2020 NHL Draft - Early Rankings and Scouting Reports LWOH

[LastWordArmy]

Today we start our summer TSP series.

As always it begins with our pre-season 2020 NHL Draft Rankings.

From there we will do individual team prospect pools.

2020 NHL Draft - An Early Look and Rankings - Last Word on Hockey

Click to read more...

 

[Tryamkin]

Jan Mysak will shock people by years end at this rate. Honest top 3 candidate.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

I can't see Byfield falling below 3. Such a powerful skater for a player his size. Also plays the premium position as compared to Lafrenier, Raymond and Holtz.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Jan Mysak will shock people by years end at this rate. Honest top 3 candidate.

I havent seen enough of his czech league stuff to get a proper feel on him yet. There are always risers when you see more footage of players in their draft year. One i will keep an eye on.

Any word if hes going to Hamilton or staying in the czech republic?

 

[LastWordArmy]

I can't see Byfield falling below 3. Such a powerful skater for a player his size. Also plays the premium position as compared to Lafrenier, Raymond and Holtz.

He has the tools that he can rise quickly if he shows more production than he did last year. I could see him in the conversation for number 1. Its less likely but guys in the top 10 preseason have also gone undrafted. Its a snapshot of today and there will be some fluidity here even by our traditional november update.

 

[ijuka]

Raymond I can see at #2 but I really have my doubts about Holtz at #3. To me he just doesn't have the skating or overall game to go ahead of some of the other names.

 

[Mats26]

Top 5 D in 2020?

 

[Dominance]

Top 5 D in 2020?

I’d say it’s pretty clearly

Drysdale
Barron
Poirier
Guhle
Grans

At this point, with the latter two interchangeable to some degree. But I don’t really think any other prospect has a claim at this point. It’s a pretty clear picture.

 

[Daximus]

I’d say it’s pretty clearly

Drysdale
Barron
Poirier
Guhle
Grans

At this point, with the latter two interchangeable to some degree. But I don’t really think any other prospect has a claim at this point. It’s a pretty clear picture.

Schneider and Nikishin could wedge their way in there as well.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

I’d say it’s pretty clearly

Drysdale
Barron
Poirier
Guhle
Grans

At this point, with the latter two interchangeable to some degree. But I don’t really think any other prospect has a claim at this point. It’s a pretty clear picture.

Didn't know Guhle also has a younger brother who plays defense just like him.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Schneider and Nikishin could wedge their way in there as well.

He related to Mathieu Schneider ? Mathieu Schneider - Wikipedia

 

[Ovechkin962]

I’d say it’s pretty clearly

Drysdale
Barron
Poirier
Guhle
Grans

At this point, with the latter two interchangeable to some degree. But I don’t really think any other prospect has a claim at this point. It’s a pretty clear picture.

Those defensemen could creep into the first round also: Braden Schneider, Alexander Nikishin, Jake Sanderson, Tyler Kleven, Jack Thompson, Daemon Hunt, Tyrel Bauer, Lukas Cormier, Michael Benning, Jérémie Biakabutuka, Simon Kubicek, Ryan O'Rourke, Donovan Sebrango, William Villeneuve. The depth of this draft is off the chart IMO.

 

[Daximus]

He related to Mathieu Schneider ? Mathieu Schneider - Wikipedia

Not that I know of, they are from Prince Albert. His brother Marek was drafted by Saskatoon but he doesnt look very promising yet.

 

[Daximus]

Those defensemen could creep into the first round also: Braden Schneider, Alexander Nikishin, Jake Sanderson, Tyler Kleven, Jack Thompson, Daemon Hunt, Tyrel Bauer, Lukas Cormier, Michael Benning, Jérémie Biakabutuka, Simon Kubicek, Ryan O'Rourke, Donovan Sebrango, William Villeneuve. The depth of this draft is off the chart IMO.

Speaking of Villeneuve, Saint John looks like they could have a banner year. At least 5 maybe 6 kids that could get drafted.

 

[ohheyhemsky]

Jan Mysak will shock people by years end at this rate. Honest top 3 candidate.

I'll bet Mysak on it.

 

[Tryamkin]

I havent seen enough of his czech league stuff to get a proper feel on him yet. There are always risers when you see more footage of players in their draft year. One i will keep an eye on.

Any word if hes going to Hamilton or staying in the czech republic?

They’ve given him the keys and the captaincy in Litvinov at 16 years old. That’s unheard of. I will be extremely shocked if he moves over. He’s been extremely dominant. I suggest watching some of the playoff relegation battle games that he was in. He was absolutely filthy.

