Who will go No. 1 at 2021 NHL Draft? Owen Power, Luke Hughes among 10 candidates for top spot

The narrative surrounding the 2021 NHL Draft, lengthy earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic started, was that it might be a troublesome one to mission. 

There was no participant that everybody needed to know earlier than the 12 months. There was not going to be a #FallinForDahlin, #LoseForHughes, or perhaps a #FailForNail tanking slogan. This was all the time going to be a draft through which there could be a year-long, thorough dialogue about who deserved to develop into the 58th No. 1 decide in NHL Draft historical past.

Then your complete world got here to a halt, and issues grew to become even much less clear.

Seasons had been delayed, gamers started switching groups — and in some circumstances, nations — with a view to get ice and recreation time. Scouts started combing by means of video from earlier seasons. 

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By the point 2021 started, many of the high prospects out there had discovered someplace to play and a top-eight started to kind: the Michigan trio of Owen Energy, Matthew Beniers and Kent Johnson; the Swedish trio of Jesper Wallstedt, Simon Edvinsson and Wiliam Eklund; the third Hughes brother in Luke; Barrie Colts’ starlet and HC Nove Zamky loanee Brandt Clarke.

In February, the Western Hockey League started their shortened season. Dylan Guenther added his identify after scoring 24 factors (12 targets, 12 assists) in 12 video games. On the finish of April, the 2021 IIHF World Beneath-18 Championship came about in Frisco, Texas. With many eligibles taking part in in numerous nations at completely different talent ranges, the match was a way more acquainted manner for scouts to guage gamers. It additionally served as the one reside viewing NHL scouts acquired of this draft class. Mason McTavish, who had spent the season on mortgage within the second division of Switzerland, impressed many en path to serving to Canada win gold. 

So, a ultimate top-10 has slowly taken kind. There have been a wide range of opinions on who may go first general on July 23 amongst FCHockey scouts, with 5 gamers receiving first general votes. Past these 5 are 5 extra with an outdoor likelihood. Listed here are ten candidates who would not shock anybody if referred to as first general on July 23.

10 candidates for No. 1 at 2021 NHL Draft

Owen Power, D, Michigan (NCAA)

FCHockey rank: 1

The 6-6, 214-pound Energy entered the 12 months as one of many favourites to go first general after two wonderful seasons with the Chicago Metal of the US Hockey League. He sat atop many draft boards earlier than he hit the ice with the College of Michigan and all through the season proved he belonged there.

It took Energy little time to regulate to the school degree; he scored a purpose and picked up two assists in his first recreation vs. Arizona State. Though he didn’t proceed to attain at that tempo, he completed the season with a powerful 16 factors (three targets, 13 assists) in 26 video games.

There are nonetheless some wrinkles he must iron out of his recreation however Energy is a sexy possibility at No. 1 resulting from his extremely versatile toolkit. He strikes exceptionally properly for his measurement, can create offence in a wide range of methods and could be deployed in all conditions. His multifaceted recreation has resulted in comparisons to NHL stalwarts reminiscent of Victor Hedman and Alex Pietrangelo.

Energy hasn’t essentially proven the talent degree they did of their draft season, however he displayed the power to log minutes and dictate play within the NCAA the best way they do now within the NHL. He performed a mean of twenty-two minutes an evening and had an unbelievable even-strength goals-forward share of 70.45, per Pick224.

The No. 2-seeded Wolverines had been faraway from the NCAA Championship resulting from COVID-19 protocol, but Energy was nonetheless capable of end the season on a excessive word. He was a Hobey Baker Award finalist and performed an enormous function on Canada’s workforce that gained gold on the 2021 IIHF Males’s World Championship in Latvia.

The frequent critique of Energy is that his upside isn’t as excessive as a number of the gamers on this checklist. Although he has progressed properly in any respect ranges to this point, maybe there’s little room for him to develop. 

“I’ve Energy ranked fifth on my private rankings solely as a result of I see far more potential in 4 others,” famous FCHockey scout Dylan Krill. “Though he’s the higher participant proper now, that doesn’t mechanically imply he shall be in three to 5 years, which is all the time a thought I’ve when evaluating.”

