Welcome back to The Journey. This week, I will be looking at some of the top draft eligible prospects for this year's 2021 NHL Entry Draft. While this year's draft doesn't have a name as notable as 2020 did in Alexis Lafreniere, there are still some fantastic players who project to turn into very good NHLers down the line. Here is a look at a few of the top names.

Owen Power

While it is no where near a consensus pick, if the draft were to happen today it seems likely that Owen Power would be taken first overall. The 18-year-old American-born defenseman impressed in his freshman campaign with University of Michigan, posting 16 points through 26 games.

Unlike most first overall picks, Power may not yet be NHL ready come next fall, though that isn't something that should concern fans. In fact, with the lack of production the two most recent first overall picks in Lafreniere and Jack Hughes have had, it could be argued that they would have benefitted from an extra year of development as well.

From an overall skill standpoint, there is plenty to be excited about with Power. He has all the capabilities of a great offensive defenseman, as he has fantastic vision, is a great skater, and can quarterback a power play. He also has size in his favor, as he stands at a hulking 6-5, 211 pounds. He certainly has all the potential to become a top-pairing NHL defenseman down the road.

Brandt Clarke

Another defenseman who will certainly hear his name called early in the 2021 draft is Brandt Clarke. He has had a much different draft-eligible season than most top prospects in any other year, given that he elected to play this season in Slovakia due to the OHL's season being delayed. In 26 games for HC Nove Zamky, he has registered five goals and 15 points which is extremely impressive given that he is just 18years old.

Helping prove just how good Clarke is offensively is taking a look at what he did in the OHL during the 2019-20 season as a rookie, putting up 38 points in 57 games for the Barrie Colts. His point total that season led all blueliners on that Colts team.

While he isn't as towering as Power, he still has good size at 6-0, 180 pounds. He will need some more time to fill out, but has all the tools to become a top-end NHL defenseman. On top of his raw skill offensively, he is also extremely competent in his own end and is an elite level skater. Any team would be extremely lucky to pick him at this year's draft.

Matthew Beniers

One of the more intriguing prospects headed into the 2021 draft is Matthew Beniers, given that he is projected to go all over the place in the first round, depending which list you look at. Perhaps this season may have been enough to cement his spot as a top pick. Playing on the same University of Michigan team as Power, he finished tied for first in goals with 10, and third in points with 24. He also led his team in plus/minus with a plus-21 in just 24 games played.

It was an extremely impressive season for Beniers, who was able to turn from a point-per-game player at the USHL level into that at the collegiate stage. Earlier this year, he was also able to not only crack the Team USA lineup at the 2021 World Juniors, but helped them win a gold medal. In seven games played at the tournament, he recorded a goal and two assists.

While Beniers is still only listed at 168 pounds, he stands at 6-1 and is not shy to throw his body around. He is a great player at both ends of the ice who projects to develop into a very dependable two-way player at the NHL level. While he does lack an elite shot, he has terrific overall offensive skills and like the two mentioned above is a fantastic skater. He will likely need another season at least before being NHL ready, but is a very promising prospect.

Simon Edvinsson

Yet another defenseman who projects to be one of the top players taken at this year's draft is Simon Edvinsson. Despite only turning 18 in February, he was able to suit up for 10 games in the SHL this season, where he recorded one assist. He played an additional 14 games in Allsvenskan, which is the second highest professional league in Sweden, and had five assists.

Edvinsson also came very close to cracking Team Sweden's blueline for the 2021 World Juniors. In fact, he was the final player cut from the team. Despite this, he still remains his country's number one prospect for the upcoming draft.

Edvinsson, like Power, has a massive frame at 6-4, 203 pounds. While it didn't show due to a lack of ice time in the SHL this season, he has tremendous offensive skill, including a booming shot from the point. He is a great skater for his size and projects to become a high-end offensive defenseman at the NHL level.

Luke Hughes

Luke Hughes may be a familiar name to many given the fact his two older brothers in Jack and Quinn are both in their second NHL seasons. He played in 38 games for the U.S. National U18 Team this season, posting six goals and 34 points. 

The one concern about both of his older brothers before they played in the NHL was their size, but that isn't a concern here as Luke stands at six-foot-two, 176 pounds. Of course, he'll have to put on weight, but he is still extremely young, not turning 18 until September.

Hughes is committed to the University of Michigan for the 2021-22 season, where he will look to continue to put up big offensive numbers. The young defenseman is said to skate very similar to his brother Quinn, and is known to be very good on the power play. The one area he will need to work on before reaching the NHL is his strength, but that should come with age.

