The 2021 BSH Community Draft Board

It’s that time of year again, folks! We’re just about a month and a half out from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft (that’ll happen on July 23-24, for those keeping track at home), which means it’s time for us to dive into our draft content. The Community Draft Board is here!

It’s been a weird year for scouting (and, well, everything else too), there’s really no denying that, with some leagues playing more or less regular seasons, some playing shortened seasons, and some not playing at all. It adds an extra layer of difficulty to draft preparations this go around, but we’re rolling with the punches and doing the best that we can with what we have.

But here’s the drill: we’ll be working through the first round here, profiling prospects, and you fine folks get to decide on the order these prospects are taken. So, put on your armchair GM hat, get ready to make some decisions, and let’s dig into some of these top prospects.

Owen Power

“Power is an excellent skater in all directions for a defender of any size. The fact that he’s 6-foot-5 adds additional problems to opponents trying to knock him off the puck, but the truth is that Power can be both graceful and nimble while motoring up ice at top speed. His movements are fluid and pivots are effortless, and Power’s first step in any direction seems to catch opponent’s by surprise. What shouldn’t come as a shock is his exceptional balance, as Power can lug the puck up ice with a body or two draped over his back. The puck is on his stick a lot during a given game but intense pressure or a physical forecheck never seem to faze him. Power can put the perfect touch on any pass over any distance in any situation.” – Steve Kournianos, The Draft Analyst

“His size and mobility stand out quickly but he’s so smooth on the ice and smart. He’s a play ahead of everything. He has great body position, he’s competitive. He’s not Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes but he has offensive creativity. He can jump into the play, he can shoot it. He has so much about his game that impresses.” – Mel Pearson, Michigan head coach

Matthew Beniers

Also an explosive and powerful skater, Beniers will start the forecheck and hunt for pucks. Likened to a machine, when Beniers is moving in the offensive zone, he is difficult to stop. He is a force in corners and extremely difficult to battle for pucks. Beniers also has the ability to carry pucks into the offensive end. He will use his mobility, edgework, and size to blow past defenders in one-on-one situations.

As crafty as he is agile, Beniers has also shown the ability to catch up with opponents on the rush, creating turnovers by lifting their sticks and stripping them of pucks. Beniers does most of his creating from down low and near the crease, but has excellent hands in tight. – Lauren Kelly, Raw Charge

Brandt Clarke

On the ice, he plays an extremely loose, free-flowing, roving style, which blends excellent side-to-side cuts with impressive head-fake deception that allows him to freeze opposing players and get to spots to make plays. Clarke is a fearless, aggressive defender who isn’t afraid to try things (flip passes, spins, etc.) and has the puck skill needed to execute once he has attacked into the slot or carried the puck low into the offensive zone. He’s a tough player to confidently project, but he’s got a fascinating set of skills, the assertiveness needed to continue to play that style regardless of what’s thrown at him, and a decent defensive game despite built around an active stick and good timing. There’s a boom or bust element to his projection, but I can’t take my eyes off of him when he’s out there and he still has so much room for growth. – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic

Luke Hughes

His offensive game is the most dynamic of any of the blueliners in this range with only Clarke really coming close…His defensive play is improving and he’s learning to take advantage of his mobility when closing gaps and understanding when to angle and use his stick. The growth that’s happened already is promising and the fact that he is among the youngest players in the draft as a September birthday makes him the most intriguing defender in the class to me. – Tony Ferarri, Dobber Prospects

Dylan Guenther

Guenther has come out of the gates firing as a leading player on a top CHL team. He’s also grown a bit since we last saw him, shooting up about two inches. He is a forward with a ton of NHL attributes and no real flaw in his game other than he doesn’t play center. He has tremendous skill, while able to make skilled plays through defenders and to teammates at an NHL pace. He can run a power play with his playmaking, while also having the shot to score from a distance. He has a lot of talent, but also works off the puck, forcing turnovers and playing in traffic. He has the best chance of anyone in this draft to become an NHL star. – Corey Pronman, the Athletic

Now, this question of the hour: who are you taking first overall in the 2021 BSH Community Draft?

Who should be no. 1 on the 2021 BSH Community Draft Board?