It’s never too early to talk draft and 2020 has enough stories to keep you busy for the months leading up to the 2020 NHL Entry Draft which takes place on June 26th and 27th in Montreal, Quebec. With that being said, here are my early draft rankings.
1. Alexis Lafreniere, LW – Rimouski (QMJHL)
Alexis has been on the top pick radar for a couple years now and since then, nothing has changed regarding the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He is currently the front-runner to be the first player picked and he will surely do it in style. He’s had a tremendous season in juniors with 24 goals and 49 assists for 73 points in 34 games with Rimouski.
He’s been as dynamic as he’s been and it transferred into the World Juniors where he was named tournament MVP, helping Canada win the gold medal in Ostrava against Russia. Since being back from the Czech Republic where the holiday tournament was hosted, he’s recorded three points in three games. He will likely continue to stay No. 1 unless he starts to slip hard going into the QMJHL playoffs, but that isn’t very likely.
2. Quinton Byfield, C – Sudbury (OHL)
He’s big. He’s got power. He’s got skill and he can score with the best of them in the CHL. Byfield has been behind Lafreniere since the debate opened up, but he’s feeling the heat from No. 3 as he continues to play a good all around game with the Sudbury Wolves.
As he has shown all season long, he can keep up with almost anyone and in most cases, come out as the top dog whether it’s tough puck battles or one-on-one skill based challenges. Byfield looks a lot like Evgeni Malkin out there and that’s a lot of praise for the 17-year-old. He joined Lafreniere at the World Juniors, but was not very noticeable and it’s fine knowing that Lafreniere was the same last year.
Coming back to his OHL stats, he has been on fire all year and the most important part is he’s been consistent scoring 25 goals and 38 assists for 63 points in 33 games played. This has helped his team stay among the best and currently sitting atop the Central Division.
3. Tim Stutzle, LW – Mannheim (DEL)
Patrick Kane 2.0? It’s sure trending in that way. Stutzle is a dynamic forward and hasn’t produced at the rate he has for a German forward since Leon Draisaitl. Regardless of the league differences, this is excellent. The one thing he does well compared to some of the options behind him is he manages to compete at a higher level the more the game progresses and when games become more important. An example of this is his tournament play which is on another level. His skills are as good as anyone in this draft.
He has great hands and deception when it. comes to creating offence. His vision is tremendous and manages to fool everyone on the ice with his passes. He is likely to close the gap with Byfield for the No. 2 spot. He’s that good.
4. Jamie Drysdale, D – Erie (OHL)
This year’s top defensive talent is from Canada. Drysdale is a dynamic puck moving offensive defenseman who makes it easy for his teammates to play hockey. He has been great for the Erie Otters of the OHL, producing at above a point per game so far this season. He has a knack for extending plays and always seems to make game changing decisions when he is needed the most.
He impacts the game at a high level. Expectations are that he will likely be the top defensemen drafted in 2020 and if previous drafts are any indicator of where he might go, he should not be available past pick No. 7. Regardless of the scarcity of high end talent at that position in 2020, he is a great prospect and has been since he played his first junior game.
5. Marco Rossi, RW – Ottawa (OHL)
Skill is at an all time high in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and Marco Rossi can compete with anyone in this draft. He has the tools to be THE player on any given shift and can turn a non-dangerous play into a scoring chance with the blink of an eye. He has torched the OHL in his first season, leading the league in points with 77 in 34 games while playing an integral role for the Ottawa 67s.
While he is small at 5’10, 182lbs, he is a very durable forward and makes a lot of tough plays when he needs to. Rossi’s most powerful attribute is his playmaking ability. He’ll never rush a play and always manages to delay the pass enough to find the right shooter. It will be hard to pass on him at this point in the draft.
6. Lucas Raymond, LW – Frolunda (SHL)
Raymond has been on our radar for a few years now, making highlight real plays throughout different international tournaments. He’s got that smooth end to end speed that allows him to create these terrific rushes. What he does best he does with the puck on his stick.
While his shooting is his greatest quality, he also has good offensive awareness to set up his teammates and manages to create confusion for his opponents as they do not know if he’ll shoot or pass. Along with those tools, he has great hands and uses them in open space as well as in closed areas like around the net or between multiple defenders. Raymond also brings a high level of consistency as he seems to produce no matter where he plays and no matter when.