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However, he’s additionally as ready-made as anybody on this draft. Energy has already proven the power to take over video games in opposition to males internationally and is definitely bodily able to taking part in within the NHL. FCHockey scout Brandon Holmes sees these elements as the explanation he’s one of the best participant out there this 12 months.

“Energy is the top-ranked participant on my board, and that’s as a result of capability I see in him as an entire 200-foot contributor,” stated Holmes. “His distinctive mix of measurement, mobility, and puck talent from the backend is sort of unmatched on this draft class, and it’s my perception that he possesses the least difficult street to turning into a star affect participant on the NHL degree.”

Luke Hughes, D, USNTDP (USHL)

FCHockey rank: 3

Identical to brothers Quinn and Jack earlier than him, Luke Hughes was the star of the 2021 United States Nationwide Staff Improvement Program. He could not have the puck expertise of Jack, or the power to stroll the blue line like Quinn, however Luke is the most important and, some say, one of the best skater of the trio.

His edgework and straight-line velocity are each elite, making him a zone entry and exit machine. That skating capability, together with a 6-2, 184-pound body, offers him one of many highest ceilings within the draft. Hughes has produced very properly in any respect ranges to this point and may sustain with any ahead within the class; nonetheless, it’s up within the air whether or not he initiatives as a real offensive dynamo as he isn’t notably dominant in his personal zone.

The truth that he’s such a uncooked expertise means he might be a little bit of a mission for the workforce that drafts him may see him fall out of that high spot.

“I’m a bit decrease on Hughes as a result of his basis isn’t as full as others,” Krill stated. “Though I do consider he has one of many highest potentials on this draft, I additionally acknowledge that he might need probably the most room to develop to get to that potential.”

On the flip aspect, different scouts are of the philosophy that it’s best to draft the participant with the very best upside and belief your growth system to get him there. Justin Froese, head of Western scouting at FCHockey, sees the third Hughes brother as one of the best participant out there at No. 1.

“Out of the large 5 defenders on this class, I believe that he’s not solely the participant with the very best ceiling but in addition the probably to get there and be a high of the lineup affect participant,” Froese famous. “He’s acquired some high-end signature instruments with the boldness to make use of them and the pathway to easy out his flaws isn’t insurmountable from my perspective.”

It’s price noting that Hughes is without doubt one of the youngest gamers out there within the draft with loads of room develop into his body. For now, it is anybody’s guess the place Hughes goes within the 2021 draft; the Devils, dwelling of his brother Jack, decide fourth general and the Canucks, the place Quinn performs, go at No. 9.

MOCK DRAFT, FINAL EDITION: Sabres add Energy, Kraken make first decide and Hughes brothers unite

Simon Edvinsson, D, Frolunda J20 (SuperElit)

FCHockey rank: 7

One other enormous defenseman, Edvinsson is way much less of a positive factor than Energy, which was mirrored amongst our scouts’ rankings. He was ranked as excessive as third and as little as twelfth. 

Edvinsson is inconsistent in his capability to affect video games and has areas severely in want of enchancment; nonetheless, when it comes to uncooked bodily capability, he’s unmatched on this draft. There’s a whole lot of swagger to his recreation. He tries performs nobody else on the ice is considering of. He’s cellular with and with out the puck and has nice attain and physicality in his defensive recreation. 

His “Jekyll and Hyde” recreation was no higher exemplified than within the Beneath-18s, the place he began the match virtually unnoticeable in video games and dominated them because the match progressed to a detailed.

The Swedish defenseman has produced round a point-per-game all through his profession, besides this season which he break up between the Swedish Hockey League, Allsvenskan and J20 Nationell. He struggled to create offense and, because of this, fluctuated between the three ranges.

Whether or not a scout is excessive or low on Edvinsson is often decided by how a lot work they assume there’s to be finished earlier than he can attain his peak within the NHL.

“I see a whole lot of the athleticism in addition to flashes of skating and talent that trigger many to hurry to comparables however I do have reservations,” Froese stated. “He’s a prototype, however I even have issues about his thought course of and talent software. There’s lots to iron out and I merely favor different gamers extra close to the highest.”

