WHL Stock Watch: Landon DuPont already taking charge of games for Everett

The WHL season is well underway, and it hasn't been without its surprises. 

The Medicine Hat Tigers, who looked like the team to beat entering the season, have just one win in five games, while Gavin McKenna sits outside the top 30 in scoring. Meanwhile, the Saskatoon Blades have been a top team after tons of turnover, thanks to the offensive breakouts of several players. 

NHL-affiliated prospects have been returning from camps, many of whom are off to terrific starts. Tarin Smith looks like the early leader for WHL Defenceman of the Year, while Clarke Caswell, Riley Heidt, and Brayden Yager have all appeared to take significant steps this season. 

In 2025 draft news, Roger McQueen is second in the WHL in scoring, with Cameron Schmidt and Jett Lajoie not too far behind. Lajoie has already equalled last season's point totals in just seven games, while Nathan Behm is already halfway to last season's goal totals in four games. 

Before delving deeper into the performances of NHL picks and those soon-to-be, we have to go all the way to the 2027 NHL draft class. 

Stock Rising 📈

Landon DuPont, D, Everett Silvertips (2027 NHL Draft)

It's tough for an exceptional status prospect to surpass expectations, but Landon DuPont has done that and more. The Everett Silvertips can’t keep him off the ice. He’s averaging nearly 23 minutes per game, playing on the top power play unit with some penalty kill. He even led the ‘Tips in ice time in his WHL debut. And it’s not hard to see why: he can do everything.

In the offensive zone, DuPont’s feel for activation is already unmatched at this level. He’s somehow involved in every single play while also rarely introducing risk. He spaces the offensive zone with his weak side movements and aggressive dashes through the slot. Once the puck arrives, his speed, edges, and skill shred defences. He creates high-value lanes, sets up scoring chances, and fires off at least a few chances per game.

What’s really special has been DuPont’s immediate impact defensively. His aggression, mobility, and sturdiness make him a weapon. Forget closing at the defensive blue line; he closes at the offensive blue line and consistently kills plays. He fearlessly engages much bigger, older opponents and usually comes out on top with his ability to get inside positioning.

It’s a long season. A lot can change. But DuPont is already a must-watch player. 

Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw Warriors (Winnipeg Jets)

Five points in two games is eye-catching, but what stood out about Brayden Yager's return weekend was his defence. It's not a stretch to say this weekend was the best defensive hockey of his time in the WHL. He was racking up the steals all weekend. On the backcheck, he poked away pucks after sprinting back into the play. Inside coverage, he locked down off-puck threats, took the extra step to get inside the hands of puck carriers, and perfectly timed poke checks. On the forecheck, he was disciplined in support and aggressive as the F1. He's always had positional soundness, but there was more pace, decisiveness, and physicality in his approach.

The added aggression also appeared in transition, with Yager attacking at full speed, at angles, and constantly changing the point of attack on defenders. High-pace east-west puck movement is how players drive transition results in the NHL, and Yager was doing with that success. Not every play worked, but if this is a sign of what's to come, he'll be a big riser in our prospect rankings this season. 

Tarin Smith, D, Everett Silvertips (Anaheim Ducks)

Last season, Tarin Smith landed inside our second round because of his skill level. In his best outings, he was dynamic from the point. This season, he’s elevated that offensive impact—currently leading all WHL defencemen with eight points in four games—while dramatically improving the rest of his game.

September 29th’s game against the Kelowna Rockets was a perfect example of Smith’s growth. He picked up 11 retrievals and completed seven controlled exits under pressure without turning the puck over, both leading the game by large margins. Last season, he would throw pucks away under pressure. Now, he’s drawing defensive pressure to pass through it, finding quick escapes while absorbing contact, and using the middle of the rink more often.

As often happens with Anaheim Ducks prospects, Smith has also become a punishing defender. He’s far more physical than before, looking to make contact with everyone who enters his space and even going out of his way to level opponents. If Smith keeps this up, he will become a top prospect. 

Carter Bear, LW/C, Everett Silvertips (2025 NHL Draft)

Like the rest of the Silvertips, Carter Bear has enjoyed a blazing start to the year, scoring eight points in five games. There might not be a grittier player in the WHL. In a single shift, he enters four, five, or six battles and wins every single one. It's not just his resilience, but he's a great example of physical skill. He controls contact by leaning back into opponents as he goes into the wall and engaging metres before the puck. He uses every limb possible to slow down opponents and create space. It doesn't matter the zone or situation, Bear never cheats on effort. 

Those physical skills allow Bear to create turnovers, extend offensive zone time, and, of course, create offence. With no amount of contact capable of deterring him, he racks up the net-front chances and sets up teammates while battling along the wall. Increasingly, he's showing open-ice skills, too. He's started pulling in defenders with crossover-heavy rushes and changes of pace, only to slip a puck through them for a chance. 

Though Bear might not have the dynamic puck skills or skating that define top prospects, his physical skills, intelligence, and attention to beat could make him a high pick in the 2025 Draft. No matter where he ends up, he'll be a fan favourite. 

Honourable Mentions: Riley Heidt (Minnesota Wild), Tomas Mrsic (St. Louis Blues), Blake Fiddler (2025 NHL Draft), Lynden Lakovic (2025 NHL Draft), Jett Lajoie (2025 NHL Draft), Nathan Behm (2025 NHL Draft), Keaton Verhoeff (2026 NHL Draft), Ryan Lin (2026 NHL Draft). 

Stock Steady ↔️

Gavin McKenna, LW, Medicine Hat Tigers (2026 NHL Draft)

Seven points in five games, plus having earned several more, would be a great start for everyone in the WHL other than Gavin McKenna. But after becoming the WHL's best player in the second half of last season, the expectations have shifted.

Even in McKenna's quietest games, he's creating chances at an elite rate. As usual, he's doing his best work off the cycle, where he draws pressure, deceives, and then finds the open teammate. But it's also here where the difficulties appear. Many of his best efforts just miss their target more often. There has also been an unusual amount of no-chance passes into closed lanes and carelessness with possession under pressure, uncharacteristic for McKenna, a rare high-volume, high-efficiency player.

Really, McKenna's struggles have been emblematic of the Tigers as a whole: a little careless with possession, a little too loose without the puck, and a little unlucky. He even looks more explosive and dynamic in transition. Don't expect the slump to last for long. 

Stock Falling 📉

Ryder Ritchie, RW, Medicine Hat Tigers (Minnesota Wild)

One half of a pre-season blockbuster, Ryder Ritchie has yet to record a point for his new team, the Medicine Hat Tigers. Tigers hockey is built around their offensive zone play, a high cycle game that encourages creativity, movement, and forwards creating plays from the top of the zone, a stark contrast from how the Prince Albert Raiders played last season.

Given that, it's no surprise that Ritchie has had some struggles. He's a bit disconnected from his teammates at times, late to get open and support. With possession, he's had difficulty finding escape routes along the half wall and separating from opponents up high. He's also been a bit more straight-line and individualistic in transition compared to last season, although he returned to his more dynamic, give-and-go self in spurts this past weekend. 

With such electrifying skill and the context in his favour, don't expect Ritchie's struggles to last long.