At long last, the NHL Draft has a date. After being delayed on March 25th, the 2020 NHL Draft will be held on October 6-7. Originally scheduled for June 26-27 in Montreal, the draft now will take place virtually because of the pandemic. It may not have been the way they had always imagined, but 217 fortunate players will hear their names called in early October.
After a controversial Draft Lottery on June 26th, it was announced that the New York Rangers would have the first overall selection for the first time in franchise history. Also, expect to hear a lot about the Ottawa Senators on draft day, the Canadian franchise holds the third and fifth selection in this deep draft.
On circumstances alone this is a unique draft, nevertheless the 2020 crop of players is remarkably deep. Many of the players below can be placed much higher or lower than what they are ranked. Narrowing players down to a specific number was challenging. Seth Jarvis was a particularly difficult player to gauge, with a unique style in addition to a slender frame one has to wonder if his game will translate. On talent alone, Hendrix Lapierre could easily be in the top 10, but with multiple concussions, it might be best to be cautious with Chicoutimi forward. A similar situation applies to Justin Barron
Despite this list not being a mock draft, many of the players may find themselves going in the first round this coming October. While some may be projected several slots ahead of where they'll ultimately be drafted.
1. Alexis Lafreniere, LW
After 3 seasons in the QMJHL and a remarkable WJC, the late birthday Lafreniere has turned what was a 3-4-person race to first, into a one-man-show. The Saint-Eustache winger has averaged more than a point per game in each of his 3 years in the Q. Playing with a taped ankle for most of the season never seemed to hinder Lafreniere. Accumulating 112 points in 52 games this season, the 2001 born Lafreniere is ready to step in whenever the next NHL season takes place.
Not afraid to use his body, Lafreniere can overpower his opponents with stature alone. At 6’1’ 191 pounds, Lafreniere began to look bored in his last season in the QMJHL. While not the fastest skater, he can outmaneuver the opposition with what speed he has. If all else fails, he’s outsmarting his opponents by getting to the puck before anyone else knows where it will be
2. Quinton Byfield, C
An elite skater at 6’4’, and 214 pounds it’s hard not to marvel at Byfield’s potential. With marvelous puck skills, the Newmarket, Ontario born is ready to join the ever-growing list of stars from the small Ontario town. Taken 1st overall in the 2018 OHL Draft, Byfield needs to be more assertive when handling the puck as he matures into his frame.
He’s someone that can change the tone of a game with his dominating presence down the middle. With 82 points in 45 games, this year for Sudbury the larger center is rawer of a talent than the more NHL-ready Lafreniere. Despite winning over 50% of his faceoffs this season. His defensive game needs work.
3. Marco Rossi, C
A favorite among OHL coaches, Rossi, who won the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the OHL’s top scorer is one of the smartest players in this draft. At a smaller frame in 5’9’, 179 pounds he has to be.
Despite his height, Rossi is a tank using his stocky frame to his advantage against the opposition. He plays center for the 67’s, and the defensively-minded Rossi makes good use of the varied position. He knows when to play each wall and has no issues transferring to either side of the ice. With 120 points in 56 games, Rossi is no offensive liability either. He can rush through opponents with impressive stick handling, or systematically break them down one at a time.
4. Lucas Raymond, RW
An elite talent at both ends of the ice, Raymond is a phenomenally sneaky talent. He’s a player that will have you looking one way as he sets someone up when you’re not looking. A puck carrier that can pick apart a team’s defensive team he has a surprising depth to his game. While he still needs to build strength, his skating is elite
5. Cole Perfetti, LW
An extremely smart player, Perfetti is a player that relies on his skill just as much as his smarts. An extraordinary playmaker, his talent is as formattable as his brain. He can recognize what the defenders are going to do before they do it themselves. Always steps ahead of everyone else his ability to find pockets on the ice is unmatched. While you’d prefer a player of his size to be a stronger skater don’t expect that to hold him back.
6. Tim Stützle, C
His skating ability is unmatched in this year’s draft. By far the quickest player he floats among the opposition as he shifts his play to match the tempo his team needs. He is very strong on his feet, but his stick-handling is an underrated ability. With an accurate shot, it isn’t surprising to see why Mannheim relayed so much on the young forward. He may just be the most talented player in this draft besides Byfield or Lafreniere.
7. Jamie Drysdale, D
When watching an Erie Otter’s game, it’s easy to spot out Drysdale. The undisputed second-fastest player in the draft may be the NHL’s poster boy for the quickest skater one day. With a 0 to 100 ability, if he acquires the puck in his defensive zone, chances are he’s in the offensive zone before you blink. The most talented defenseman in the draft may go as high as 3 if Ottawa is leaning towards a forward at 5. While he isn’t the strongest player, his vision and hands help him avoid any unnecessary contact.