Nevertheless, identical to with Hughes, some scouts simply drool over the concept of what Edvinsson may develop into. 

“Edvinsson is certainly a wildcard for the highest of this draft, however the upside is tantalizing. It is simply so uncommon to search out defenders who can transfer across the ice and management the puck like he can; there are such a lot of ways in which he can affect play,” stated Derek Neumeier, head of video scouting at FCHockey. “Turnovers are an issue, however that is one thing that may be coached up over time, and his unimaginable vary permits him to recuperate simpler than others.”

It’s practically inconceivable to foretell with certainty the place he shall be taken.

It is going to virtually undoubtedly be within the first half of the primary spherical, however his touchdown spot will solely be primarily based on the assumption an NHL membership has in him. The Geese, at No. 3, and the Purple Wings, at sixth general, have each boasted loads of picks from Sweden prior to now. The Purple Wings additionally picked defenseman Moritz Seider sixth general in 2019 — a mission which has turned out to be properly well worth the danger.

NHL DRAFT: 5 overagers | 10 candidates for No. 1 | 5 sleepers

Jesper Wallstedt, G, Lulea (SHL)

FCHockey rank: 8

Three issues to know relating to Wallstedt: first, the final time a goaltender was taken within the top-10 of the draft was Carey Value in 2006. Second, the final goalie to be picked first general was Marc-Andre Fleury in 2003. Third, 2021 might be one other 12 months the place a shallow expertise pool leads to one of the best participant drafted being a goaltender, a la Andrei Vasilevskiy in 2012.

Scouts are inclined to err on the aspect of warning with regards to drafting goalies, however these three goalies had been all beginning within the semifinals of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. Varlamov, the fourth starter, was a first-round decide (No. 23 general) in 2006. And Wallstedt has as spectacular of a resume as any of them did. 

Earlier than his fifteenth birthday, Wallstedt grew to become the youngest participant to make his debut within the Swedish J20 SuperElit League. That season, he posted a 15-8-0 file and completed with the fourth-best save share and goals-against common. He was additionally named to Staff Sweden for the Beneath-18s, though he didn’t play on the match.

At age 16, he gained bronze on the World Beneath-17 Problem and gold on the Beneath-18s. Final season, he made his SHL debut for Lulea on the age of 17. This 12 months, he took over the beginning function and posted higher than a .950 save share in six of his first 12 begins. Though he cooled off within the second half of the season, his numbers are nonetheless one of the best by an 18-year-old goalie in Sweden since Jacob Markstrom.

“Wallstedt already seems like an NHL goalie together with his type and mindset, and that is fairly distinctive for a teen,” Neumeier stated. “He naturally takes up a ton of the web and is aware of how you can play to his benefit, conserving vitality and staying sq. as an alternative of attempting to make dramatic saves. He additionally showcases unimaginable focus and psychological fortitude. He is been elite amongst his friends for years, and I anticipate that to proceed within the NHL.”

Those that aren’t as excessive on the goaltender have little to say concerning the downsides of his recreation. As a substitute, they level in direction of their skepticism in direction of drafting goaltenders with a lottery decide.

“With regards to ranking Wallstedt in direction of the tail finish of my private high ten, it has extra to do with the gamers forward of him slightly than the participant himself,” Holmes stated. “He’s an extremely mature and clever netminder that performs his angles properly and makes use of his body properly with sturdy positioning, and I consider he’s properly on his strategy to turning into a high goaltender on the NHL degree.

“Nevertheless, I have a tendency to present the tiebreaker to skaters in my rankings, and I see extra affect capability within the move of an NHL hockey [game] in only a few gamers.”

Spencer Knight was chosen thirteenth general in 2019, and Yaroslav Askarov went at No. 11 in 2020. Some see Wallstedt as one of the best of the three. The Purple Wings, Sharks, Senators and Blackhawks are all considered as potential touchdown spots, although all maintain picks outdoors of the highest 5. Wallstedt does, nonetheless, have the potential to make the most important affect on his NHL workforce from this draft class.