Dylan Guenther

One of the better forward prospects of this year's draft is Dylan Guenther. The Edmonton Oil Kings right winger hasn't gotten much game action in due to the WHL's season starting so late, but has certainly made the most of it. In 12 games thus far, his 12 goals are tied for the league lead while his 24 points are good enough for fourth. This is a huge progression off of an already impressive rookie season in which he scored 26 goals and 59 points in 58 games.

While it isn't impossible, it doesn't seem likely Guenther will be the number one selection at this year's draft. This is disappointing given his totals, as you have to wonder if he had a full season to play whether that may have helped raise his draft stock even higher. Regardless, he has a strong chance to be a top-five pick in July.

Despite being labelled as a goal scorer, Guenther has impressed with his playmaking abilities as well this season. The six-foot-one, 181-pound forward is very strong on his skates, and while he isn't an elite skater just yet, it isn't much of an issue either, and he still has plenty of time to improve in that area. He is without a doubt the best prospect coming out of the WHL this season.

Kent Johnson

Yet another University of Michigan player on this list is Kent Johnson. The 18-year-old had an incredible freshman season this year, putting up nine goals and 27 points in 26 games. This comes off of a 2019-20 season with the Trail Smoke Eaters in the BCHL in which he had 41 goals and 101 points in 52 games.

Johnson quickly shot down any concerns regarding how he would adjust to the college ranks, and has firmly secured himself to be one of the top forwards taken at the 2021 draft. He will need some time to fill out, as he is listed at just 163 pounds, but that isn't expected to scare teams away.

Johnson may be the most exciting prospect of this entire draft, as he is described by many as a human highlight reel. While he is more of a playmaker, his 41 goals one season prior in the BCHL proves he can put the puck in the net as well. He may very well be the most skilled player in this entire draft.

Chaz Lucius

Much like Berniers, Chaz Lucius is another intriguing prospect given that he is projected to go all over the place in the first-round depending which list you look at. Despite some concerns about his game, the skill is clearly there. In 12 U.S. National U18 Team this season, he recorded 13 goals and 18 points. He will look to bring that same offensive skill to the University of Minnesota for the 2021-22 season.

Throughout his entire playing career to this point, the 17-year-old Lucius has had no problems putting up points, particularly goals. Unfortunately, he was forced to miss significant time this season due to a lower-body injury which may hurt his draft stock, but even in limited action this year it was clear just how talented he is.

While he is said to have one of the best shots in the entire draft this year, there are some concerns about his game as well. The main critique on him is that he can often appear to be disengaged and lacking intensity. The other is that his skating is not up to par with many of the other prospects projected to go off the board early in the first round. He certainly has some things to work on, but has a chance to become a very impactful NHLer in the future.

Aatu Raty

Heading into the 2020-21 season, there was talk that Finnish prospect Aatu Raty could be taken first overall at this year's draft. While that no longer appears to be the case, he still remains a high-end prospect. The 18-year-old forward played in 35 games with Karpat of the SM-liiga this season, recording three goals and six points.

Despite his point totals not looking very impressive this season, it is important to remember that he was playing professional hockey in one of the better leagues in the world. Still, it was a somewhat disappointing season and has scouts concerned that he hasn't developed very well over the last year. On top of that, he didn't stand out much at the 2021 World Juniors, scoring just two goals and three points in seven games.

While it was a down year for Raty, there is still plenty to like here. He is a strong skater with great puck control, and is every bit as good defensively as he is offensively. Expect to see his offensive skill on display more often in the 2021-22 season.

Cole Sillinger

After an impressive rookie season in the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Cole Sillinger elected to play the 2020-21 season in the USHL for the Sioux Falls Stampede in order to get more games in. It has certainly paid off as the 17-year-old forward had a terrific year with 24 goals and 46 points in 31 games. Despite playing in nearly 20 less games than his teammates, those totals both lead the Stampede by a wide margin.

Assuming the pandemic is under control by the start of the 2021-22 season, Sillinger will be back playing with the Tigers. Despite an injury that held him out of the lineup for a period of time, he was able to be very productive when he played with 22 goals and 53 points in 48 games.

The 17-year-old is the son of former NHLer Mike Sillinger, who played over 1000 games. On top of his impressive hockey IQ, he has a fantastic shot and is viewed by many as the best pure goal scorer in this entire draft class. Whoever snatches him up should be extremely happy, as he has a chance to go down as one of the best players in this draft class.