2021 NHL Draft ‘Best in Class’

The votes are in.

We polled 13 FCHockey scouts, anonymously, to give us our superlatives for the 2021 NHL Draft.

And the top-end of the 2021 draft class is very well represented.

Matthew Beniers, No. 4 in FCHockey’s Final ranking for the 2021 draft, slotted in on five rankings — including leading the charge on ‘highest compete level’ and ‘best defensive awareness,’ second in ‘highest hockey IQ,’ and third in NHL readiness.

“Among the most intelligent players in this draft, Beniers is a 200-foot center that also brings a blend of mobility and skill,” an FCHockey scout said. “He’s one of this draft’s most effective players at transitioning the puck through the neutral zone and securing zone entries.”

William Eklund, ranked fifth, topped ‘best hockey sense’ and ‘best offensive awareness,’ and finished second in ‘best skater,’ ‘best puck skill’ and ‘most NHL-ready’ categories.

“One of the most interesting prospects this year,” another FCHockey scout said. “Has so many different layers on the ice and can fit into many roles in a team. He can be the hard working player and on the other side be creative and score goals and be a front player for his team.”

Owen Power, the projected No. 1 pick for the 2021 draft, was voted most NHL-ready, and third in each of the ‘best defensive awareness’ and ‘highest hockey IQ.’

“A tower from the back end that brings a blend of size, skill, and mobility to the ice on every shift,” one scout said. “Effective at both ends of the rink and often separates attackers from the puck using his long reach combined with strong four-way mobility.”

Here is how our team views the ‘Best In Class.’

Best skater

Best puck skill

Best shot

Highest hockey IQ

Highest compete level

Best offensive awareness

Best defensive awareness

Most NHL-ready

Each first-place vote was worth five points, and each second-place vote was worth four. A third-place vote was worth three points, while a fourth-place vote was worth two. A fifth-place vote, you guessed it, was worth one.