NHL DRAFT ORDER:  Full checklist of all 224 picks for Rounds 1-7

Brandt Clarke, D, Barrie Colts (OHL)/HC Nove Zamky (Slovakia)

FCHockey rank: 2

Clarke completed the 2019-20 Ontario Hockey League season with 24 factors in his ultimate 24 video games. A training change in Barrie noticed the defenseman obtain extra utilization general, together with on the facility play. In consequence, he was named to the OHL All-Rookie Staff.

Little did he know he wouldn’t return to Barrie for over a 12 months because the league didn’t hit the ice in 2020-21 as a result of pandemic.

The defenseman discovered a house with HC Nove Zamky, a workforce within the high division of Slovakian hockey, in December. He struggled to place up factors initially, however as soon as he settled into his new setting, the larger ice floor and the extent of competitors, the floodgates opened. 

Clarke is a singular breed of participant, in playstyle and in look. He has an ungainly stance and performs a roving recreation that isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. Regardless of his quirks, Clarke has thrived at each degree of hockey that he’s performed. He was the No. 1 defenseman on one of many biggest minor midget groups ever, the ‘03 Don Mills Flyers, and broke GTHL data for factors by a defenseman. He was probably the greatest gamers on the 2019 Beneath-17 Problem and the highest blueliner on a Canadian workforce that gained gold on the 2021 Beneath-18s.

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Identical to each defenseman on this checklist, Clarke might want to study higher defensive habits and how you can use his measurement in puck battles. However in contrast to Energy, Hughes and Edvinsson, Clarke may even have to repair his skating mechanics and athletic stance. In consequence, there’s a important disparity amongst FCHockey scouts on the place to select him. 

Froese admits there’s a lot to love concerning the Ottawa, Ont., product however is cautious whether or not he’ll attain the degrees he’s able to.

“I actually like what flashes I’ve seen from him, however there are pink flags to how he can translate his recreation to an elite degree or if his skating will come together with enhancements to energy and steadiness,” he stated. “He’s a bit enigmatic for me, though, I believe he nonetheless performs an offensive function. I merely favor different gamers’ projections to hit their upside compared to him.”

There have been some scouts who noticed Clarke as the highest participant within the draft, nonetheless.

Dylan Galloway, head of Jap Scouting at FCHockey, defined that he thinks Clarke may find yourself one of the best of the bunch.

“With the puck on the stick, he’s dynamic, and may see the ice very well,” Galloway stated. “He must work on his defensive recreation and his stride, however I believe he may succeed as a top-pairing offensive defenseman within the NHL.”

The variety of opinion on Clarke at FCHockey is probably going mirrored amongst NHL groups, too. One has to surprise if some questions would’ve been answered over a full slate of OHL video games for Clarke and thus permitting for a extra full-bodied quantity of labor, too. Regardless, there could also be a workforce that’s actually excessive on him and grabs him early. With the fourth general decide, New Jersey has a household reference to Clarke too — they drafted his brother, Graeme, in 2019.

Dylan Guenther, RW, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

FCHockey rank: 6

It’s powerful to know the way Guenther would have fared this 12 months had issues been regular. The Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League had been comfortably one of the best workforce within the Central Division and, resulting from COVID-protocol, solely needed to play interdivisional video games. He regarded good on the Beneath-18s, however it wasn’t a dominating efficiency like some had anticipated pre-tournament.

That being stated, his CV remains to be nothing in need of spectacular. In bantam, he had 103 factors (56 targets, 47 assists) in simply 30 video games. In his minor midget 12 months, he performed within the Canadian Sports activities Faculty U18 Hockey League and gained Freshman of the 12 months. He was second solely to Matthew Savoie in workforce scoring as his workforce gained the league championship. His rookie numbers are solely matched by Nolan Patrick and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins this millennium. 

“Guenther is the closest to a five-tool participant within the draft and is such a well-rounded however prolific talent participant,” Froese stated. “He’s acquired so many layers to his offensive recreation on and off the puck and thinks at a excessive degree already with that capability to raise his play or match into any function. He’s a long-term top-six possibility for the workforce who picks him.”

Some aren’t as assured in his upside. There are doubts about whether or not he could be greater than a passenger on a line within the NHL.

