Am I crazy for thinking Byfield has a chance to go 1OA over Lafrenier? That size, skating, and talent combo is just so rare, and combined with the C > W factor and depending on how their respective seasons go I could see Byfield going first.
Byfield is one of those players who's growing into his body. He's a productive player no doubt, but at times he looks very awkward out there. However, he's as dynamic and talented with his body size that he reminds me so much of Eric Lindros, would be the closest clone since him. The other problem though and why he might drop is because he is not a very high IQ player, he has shown to have some Nichushkin blinder problems at times. This might be because he's an underager, but he still had a very productive season to be warranted as a top 5 prospect.
Rossi is another player I am a bit eerie on, not because he sucks since he was talented enough to be on the 1st line as an underrager, that speaks volumes. But my problem with him is that he's not a very good skater and his linemates were two 20 year old overagers that would be posting up 90+ points regardless of who their centre was.
Though it is still extremely early, from everything I've seen thus far I think the biggest challenge to Lafreniere is Raymond. He's unbelievable prospect who has pretty much everything that Byfield has besides body size, but Lucas is a million times the smarter player. Super dynamic and out of anyone, he's actually playing up to Alexis level where I think Lafreniere has plateaued a bit. Whatever the case is, I very much like the top 10 to 15 for this draft, but I do think the 1st overall for this draft will be the weakest since 2017.
Agree... some bright spots (Sanderson and Gushchin come to mind), but overall pretty weak.
Excited to see how high Stutzle climbs too... there are some big, big fans of that kid.
Not sure why Stutzle is so high, especially when I consider Peterka the better player. Not to stat whack, but JJP pretty much destroyed an U19 league where Dobson posted extremely average stats around the same age and he went 11th overall. Probably not fair to compare a defender with forward though, but I consider Stutzle more of a 2nd rounder currently.
Been hearing about these Swedes for a bit now.
BTW, is Lucas Raymond pronounced like you'd expect? Doesn't seem very Swedish.
Raymond's father is from France and why he doesn't have a traditional Swedish surname.
Here's my 2020 list I posted back before the 2019 draft.
1. Alexis Lafreniere, LW (CAN) Rimouski Oceanic, LHJMQ
2. Lucas Raymond, RW (SWE) Frolunda HC, SuperElit
3. Quinton Byfield, C (CAN) Sudbury Wolves, OHL
4. Anton Lundell, C/LW (FIN) HIFK, Liiga
5. Cole Perfetti, C (CAN) Saginaw Spirit, OHL
6. Jan Mysak, LW (CZE) HC Litvinov, Czech
7. Noel Gunler, RW (SWE) Lulea HF, SuperElit
8. Yaroslav Askarov, G (RUS) SKA Varyagi Vsevolozhski, MHL
9. Connor Zary, C (CAN) Kamloops Blazers, WHL
10. Antonio Stranges, C/LW (USA) London Knights, OHL
11. Theo Rochette, C (SUI) Chicoutimi Sagueneens, LHJMQ
12. Alexander Holtz, RW (SWE) Djurgardens IF, SuperElit
13. Justin Barron, D (CAN) Halifax Mooseheads, LHJMQ
14. Marco Rossi, C (AUT) Ottawa 67’s, OHL
15. Jean-Luc Foudy, C (CAN) Windsor Spitfires, OHL
16. Marat Khusnutdinov, C (RUS) Vityaz Podolsk, MHL U17
17. Dylan Holloway, LW (CAN) Okotoks Oilers, AJHL
18. Zion Nybeck, RW (SWE) HV71, SuperElit
19. Rodion Amirov, LW (RUS) Tolpar Ufa, MHL
20. Ty Smilanic, C (USA) USNTDP, USHL
21. John-Jason Peterka, C (GER) EHC Munchen, DEL
22. Hendrix Lapierre, C (CAN) Chicoutimi Sagueneens, LHJMQ
23. Kasper Simontaival, LW (FIN) Tappara U20, SM-Liiga
24. Jake Neighbours, LW (CAN) Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL
25. Dylan Peterson, C (USA) USNTDP, USHL
26. Mavrik Bourque, C (CAN) Shawinigan Cataracters, LHJMQ
27. Dawson Mercer, RW (CAN) Drummondville Voltigeurs, LHJMQ
28. Seth Jarvis, RW (CAN) Portland Winterhawks, WHL
29. Kaiden Guhle, D (CAN) Prince Albert Raiders, WHL
30. Jake Sanderson, D (USA) USNTDP, USHL
31. Jamie Drysdale, D (CAN) Erie Otters, OHL
I don't think I would make that many changes, probably rise Sanderson, Jarvis, and Holloway (big fan of him). If there was someone I would put in the top 31 is
Braden Schneider at eliteprospects.com . I was a bit hesitant on him since I dislike drafting defensive-defencemen high, but he's showing a lot more on the two-way spectrum. Likes the physical game and is showing more of a scoring touch. As of now I am not a huge fan of the defenders for this draft, besides Barron, I see a lot of athletic defenders that have questionable skill set. Guhle, Drysdale, Kleven, and to a degree Sanderson are very similar to Zadorov. The one that could be a big time riser is
Mitchell Miller at eliteprospects.com , but we're going to have to see if he's able to do it.
My favourite prospect at the moment is Perfetti. I said in the past, but he is so similar to Marner it's pretty crazy when you watch him play. Super slick with very high playmaking IQ talent. The biggest wildcard is Nybeck, he is also very talent, but plays a small very junior-ish style. If he's able to expand he will find himself in the top 10.