The date for NHL 2020 entry draft has been confirmed, so I thought I’d do a mock draft to try and predict who will be drafted where. I have started with the top 10, as the article would be even longer if I strayed into the 20s or to the end of the first round. With each pick I’ve included key information, along with a summary of my reasoning. I wouldn’t be surprised if I got multiple of the top 10 wrong however, as this years draft has so many high quality players.
1 (Rangers): Alexis Lafreniere, LW, Rimouski Oceanic.
TSN: 1 Elite Prospects: 1 THG: 1
Strengths: Puck Handling, Teamwork, Passing
GP 52 G 35 A 77
Everyone agrees that Alexis Lafreniere is the best player in this year’s draft, so I’m not going to go against that. Lafreniere is a physical and dynamic winger, who puts up bags of points, and would be a great addition to any NHL roster. The Rangers have struck gold in the draft lottery.
2 (Kings): Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury Wolves.
TSN: 3 Elite Prospects: 2 THG: 3
Strengths: Speed, Teamwork, Strength
GP 45 G 32 A 50
Though many of the rankings have 6foot4 centre Quinton Byfield at number 3, I believe that Los Angeles will find it hard to pass up a player in Byfield’s mould. Some say that he is overrated, and scouts argue that for his size, he doesn’t throw his weight around enough. That is an issue that can be coached, and a big point scoring centre is gold dust in the NHL.
3 (Senators): Tim Stutzle, LW, Adler Mannheim.
TSN: 2 Elite Prospects: 8 THG: 2
Strengths: Shooting Accuracy, Teamwork, Passing
GP 41 G 7 A 27
For some reason Elite Prospects have dropped Tim Stutzle in their rankings, but there aren’t many, if any, flaws in the German Left Winger’s game. A talented playmaker, who is already putting up points against men in the DEL, Stutzle should slot straight into the top six of most NHL rosters.
4 (Red Wings): Cole Perfetti, LW, Saginaw Spirit.
TSN: 5 Elite Prospects: 7 THG: 7
Strengths: Speed, Puck Handling, Agility
GP 61 G 37 A 74
After the top three, the order of picks could be anything, but I think Cole Perfetti is a great fit for Detroit. He offers a well-rounded forward who can play on the left wing or centre. He earned the CHL scholastic player of the year award, showing his ability, and how he has stood out across the three major junior leagues in Canada.
5 (Senators): Lucas Raymond, RW, Frolunda HC.
TSN: 6 Elite Prospects: 3 THG: 4
Strengths: Shooting Accuracy, Acceleration, Puck Handling
GP 33 G 4 A 6
Lucas Raymond has got more and more attention in recent weeks, so much so that Elite Prospects ranks him at number 3. Much like Stutzle, Raymond has experience playing against men, but this time in the SHL, a higher standard than the DEL. His shot and puck handling are his greatest assets, meaning he’ll provide the Sens with a flashy scoring forward, something that they need.
6 (Ducks): Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa 67’s.
TSN: 7 Elite Prospects: 4 THG: 6
Strengths: Shooting Accuracy, Puck Handling, Agility
GP 56 G 39 A 81
Austrian born Marco Rossi has a real shot at becoming the highest scoring Austrian to play in the NHL, as there haven’t been many. The small centre has been on fire alongside Jack Quinn for the Ottawa 67’s, collecting the scoring title for the CHL and the OHL’s best player award. There are questions about how high his ceiling is, but Rossi should be a star in the NHL.
7 (Devils): Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie Otters.
TSN: 4 Elite Prospects: 5 THG: 5
Strengths: Teamwork, Speed, Puck Handling
GP 49 G 9 A 38
Most scouts agree that Jamie Drysdale is the best defenseman in the draft. There have been comparisons to Chicago Blackhawks mainstay Duncan Keith, which emphasise how highly thought of the right-handed defenseman is. Though it may take Drysdale a year or so back in juniors to get ready for the NHL, it is agreed that he most likely will be an elite defenseman when the time comes.
8 (Sabres): Jake Sanderson, D, US National Team Development Programme.
TSN: 8 Elite Prospects: 9 THG: 8
Strengths: Teamwork, Puck Handling, Strength
GP 47 G 7 A 22
Jake Sanderson has had a meteoric rise up the draft rankings over the past year, from a late to mid first rounder, to a projected top 10 pick. It is thought that Sanderson is more defensively sound than Drysdale, and should at least be a solid stay-at-home defenseman at the NHL level. Some scouts do believe however, that Sanderson has become a little overrated, and question whether he will be able to put up points when he gest to the big time.
9 (Wild): Jack Quinn, RW, Ottawa 67’s.
TSN: 10 Elite Prospects: 16 THG: 10
Strengths: Teamwork, Puck Handling, Agility
GP 62 G 52 A 37
Though most draft lists have Jack Quinn at number 10 or lower, I think he may sneak ahead of Alexander Holtz and into the number 9 spot. Minnesota could do with a real goal scorer, and Quinn is exactly that. Much like Sanderson, Quinn’s stock has risen sharply over the past season, but it is hard to find any downsides to drafting the right winger.
10 (Jets): Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgardens IF.
TSN: 9 Elite Prospects: 6 THG: 9
Strengths: Shooting Accuracy, Puck Handling, Speed
GP 35 G 9 A 7
Alexander Holtz possesses probably the best shot in the draft, but has work to do on other areas on his game. Though the Jets need help on the blue line, if Holtz was available at 10 then they would surely take him, as he would easily be the best player available. This could be a steal later down the line, as Holtz could turn into a natural scorer at the NHL level.
Jon Parkin Sports 