“Guenther I see as one of many strongest choices on the high of this draft for a workforce wanting so as to add goal-scoring punch to their workforce this offseason, however I do harbour some reservations with regards to his placement within the high 5,” Holmes famous.

“He’s a speedy and clever ahead who drives excessive hazard areas to attain targets, however I’ve questioned his capability to drive his personal line and create offence for the gamers round him at the moment.”

It’s laborious to mission the place the Edmonton, Alta., native will find yourself. It’s conceivable seeing him virtually wherever within the top-10. He’s a participant each workforce may use but when the groups choosing on the high view his ceiling as decrease than the others on this checklist he could slip.

Kent Johnson, C, Michigan (NCAA)

FCHockey rank: 9

After shredding up the British Columbia Hockey League, scoring 101 factors (41 targets, 60 assists) in simply 52 video games and being named one of the best ahead within the Canadian Junior Hockey League, Kent Johnson discovered success simply on the collegiate degree this 12 months. 

Some had been skeptical if the middle was too small to compete in opposition to males within the NCAA, however the 165-pound freshman proved it doesn’t matter how heavy you’re if they’ll’t catch you. He continued to make highlight-reel performs and completed second with 27 factors (9 targets, 18 assists) in 26 video games for the Wolverines. A Hobey Baker nominee alongside Energy, he equally burst onto the scene in Michigan’s first recreation in opposition to Arizona State, organising 4 targets within the 8-1 opener.

The Canadian ahead’s recreation relies round his elite puckhandling and ingenuity. He has been capable of create offense regardless of being undersized as a result of he simply thinks the sport quicker than his opponents.

“Johnson is shifty and inventive with the puck. He is without doubt one of the finest puck handlers on this draft.,” Galloway stated. “His creativity and ingenuity with the puck on his stick ought to assist him adapt to the NHL the place house is far more restricted. He may present some nice offence to a workforce’s middle-six.”

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It’s much more troublesome to tug off high-level performs within the NHL and a few doubt whether or not his recreation will translate on the subsequent degree if he doesn’t develop into extra well-rounded. 

“Johnson could be too fancy and get blinders on at instances,” stated Josh Bell, a video scout with FCHockey. “He does want so as to add energy and energy to his recreation so as to add explosiveness and physicality to his arsenal.”

The centreman arguably owns the very best ceiling out of the trio of Michigan draft eligibles. He can do issues with the puck that Matthew Beniers and Energy won’t ever be able to. However drafting him yields a considerably better danger.  With so many defensemen on the high of the draft, Johnson could get picked sooner than the 5-10 vary. Additionally it is necessary to think about whether or not he’s considered as a real middle by the lottery groups.

Mason McTavish, C, Peterborough Petes (OHL)/EHC Olten (SL)

FCHockey rank: 10

If probably the most promising 2021 draft-eligible from the OHL isn’t Clarke, it’s McTavish. He completed second to Shane Wright in rookie scoring in 2019-20 by posting an unimaginable 20 targets in 57 video games. 

Identical to Clarke, McTavish went on mortgage to Europe resulting from COVID restrictions in Ontario. After his 18th birthday in January, the burly pivot joined EHC Olten in Switzerland’s second-tier and performed in 17 video games. He picked up a powerful 18 factors (11 targets, seven assists) and didn’t look misplaced amongst males.

His sturdy exhibiting in Switzerland drew the eye of many scouts, however McTavish’s draft inventory skyrocketed after his dominance on the Beneath-18s. He was named a high three participant for Canada after scoring 11 factors (5 targets, six assists) in seven video games. 

“McTavish has a superb all-around skillset. His capability to get into the high-danger areas and use his shot to generate offense is amongst one of the best on this class,” FCHockey video scout Auston Broad famous. “I believe he has a excessive ground and a excessive ceiling, and in just a few years we may look again and see him as one of the best ahead from this draft.”

The principle query surrounding McTavish’s projection is whether or not or not he’ll be capable to make house for himself in a wide range of methods within the NHL. He has pro-level measurement however some are skeptical about his skating and puck expertise.