As such, he has 27 points in 19 games spanning four different postseason leagues. Three of them with Frolunda J18 team and one with the Frolunda J20 team.
7. Alexander Holtz, RW – Djurgadens (SHL)
Another Swedish force to be reckoned with. Holtz has the qualities of a top offensive winger who will drive play and has the shot to compete with anyone in this draft. His great greatest attribute is definitely his shot and when he’s given enough space, he absolutely makes you pay. While he is not a bad playmaker, he does make great passes, he prefers to finish plays with his shooting rather than his passing.
This is a sign of confidence rather than selfishness. As well as a good scoring ability, he has great puck skills and can maneuver through opponents if deemed necessary. He can also skate well and moves around smoothly.
8. Anton Lundell, C – HIFK (SIM-LIIGA)
A big two-way center with skill who can play in any situation. Lundell really is an all-around presence on the ice. He can play with and without the puck, meaning he’s always positioned appropriately whether on offence or defence.
While his greatest attribute is his playmaking ability that is enhanced with his great all-around vision, Lundell possesses a pro-caliber shot and when in a position to strike, he is not shy to shoot. He also takes up a lot of space out there. He’s often played both on the power play and penalty kill which has helped his general hockey IQ.
9. Cole Perfetti, C – Saginaw (OHL)
Intelligent, slick, elusive problem for opposing defenders. If there’s one thing to call Cole Perfetti, it’s dangerous. He has been a serious pillar for the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL and has managed to place himself among the best point producers in the league as a freshman. In 2018-2019, he scored 74 points in 63 games as a rookie centreman.
This year, he has already recorded 72 points in 42 games. There has been a very steep progression and is on pace to surpass the 100 point plateau. It’s not a surprise that he is first and foremost a playmaker. 48 of his 72 points are assists, making up more than 66% of his points which has him tied for first with none other than Marco Rossi. Tremendous talent.
10. Yaroslav Askarov, G – SKA (VHL)
Technically sound goalie with franchise level upside and a mature technique that draws comparison to Montreal Canadiens star netminder Carey Price. Askarov has had an up and down season, but he has managed to maintain his spectacular play and is in talks to be a potential top 10 pick which hasn’t happened since 2005 when Montreal selected Price fifth overall. The young netminder brings a lot of poise to the net and has excellent reflexes when they are required.
He didn’t look too good at the World Juniors, mind you, the Russian defence outside of Alex Romanov were very inconsistent, but since returning to his main club, he has regained some of the confidence he may have lost from that tournament. Regardless of it, he continues to be in the spotlight and will likely fight for the starting role for his club and may even see some professional hockey reps in the KHL.
11. Connor Zary, C – Kamloops (WHL)
This kid plays the game with tons of intensity and passion which shows his dedication to performing when his team needs him the most. Connor Zary is an absolute gamer. Zary prides himself on his continuous hustle and works hard out on the ice, but also has the ability to play the skill game which he is very good at.
He’s been producing at every level and has been on a nice production run this year, nearing his last year totals. He is proficient at both scoring and passing as he tries to be a balanced forward out on the ice. He has also gained a lot of reps without the puck, enchaining his defensive abilities as he develops into a more dependable player. Even though he is older than some of the prospects, only six days off being a 2019 draft pick, this doesn’t change that he is regarded as a quality player in 2020.
12. Dylan Holloway, LW – Wisconsin (NCAA)
A speedy forward with great stick handling abilities, Dylan Holloway figures to be an all-situation forward, regardless of who drafts him in June in Montreal. A Canadian playing in the NCAA, Holloway has kept things simple since joining the NCAA’s Wisconsin Badgers. While the point totals have not translated as well as many would hope, Holloway’s confidence has not been lost and continues to play his best on a team that has been quite bad in 2020.
Looking at his play outside of the NCAA, he has been beyond consistent and somewhat dominant in various tournaments and leagues. In 2018-2019 while playing for the AJHL’s Okotoks Oilers, Holloway recorded 40 goals and 48 assists for 88 points in just 53 games played. This would see him finish second behind William Lemay who had two more points in five more games. He also played really well at the U18’s for Team Canada, playing a high-end skilled game.
13. Dawson Mercer, RW – Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
Dawson Mercer seems to have gone under the radar a bit. He has an overflowing toolbox and seems to do many things well. He creates offense in a lot of different ways and whether it’s against one or multiple defenders, he seems to control the puck well.
