LANDON DuPONT

THE DEFENSEMAN WHO COULD GO NO. 1

Few defensemen enter their NHL Draft year with the expectations surrounding Landon DuPont. After two productive seasons with the Everett Silvertips, the Calgary-born defender moved to the University of Michigan to test his game against older NCAA competition.

His skating, puck-moving ability and offensive creativity make him a prominent contender near the top of the 2027 NHL Draft. NHL Central Scouting assigned him an A rating on its October 2026 preliminary players-to-watch list, a designation associated with first-round potential.

PRODUCTION AT A GLANCE

*Michigan figures through November 1, 2026; the season is ongoing. Sources: Michigan Athletics and College Hockey, Inc.

SCOUTING ANALYSIS

Skating and mobility

DuPont's edgework and four-direction mobility stand out. His ability to change angles under pressure creates cleaner exits and allows him to recover when opponents attack in transition. The fluidity of his skating is central to his projected NHL value.

Offensive instincts

He identifies passing lanes, joins attacks at opportune moments and can run a power play from the blue line. His 55 assists in 2025–26 illustrate his effectiveness as a creator, not simply a point-producing shooter.

Puck movement and transition

DuPont offers multiple ways to break a forecheck: an early outlet pass, a controlled carry, or a quick change of direction. His willingness to transport the puck can tilt possession in his team's favor.

Hockey sense

His strongest plays often begin with anticipation. DuPont reads pressure, adjusts his routes and creates space for teammates. That awareness supports his potential to drive play at higher levels.

AREAS TO DEVELOP

Strength and physical battles: Continuing to add functional strength will help against heavier professional forechecks and net-front opponents.

Risk management: A high-activation offensive style requires disciplined decisions about when to pinch, join the rush or stay home.

NCAA adjustment: His freshman season is a meaningful test of his timing and defensive decisions against older, more physically mature players.

STYLISTIC COMPARISON

Quinn Hughes is a useful stylistic reference for DuPont's mobility, possession game and offensive initiative—not a promise of the same NHL career. NHL Central Scouting has also discussed DuPont in the context of Hughes' skating and impact.

THE PUCK PIPELINE VERDICT

Preliminary draft range: 1–3 overall. Upside: first-pairing offensive defenseman and top power-play quarterback. Development priorities: strength, defensive consistency and decision-making under pressure.

DuPont has the toolkit of a potential franchise defenseman. His development at Michigan will help determine how quickly his exceptional offensive traits translate to the professional game.

Future Stars. Frozen Dreams.

SOURCES & EDITORIAL NOTES

This is an editorial synthesis of publicly available reporting and statistics, not a claim of firsthand in-person scouting. Statistics are date-stamped; projections are opinions.

• University of Michigan: 2026–27 roster ↗
• College Hockey, Inc.: NCAA statistics ↗
• NHL.com: Central Scouting preliminary watch list ↗
• Michigan Athletics: DuPont player biography ↗

SCOUTING FILM ROOM

Watch DuPont’s puck movement, skating and offensive reads in these Everett Silvertips-era highlights. Videos are hosted by their respective YouTube creators.

2025–26 Landon DuPont highlights

Video credit: Prospect Shifts · Watch on YouTube ↗

Everett Silvertips highlight reel

Video credit: Everett Silvertips · Watch on YouTube ↗

If an uploader disables embedding, use the Watch on YouTube link above.