2027 NHL Draft: Five CHLers off to explosive starts

Oct 22, 2026, 10:30 EDT

Credit: Eric Young/Dream Bigger Media

Last week, we took a look at five prospects outside of Daily Faceoff’s top 40 draft list who have boosted their stocks the most this year.

Today, we feature five players specifically from the CHL who have looked excellent this year. This includes top prospects and those just trying to make name for themselvess one way or another. This isn’t an expansive list – we’ll continue to have plenty of draft coverage every week. For now, we wanted to look at some of the names blowing up the scoring charts, while also including at least one defenseman and goaltender.

The CHL USA Prospects Challenge takes place in December, and we know a few players listed below will be in heavy conversation to be part of it. For now, let’s look at five 2027 NHL Draft prospects out of the OHL, WHL and QMJHL you need to know:

Carter Esler, G (Spokane Chiefs, WHL)

Esler has been one of the highest-regarded goalies in this draft for quite a while now. He had 24 wins and five shutouts as Spokane starter last year and is already off to a perfect 7-0 start this season. Hockey Canada has always been a big fan of him. Having made him the starter at the Youth Olympic Games, the U-17 World Hockey Challenge and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Esler’s not a big goalie, standing just six-foot. But he’s positionally sound and very athletic with great footwork, allowing him to get where he needs to be quickly and effectively.

Whenever Spokane needs him to stand on his head, Esler has delivered. He’s had a busy workload throughout his career already, and that’s something scouts really appreciate. Without a bigger frame, he will likely not get selected high in June. But in terms of pure talent, he is definitely one of the most skilled goaltenders you’re going to find in the CHL this season.

David Buchman, LHD (Brantford Bulldogs, OHL)

It’s been fun watching Buchman this year. The Bulldogs standout is averaging just less than a point-per-game while easily being one of the CHL’s most consistent defenders. He’s small at 5-foot-11, but he loves to take space away and is strong defensively, too. Despite the offense being the shiny golden tool this year, it’s been Buchman’s ability to consistently shut down plays from getting into the defensive zone that makes him intriguing to scouts.

A lack of high-end skating hurts, and he doesn’t engage physically too often. But Buchman has the ability to win most of his individual battles with his quick hands and smart decision-making. There’s still plenty of time for Buchman to figure out his skating and thrust himself higher up NHL Draft boards. But right now, he’s having one of the hottest stretches of play of any CHLer and deserves to be shouted out.

James Scantlebury, C (Québec Remparts, QMJHL)

Alongside Carter Meyer, Scantlebury has taken the Remparts by storm. He had an impressive 39-point USHL rookie season last year, but he’s on pace for more than 120 points as a QMJHL rookie this year. Usually, the Q has had a reputation for churning out fewer NHL prospects. But it’s a strong crop this year, and Scantlebury leads them all in scoring with 19 points in 10 games. He has truly established himself as one of the CHL’s top forwards this season.

Reviews for the Montreal native are mixed. On one hand, the numbers have always been excellent at all levels. He’s one of the best skaters in the CHL, regardless of age, and he’s not afraid to get physical along the boards. That being said, he’s 5-foot-10 and can get pushed around a bit too easily, even if he’s got that willingness to move along the boards. Scantlebury’s 200-foot game is already quite mature for his age, and that alone is something I’d bet high on. I see Scantlebury as a potential first-round talent, but I know not everyone feels the same.

Chase Surkan, LW (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL)

Surkan has been highly productive at all levels. He had 20 goals and 38 points in 45 games as a rookie with Brandon last year and was one of Canada Red’s top forwards at the U-17 World Challenge. He’s on pace for more than 80 points in Brandon this year, with a handful of three-point efforts really helping his cause. On the surface, it’s hard not to love Surkan’s footwork. He’s always moving and looking to make plays happen, and he’s highly skilled at speed. Few CHLers are as dynamic in the offensive zone, and he’s an excellent playmaker, too.

But at 5-foot-8, it’s going to be tough to win over scouts. Surkan struggles physically, which doesn’t help given he’s often found trying to exploit the perimeter. That’s not something that’s going to get him too far in the NHL, so scouts view him as mainly a late-round prospect. But given his numbers early, it’s hard not to fall in love with his puck game. If you get a chance to watch Surkan this year, do it; he’s fast, smart and tough to contain.

Dima Zhilkin, RW (Saginaw Spirit, OHL)

If you’re not on the Zhilkin bandwagon, what’s wrong with you? The the 5-foot-11 winger is ranked fourth on DFO’s latest draft board thanks to an incredible two-point-per-game pace to start the year. The Spirit captain had 75 points and 100 penalty minutes last year, but he’s already tracking for 74 goals and 136 points. Sure, he’s one of the older 2027 draft prospects thanks to his late 2008 birthdate, but he’s not wasting a second proving why he’s one of the top players available this year.

Zhilkin is a smart, hard-working forward who isn’t afraid of anyone. He’s not tall, but he’s got the pure strength teams crave and battles his tail off every single night. Even on his “slower” nights, he’s still out there getting physical and being a general nuisance. The University of Michigan commit was a standout with Canada’s World Junior Summer Showcase team and should be in the top six for the main event in December. It feels like there’s a better chance he’s taken second overall this year than outside of the top five.

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