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NHL Central Scouting Unveils 2027 Draft Watch List

The preliminary list identifies top prospects for the 2027 NHL Draft, with 28 players earning an A rating.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Hockey

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NHL Central Scouting released its 2027 draft watch list, naming 28 prospects, including University of Michigan freshman Landon DuPont, as top-tier candidates. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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NHL Central Scouting released its preliminary watch list for the 2027 NHL Draft, highlighting 28 players as potential first-round selections. Among the notable prospects is 17-year-old University of Michigan freshman Landon DuPont, who earned an A rating.

Why it matters

The watch list provides an early look at the talent pool for the 2027 draft, helping teams and scouts evaluate emerging prospects. Players with an A rating are widely viewed as primary candidates for the first round of selection.

A total of 28 players received an A rating on the preliminary list, which identifies potential first-round draft picks. Additionally, 176 players developed in the Canadian Hockey League were included on the list, with 19 of those receiving A ratings.

The players

Landon DuPont

A 17-year-old University of Michigan freshman who is currently projected to be the first overall pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

Dima Zhilkin

A prospect recognized by NHL Central Scouting with an A rating as a potential first-round selection.

Alexis Joseph

A player who received an A rating from NHL Central Scouting for the 2027 draft class.

Brock England

A notable prospect who earned an A rating on the preliminary 2027 NHL draft watch list.

The details

Landon DuPont, who has recorded six assists in six games this season, is currently projected to be selected first overall. The list serves as the initial assessment in a process that will narrow down the top prospects over the coming months.

Timeline

  1. October 26, 2026: NHL Central Scouting released the preliminary 2027 watch list.

  2. January 2027: Central Scouting will release midseason rankings.

  3. April 2027: Central Scouting will release final rankings.

Season Trajectory

This preliminary watch list establishes the baseline for the 2027 NHL Draft, setting the narrative for how prospects will be tracked throughout their development years. It signals the start of the intense competitive scouting window that will determine future franchise cornerstones.

For fans of junior and collegiate hockey, this list identifies which athletes will dominate scouting discourse and draft lottery discussions for the next two years. Tracking these A-rated players provides insight into which teams might be positioning themselves for early picks in the 2027 draft.

The takeaway

The release of the watch list marks the official start of the two-year build-up to the 2027 NHL Draft. Fans can track the performance of these prospects throughout the season to see which players maintain their top-tier standing as the final rankings approach.

What happens next

Central Scouting will release updated midseason rankings in January 2027, followed by final rankings in April 2027.

Further reading

For more information on rising prospects, visit the Hockey section.

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