2020 NHL Draft Prospects

[Prospect Pipeline]

Hey everyone, here's a quick look at the OHL's top 2002-born rookies for the month of October.

Most of these prospects are former GTHL stars, with the exception of Sarnia Sting standout Jacob Perreault. All of which have enjoyed tremendous success to begin their OHL careers, and should be viewed as excellent candidates for the 2020 NHL Draft.

• October's Top Five OHL Rookies

 

[Rexor]

You know who put up Jagr-like numbers? Jiri Hudler, in 2002, and he went barely in the 2nd round. (And by the way, at that time the Czech Extraliga was viewed as today's SHL is)
Then you have a guy like Filip Chytil, who didn't even break 10 points in the "measly" Czech Extraliga and still got into the 1st round. Not even two years ago. As if scouts actually looked at more than just scoreboard.

Yes, there's obviously a lot more to scouting than just looking at hockeydb. You mentioned Hudler in 2002, a year later Milan Michálek had 8 points in 46 games with České Budějovice and went 6th overall. Even Nečas was 0.37 ppg in his draft year and almost cracked the Top 10. It's more about how well one's game projects in the NHL. And is it really that important whether one gets drafted at #4 or #12? I don't think so. It's interesting for fans but not something that makes or breaks a player's career.

 

[Killerjas]

Noel Gunler will be a top 5 player in the 2020 draft.

 

[Tube Skates]

What the scoop on Cole Perfetti. Thought there would be some talk on him. I'm not really a numbers guy I like to watch live games and build my own opinion. I haven't seen him so what's up? He's got pretty good point totals. Nobody here watching Saginaw games?

 

[LeProspector]

This is shaping up to be the most exiting crop of players since 2015.

 

[Babula]

Cole Perfetti is a marker. start to like him.

 

[FinnishSniper]

How’s Holtz doing?

 

[Marcobruin]

We are approximately 1 yr and half away from the 2020 draft and
Many of the players posted years ago i.e. Lafrenière Byfield, Raymond, Holtz, are still considered very high prospects

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Here's my initial top 62 from this draft. The players listed below I have yet to see play.

Have not seen play: Niederbach, Lapierre, Stutzle

1. Alexis Lafreniere-W
2. Quinton Byfield-C
3. Jamie Drysdale-D
4. Anton Lundell-C
5. Lucas Raymond-W
6. Jan Mysak-C
7. Jean-Luc Foudy-C
8. Alexander Holtz-W
9. Jeremie Poirier-D
10. Kaiden Guhle-D
11. Cole Perfetti-C
12. Thomas Bordeleau-C
13. Ryan O'Rourke-D
14. Tyler Kleven-D
15. Noel Gunler-W
16. Yaroslav Askarov-G
17. Martin Chromiak-C
18. Will Cuylle-W
18. Marco Rossi-C
19. Ryder Rolston-W
20. Vasili Ponomaryov-C
21. Daniil Gushchin-W
22. Ruben Rafkin-D
23. Dylan Holloway-W
24. Kasper Simontaival-W
25. Antonio Stranges-W
26. Ty Smilanic-C
27. Yan Kuznetsov-D
28. Evan Vierling-C
29. Zion Nybeck-W
30. Jake Sanderson-D
31. Connor McClennon-W

32. Marat Khusnutdinov-C
33. Dawson Mercer-W
34. Braden Schneider
35. Rodion Amirov-W
36. Jake Neighbours-W
37. William Villeneuve-D
38. Jacob Perreault-C
39. Eamon Powell-D
40. Roni Hirvonen-C
41. Connor Zary-C
42. Luke Tuch-W
43. Brock Faber-D
44. Samuel Knazko-D
45. Christopher Sedoff-D
46. Simon Knak-W
47. Anton Johannesson-D
48. Jan Bednar-G
49. Mitchell Miller-D
50. Stephen Halliday-W
51. Pavel Novak-W
52. Veeti Miettinen-W
53. Elliot Desnoyers-C
54. Dylan Garand-G
55. Noah Delemont-D
56. Simon Kubicek-D
57. Helge Grans-D
58. Lukas Cormier-D
59. Mavrik Bourque-C
60. Landon Slaggert-C
61. Pavel Tyutnev-W
62. Dylan Peterson-W

 

[Wooren]

Here's my initial top 62 from this draft. The players listed below I have yet to see play.

