HIGH END RUSSIAN STAR POWER IN THE 2027 NHL DRAFT

Directly following Landon DuPont, a trio of dynamic Russian prospects dominate the top of the board. These players include Nazar Privalov, Sergei Skvorstsov, Dima Zhilkin, and Andrei Pustovoy.

Related: Landon Dupont Prospect Profile

Nazar PRIVALOV- (LW/C) CSKA Moskva (KHL)

Nazar Privalov has firmly established himself as the premier international forward prospect for the 2027 NHL Entry Draft, universally projected as a top-3 pick. Scouts widely classify him as a rare, premium cerebral power forward. Standing 6-foot-4 and 227 pounds, Privalov possesses a rare, imposing pro-ready frame for his age. He uses his hulking build to utterly dominate wall battles, annihilate opponents with heavy hits, and protect the puck for extended stretches while defenders hang off him. His shot is heavily compared to a young Alex Ovechkin. He can hammer off-balance or rolling pucks with massive authority and doesn’t need much space to beat goalies from distance. He famously broke Nikita Kucherov’s 15-year record as the youngest player in MHL history to score two hat-tricks. Unlike typical monolithic power forwards, Privalov plays with an impressive level of pace and high-end vision. He handles pucks at full speed without breaking stride and demonstrates advanced playmaking instincts to manipulate defenders. While his baseline skating speed is impressive for his size, scouts note he is still refining his first-step acceleration and elite explosiveness. His overall game is still seen as a high-upside project, with scout reports pointing out occasional variance and offensive dips toward the end of long junior seasons. Scouts frequently throw out legendary comparisons like Eric Lindros for his physical toolkit, combined with a modern Tom Wilson or Valeri Nichushkin edge. He projects clearly as a franchise top-line NHL forward. Privalov recently signed a contract extension with CSKA Moscow that keeps him in Russia through the 2029–30 season, meaning whichever NHL team drafts him in 2027 will likely wait until he is 21 to bring him to North America, this might affect his draft stock, similar to Ivan Demidov and Matvei Michkov prior to him.

Sergei SKVORTSOV (LW) Torpedo Nizhny Novgordod (KHL)

Sergei Skvortsov has emerged as one of the most electric offensive catalysts for the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. Ranked consistently in the top 3 to 5, the Russian winger has already broken into pro hockey, scoring his first KHL goal for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod at just 17 years old. He projects as a dynamic, top-line finesse winger. Skvortsov’s greatest asset is his high-end anticipation. He reads plays multiple frames ahead of opponents, frequently finding gaps in defensive coverage to get open. His off-puck processing allows him to transition smoothly against grown men in the KHL. He possesses explosive, agile, and well-balanced skating mechanics. His baseline speed lets him blow past defenders on the rush and comfortably keep up with KHL stars. He has incredibly soft hands, a pristine first touch, and massive confidence trying to execute difficult cross-lane passes at full speed. He is notoriously elusive operating off the half-wall on the power play. Unlike some perimeter-focused finesse players, Skvortsov actively attacks the middle of the ice. He is perfectly willing to take a hit from a pro defenseman if it means making a play or driving the net. Standing 6-foot-1 but weighing between 154 and 177 pounds, Skvortsov is quite long and lean. While his motor is high, he will need significant time in an NHL weight room to fill out his frame and add raw power to his shot. Offense is undeniably on his mind first. While he uses his anticipation to pick off passes in all three zones, his systematic defensive zone coverage still needs structural refinement. Scouts view Skvortsov as a high-upside top-six NHL winger. Stylistically, his combination of vision, elusiveness, and playmaking has drawn inspiration from his childhood idol Pavel Datsyuk, while his raw straight-line acceleration has drawn lofty early comparisons to Connor McDavid. Sergei Skvortsov is under contract with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod through the 2028–29 season. Because of this agreement, the NHL team that drafts him in the summer of 2027 will have to wait at least two additional years before he can legally transition to North America and join their system.

Dima ZHILKIN (RW/C) Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Dima Zhilkin (Dimian Zhilkin) has exploded onto the radar for the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. Consistently projected as a top-5 to top-11 pick, the Russian-Canadian dual citizen is currently serving as the captain of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. Scouts view him as a high-character, high-impact offensive catalyst with a professional-grade work ethic. Zhilkin is a natural goal scorer with a deceptively quick, lethal release on his wrist shot. He is entirely capable of beating goalies clean from distance and excels at changing his shooting angles mid-stride to confuse defenders. Scouts frequently describe Zhilkin as the primary “engine” of his line. He plays a highly intense, competitive game with an incredibly active motor. He refuses to take shifts off and actively hunts pucks down to force turnovers. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing a solid 196 pounds, Zhilkin plays a sturdy, heavier game than his height suggests. He isn’t afraid to initiate contact, logging 100 penalty minutes during a breakout 75-point campaign to prove he possesses a legitimate physical edge. He displays rare positional flexibility, splitting time between center and right wing depending on his team’s needs. Named Saginaw’s captain at just 17 years old, coaches heavily praise his poise, structural defensive awareness, and exceptional locker room maturity. While his baseline skating speed is very good, scouts want to see him develop a more explosive “separation gear” to cleanly outpace NHL-level defenders on the rush. Because he has such a high-end shot, he can occasionally settle for perimeter looks. Scouts are tracking his ability to consistently drive his frame directly into the high-danger dirty areas against structural pro defenses. Zhilkin projects as a impact top-six NHL winger or two-way center. His blend of high-end scoring, physical edge, and leadership has scouts heavily comparing his trajectory to a modern Travis Konecny or Bo Horvat identity. He is off to a scorching start this season with 12 points in his first six games and is expected to be a pillar for Team Canada at the upcoming World Juniors.

Andrei PUSTOVOY (RW/C) Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)

Andrei Pustovoy is a towering, high-motor power forward who has firmly established himself as a potential top-10, or even top-5, selection. Standing 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds, Pustovoy plays a prototypical, physically dominant power-forward game. Unlike traditional net-front grinders, he boasts high-end processing speed and creative puck-handling ability that allow him to drive transition plays. He has already advanced through the junior ranks to split time with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl’s KHL squad. Scouts heavily praise his work rate and aggressive off-puck forechecking, making him an incredibly safe bet to transition smoothly to a pro-style NHL game.

Other Russian Prospects to Watch For

Yevgeni Yakunin (C) MHK Spartak Moskva (MHL)

Yevgeni Yakunin is rapidly climbing draft boards as an elite offensive spark plug and one of the class’s most productive pure point-producers. Another forward with great size at 6-foot-3 and nearly 195 pounds, Yakunin is an incredibly detailed, intelligent playmaker down the middle. He exploded onto the scene by scoring at a blistering two-points-per-game pace in the Russian junior league (MHL), showcasing high-end vision and an elite ability to control the tempo of the game from the half-wall. While his talent dictates a top-15 draft projection, he recently signed a long-term contract extension with Spartak Moscow that runs through 2031. This contractual “Russian Factor” could cause him to slip slightly on draft day, but his raw offensive toolkit remains undeniable.

Vladimir SHTYRKHUNOV (D) Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

Given that the 2027 draft class is famously thin on natural, high-end defensemen, Vladimir Shtyrkhunov is a notable name to monitor. He is a physical, right-shot blue-liner who relies on exceptional stick positioning and heavy gap control to anchor the defensive zone.