His puck skills are top caliber and can shake off players and drive the net. His scoring has been more consistent as his accuracy has gotten better. He will not beat you with speed, but has a solid hockey IQ and almost slows the play down at different points in a game to expose flaws in a teams strategy and attack the net.
He’s very cerebral and always aware of his limitations which he doesn’t have many of. Now being traded to Chicoutimi from Drummondville, he’ll be playing on a loaded roster where he may have to adapt to a different style which he tends to do well. Projected to be a good player on any line.
14. Noel Gunler, RW – Lulea (SHL)
Noel Gunler is a gifted goal scorer with high upside and excels at breaking down opposing defenders when he has the puck on his stick. He also does a good job dropping out of vision and blending in like he is not on the ice. By doing that, he opens himself up for potential one timers or better angles to shoot with.
Another thing Gunler is good at is being patient. While he has a tremendous shot, he does not selfishly shoot from any angle unless there’s a rebound to be had. He is a smart goal scorer and uses more than his natural talents to beat goalies. His skating is not a strong quality of his, but with more seasoning playing against professionals, the more he’ll mature both skating and his overall game.
15. Jeremie Poirier, D – Saint John (QMJHL)
The former eighth overall selection in the 2018 QMJHL Draft is now set to hit the NHL draft and he shouldn’t be far from the same spot. Poirier is a dynamic left-handed puck moving defensemen who prides himself on creating offence. His puck skills and puck control are key attributes in Jeremie’s game.
He has excellent hands for a defenseman and sometimes seen as a rover with the way he plays the game. His scoring has taken a huge leap in year two with the Saint John Sea Dogs, recording 39 points in 45 games so far in the 2019-2020 season. To put his point totals into context, he is sitting second among defensemen and second on his team. He definitely likes having the puck on his stick and being in the spotlight. He has a lot of skill and can make high-end plays.
16. Jake Sanderson, D – USNTDP (USHL)
Jake Sanderson is the main defenseman this year for the US development team. He has all the tools in the box to be an efficient modern day blue liner. He skates well and seems to be coasting around, but what he manages to do well is limit opposing players with his technique and where it might look like he isn’t trying hard enough, he is.
He’s not flashy and should not expect him to ever be or change his game since he is performing well and brings some stability to the defense group he leads. While mentioned before regarding his game, he does take calculated risks and very often capitalizes on it or creates a serious scoring chance. His transition game is a strength and manages to enter zones with control quite often.
17. Rodion Amirov, LW – Ufa (KHL)
One of the more dynamic skilled forwards in this draft, Amirov figures to be high on many teams draft boards and has all the tools to become a big time offensive force should he join the NHL ranks. Amirov likes producing offense and he is good at it. He likes using a combination of speed and skill to attack opponents and usually blows by them.
He’s also a smart player and often sees plays before they happen. He likes to initiate plays and get them started. While his professional debut has not yielded the results he’d like, he is still young and learning.
He’s also been all over the place during the 2019-2020 season, playing in three different leagues as well as joining his country for the World Juniors over in the Czech Republic. He has produced wherever he’s played and his KHL results should not scare anyone.
18. Mavrik Bourque, C – Shawinigan (QMJHL)
He’s one of those players who attracts everyone’s attention for more than his on ice skills. Bourque continues to impress scouts with his determination and will have to face opposing stars every shift in order to give his team a chance to win. He is a team player.
He often adapts well to the role given to him by his coaches which means he could be a versatile forward, playing up and down the lineup for any team. While he has the character of a leader, he also has great qualities like his high motor, endless hustle, good vision and shows no level of panic when he finds himself in tough situations. He has a good shot and adds some impressive tape-to-tape passes during games. He is exactly what every team needs on their team.
19. Braden Schneider, D – Brandon (WHL)
The Brandon Wheat Kings love the way Braden Shneider plays and it shows that he has a positive impact on his teammates. He’s an excellent two-way defenseman who makes crisps passes and often joins the rush to create or finish a scoring chance. He has a lot of mobility and uses it to extend plays and to maintain pressure in the offensive zone.
His mobility also proves to be helpful when keeping up with opposing forwards and playing defense as he maintains a good defensive position. His size is also a huge asset as he uses both for offensive purposes like protecting the puck and defensive purposes such as stopping players at the blue line with a hit and defending the net by moving forwards away from the crease. He figures to be a quality and dependable player when he joins the pro ranks.
