2027 NHL Draft Lookahead: Why Landon DuPont Is Already The Player Everyone Is Watching
Date: June 28, 2026
By IceHockeyMan Newsroom
The 2026 NHL Draft has barely finished, and scouts are already talking about the next potential franchise cornerstone.
At the centre of those conversations is Everett Silvertips defenseman Landon DuPont, who has quickly emerged as the early favourite to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
Whenever a young defenseman starts receiving this type of attention so early, the hockey world pays close attention.
Why Scouts Are So Excited About DuPont
DuPont’s game begins with something that cannot easily be taught: elite processing speed.
He sees plays develop early, makes decisions under pressure and consistently finds solutions that many players simply do not recognize.
Add exceptional skating, excellent edges and confidence with the puck, and it becomes easier to understand why NHL scouts are already projecting him as a future franchise defenseman.
The young blueliner can create offense from virtually anywhere on the ice while still continuing to improve his defensive game.
IHM Signal:
Elite defense prospects usually dominate one area of the game at a young age. DuPont is already impacting several areas simultaneously.
Exceptional Status Was Only The Beginning
DuPont became the first defenseman and only the second player after Connor Bedard to receive exceptional status and play full-time in the WHL as a 15-year-old.
That achievement alone placed him in rare company.
Instead of simply surviving against older competition, DuPont immediately became one of the league’s most productive young players.
As a rookie, he posted 60 points and broke a long-standing WHL rookie defenseman mark that had stood since Hockey Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer’s era.
Those numbers suggested special potential.
His second season has only strengthened that belief.
A Complete Evolution In Year Two
This season, DuPont finished with 73 points and continued developing into a more complete player.
The offensive production remained impressive, but scouts appear equally encouraged by other areas of his game.
He has become more engaged physically, more willing to battle and more comfortable handling top-line assignments.
Rather than being sheltered offensively, he was trusted in every important situation.
Power play. Penalty kill. Five-on-five against top competition.
That versatility is often one of the biggest indicators of future NHL success.
IHM Signal:
The fastest-rising elite prospects are usually the ones who keep adding layers to their game every season.
Michigan Will Become His Next Stage
DuPont’s development path now moves to the University of Michigan, where he will continue preparing for the 2027 NHL Draft.
The move gives him another opportunity to play in a demanding environment while continuing to face high-level competition.
The next season will be important because expectations are changing.
He is no longer simply a promising young defenseman.
He is becoming the player everyone else in the draft class is chasing.
Who Could Challenge Him For The Top Spot?
Although DuPont currently sits at the top of many early rankings, the 2027 class appears to have significant talent.
Saint John’s Alexis Joseph is attracting attention as a powerful two-way centre with size and skating ability that NHL teams covet.
Meanwhile, Saginaw captain Dimian Zhilkin continues to impress with his competitiveness, leadership and game-breaking skill.
Both players could push themselves firmly into the first-overall conversation over the next year.
Alexis Joseph Brings The Premium Centre Package
At 6-foot-4, Joseph already possesses the type of frame NHL teams love in franchise centres.
He attacks the net with authority, wins faceoffs and has already shown leadership qualities by captaining Canada Red to gold at the World Under-17 Challenge.
Big centres who can skate and produce offense are among the most valuable assets in hockey.
That alone ensures Joseph will remain near the top of every scouting list.
Zhilkin’s Competitiveness Is Turning Heads
Few players in this class receive as much praise for their compete level as Dimian Zhilkin.
The Saginaw captain combines offensive creativity with an intense work ethic and a willingness to attack difficult areas of the ice.
Coaches consistently mention his leadership and ability to influence games in multiple ways.
Those traits often become extremely valuable once playoff hockey begins.
European Prospects Could Also Climb
The 2027 class also features intriguing international talent.
Swedish forward Milan Sundstrom, Russian power winger Nazar Privalov and German centre Max Calce all possess tools that could elevate them significantly over the next season.
Every draft class changes dramatically during its final year before selections are made, and several names currently outside the spotlight could still emerge.
Why Defensemen Like DuPont Are So Valuable
Finding elite defensemen is one of the hardest tasks in hockey.
Franchise centres and franchise defensemen are the pieces that shape organizations for a decade or more.
When a player shows elite hockey sense, offensive instincts and improving defensive habits at such a young age, teams immediately start dreaming about what he might become.
That is exactly why Landon DuPont is generating so much excitement.
The 2027 NHL Draft remains a year away, but the race for the top pick may have already found its early leader.
Coach Mark Comment
The most impressive part of DuPont’s profile is not the points. It is the way his responsibilities continue growing without hurting his effectiveness. That usually tells you a player processes the game at an elite level. The next step is seeing how he handles another jump in competition and the pressure that comes with being considered the potential No. 1 pick.
Fan Pulse
Will Landon DuPont still be the favourite to go first overall in 2027, or will another prospect emerge over the next season?
Q&A: 2027 NHL Draft Lookahead
Who is projected to go No. 1 in the 2027 NHL Draft?
Everett defenseman Landon DuPont is the early favourite.
What makes DuPont special?
His elite hockey IQ, skating and ability to impact the game in all situations.
How many points did he score this season?
He recorded 73 points in the WHL.
What is exceptional status?
It allows a player to compete full-time in major junior hockey before the normal age requirement.
Who could challenge DuPont for first overall?
Alexis Joseph and Dimian Zhilkin are among the top contenders.
Where will DuPont play next season?
He is committed to the University of Michigan.