2027 NHL Draft Offers Center Depth but Lacks Elite Talent

The 2027 NHL Entry Draft could offer teams considerable depth at center without the elite offensive talent typically associated with a strong draft class. As the 2026-27 NHL season begins, prospect analysts identify University of Michigan defenseman Landon DuPont as the leading candidate for the first overall selection, while questions remain about the strength of the players expected to follow him. According to Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis, his latest rankings place 20 centers among the top 32 prospects, including six in the top 10.

However, Ellis believes the class has considerable depth rather than an abundance of potential franchise-changing players, a distinction that could influence how teams approach their selections. The debate intensified after The Athletic's Scott Wheeler described the overall quality of the 2027 class as "not high" on October 5, 2026. Ellis agreed with that assessment during an October 9 episode of Daily Faceoff Live, identifying DuPont as the standout prospect while expressing reservations about the rest of the group.

Ellis compared DuPont's position atop the draft to previous leading prospects, including Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, who competed for the top spot in the preceding draft cycle, as well as Matthew Schaefer and Macklin Celebrini in earlier years. He said DuPont has already impressed at the University of Michigan after two strong seasons in the Western Hockey League and could eventually contend for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top defenseman.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the class's overall strength, Ellis sees a substantial group of centers who could become useful NHL players. He cautioned that some prospects currently classified as centers by NHL Central Scouting may ultimately move to the wing, limiting the number of players who can fill premium roles down the middle. Ellis identified Dima Zhilkin as a possible candidate to emerge among the stronger centers, although he does not expect Zhilkin to occupy one of the top three center positions for his team at the World Juniors. Ellis also pointed to Cole Reschny as a skilled, intelligent prospect with strong NCAA potential, while questioning whether the class contains a center capable of leading a Stanley Cup-winning team.

The projected winger group includes Russian prospects Nazar Privalov and Sergei Skvortsov. In coverage published by Yardbarker on October 9, Ellis expressed uncertainty about whether either player could develop into a first-line NHL forward producing 80 to 90 points per season. Privalov, a 6-foot-4, 227-pound left winger, could appeal to the Chicago Blackhawks because of his size and physical presence, according to The Hockey Writers. The same outlet identified Alexis Joseph, a 6-foot-5 center, as another potential option for Chicago, while describing Skvortsov as a developmental project.

Chicago's draft strategy is drawing particular attention because the rebuilding franchise holds three first-round selections in 2027: its own pick, the Edmonton Oilers' selection acquired in the Jason Dickinson and Connor Murphy trade, and the Florida Panthers' pick obtained in the Seth Jones deal. The Hockey Writers argued that general manager Kyle Davidson could use one or two of the later selections, alongside a prospect, to acquire an established forward rather than wait for additional young players to develop. The Blackhawks have selected 11 first-round players since Davidson became general manager in 2022, including Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell, Artyom Levshunov and Frank Nazar.

Chicago traded its fourth-overall selection in the 2026 draft to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Bowen Byram, and the team has struggled during the early stages of the current season. Bedard's absence following shoulder surgery over the summer has also affected Chicago's early campaign. Based on the standings scenario following the October 8 game against the New York Islanders, the Blackhawks would have held the fourth-best odds of winning the 2027 draft lottery, according to The Hockey Writers.

The franchise must weigh its existing prospect depth against the need to strengthen its forward group. Although DuPont remains the class's principal attraction, the combination of uncertain top-end talent and a substantial supply of first-round picks could prompt Chicago to consider trades before the next draft.