Have not seen play: Niederbach, Lapierre, Stutzle

1. Alexis Lafreniere-W
2. Quinton Byfield-C
3. Jamie Drysdale-D
4. Anton Lundell-C
5. Lucas Raymond-W
6. Jan Mysak-C
7. Jean-Luc Foudy-C
8. Alexander Holtz-W
9. Jeremie Poirier-D
10. Kaiden Guhle-D
11. Cole Perfetti-C
12. Thomas Bordeleau-C
13. Ryan O'Rourke-D
14. Tyler Kleven-D
15. Noel Gunler-W
16. Yaroslav Askarov-G
17. Martin Chromiak-C
18. Will Cuylle-W
18. Marco Rossi-C
19. Ryder Rolston-W
20. Vasili Ponomaryov-C
21. Daniil Gushchin-W
22. Ruben Rafkin-D
23. Dylan Holloway-W
24. Kasper Simontaival-W
25. Antonio Stranges-W
26. Ty Smilanic-C
27. Yan Kuznetsov-D
28. Evan Vierling-C
29. Zion Nybeck-W
30. Jake Sanderson-D
31. Connor McClennon-W

32. Marat Khusnutdinov-C
33. Dawson Mercer-W
34. Braden Schneider
35. Rodion Amirov-W
36. Jake Neighbours-W
37. William Villeneuve-D
38. Jacob Perreault-C
39. Eamon Powell-D
40. Roni Hirvonen-C
41. Connor Zary-C
42. Luke Tuch-W
43. Brock Faber-D
44. Samuel Knazko-D
45. Christopher Sedoff-D
46. Simon Knak-W
47. Anton Johannesson-D
48. Jan Bednar-G
49. Mitchell Miller-D
50. Stephen Halliday-W
51. Pavel Novak-W
52. Veeti Miettinen-W
53. Elliot Desnoyers-C
54. Dylan Garand-G
55. Noah Delemont-D
56. Simon Kubicek-D
57. Helge Grans-D
58. Lukas Cormier-D
59. Mavrik Bourque-C
60. Landon Slaggert-C
61. Pavel Tyutnev-W
62. Dylan Peterson-W

I can only comment on the Czech players and their ranking, so I don't know how deep this draft is shaping up to be. (But in my opinion every draft is the same with some differences of quality in the top 10.)

Nick Malik should be there, he is talent comparable to Bednar. Both should be among the top goalies for this draft.
I would have Novak perhaps slightly higher, like early 2nd, but that's not much of a difference.
Kubicek is not top 60 material in my eyes, I don't how's looking in the WHL, but he always looked slow whenever I watched him. Just outside the top 100 is where I have him at.
Pytlik should be there for sure, he is not very flashy, but talented.
Raska and Blaha are two others I would consider, though both have question marks, especially Blaha. If he grows a couple more inches I can see him being a prospect similiar to Honka brothers. Very intrigued by him.

 

[slovakia18]

Here's my initial top 62 from this draft. The players listed below I have yet to see play.

Have not seen play: Niederbach, Lapierre, Stutzle

1. Alexis Lafreniere-W
2. Quinton Byfield-C
3. Jamie Drysdale-D
4. Anton Lundell-C
5. Lucas Raymond-W
6. Jan Mysak-C
7. Jean-Luc Foudy-C
8. Alexander Holtz-W
9. Jeremie Poirier-D
10. Kaiden Guhle-D
11. Cole Perfetti-C
12. Thomas Bordeleau-C
13. Ryan O'Rourke-D
14. Tyler Kleven-D
15. Noel Gunler-W
16. Yaroslav Askarov-G
17. Martin Chromiak-C
18. Will Cuylle-W
18. Marco Rossi-C
19. Ryder Rolston-W
20. Vasili Ponomaryov-C
21. Daniil Gushchin-W
22. Ruben Rafkin-D
23. Dylan Holloway-W
24. Kasper Simontaival-W
25. Antonio Stranges-W
26. Ty Smilanic-C
27. Yan Kuznetsov-D
28. Evan Vierling-C
29. Zion Nybeck-W
30. Jake Sanderson-D
31. Connor McClennon-W

