NHL 27 Draft Class: Top Prospect Rankings & Scouting Guide

Quick Guide

NHL 27 draft class features elite franchise-altering talents like Landon DuPont and Jaxon Jacobson.
Scouting efficiency is maximized by focusing on WHL and MHL leagues early in the season.
Physical outliers like Roberts Naudins (6'6") provide unique build options for franchise builders.
Draft day value can be found in late-round targets with high growth potential.

Overview of the NHL 27 Draft Class

Building a dynasty in Franchise Mode requires a deep understanding of the incoming nhl 27 draft class options. Every year, the simulation engine generates a fresh crop of rookies based on real-world junior hockey databases. Managing your scouting staff and identifying these players early in the season ensures you do not waste valuable draft capital on low-potential prospects.

The virtual draft class mirrors real-world developmental leagues, with major concentrations of talent appearing in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and the Russian Minor Hockey League (MHL). Understanding where these players compete allows you to assign regional scouts effectively before the mid-season scouting reports compile.

Draft Engine Settings

Before starting your franchise run in 2026, verify your Draft Class Quality settings. Setting this to High increases the generation rate of Elite and Franchise potential players, while Medium offers a realistic distribution of depth players and top-tier stars.

Properly setting up your scouts in these regions during the pre-season phase ensures that you gather accurate data on player potentials, shooting styles, and physical attributes before the trade deadline.

Top Prospect Ratings & Profiles

The crown jewels of the nhl 27 draft class are concentrated at the very top of the rankings. These players possess the high-tier potential ratings necessary to become core pieces of your roster within two to three seasons of development.

Landon DuPont stands out as the premier defensive prospect in this cohort. Competing for the Everett Silvertips in the WHL, DuPont combines high-end offensive production with reliable defensive positioning. His statistical profile highlights his ability to quarterback a power play while maintaining a disciplined defensive presence.

Jaxon Jacobson represents the top center prospect available. Playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings, Jacobson is a pure playmaker whose primary asset is his elite passing and offensive awareness. His high assist totals make him an ideal center to pair with sniper-style wingers on your top scoring lines.

| Player | Position | GP | Goals | Assists | Total Points | PIM | | Landon DuPont | Defenseman | 63 | 18 | 55 | 73 | 52 | | Jaxon Jacobson | Center | 63 | 25 | 60 | 85 | 32 | | Daniyar Aibatov | Defenseman | 50 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 16 | | Illarion Babkin | Defenseman | 22 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 |

Development Tip

Players like Landon DuPont develop rapidly when given top-four minutes and power-play time in the AHL or NHL. Avoid leaving elite defensive prospects in the junior leagues if their overall rating surpasses 75, as their growth will slow down without professional competition.

In the European leagues, players like Daniyar Aibatov and Illarion Babkin offer solid defensive depth. While their offensive numbers in the MHL are modest, their physical defensive metrics and high defensive awareness ratings make them excellent targets for the late first or early second round of the draft.

Physical Outliers and Hidden Gems

Drafting based purely on overall ratings can sometimes cause you to miss unique physical builds that perform exceptionally well in the game's engine. Taller players with long reach can disrupt passing lanes, while heavier players excel at winning board battles and retaining puck possession under pressure.

Roberts Naudins and Alexis Joseph represent the tallest players available in this draft class. Their height gives them a massive advantage in defensive reach, making them highly effective penalty killers even if their initial overall ratings are lower than their peers.

On the other end of the spectrum, players like Lukas Kachlir offer extreme agility and speed due to their lighter frames. While Kachlir is one of the shortest and lightest players in the draft, his acceleration metrics allow him to escape defenders along the boards.

Drafting Giants

When scouting players like Roberts Naudins, focus on their skating attributes. A tall player with poor acceleration can become a defensive liability against fast wingers. Look for skating ratings of 80 or higher to ensure their size remains an asset.

Nazar Privalov provides a unique power-forward template. Weighing 227 pounds, he is nearly impossible to knock off the puck in the offensive zone. Pairing a heavy power forward like Privalov with a quick playmaker like Jaxon Jacobson creates a balanced offensive line that can score in transition and during sustained cycle plays.

Franchise Mode Scouting & Drafting Strategy

Maximizing your return from the draft requires a structured approach to scouting throughout the regular season. Simply relying on the auto-scout feature often leaves key player potentials unrevealed, leading to drafted players having lower potential than anticipated.

Early Season Focus

Deploy scouts to WHL and MHL.
Set scouting assignment to Potential and Comparison.
Identify top-ranked skaters by November.

Mid-Season Scouting

Target specific players with low accuracy ratings.
Focus on Skills assessment for top-50 prospects.
Look for high shooting and skating metrics.

Late Season Scouting

Uncover exact Potential ratings (Elite, Top 6, etc.).
Scout the Character and Personality of top targets.
Avoid players with low discipline ratings.

Trade Window Strategy

During the trade deadline in February 2026, target teams in the bottom five of the standings. Acquiring their first-round picks early gives you a higher chance of landing a top-three selection to secure Landon DuPont or Jaxon Jacobson without paying premium draft-day prices.

Once you reach the draft, follow a systematic process to ensure you select the best available player at your draft position.

Sort by Potential Accuracy

Before making your selection, sort the prospect list by scouting accuracy. Only select players with 4-star accuracy or higher to avoid unexpected potential drops.

Identify Scheme Fits

Check the player's fit with your head coach's system. A player who fits your coach's offensive carry/dump style will grow faster and receive line chemistry boosts.

Target Late-Round Value

Look for players projected in rounds 4 through 7 who possess High Depth or Medium Top 6 potential. These players can be signed and left in juniors to grow without consuming contract spots.

Manage Contract Limits

Do not sign every drafted player immediately. Keep your unsigned prospects on your reserve list for up to two years to preserve your 50-contract limit.

Draft Preparation Checklist & FAQ

To ensure your franchise is positioned for long-term success, use this checklist during the lead-up to the draft.

Pre-Draft Milestones:

Assign regional scouts to WHL and MHL in September 2026
Identify top 10 trade targets before the February trade deadline
Review player scheme fits with your current head coach
Filter prospects by potential accuracy before making a selection
Retain late-round draft picks to select depth players with high growth rates

Contract Management

Unsigned prospects do not count toward your 50-contract limit. Leave your drafted rookies in their respective junior leagues for the maximum duration allowed to maximize their development before starting their entry-level contracts.

Q: Who is the best overall player to target in the NHL 27 draft class?

Landon DuPont is widely considered the top target due to his elite offensive defenseman potential, high starting overall rating, and strong performance in simulated games.

Q: How do I find hidden gems in the later rounds of the draft?

Sort the draft board by scouting accuracy and look for players in rounds 4-7 with Medium Top 6 Forward or Medium Top 4 Defenseman potential who have high skating attributes.

Q: Should I sign my drafted rookies immediately?

Only sign rookies who are ready to play in your NHL top-nine or AHL top-six. Otherwise, leave them unsigned so they can develop in junior leagues without using a contract slot.

Q: How does player size affect performance in Franchise Mode?

Taller players like Roberts Naudins (6'6') offer better defensive reach and body checking capabilities, while shorter players like Lukas Kachlir (5'8') excel in agility and acceleration.