Landon DuPont, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, earned the top-tier "A" rating on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list released Monday, Oct. 26.
DuPont spent two seasons with the Everett Silvertips before moving to the University of Michigan this fall.
He was one of 28 players to receive an A rating, which identifies potential first-round picks, according to NHL.com.
Three current Silvertips also appeared on the list. The team announced the ratings on X:
- Jaxon Pisani received a "C" rating, marking him as a potential fourth- or fifth-round candidate.
- Bennett Byers received a "W" rating, placing him among possible sixth- and seventh-round picks.
- Forward Dario Blengino also received a "W" rating.
Four names tied to one organization on a single preliminary release is uncommon.
NHL Central Scouting director Karl Stewart praised DuPont's readiness, telling NHL.com, "He's on another level … There's no projection there because you just know he's going to step in and do exactly what he's doing now in the NHL."
The 17-year-old defenseman stands 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds.
Through six games as a Michigan freshman, DuPont had six points, all assists, with 14 shots on goal and a plus-6 rating.
His final season in Everett produced 73 points (18 goals, 55 assists) in 63 games.
He was a finalist for WHL Defenseman of the Year and led league defensemen with 23 points in 18 playoff games as the Silvertips won the WHL championship.
Blengino, a 2009-born forward, signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with Everett in July after being selected sixth overall in the Import Draft.
Central Scouting's midseason rankings are expected in January, with final rankings in April, The Canadian Press reported.
