Draft season officially opened after the Hlinka Gretzky Cup wrapped up. Landon DuPont tops the list of skaters worth tracking for next June's NHL draft.
The evaluation period is just beginning, so the pecking order will shift. Scouts are already filing reports on the prospects expected to shape the first round. DuPont emerged as the consensus name to watch after his performance at the Hlinka, but the tournament is only one data point. The real work happens over the next nine months as players compete in their respective leagues and development camps.
For teams sitting in the top 10, the focus sharpens now. Video breakdown starts. Scouts attend games. Teams compile updated rankings. The depth of the class matters as much as any single prospect. If DuPont stays healthy and produces consistently, he could lock in a top-five selection. But depth in this draft class could push premium talent further down the board if the tier separations are tight.
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup serves as an early showcase, nothing more. Prospects who didn't shine there still have plenty of time to stake their claim. The real auditions begin this weekend when leagues fire up their seasons.