in 7 GP), showcasing excellent vision, deception, and puck-moving ability. The offensive ceiling from a right-shot defenseman who can run a power play gives him strong top-four upside.

8. Simon Edvinsson, LD, Frölunda HC (SHL)

A 6-foot-4 left-shot defenseman with top-pair tools and SHL experience. He spent his draft season bouncing between SHL, Allsvenskan, and junior levels, showing high-end mobility for his size, strong transition defense, and flashes of offensive upside. His skating, length, and ability to close gaps project well to a top-four, potentially top-pair role if his decision-making and puck play continue to progress.

9. Jesper Wallstedt, G, Luleå HF (SHL)

One of the most NHL-ready goalie prospects in recent drafts and the clear top netminder in 2021. He played 22 SHL games for Luleå with a .908 save percentage in his draft year, rare for a teenager in that league, and showed excellent positional play, calmness, and puck-tracking. Goaltending carries inherent volatility, but his combination of size, technical refinement, and proven performance against men provides franchise-starter upside that belongs in the top 10 on a prospect-only board.

10. Mason McTavish, C, Olten (Swiss League) / Peterborough Petes (OHL)

A powerful, goal-scoring center with a very translatable style. With the OHL paused, he played in Switzerland’s second-tier league for Olten, scoring 9 goals and 2 assists (11 points) in 13 games against men, then returned to dominate at the U18 World Championship for Canada with 11 points in 7 games. His shot, physicality, and net-front game, combined with center ability, project to a high-end second-line or even fringe first-line NHL pivot.

11. Fabian Lysell, RW, Luleå HF (SHL)

An explosive, highly skilled winger whose limited SHL minutes understated his talent. He saw only spot duty for Luleå but showed dynamic one-on-one ability, high-end edges, and creativity, then showed more of his offensive ability in junior and international play for Sweden. His raw tools give him legitimate top-line scoring winger upside.

12. Cole Sillinger, C, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)

A heavy, goal-scoring center whose USHL numbers were among the best in the league. He scored 24 goals and 22 assists (46 points) in 31 games for Sioux Falls, leading all USHL rookies (20+ GP) in goals and points per game while bringing a strong shot, physicality, and inside-driven offense. His sense, shot, and willingness to play in the hard areas project to a strong second-line center who can score and bring edge.

13. Xavier Bourgault, C/RW, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

A smart, dual-threat forward who drove Shawinigan’s offense. He recorded 20 goals and 20 assists (40 points) in 29 games in a shortened QMJHL season, showing strong finishing ability, playmaking, and improved skating while playing both center and wing. His combination of sense, shot, and versatility points to a good middle-six NHL forward with a chance to play higher in a complementary scoring role.

14. Chaz Lucius, C, USNTDP U18

A pure finisher at center with an excellent release and scoring instincts. Limited by injury, he still scored 13 goals in 12 USHL games and showed his ability to find soft spots in coverage and beat goalies from distance and in tight. If he remains at center and his skating and health hold, he projects as a 25-plus-goal top-six forward.

15. Matthew Coronato, RW, Chicago Steel (USHL)

One of the best goal-scorers in the USHL and a relentless, high-motor winger. He scored 48 goals and 37 assists (85 points) in 51 games for Chicago, leading the league in goals with his forechecking, net-front game, and improved playmaking. His work ethic and shot should translate to a middle-six NHL scoring role with upside.

16. Sebastian Cossa, G, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

The second-best goalie prospect in the class and a high-upside starting candidate. The 6-foot-6 netminder posted a .941 save percentage and 1.57 goals-against average in 19 WHL games for Edmonton, dominating the league with his size, calmness, and strong positional play. His tools and results justify a mid-first-round valuation.

17. Carson Lambos, LD, Winnipeg ICE (WHL) / JYP U20 (Finland)

A two-way defenseman with size who began the year with JYP U20 due to WHL delays, making an immediate impact (2-9-11 in 13 GP) with heavy minutes and strong two-way play against older competition before returning to Winnipeg for two WHL games, after which a leg issue ended his season. He projects as a reliable top-four defender who can match up and move the puck competently.

18. Isak Rosén, RW, Leksands IF (SHL/J20)

A skilled, fast winger who produced well at the junior level and showed flashes in the SHL. He impressed at the U18 World Championship for Sweden with his ability to attack off the rush, beat defenders wide, and shoot in stride. With continued physical development, he projects as a top-six or strong middle-six scoring winger.

19. Zachary Bolduc, C, Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)

A big, skilled center with a strong shot and solid QMJHL production. He scored 10 goals and 19 assists (29 points) in 27 games while using his size to protect pucks and his release to beat goalies from the circles. If his skating and pace improve, he projects as a middle-six center who can score and play a power-play role.

20. Fyodor Svechkov, C, Lada Togliatti (VHL/MHL)

A defensively polished, two-way center with strong international performances for Russia. He played against men in the VHL and was one of Russia’s best forwards at the U18 Worlds, showing excellent positioning, anticipation, and playmaking while handling tough assignments. His likelihood of becoming a reliable matchup center with secondary scoring is high.

Notable Prospects Just Outside the Top 20