8. Alexander Holtz, RW
Holtz is a player who uses his size to his advantage as he plays against men in the SHL. Mixed with a powerful frame and a knack to find open space and you might just have the most talented goal scorer in this draft. A talented playmaker, Holtz has room for improvement if he is to round out his game. For as much as there is to be wary of Holtz, the good is very much to be desired.
9. Yaroslav Askarov, G
Askarov is the undisputed best goalie in the draft, in fact, he is the best goaltending prospect in years. A total package of stamina and drive a team won’t regret their pick with him. Carrying himself as a number 1 goalie with his KHL debut this season his confidence is often overlooked. With an unorthodox style of goaltending, he does need to work on getting himself under control in larger pressure moments.
10. Anton Lundell, C
A 2019 World Juniors gold medalist, Lundell may just be one of the most talented centers ice players in this year’s draft. While he isn’t as dynamic as some of his peers, he can read the ice just as well as anyone else. He is almost painfully defensive-minded. Stellar at covering his defensive end, sometimes you wish he would take more risks to break out of the zone. Already ahead of so many, it wouldn’t surprise many to see Lundell play a bottom 6 NHL role sooner than later.
11. Jack Quinn, RW
A versatile player, Quinn could find himself sneaking into the top 10 when this draft is all done. With a late birthday and an impressive Ottawa roster, Quinn was able to elevate himself this season rising up the rankings with a 50-goal performance. He’s a robust shooter is able to ride out a shift longer than his opponents because of his stellar stamina.
12. Noah Gunler, RW
Despite alleged concerns over an attitude issue, Gunler is a player with an immense skill level. He must fill out his 6’2 form, but he displays flashes of glory when he’s on the ice. With an awkward skating style, Gunler has high-end skills with the puck that has carried him countless times over his peers.
13. Dylan Holloway, C
With a valiant performance last year, dominating the Alberta Jr. A league, many had him poised for success this season. Unfortunately, grandeur came few as inconsistency followed him at different levels. While not living up to expectations with Wisconsin, he was stellar with Team Canada during the World Junior selection camp. An adjustment period may have been needed with the Badgers this season as his offense picked up towards the end with 17 points in the final 10 games.
14. Helge Grans, D
Despite a vast imagination with the puck, Grans suffers inconsistency problems. A solid puck handler and skater, a point per game player this past season in juniors, Grans looked hindered when playing against men. Considering his size of 6’3, Grans is a solid puck mover and can force the opposition to turn the puck over. He’ll need patience as he still has room to grow.
15. Jan Mysak, C
Leaving the Czech professional league for the OHL midway through last season proved to be the right decision for Mysak. The slender forward was one of the OHL’s most electrifying forwards in his 22 games with Hamilton. There’s no denying his offensive abilities with 15 goals in those 22 games, Mysak was over a point per game with 25 points. He’s a stellar option for driving the net, but you’d like him to be more. He has a solid skillset that would benefit from rounding out.
16. Connor Zary, C
While not the most dynamic player, Zary is a player every winning team has. With a wonderful hockey IQ, he can see where the puck will be before many do. Although his skating is hardly the worst, it’s not good either. He’s just not very explosive which harms his game. He needs time to improve his skating and once he does he will be a suburb defensively-minded center.
17. William Wallinder, D
Far from a final product, Wallinder has some work to be done. He's an exceedingly mobile 6’4 puck-moving defenseman that can make the difference if only he had the conviction. His decision making isn’t the best and there's a shrouded potential in his unnerving plays. Winning bronze for Sweden at the Hilinka Gretzky, Wallinder went on to be the highest producing d-man on the Modo junior squad.
18. Lukas Cormier, D
A smaller defenseman at 5’10, Cormier has been nothing but stellar for the Charlottetown Islanders. Despite only playing in 44 games this year he matched last year’s point totals in 19 fewer games. His defensive game is sufficient, and he isn’t afraid to mix it up and play physical. He can find the open ice and his teammates well with his offensive game. Despite his skills near pro-ready, he must round out his defensive game.
19, Mavrik Bourque, C
If one had to describe Mavrik Bourque, look no further than “reliable.” He isn’t someone you’ll notice during a game; he’s making the small plays contributing to his team’s overall game. A player that can kill penalties just as well as he can score on a powerplay. There’s a surprising amount of dynamic ability in his sound game. On a not so talented Shawinigan roster, Bourque was able to elevate his play this season with 71 points.
