NHL Scouting Releases Preliminary 2027 Draft Watch List
The NHL Central Scouting list highlights 28 top-rated prospects for the upcoming 2027 draft.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Hockey
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NHL Central Scouting released its preliminary players to watch list on October 26, 2026. A total of 28 prospects earned an A rating on this initial evaluation.
Why it matters
The list serves as the primary early-season evaluation for NHL teams to begin tracking top talent eligible for the 2027 draft. It identifies the next generation of potential professional players as they compete across college and major junior leagues.
A total of 28 players received an A rating from NHL Central Scouting for the 2027 draft class. Freshman defenseman Landon DuPont currently maintains a plus-6 rating through his first six NCAA games.
The players
Landon DuPont
He is a freshman defenseman at the University of Michigan who was previously granted exceptional player status to compete in the Western Hockey League at age 15.
Dima Zhilkin
He is a forward for the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League who has recorded 24 points in 13 games.
The details
Landon DuPont, a 5-foot-11, 192-pound defenseman at the University of Michigan, stands out as a top prospect who was granted exceptional player status in 2024. Additionally, Saginaw forward Dima Zhilkin has recorded 24 points in 13 games during his current Ontario Hockey League season.
Timeline
NHL Central Scouting released its preliminary watch list on October 26, 2026.
Landon DuPont will turn 18 on May 28, 2027.
Season Trajectory
This watch list establishes the initial baseline for the 2027 draft class and identifies which prospects will command attention from NHL scouts throughout the current season. Performances by players like Landon DuPont will determine how the prospect rankings evolve heading into the playoffs.
The preliminary list gives scouts and fans their first look at which young players are tracking as potential first-round selections for the 2027 NHL Draft. Performance metrics like DuPont's plus-6 rating in NCAA play provide context for which individuals are already playing at a professional-caliber level.
The takeaway
The release of this watch list marks the beginning of the intensive scouting cycle leading up to the 2027 draft. Readers interested in prospect development should track the performance of A-rated players in college and major junior leagues throughout the coming months.
Further reading
For more information on the current season, visit the Hockey section.
More information
View the complete Central Scouting Preliminary Players to Watch List for the 2027 NHL Draft.
Live Poll
Do you believe top-rated young athletes usually meet the high expectations set by scouting organizations?