32. Marat Khusnutdinov-C
33. Dawson Mercer-W
34. Braden Schneider
35. Rodion Amirov-W
36. Jake Neighbours-W
37. William Villeneuve-D
38. Jacob Perreault-C
39. Eamon Powell-D
40. Roni Hirvonen-C
41. Connor Zary-C
42. Luke Tuch-W
43. Brock Faber-D
44. Samuel Knazko-D
45. Christopher Sedoff-D
46. Simon Knak-W
47. Anton Johannesson-D
48. Jan Bednar-G
49. Mitchell Miller-D
50. Stephen Halliday-W
51. Pavel Novak-W
52. Veeti Miettinen-W
53. Elliot Desnoyers-C
54. Dylan Garand-G
55. Noah Delemont-D
56. Simon Kubicek-D
57. Helge Grans-D
58. Lukas Cormier-D
59. Mavrik Bourque-C
60. Landon Slaggert-C
61. Pavel Tyutnev-W
62. Dylan Peterson-W

Rossi 18?
Sorry but u didn'tt see games from him than. he is easily Top5 and i think he is a Top 3 Pick.

 

[MaxV]

PB, interesting on Yan Kuznetsov. Do you see offensive upside? He certainly has the physical tools.

 

[wings5]

Byfield needs to step it up if he wants to remain that high.

 

[flamebird]

Here's my initial top 62 from this draft. The players listed below I have yet to see play.

Have not seen play: Niederbach, Lapierre, Stutzle

1. Alexis Lafreniere-W
2. Quinton Byfield-C
3. Jamie Drysdale-D
4. Anton Lundell-C
5. Lucas Raymond-W
6. Jan Mysak-C
7. Jean-Luc Foudy-C
8. Alexander Holtz-W
9. Jeremie Poirier-D
10. Kaiden Guhle-D
11. Cole Perfetti-C
12. Thomas Bordeleau-C
13. Ryan O'Rourke-D
14. Tyler Kleven-D
15. Noel Gunler-W
16. Yaroslav Askarov-G
17. Martin Chromiak-C
18. Will Cuylle-W
18. Marco Rossi-C
19. Ryder Rolston-W
20. Vasili Ponomaryov-C
21. Daniil Gushchin-W
22. Ruben Rafkin-D
23. Dylan Holloway-W
24. Kasper Simontaival-W
25. Antonio Stranges-W
26. Ty Smilanic-C
27. Yan Kuznetsov-D
28. Evan Vierling-C
29. Zion Nybeck-W
30. Jake Sanderson-D
31. Connor McClennon-W

32. Marat Khusnutdinov-C
33. Dawson Mercer-W
34. Braden Schneider
35. Rodion Amirov-W
36. Jake Neighbours-W
37. William Villeneuve-D
38. Jacob Perreault-C
39. Eamon Powell-D
40. Roni Hirvonen-C
41. Connor Zary-C
42. Luke Tuch-W
43. Brock Faber-D
44. Samuel Knazko-D
45. Christopher Sedoff-D
46. Simon Knak-W
47. Anton Johannesson-D
48. Jan Bednar-G
49. Mitchell Miller-D
50. Stephen Halliday-W
51. Pavel Novak-W
52. Veeti Miettinen-W
53. Elliot Desnoyers-C
54. Dylan Garand-G
55. Noah Delemont-D
56. Simon Kubicek-D
57. Helge Grans-D
58. Lukas Cormier-D
59. Mavrik Bourque-C
60. Landon Slaggert-C
61. Pavel Tyutnev-W
62. Dylan Peterson-W

Based on guys I've seen personally and my personal opinion a few minor tweaks to an overall good list,

Perfetti > Foudy
I would move Mysak down a few slots but keep him inside the top 10
Cuylle > O'Rourke -- not by much
Stranges skillset is easily top 10
Peterson, Tuch, Perreault are late 1st/early 2nd players

 

[KahunWOW]

16yo Tim Stützle absolutely crushes the german U20 league. Stützle is the topscorer with 49 points in 18 games, leading by 17 points already.

Also scored twice recently vs Slovakias U20.

I will see him play in February.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

PB, interesting on Yan Kuznetsov. Do you see offensive upside? He certainly has the physical tools.