“There are a whole lot of various things to love about McTavish. He is a well-rounded participant, a tough competitor and a pure chief. He actually owned the U18 match. I do want he was just a little faster and just a little extra expert with the puck, nonetheless,” Neumeier stated. “He won’t be a middle or a top-line participant within the NHL, which places him just a little bit decrease on my order.”

Solely time will inform how far the 6-1, 207-pound middle rises up the draft boards. In October, NTDP defenseman Jake Sanderson went from a fringe first-rounder to No. 5. McTavish might be the one to do it this 12 months.

Matthew Beniers, C, Michigan (NCAA)

FCHockey rank: 4

The American-born Beniers is the participant with probably the most consensus in rating from FCHockey scouts. Seven had him ranked third general, with votes for first, second and fifth as properly.

The rationale there’s little deviance in opinion on Beniers is due to how straightforward it’s to see him succeeding within the NHL. He has produced persistently in any respect ranges in his profession and offered a gentle defensive presence and work charge. Put merely: he performs probably the most professional recreation out of anybody within the draft.

Beniers slot in flawlessly with Michigan this season and made the B1G division All-Rookie workforce. And if there was uncertainty about Beniers, it was eradicated on the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. Because the youngest participant on Staff USA, he excelled because the workforce’s second-line middle as they introduced dwelling gold.

The principle knock on Beniers, in addition to gamers of his ilk, is that the unimaginable effort degree he shows doesn’t all the time translate to success within the NHL. Simply because he by no means stops working, doesn’t imply he’ll be capable to shut down one of the best gamers on the planet.

“He has a whole lot of qualities on and off the puck that groups will covet,” Froese began. “That being stated, I like the vitality he brings however assume that he makes use of a whole lot of placeholder expertise that he could have points translating. I believe he’s a secure swing on the high however merely assume others have extra room to develop into greater footwear.”

That critique isn’t consultant of the widespread opinion on Beniers, nonetheless. Those that see him as a top-three decide assume he possesses each the hustle and the hockey sense to play a shutdown function on the web degree.

“I am unable to keep in mind the final time I’ve seen a ahead prospect be pretty much as good defensively as Beniers is,” Neumeier stated. “He thinks the sport rapidly and may transfer across the ice rapidly, and he has an elite competitiveness and need to win.

“He is not flashy offensively proper now, however he exhibits glimpses that he may add extra of that, and on the very least he is a man who will contribute offense together with his sense and work charge.”

It’s straightforward to see Beniers being the primary choice within the historical past of the Seattle Kraken. He’s a pure middle and might be the most secure decide with arguably the very best ground within the draft.

William Eklund, LW, Djurgarden (SHL)

FCHockey rank: 5

Eklund entered the season as one of many names to know from Sweden and now stands out as the Swede with one of the best likelihood of being drafted first general. The hype round him had by no means reached the peak of the hype surrounding his compatriots till this season. Centering a line with Alexander Holtz on Djurgarden, the 18-year-old had probably the greatest draft-eligible seasons within the SHL in latest historical past.

Though he was taking part in barely greater than NHL draft-eligibles sometimes do within the SHL, Eklund’s totals of 23 factors (11 targets, 12 assists) in 40 video games may be very spectacular. It was additionally probably the most by any U20 participant within the league — together with Holtz and fellow 2020 NHL draftee Lucas Raymond. He beat each out to be named Junior Participant of the 12 months.

His stellar draft 12 months and pro-ready recreation made him a close to consensus top-five decide at FCHockey the place scouts raved about his capability to make performs with restricted time and house.

“I’ve Eklund as my No. 1 general on my private rankings as a result of, in my view, he brings probably the most high-end instruments and basis, together with nice hockey sense and determination making, particularly below stress,” Krill stated. “He’s extremely inventive and in addition very accountable, making him a secure decide with a high-floor, with additionally high-upside.”

Fellow scout Joel Henderson additionally expressed his admiration for the Swede, commenting on his seamless transition to the SHL.

“Eklund brings various high-end skills that make him tremendous adaptable,” Henderson stated. “He has elite velocity and puck management on zone entries, fast determination making and the fingers to facilitate, and the power to one-time a shot backdoor. An especially inventive and competent participant.”

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Kyle Watson is a author and producer at  FCHockey.