Unlike in past years, when it seemed the Top 5, 10, 20 and beyond were a touch easier to forecast, there's a bit more fluidity to the rankings this time around.
But as far as the experts are concerned - as Treliving alluded to - a favourite has emerged. NHL Central Scouting, along TSN's Bob McKenzie and Sportsnet draft guru Sam Cosentino, have identified 6-foot-5, 213-lb. defenceman Owen Power as the consensus top pick.
The Mississauga native, who was a freshman at the University of Michigan this past year, had 16 points (3G, 13A) in 26 games, and is lauded for his ability to play in all situations and chew up minutes. Who couldn't use a franchise defenceman like that?
Does it compare to when Alexis Lafreniere was taken by the Rangers last year? Or when Auston Matthews (2016), Connor McDavid (2015) and Nathan MacKinnon (2013) were snagged by the Leafs, Oilers and Avalanche?
Maybe, maybe not.
"I don't know what percentage number you would want to put on it," one scout
told McKenzie back on April 19
. "Sixty, 70 per cent? I'm not sure. It's certainly more than 50 percent, but this is not a draft where there's one dominant prospect who is the unquestioned No. 1 choice.
"I mean, it's close enough between Power and the other top guys that you couldn't rule out someone else."
That, certainly, is a testament to the depth of talent available at this year's event. But it also offers a look into how the pandemic shook up the sporting landscape.
It was a challenging year in the scouting world, as many of the world's amateur leagues played only partial campaigns, or - in the case of the OHL - didn't play at all. Even for those that did up the skates in a competitive, game setting, even a single live viewing from inside the arena was rare, forcing clubs' amateur scouts to rely heavily on recorded video and live streams.
That said, all 32 teams are in the same boat - and General Manager Brad Treliving feels his group, led by Head Amateur Scout Tod Button, made the best of a bad situation.
