Owen Power, William Eklund top NHL Central Scouting's final 2021 draft rankings

Michigan defenceman Owen Power is the No. 1 ranked North American skater for the 2021 NHL Draft. (@KyleCannillo on Twitter)

University of Michigan defenceman Owen Power and Swedish left winger William Eklund are the top-ranked North American and International skaters for this summer's NHL draft, according to the final rankings released by NHL Central Scouting Thursday.

Sebastian Cossa of the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings and Jesper Wallstedt of Sweden are the top goaltenders from North America and internationally, respectively.

Power, a native of Mississauga, Ont., is a six-foot-six left-shot defenceman who has a chance to become just the third NCAA player taken first overall and the first in more than 20 years. He is currently representing Canada at the men's world championships in Latvia after scoring three goals and 16 points in 26 games as a freshman.

“Power is an excellent package of NHL size, skating and attributes which he utilizes effectively in all situations,” said NHL Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr in a statement. “His hockey sense is intuitive and instinctive. A very fluid and agile skater who can transition quickly on plays and separate himself from checking. He plays a mature game for his age and is at the top of this Draft class.”

Eklund spent the past season with Djurgarden of the SHL, where he finished second on his team in goals with 11 and scored 23 points. Eklund was named SHL Rookie of the Year and won the Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year award.

“Eklund is a speedy winger who played a big role on Djurgarden in the Swedish Hockey League,” said Marr. “He competes and works hard with excellent hockey sense, quickness and elite puck skills to be both a playmaker and a scorer. A scoring threat on every shift, he plays bigger than his size and plays to win.”

The 2021 NHL Draft, which will be held virtually from July 23-24, will be the first to feature 32 teams as the Seattle Kraken enter the league.

Below are the top 10 North American and International skaters and top five North American and International goaltenders, according to NHL Central Scouting.

North America

Skaters

1. Owen Power, D, Michigan (NCAA)
2. Mason McTavish, C, Peterborough (OHL)
3. Kent Johnson, C, Michigan (NCAA)
4. Luke Hughes, D, USA U-18 (NTDP)
5. Dylan Guenther, RW, Edmonton (WHL)
6. Matthew Beniers, C, Michigan (NCAA)
7. Brandt Clarke, D, Barrie (OHL)
8. Brennan Othmann, LW, Flint (OHL)
9. Matthew Coronato, RW, Chicago (USHL)
10. Cole Sillinger, C, Sioux Falls (USHL)

Goaltenders

1. Sebastian Cossa, Edmonton (WHL)
2. Benjamin Gaudreau, Sarnia (OHL)
3. Tristan Lennox, Saginaw (OHL)
4. Olivier Adam, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
5. Emerik Despatie, Gatineau (QMJHL)

International

Skaters

1. William Eklund, LW, Djurgarden (Sweden)
2. Simon Edvinsson, D, Frolunda Jr. (Sweden-JR)
3. Aatu Raty, C, Karpat (Finland)
4. Nikita Chibrikov, RW, St. Petersburg (Russia)
5. Daniil Chayka, D, CSKA (Russia)
6. Fedor Svechkov, C, Togliatti (Russia-2)
7. Aleksandr Kisakov, LW, Dynamo Moscow 2 (Russia-JR)
8. Isak Rosen, RW, Leksand (Sweden)
9. Fabian Lysell, RW, Lulea (Sweden)
10. Samu Tuomaala, RW, Karpat Jr. (Finland-JR)

Goaltenders

1. Jesper Wallstedt, Lulea (Sweden)
2. Aleksei Kolosov, Minsk (Russia)
3. Patrik Hamrla, Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic)
4. Aku Koskenvuo, HIFK Jr. (Finland-JR)
5. Carl Lindbom, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden-JR)

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