20. Justin Barron, D – Halifax (QMJHL)
The jack of all trades defender. He plays a strong two-way game and is comfortable playing heavy minutes when required to do so. He plays a sound game defensively and is physical around the net, not allowing anyone drive to it to score.
As well as being good in his zone, Barron has a good general IQ and plays a simple offensive game. He rarely flashes or dekes out players, but he isn’t shy to play a more skilled game and gets pucks on net very easily. He could lead a power play if needed as he is comfortable manning the point. He has gotten better at producing more consistently and being a more present factor for his team.
21. Hendrix Lapierre, C – Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
A strong offensive minded center who generates offense for anyone and everyone on the ice. He has all the tools to be a strong point producer in the NHL and can hold his own defensively. He is impressive when chasing the puck, often like a hound and is relentless on the ice until the job gets done.
His greatest attribute is his offensive side where he can compete with the best and sometimes ends up being the more dynamic player. He has a good quality shot, but prides himself on setting up other players with his high level vision and seems to create plays where there is none to be created. It’s almost like he sees openings ahead of time with his high hockey IQ. The biggest concern for Lapierre is his numerous injuries, including concussions.
22. Jan Mysak, LW – Hamilton (OHL)
Mysak just joined the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs and has adapted really well which is one of his strengths. He is not a flashy forward, but he is effective nonetheless. Dependable, reliable and effective as mentioned earlier are his strongest qualities as a player and person.
His biggest attribute is his determination and hard work displayed at all times. His hockey skills are great, but his intangibles are what allow him to enhance those skills and become a better player than what many previously thought. He has good timing in his shots and manages to get pucks on net at a very effective rate.
His playmaking skills are good and when gets better at skating, refining some rough edges, he will be an even better passer and better player as a whole. Hamilton is happy to have him.
23. Antonio Stranges, LW – London (OHL)
Tremendous tenacity and overall a terrific gamer. Stranges is the player who’s always in the right place at the right time and manages to score goals because of his elusive ability to fade into areas where opponents lose sight of him. He not only plays hard, but has good overall skills which allow him to be both effective and productive on the ice.
On top of his offensive skills, he is an elite skater. He makes these impressive plays where you wonder if it’s humanly possible to move around like that. That skating ability has increased his scoring as he creates plays that look dead by moving around a maneuvering in somewhat awkward angles which allow him to either open up lanes for passes or for shot attempts. A dangerous player on the ice at any given moment.
24. Kaiden Guhle, D – Prince Albert (WHL)
A big strong defenseman who prides himself on his physicality and plays with an edge. The 6-foot-3 towering defenseman plays a solid all-around game and skates well for his frame. His skillset is not limited at all as he’s gained a lot of experience throughout his junior career helping him refine his offensive game.
While he won’t put up record numbers, he does have a good shot which gets on net more often than not. He also joins the rush quite often, making himself available as a potential threat or at the very least a dangerous decoy. On defence, he is basically a brick wall, not allowing any through.
He often goes for quality checks, but does attempt bigger hits which often separates the player from the puck, allowing his teammates to recuperate the puck and skate the other way. He does well balancing his style as he brings an arsenal of defensive skills to his game, including his excellent stick checking, his body positioning when keeping up with defenders and his high defensive IQ which allows him to read plays and react accordingly.
25. Ryan O’Rourke, D – SSM (OHL)
A big defender who prides himself with his defensive abilities and will do anything to keep his team ahead. The captain of the Soo Greyhounds is an above average skater who transports the puck very well and often leaves it to his teammates to create offense. While he is not a bad offensive player, he does lack the appropriate tools to be a good one.
He is getting better at it as he gets more reps at moments where his team is in enemy territory. The do it all defensemen has fun playing defense and you can see it in his attitude when that is the case. His tenacity to intercept pucks and block lanes is what scouts see in a defender.
Can they stop opposing players from creating offense or do they need to be bailed out by their goalie? You don’t ask those questions when O’Rourke is on the ice. He allows you to breathe and that makes him a dependable defenseman.
