The 2021 NHL Draft will likely be the weirdest draft in NHL history for a number of reasons. First, the draft is just six months away, and most prospects have not played yet this season due to COVID-19. Every junior league has had a setback of some form to the virus, with these prospects scrambling to get scouts watching. Most notably, the Canadian Hockey League is still yet to return. NCAA hockey is currently playing but hasn’t had as many games played as they usually would by now. Plenty of North Americans have opted to go overseas and play in Europe, but the virus is still a factor there, too. Plus, even when these prospects are on the ice, scouts cannot travel and watch games. They must rely solely on highlights when deciding who to select during the 2021 Draft scheduled for July. But likely the most awkward thing about this draft is the debate of the draft’s first overall pick.

The projected first overall pick is almost always well known and accepted by now, but not this year. There are about a dozen players who you could make an argument as number one pick worthy. Naturally, as these players get on the ice we can get a better feel of who the true number one candidates are. But once again, the prospects’ have had severely limited opportunities to see the ice. With that being said, let’s take a closer look at ten different candidates for the number one pick.

1. Owen Power, Defense (NCAA)

Owen Power, who currently holds the number one pick in many mock drafts, is a slim 6’5″ offensive defenseman. His strong transition game leads to Power ranking up assists left and right but has a good shot catalog too. He is an Alex Pietrangelo-like powerplay quarterback. He needs to be more aggressive and physical with his size on defense to prove he can someday be a top-pair defenseman. Last year Power had an impressive 40 points through 45 games with the USHL’s Chicago Steel, which was first of all defenseman. He committed to the University of Michigan and has 12 points through 16 games.

2. Brandt Clarke, Defense (OHL)

Brandt Clarke isn’t small but isn’t quite as big as Power. He clearly makes up for it in his speed and playmaking abilities. Clarke has great vision and creates a lot of plays, but hardly scores goals. He did however manage to put up a mind-blowing 113 points in his AAA U16 season when he played with other promising prospects Brennan Othmann and Shane Wright. Against OHL competition last season, Clarke’s all-around aspects shined as he scored 38 points in 57 games, but netted only six goals. With the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL still yet to return, Clarke has taken his talents to Slovakia via loan in 2021, where has a goal and an assist in 11 games.

3. Luke Hughes, Defense (USHL)

Yes, there is a third Hughes brother, and yes once again he is a top prospect. Luke Hughes models his game very much like his eldest brother Quinn, a former seventh overall pick in 2018 and current Vancouver Canuck. He is offensive, moves the puck, and has a quick strong release. In 2020, Hughes had 28 points in 48 USDP and 13 points in 28 USHL games. He made a noticeably increase in his scoring and therefore in his draft stock the following year. Hughes is now scoring at above point-per-game rates, with 26 points in 24 US developmental games, and 11 points in eight USHL games. If he keeps the scoring up, he can follow in his middle brother Jack’s footsteps, a center who was the number one pick to the Devils in 2019.

4. Matthew Beniers, Center (NCAA)

Beniers is a do-it-all forward, he’s a natural center, and while his playmaking abilities are on full showcase, he also likes to utilize his cannon of a wrist shot. He was one of the top scorers in the USHL for two years, and put up a point-per-game season in 2019, leading to joining the University of Michigan, just like Owen Power. His play in the NCAA and the World Juniors has put him under the spotlight. Beniers has scored 13 points in 14 games for Michigan and had four points as Team USA won gold in the 2021 World Juniors.

5. Simon Edvinsson, Defense (SHL)

Edvinsson is a mobile defenseman who uses his physicality to stop players bigger than him. He can skate well and has a heavy and accurate slap shot. For three years now Edvinsson has been in Frolunda HC’s program working his way up. he got eyes on him ever since playing U16 hockey. By last year, he was playing U20 hockey by the age of 16. Recently, Edvinsson has reached the top of all leagues in Sweden, playing against grown men, and is still just 17 years old. He may not be flashy or rack up tons of points from the blueline, but he’s a smart defenseman with tons of room to grow.

6. William Eklund, Center/Left Wing (SHL)

Eklund is a strong skater with great acceleration and loves to get his teammates involved. Just like Edvinsson, Eklund is from Sweden and has worked his way up the ranks of his club, Djugårdens IF. He has scored at point-per-game rates for three straight years in U18 and U20 hockey, including a 36-point 2020 season. Due to his success, he went to the SHL this year. In 27 games, Eklund has an astonishing 15 points. His scoring rate and his visibly better shot have seen him rise up the draft boards.

7. Kent Johnson, Center (NCAA)

Kent Johnson has silky smooth hands in which he uses to wiggle last defenders, so he’s ready to make a highlight reel play every shift. His stickhandling and speed duo gives him a Connor McDavid playing style. Kent Johnson played in the British Columbia Hockey League in his home province with the Trail Smoke Eaters for two years. In his second year, he scored a tremendous 41 goals and 101 points, 30 more than the next best in the entire league. His efforts brought him to the University of Michigan where he has been great. He and Sharks prospect Thomas Bordeleau are currently tied for the team lead in points with 18.

8. Aatu Räty, Center (Liiga)

A few months ago, Räty was number one on most mock drafts but has fallen hard recently. Part of it is not his fault, as he hasn’t been worst, just other players have been better. Although, unexpectedly being left off of Finland’s World Junior team is a bit of a turnoff. Räty has gradually improved each year until he reached Finland’s top league with Karpat He has shown great two-way abilities and puck handling skills. So far, Aatu Räty has five goals and two assists in 23 total games with Karpat’s Liiga team over the past two years. Those stats are nothing to scoff at and are much better than they seem, as Räty is one of the youngest players in the league, is playing very tough competition, and does not even get top-six minutes. Räty may fall even further or work his way back up mock drafts all dependent on this season.

9. Dylan Guenther, Left Wing (WHL)

Of all the top forwards previously discussed, all of which are primarily centers, unlike left-winger Dylan Guenther. This could very well make a team take him earlier than imagined if they need a wing help, so it could be an advantage over his draft classmates. Guenther is an offensive powerhouse with an excellent shot and is one of the fastest in the class. He was taken first overall already in the WHL Draft, and is a good season away from being a candidate for going number one in the NHL, too. Guenther tallied 59 points in 58 games as a WHL rookie and should be one of the highest scorers in the league. It is hard to grade Guenther though, as he has only one year of major junior play.

10. Jesper Wallstedt, Goalie (SHL)

Jesper Wallstedt is a bit out of left field. Personally, I simply do not think a team will ever use another first overall pick on a goaltender. On the contrary, Wallstedt is being regarded as one of the best goaltending prospects in the last fifteen years. Wallstedt is a big and aggressive goaltender who hardly ever allows soft goals and is not afraid of tough shooters. Wallstedt first garnered attention when he had a 2.53 GAA and .923 SV% in U20 hockey in Sweden last year. This year, his numbers are essentially unheard of. In Wallstedt’s first 17 complete games against grown men in Sweden for Lulea HF (he stopped 17 of 18 shots in 39 minutes in a game during the 2019-20 season), he has a 1.91 GAA and .920 SV%. With numbers like this, the young Swede has the potential to be one of the NHL’s greatest goalies.

Ben Kule

Die-Hard Islanders fan and writer from Plainview, Long Island, NY. I have a passion and knowledge for this team and I enjoy sharing that with others