The 2020 NHL Draft was surrounded by uncertainty.With the COVID-19 pandemic taking over the world,the when, whereand how regarding the draft was put into question. However, who would go No. 1 overall was neverin doubt.Alexis Lafrenire came into the season as the top pick, and .Now, the 2021 edition faces many of the same obstacles and more. Plus,it couldnt be any more different at the top end.Looking towards the Julydraft, uncertainty abounds Houston Astros Custom Jersey on and off the ice. Once again, the when, whereand how appear to be up in the air. This time around, however, theres also a question of who.Depending on who you ask and where you look, the race for No. 1 in 2021 is wide open. Coming into the season, Finlands seemed to carry the frontrunner position but by no means had it locked down. Months into the season, hes not only lost his grip on that spotbut it appears to be out of his grasp. Today, there are as many as 10 players who have emerged as candidates. Some may be more likely than othersbut at this point none of these names going No. 1 would be shocking.2021 DRAFT: | Here are FCHockey's 10 candidates(alphabetically)for the No. 1 spot at the2021 NHL Draft. 2021 NHL Draft: 10 prospects for No. 1, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)FCHockeys 2021 NHL Draft ranking: 7Beniers has broken into the NCAA with the Michigan Wolverines and is forcing the hockey world to take notice alongside two other draft-eligibles that are also on this list. For years, Beniers has been quietly impre sive, often serving as the youngest player on his team while being a key figure.An example of this was his standout performance at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, where Beniers was the lone draft-eligible on Team USA andhelped lead the squad to the gold medal.For those that hadnt seen him play in the NCAA, this was a coming-out party for the centerman.WORLD JUNIORS 2021: Hes a big riser in FCHockeys updated draft rankings thanks in part to performances at both the college level and World Juniors stage.Whether on the kill or at even strength, his ability to carry the puck out of his own zone, through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone is superb, FCHockey'sDerek Neumeier said . Its rare to see someone so competitive and defensively detailed have such a good pair of hands. He never seems to be out of position or thinking a step behind the play in any zone or in any situation.His offensive vision is well above average, as he can open up rush space in conjunction with his teammates and make nice little pa ses in full flight., D, Barrie Colts (OHL) Yuli Gurriel Jersey on loan with HC Nove Zamky (Slovakia)FCHockey rank: 6One of the leading contenders to hear his name called first in the 2021 NHL Draft, Clarke hasnt earned much discu sion this season with the Ontario Hockey League yet to drop the puck. To keep himself on the radar, he headed to Slovakias HC Nove Zamsky where hes been a standout at age 17. Early on, hes shown some impre sive flashes in the mens league.A lot of Clarkes pedigree comes in what he was able to accomplish the past two seasons, though. In Roy Oswalt Jersey 2019-20, Clarke led all rookies with 38 points (six goals, 32 a sists) and being named to the leagues First All-Rookie Team.His pa sing transition game is wonderful,. When the puck is on his stick, he has his head up and often showed his ability to make tape to tape pa ses look easy whether they were crisp or softer and weighted.Combining his puck protection in the offensive zone with his ability to see pa sing lanes open up and he can be very dangerous by joining that rush., D, Frlunda HC (SHL)FCHockey rank: 4After starting the season as a leader in the J20 Nationell with Frlunda HC J20, Edvin son has carved out a role for himself at the SHL level granted in a limited role most games. Sweden cancelled the J20 leagues for the season, so Edvin son making himself at home in one of the best leagues in the world is promising.Often left behind some of the other defenders in this cla s, Edvin son has become a serious Carlos Beltran Jersey contender for the top of the 2021 draft. The mobile blueliner shows promise in his own end and extraordinary skill in the other two zones. First overall is very much within his reach.Edvin son is able to generate speed quickly and effortle sly with just a few long strides while also demonstrating great control with his edges, using cro sovers to quickly change direction while carrying the puck or walking the blue line, The transitional upside with Edvin son is enormous, as hes most effective on the ice at moving pucks up the ice and securing zone exits and entries with control.He consistently has his head up while handling the puck and does a superb job at evading pre sure from oncoming forecheckers, using his edge work, puck skills, and long reach to turn away from opposing attackers.MORE: | , C, Djurgrdens (SHL)FCHockey rank: 5Another Swedish player that has been turning heads this season, Eklund may just be the biggest draft-eligible riser early in the season. Hes been stellar in his play, carving out a top-six role for himself with the SHLs Djurgrdens, an extremely impre sive achievement.Eklund would have furthered his rise up draft boards with a spot at the 2021 World Juniors, but a positive COVID-19 test held him out. Instead, he returned to Djurgrdens and continued to impre s in one of the best leagues in the world.(Eklund) has taken huge strides forward in his game since last season, which is always a good sign for a prospects long-term development, . Hes a very skilled, versatile, and reliable player, who has many different elements to his game.His hockey sense is probably his single best a set, as he looks right at home at the profe sional level against players much older than him. He never seems to be lost in the play or overwhelmed by it, so hes rarely a liability., LW, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) on loan with Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)FCHockey rank: 9Theres an argument to be made that Guenthers spot on this list is most impre sive, due to the fact that hes played just four games this season with the Sherwood Park Crusaders of Carlos Lee Jersey the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Both the WHL and the AJHL arent playing right now, making it very difficult for him to boost his draft stock.The left wingers 2019-20 campaign and four AJHL matches have earned him recognition as one of the top players in this cla s. With the Edmonton Oil Kings last season, he racked up 59 points (26 goals, 33 a sists) in 58 games, earning the Jim Piggott Trophy as the Rookie of the Year.Hes a high-octane offensive player who carries pucks in good positions and the hands to break ankles by knowing how to deceive opponents and exploit weakne ses, . He can create plays at speed with the puck and has the layers to his game