Hard to say. I like how he handled the puck, and carried it forward into the offensive zone. Didn't play the PP nor did he have many instances of extended possession in the offensive zone.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Based on guys I've seen personally and my personal opinion a few minor tweaks to an overall good list,

Perfetti > Foudy
I would move Mysak down a few slots but keep him inside the top 10
Cuylle > O'Rourke -- not by much
Stranges skillset is easily top 10
Peterson, Tuch, Perreault are late 1st/early 2nd players

Foudy is one of the best skaters in the world who currently plays hockey, and I don't think I'm exaggerating that. He's a figure skater with high level skill. If there's anyone outside my top 5 who I think could push for 1OA, I think its him.

I wanted to put Perreault higher. Thought I might have him a little low. Hadn't seen enough of him though to be completely sure about that ranking. I'm not the biggest Peterson fan. He's big, skates very well and can handle the puck, but I don't know if the rest of his game is all that good.

 

[wings5]

Definitely feel Gunler will go higher , would probably switch him and Holtz and Rossi for Lundell.

 

[Tube Skates]

You've seen Jeremie Poirier. So I was wondering your take on Josh Lawrence. Do you feel he's just to small to be chosen in the first couple rounds or other concerns?

 

[Daneurism]

Random observation on Josh Lawrence: He's a force creating turnovers on the penalty kill. Saw it a couple times in those u17 scrimmages. His anticipation/effort is real impressive.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

You've seen Jeremie Poirier. So I was wondering your take on Josh Lawrence. Do you feel he's just to small to be chosen in the first couple rounds or other concerns?

He was one of the players that was very close to making my list. There were about 10 others in that category.

I don't think I'd ever say a player is too small. I like his skating and activeness on a shift to shift basis, but he's not skilled enough at his size for me to put him any higher right now. Its a provisional list though, so I might change my opinion.

 

[Daneurism]

It's a pretty stacked draft, but i'd still bet on Lawrence going top two rounds. He does a lot of things other guys don't. There's a good reason he got Sid comparisons at a younger age.

 

[TimeZone]

Here's my initial top 62 from this draft. The players listed below I have yet to see play.

Have not seen play: Niederbach, Lapierre, Stutzle

1. Alexis Lafreniere-W
2. Quinton Byfield-C
3. Jamie Drysdale-D
4. Anton Lundell-C
5. Lucas Raymond-W
6. Jan Mysak-C
7. Jean-Luc Foudy-C
8. Alexander Holtz-W
9. Jeremie Poirier-D
10. Kaiden Guhle-D
11. Cole Perfetti-C
12. Thomas Bordeleau-C
13. Ryan O'Rourke-D
14. Tyler Kleven-D
15. Noel Gunler-W
16. Yaroslav Askarov-G
17. Martin Chromiak-C
18. Will Cuylle-W
18. Marco Rossi-C
19. Ryder Rolston-W
20. Vasili Ponomaryov-C
21. Daniil Gushchin-W
22. Ruben Rafkin-D
23. Dylan Holloway-W
24. Kasper Simontaival-W
25. Antonio Stranges-W
26. Ty Smilanic-C
27. Yan Kuznetsov-D
28. Evan Vierling-C
29. Zion Nybeck-W
30. Jake Sanderson-D
31. Connor McClennon-W

32. Marat Khusnutdinov-C
33. Dawson Mercer-W
34. Braden Schneider
35. Rodion Amirov-W
36. Jake Neighbours-W
37. William Villeneuve-D
38. Jacob Perreault-C
39. Eamon Powell-D
40. Roni Hirvonen-C
41. Connor Zary-C
42. Luke Tuch-W
43. Brock Faber-D
44. Samuel Knazko-D
45. Christopher Sedoff-D
46. Simon Knak-W
47. Anton Johannesson-D
48. Jan Bednar-G
49. Mitchell Miller-D
50. Stephen Halliday-W
51. Pavel Novak-W
52. Veeti Miettinen-W
53. Elliot Desnoyers-C
54. Dylan Garand-G
55. Noah Delemont-D
56. Simon Kubicek-D
57. Helge Grans-D
58. Lukas Cormier-D
59. Mavrik Bourque-C
60. Landon Slaggert-C
61. Pavel Tyutnev-W
62. Dylan Peterson-W

I can't seem to find Justin Barron's name anywhere on this list? The kid is an extremely solid defender.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I can't seem to find Justin Barron's name anywhere on this list? The kid is an extremely solid defender.

I knew I was forgetting someone. I think he was going to be in the 4-8 range prior to the actual list that forgot about him.

 

[kabidjan18]

Is it just me or are there 2 #18s? And then a 19, so it's not a tie.