20. Brandon Schneider, D
Schneider’s ability to do more with the puck will be fundamental when it comes his development. As he is now, he is one of the premiere defensive defenseman prospects in the draft. There’s a solid shot in the 6’2 defenders game and he’s a solid skater for his size to boot.
21. Dawson Mercer, RW
While there is no question that Dawson Mercer will become an NHL player, how effective he’ll be is another story. He may not top out as anything more as a middle-six forward and there’s nothing wrong with that. He has a respectable work ethic that makes up for his skating. His mobility isn’t the greatest but he knows when and how to go onto the attack.
22. Zion Nybeck, LW
If Nybeck does go on the first round, expect a lot of old-school fans to be upset that a player who isn’t even 5’7 went to their team. Nybeck will happily prove them wrong. It’s quite possible, he is the best stick-handler in this draft. While his 1 point in 15 games this season with the HV71 professional team is a little concerning he never looked out of place, he is always moving. He has no issue keeping up with the pace as he digs pucks out of the boards.
23. Carter Savoie, LW
There’s a questionable work ethic when it comes to Savoie, simply put he just looks fed up out in Jr. A. With that said, there’s a reason he looks so dull, there’s outstanding skill behind that inconsistent player. When he’s on his game there’s no one better and he makes undressing defenders and goalies look simple. There’s also an wonderful shot to his game, there’s only the question if he’ll show up to use it.
24. Ryan O'Rourke, D
Mature beyond his years, O’Rourke has striking puck-moving abilities for a player of his style. He’s more of a throwback player, in the sense that he plays hard and isn’t afraid to show opponents his physical game. Yet he has some hockey sense and skill behind that defensive game, he’s surprisingly flashy despite what his numbers suggest.
25. Brendon Brisson, C
Brisson is the definition of a talented inconsistent player. You never know what you’ll get with Brisson, either he’s going to score consistently throughout a few games or go cold and you wonder if he’s the same player. There’s an edge to his dominating offensive game, he isn’t afraid to mix it up if he has to. But he isn’t just about scoring, he can make plays that set his teammates up. The son of famed agent Pat Brisson finished 2nd in in league scoring on a talented Chicago Steel team.
26. Hendrix Lapierre, C
Whichever team that acquires Lapierre will be gambling. He’s an undisputed top 10-15 talent, but his season was cut short due to three concussions in eight months. If Lapierre is healthy he may just be the best two-way player in this entire draft. Everyone around him is elevated when he’s on the ice. He can control a powerplay while keeping the opposing players in check with his excellent puck possession
27. Emil Andrae, D
With great vision and first-rate puck handling ability it came to no surprise Andrae was the top-scoring defenseman on his team last season. He’s a clever player, he can use his vision to find scoring chances for himself and his teammates. Despite not being the strongest of players, he isn’t afraid of physical play. He isn’t the kind of defenseman you rely on for a penalty kill, he’s much more offensive orientated than that. He will have to gain strength to combat his 5’9 sizing.
28. Martin Chromiak, RW
Leaving Slovakia to join Kingston midway through the season, Chromiak proved to a formidable force for the Frontenac’s. With offensive skill in abundance, Chromiak showed that getting cut from the Slovak's made a mistake cutting him from their WJC team. He makes offense look smooth, he’s a tenacious player that would be higher if he played all year in the OHL. He doesn’t have the best skating, but his core strength is notable. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles playing with exceptional status Shane Wright for a full year in the approaching season.
29. Justin Barron, D
Besides missing most of the season it’s peculiar how Barron would have handled playing on a club outside of the rebuilding Halifax team. He’s a formidable skater, especially for his size he can join the rush at ease if he sees an opportunity. He’s not the most exciting player, but he rarely makes mistakes. Always in the right place at the same time, his game would take off if he added a bit of offense to it.
30. Kaiden Guhle, D
As the first overall pick in the 2017 WHL Draft, one can already assume, Guhle has a fair bit of skill. He’s a solid skater, he plays his edges well and knows when to pivot and tracks his opposition well. He’s fast and can charge an opposing player swiftly. He does have an offensive upside in addition to his strong defensive play.
31. Seth Jarvis, RW
If I had to pick one player to rise up in my rankings in a couple years, it would be Seth Jarvis. An extremely clever player, Jarvis isn't often held back by his 5'10, 176 pounds frame. There's no denying that he needs to bulk up, but the Winterhawk's forward shows up when it matters. In addition to his oozing amount of offensive skill, he is capable on the defensive side of the game. Although, he wouldn't be my first choice to defend the zone he can handle the pressure. With how feisty is he, I do wonder how his game will translate. He is typically smart enough to avoid being in positions of increased contact, yet with smarter and tougher openers going forward it will be gripping to see what happens.
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