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Expected Buffalo: 2021 NHL Draft Top 10 Prospect Rankings

by Chad DeDominicis - 0

Today has become an annual can’t miss event on the calendar for Buffalo Sabres fans. The Draft Lottery for the 2021 NHL Draft will take place tonight. The Sabres go into the drawing with the best odds at the top pick at 16.6%.

Due to the new rules going into place this season only the top two picks in the draft will be determined in the lottery. That means that the Sabres can fall no lower than third overall tonight.

Usually, I get this out earlier, but what better day than today to release my initial top 10 rankings. As the offseason goes along I’ll expand my rankings to 30 and then 40 in my final rankings at the end of July.

I’ve spent a lot of time getting familiar with the prospects at the top of the draft, which is why I’ll focus on the top 10 today. Also, in a draft with no clear top pick like this class, there are going to be some differing opinions at the top.

1. Matthew Beniers | F | University of Michigan – NCAA

Beniers has been on top of my board going back to the World Juniors back in January. He only had one goal and three points in that tournament, but he was noticeable every game. He continued his strong play as a freshman at the University of Michigan.

I’ve spent the last few weeks watching back games from Michigan to get a better look at Beniers, Owen Power, and Kent Johnson. All of which could be top-10 picks in the draft. The American-born forward scored at a point per game pace for the Wolverines with 10 goals and 24 points in 24 games. That’s impressive for a player his age in a competitive college conference like the Big Ten.

Beniers isn’t an “elite” talent at any specific area in his game. What makes him my top prospect is his complete game. He may be the best two-way forward in this draft when you take into account his ceiling at both ends of the ice.

Beniers is always around the net in the offensive zone and is strong on the forecheck. Even when he’s not producing he’s going to impact the game positively for his team. He reminds me of a better skating Sam Reinhart.

2. William Eklund | F | Djurgardens – SHL

Eklund is the next scoring winger to come out of Sweden. His draft year production was impressive in the SHL as an 18-year-old. He comes out this year with the second-highest production rate of a draft-eligible since Elias Lindholm.

This year at Djurgardens he outscored his teammate, 2020 seventh-overall pick, Alexander Holtz. Eklund scored 11 goals and 23 points in 40 games.

Not only is the Swedish forward a good finisher, he’s an excellent playmaker as well. He reads the ice well with and without the puck on his stick.

It’s unfortunate we didn’t get one more look at him in the World Championships. Sweden could have used his offensive ability in that tournament.

3. Brandt Clarke | RD | Barrie Colts/HC Nove Zamky | OHL/Slovakia

Clarke may be the most dynamic defenseman in this draft, in my opinion. The Canadian-born blueliner started to get some attention last season scoring goals and 32 points in 57 games. After the OHL postponed and then eventually cancelled their season, Clarke went to Europe to play.

He played in the Slovakian pro league with HC Nove Zamky. That league isn’t know for a high talent pool, which does it make it a little difficult to determine how much stock to put into his draft year. He scored five goals and recorded 15 points in 26 games.

Clarke was one of the standouts for Canada during the U18 World Championships. He scored two goals and seven points in seven games during that tournament. It’ll be interesting to see where I land between Clarke and the next player on the list in my final rankings as the top defenseman in the class.

As of now, the edge goes to Clarke.

4. Owen Power | LD | University of Michigan – NCAA

Power sits at the top of many draft boards you’ll see. Central Scouting recently listed them as their top North American skater. At this point, I would say that Power is probably the odds on favorite to go first overall.

He’s a big defender at 6’6″ and moves very well for his size. He moves the puck well and has a great shot from the blue line to go along with that.

If this was a few weeks ago I may have had him ranked lower down the board, but I’ve started to come around on him a little more in my re-watch of Michigan games. There are still some times he’ll get in trouble defensively, but that’s not uncommon. It seemed as he improved on that as the season went along. I’d like to see him use his big frame more and improve on his entry defense.

Power is doing a lot for his own stock right now with a strong performance at the World Championships playing for Canada. That could solidify him at the top of the board for some.

5. Dylan Guenther | F | Edmonton Oil Kings – WHL

Guenther is another high-scoring winger in this draft. It’s unfortunate he only was able to play 16 games between the WHL and AJHL this season. In those 16 games, however, he put up 29 points.

The Canadian-born winger has a great shot. He’s also a dangerous transition player and put that on display during the U18 World’s.

I see Guenther as the player that can go anywhere from as high as second overall to the back end of the top 10. If he gets out of the top five, he’s going to be a steal for some team.

To prevent this from getting too long, the remaining five players I’m just going to list. I’ll do a more in-depth look at prospects in my top-30 rankings.

6. Luke Hughes | LD | U18 US National Development Program

7. Simon Edvinsson | LD | Frolunda – SHL

8. Kent Johnson | F | University of Michigan – NCAA

9. Chaz Lucius | F | U18 US National Development Program

10. Jesper Wallstedt | G | Lulea – SHL

Photo Credit: Codie McLachlan/Getty Images
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