 

[Get North]

Those defensemen could creep into the first round also: Braden Schneider, Alexander Nikishin, Jake Sanderson, Tyler Kleven, Jack Thompson, Daemon Hunt, Tyrel Bauer, Lukas Cormier, Michael Benning, Jérémie Biakabutuka, Simon Kubicek, Ryan O'Rourke, Donovan Sebrango, William Villeneuve. The depth of this draft is off the chart IMO.

I would add Lleyton Moore and Luke Prokop to that list. Total opposite sizes, but both have strong hockey sense and move the puck fast out of the zone.

 

[Buck Naked]

Raymond I can see at #2 but I really have my doubts about Holtz at #3. To me he just doesn't have the skating or overall game to go ahead of some of the other names.

Laine is ruining Holtz's case for going top 3.

Jokes aside. Can't see him going ahead of Byfield.

 

[bert]

I can't see Byfield falling below 3. Such a powerful skater for a player his size. Also plays the premium position as compared to Lafrenier, Raymond and Holtz.

He wont, if you really got to watch him this season and see how elite his skillset is I cant see anyone letting him fall below 2. As a sens fan I know they are getting a top 5 pick he is who I want. His end game is so unique there isnt a single comparable player currently in the NHL. His combination of size, skating and skill is truly incredible. The thing that got me was his work ethic and back pressure. Reminded me of a giant Hossa who plays center.

 

[Favin]

I’d say it’s pretty clearly

Drysdale
Barron
Poirier
Guhle
Grans

At this point, with the latter two interchangeable to some degree. But I don’t really think any other prospect has a claim at this point. It’s a pretty clear picture.

There are about 11 guys on defense with 1st round grade at this point. Here is how I see them...

1. Jamie Drysdale, RHD, Erie (OHL), CAN
2. Justin Barron, RHD, Halifax (QMJHL), CAN
3. Jake Sanderson, LHD, US NTDP (USHL), USA
4. Ryan O'Rourke, LHD, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), CAN
5. Helge Grans, RHD, Malmo (Sweeden), SWE
6. Tyler Kleven, LHD, US NTDP (USHL), USA
7. Emil Andrae, LHD, HV71 (Sweeden), SWE
8. Kaiden Guhle, LHD, Prince Albert (WHL), CAN
9. Jeremie Poirier, LHD, Saint John (QMJHL), CAN
10. Braden Schneider, RHD, Brandon (WHL), CAN
11. Lukas Cormier, LHD, Charlottetown (QMJHL), CAN

 

[Isaac Nootin]

He wont, if you really got to watch him this season and see how elite his skillset is I cant see anyone letting him fall below 2. As a sens fan I know they are getting a top 5 pick he is who I want. His end game is so unique there isnt a single comparable player currently in the NHL. His combination of size, skating and skill is truly incredible. The thing that got me was his work ethic and back pressure. Reminded me of a giant Hossa who plays center.

Oh I agree 100%

As a Wolves season ticket holder I get to see him more than most. He's the best to come through Sudbury in a long, long time. Unfortunate we'll only get to see him for 1 more year in the North. He has the size and skating to make the NHL immediately. I'll enjoy watching him while I can.

 

[tony d]

Thanks for this. Will be interesting to see which guys rise and which ones fall during this season.

 

[QJL]

There are about 11 guys on defense with 1st round grade at this point. Here is how I see them...

1. Jamie Drysdale, RHD, Erie (OHL), CAN
2. Justin Barron, RHD, Halifax (QMJHL), CAN
3. Jake Sanderson, LHD, US NTDP (USHL), USA
4. Ryan O'Rourke, LHD, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), CAN
5. Helge Grans, RHD, Malmo (Sweeden), SWE
6. Tyler Kleven, LHD, US NTDP (USHL), USA
7. Emil Andrae, LHD, HV71 (Sweeden), SWE
8. Kaiden Guhle, LHD, Prince Albert (WHL), CAN
9. Jeremie Poirier, LHD, Saint John (QMJHL), CAN
10. Braden Schneider, RHD, Brandon (WHL), CAN
11. Lukas Cormier, LHD, Charlottetown (QMJHL), CAN

Solid list. I have all these players in my first two rounds. Three other names I believes will rise into 1st round consideration are Jeremy Biakabutuka, Tyrel Bauer, and Ruben Rafkin.

 

[NA Hockey]

Someone mentioned earlier, but don't sleep on Lleyton Moore as top 2 round dman. Possesses elite hockey IQ, elite skating and toughness. The only knock is height and in todays game that is not as much of an issue.

 

[Ovechkin962]

Three eligible defensemen will probably be playing in the NCAA out of the USHL next season. Yan Kuznetsov with the University of Connecticut, Jake Boltmann with the University of Minnesota and Ethan Szmagaj with the University of Wisconsin. We will have to wait and see that they can do at the college level before judging them.