The 2021 NHL Draft is still quite some time from now, but Bob McKenzie already released his first set of draft rankings. Owen Power is arguably the top prospect in the draft as 4 of 10 TSN scouts have him ranked as No. 1. Power is already being compared to players like Victor Hedman, and with a six-foot-six frame he definitely has the build to be an elite defenseman in the NHL.
Here's what the rest of TSN's Top 10 look like to start 2021:
2. Simon Edvinsson: The Swedish native does not lack size at all as he is 6-foot-4 and also has the mobility and offensive upside to be a top pairing defenseman. Some scouts have him ranked as highly as first overall, but some also rank him outside the top 10. There is loads of talent in this draft.
3. Dylan Guenther: The Edmonton Oil King scored 29 goals in his rookie WHL season, and quickly earned the reputation of being a difference-maker in the offensive zone. His projection at the moment is a top-six forward.
4. Matthew Beniers: The freshman at the University of Michigan has a very strong two-way game, and he will be playing in the World Junior Championships with the US national junior team. His current projection is a second-line centre.
5. Brandt Clarke: Even though he hasn't played since last March, the Barrie Colts defenseman plays a game that many scouts love. He is extremely effective at both ends of the ice, and could compete to be the top defenseman in the draft.
6. William Eklund: The Swedish winger would have been on the Sweden national junior team, but he tested positive for COVID-19. He has been great in the Swedish elite league, tallying 13 points in 17 games.
7. Kent Johnson: The third Michigan Wolverine in the top ten makes plays that most people cannot even pull off in video games. He is very flashy, but his game is not as well rounded. It wouldn't be surprising if Johnson rose in these rankings as the season goes on.
8. Aatu Raty: The Finnish centre was widely regarded as the possible No. 1 pick, but his play over the past year has been disappointing. He didn't even get invited to Finland's national junior team selection camp, and many scouts project him as a No. 2 or even No. 3 NHL center.
9. Mason McTavish: The Peterborough Pete forward is a shoot-first goal scorer that recorded 29 goals in 57 OHL games last season. There is a lot of disagreement on how good he could be, but he could go anywhere from the top 5 to the middle of the first round.
10. Luke Hughes: Both of his brothers were top 10 picks, and Luke is pretty much a shoe-in to follow in their footsteps. He is an offensive first defenseman like his brother Quinn, but he may not be as dynamic.