26. Jean-Luc Foudy, C – Windsor (OHL)
The brother of Liam Foudy, Jean-Luc has been a great revelation for the Windsor Spitfires and continues to show why he is a first-round pick with his skating ability, superior playmaking skills and never die attitude he brings to the rink everyday. His overall game has developed well and manages to make plays at both ends of the ice which adds value to both his confidence and draft stock. The downside of Foudy’s game is the lack of shots he takes during games, even though he possesses a good one.
It’s clear that he prides himself on setting up players as he recorded 41 assists in his rookie year and has more assists than goals in 2019-2020. If Foudy starts shooting more, which in theory would lead to more goals, than his overall game would move up a few tiers and would become a more dangerous player on the ice.
27. Jake Neighbours, LW – Edmonton (WHL)
A quick winger who plays win an edge and can play any style of hockey needed whether it’s in a top-six role or further down the lineup. The young winger is often playing a hard nosed game as he is proficient in forechecking and recuperating loose pucks in order to get his team to control and create scoring chances. He also plays the game with intensity and it allows him to attack at a much higher pace.
His overall game is getting better, but he is more of an offensive player than two-way, but is not a liability in his own zone. His greatest asset is his quick movement and with that, gives him an edge for loose pucks or when he’s trying to cut to the net. More often than not, he beats opposing defenders and creates high danger scoring chances.
His game also goes up in playoff games where he has managed to record 28 points in 27 games playing in various leagues. He does likes playing in big games and seems to enjoy the spotlight as well.
28. William Wallinder, D – MODO (SWEDEN U20)
A towering defenseman with raw skills who can turn out to be a much better player than his current rank. Wallinder comes on the ice with a 6-foot-4 frame and manages to play a smooth game with very few holes. Like mentioned before, he is very raw, but has a combination of good stick and skating skills that allow him to keep plays alive and become a weapon in opponents zones.
He seems to be gaining a lot more experience this year playing with both the senior and junior team of Modo. With a few more seasons of seasoning, he could end up becoming a similar player to Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but let’s keep the expectations tamed for now.
29. Jack Quinn, RW – Ottawa (OHL)
He is a creative winger with with high scoring talents which leads the OHL with 35 so far in 2019-2020. In his second season with the Ottawa 67s, Quinn has surpassed his previous totals in far less games and as mentioned before, he leads the OHL in goals. Players behind include former first-round pick Connor McMichael and second-round picks Arthur Kaliyev and Nick Robertson. He has refined a lot of his rough edges from last year, making him a more imposing player and more creative as he finds different ways to score.
30. Shakir Mukhamadulin, D – UFA (MHL)
An imposing defenseman with good skating ability and with untapped offensive upside. His game is very smooth and he rarely panics under pressure, giving him an edge in pressure moments. One of the better Russian prospects in this draft, Shakir is dependable and relied upon to play at both ends of the ice as he has the skillset to do so.
His offensive game starts with his booming shot as he can unload a hard shot on net. He enjoys one-timers a lot. His defensive game is developing and usually wins one-on-one battles against opposing forwards. He has a knack for cutting lanes and stick checking at the perfect moment to either intercept or poke pucks away from danger zones. He’s still more raw, but with more repetitions at a higher level, he should become an asset to any teams top-six defence corps.
31. John-Jason Peterka, LW – EHC Muchen (DEL)
The German forward has become a more popular name regarding the draft as he had a good World Junior tournament playing with the likes of Lukas Reichel and Tim Stutzle, but Peterka held his own and made a good impression on scouts. His 2019-20 season hasn’t been great as he has played under 12 minutes for EHC Muchen in the DEL, but he gets time on the man advantage, showcasing his good hockey skills. He has a good combination of speed and skill which allows him to create and finish plays and sometimes win 50-50 puck battles fast.
He drives to the net with efficiency and often creates scoring chances because of it. His patience with the puck is at a higher level and that’s a key skill that often opens up lanes for passing or allows him to break down opponent’s strategy to give him a better angle to shoot. He should get more time on the ice as the season advances and more-so into the 2020-21 regular season.
On The Outside Looking in
Lukas Reichel, Brandon Brisson, Seth Jarvis, Lukas Cormier.
All in all, the 2020 NHL Entry Draft is still a couple months away, but it shouldn’t be time to coast for these players. Some of them are heading into playoff mode which should either solidify their position or allow them to hurdle others ahead. Regardless of that, this year’s draft should be very exciting with the depth of talent that seems to be overflowing.