alasania94
Registered User
- Sep 28, 2017
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This is my first ever mock. I am not a scout in anyway but rather a prospect enthusiast. I ran a 1-time draft simulator and stuck with the results. Just a note that the comparisons I’ve put forth have to do with the type of player & overall potential career impact I see them having - the player positions/shot handedness may not always match. I had a lot of fun doing this and I hope you gain whatever insight possible from it.
1. Anaheim Ducks – LW, Alexis Lafreniere
NHL comparison: Marian Hossa/Jamie Benn: A full fledged power forward with the stick and hands to keep up. Anaheim finds their crown jewel, instantly pushing them to having one of the strongest 1-2 punch for years to come. Plug him on Zegras’ wing and you have 2/3 of what may very well be the best young prospect line in the NHL. He’s going to terrorize defenses for years to come as one of the most complete 1st overall forwards to come around in a while.
2. Buffalo Sabres – LW/C, Tim Stutzle
NHL comparison: Matthew Barzal: Skates like the wind and has the brain and skills to match. A zone entry machine that would give Buffalo two elite, young scoring talents. Buffalo could plug him on Eichel’s wing or have him play center on the second line, giving them two very potent offensive centers. Like Barzal, Stutzle excels at playmaking and thinks the game a step ahead of everyone else. A dynamic prospect with first line forward written all over him.
3. Montreal Canadiens – RHD, Jamie Drysdale
NHL comparison: Roman Josi: Fantastic first step and overall skating ability, has a very low panic threshold and can dictate the pace of the game with efficient, low risk plays. Can work a little on the defensive side of things as he does have a tendency for occasional brain-farts but he is still very young and would bolster the Habs RD depth considerably, instantly becoming their best defensive prospect.
4. Detroit Red Wings – RW/LW, Lucas Raymond
NHL comparison: Artemi Panarin: Offense is his specialty. He can create as a shooter or as a playmaker and is a powerplay specialist. All these things make for Detroit swooping him a bit earlier than expected, as they believe they have chosen the player with the highest offensive ceiling in the draft. A nightmare to defend against, Raymond makes everyone around a threat & produces offense almost at will. A true game-breaker.
5. Ottawa Senators – C, Quinton Byfield
NHL comparison: Mike Scheifele/Ryan Getzlaf hybrid: Despite dropping to 5-6, Ottawa looks forward to picking their future top 2 C’s. With the first they grab Byfield, a massive specimen of a C who’s speed surprisingly keeps up with his size. He’s got soft hands and elite puck protection and can safely be projected to man a beastly 1st line with Tkachuk sooner than later. If that comparison doesn’t strike fear into the oppositions heart, I don’t know what will.
6.Ottawa Senators – C, Marco Rossi
NHL comparison: Ryan O’Reilly: Ottawa picks Austrian born Rossi, A 200-foot jack of all trades type of center. He’s relentless on forechecks/defensively and fantastic on faceoffs on top of leading the entire CHL in points this year. He projects as player with a very high floor with room to grow. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him have a very similar career impact as the above mentioned O’Reilly.
7. Los Angeles Kings – C, Anton Lundell
NHL comparison: Mikko Koivu: Fantastic 2-way ability, a solid build and overall great two-way player. Nothing stands out significantly offensively, but he’s produced everywhere he’s played. The Kings feel they make a safe choice choosing the complete center, adding to their dynamic offensive prospect pool including goal scoring wingers Kaliyev, Kupari and Fagemo. He’d also be learning from the best in the business (Kopitar)
8. New Jersey Devils – RW, Alexander Holtz
NHL comparison: Kyle Connor: With their center slots already occupied by Hughes & Hischier, the devils pick the drafts deadliest sniper, hoping he can develop into a top line winger. Other than his goal scoring prowess, Holtz plays a rather complete offensive game and is not a one trick pony. He has the potential to score 40 in the NHL while holding his own defensively.
9. Chicago Blackhawks – C/RW, Cole Perfetti
NHL comparison: Patrick Kane-lite: Dynamic offensive talent that just oozes hockey sense. He was considered a sniper but has also elevated his playmaking ability two-fold, production wise, in his draft year. Going from 37 assists to 74 in less games played is nothing to undermine. He was the third player overall in the CHL to hit 100 points, following Rossi and Lafreniere. His ceiling is incredible, and Chicago runs to the bank with this pick.
10. New Hersey Devils – G, Yaroslav Askarov
NHL comparison: Marc-Andre Fleury: Lacking any legit goalie prospects, the devils choose the highest ranked goalie prospect & far and away the 2020 crops most talented netminder, Yaroslav Askarov. He’s cool as a cucumber in nets, has amazing lateral quickness, an active glove-hand and solid size. All the makings of the future #1 goalie the devils require to further move their rebuild along.
11. Minnesota Wild – C, Connor Zary
NHL comparison: Mikael Backlund: Zary plays a game that is very similar to Backlund’s as in they both really do the little things needed to win games. He’s a gamer who never takes a shift off. Though he doesn’t seem to have any dynamic skill offensively, he’s consistently improved his production everywhere he’s played and continues to push his offensive abilities forward. He’s a high floor center and that should be enough for Minnesota to snag him at #11, believing they’ve got themselves a solid #2 C option.
12.Winnipeg Jets – LHD, Jake Sanderson
NHL comparison: Ivan Provorov: despite boasting one of the NHL’s most exciting forward pools, the
Winnipeg Jets are in a bit of a fiasco defensively. They grab the reliable young defender, who is a stalwart defensively, out of the USNTDP. He’s a minute-muncher & an efficient defender that can chip in both defensively and offensively. He rarely makes mistakes and plays with his head up, making the right play almost every time. I could see him being a fantastic #2 defensemen if he continues developing.
13. New York Rangers – C/RW, Seth Jarvis
NHL comparison: Tyler Toffoli: As versatile as they come, Jarvis ended the season as one of the CHL’s hottest players, putting up 58 points in the final 23 games of the season. He can play both special teams, pass & shoot, all while putting in a valiant two-way effort. He’s a kid who gets by on hockey smarts and his thirst to get better. Though I do believe their may be a few bumps on the road in terms of adapting to NHL level skating, I think if he pulls it all together, he could go on to be an effective top six winger with 20-25 goal upside.
14. Florida Panthers: LHD, Kaiden Guhle
NHL comparison: Oscar Klefbom: Like Klefbom, Guhle is an excellent shutdown defenseman that should easily log 20+ minutes a night while playing a sound, mistake free type of hockey game at the NHL level. He also has excellent 4-way mobility and is starting to jump into the play more often. Klefbom may be a bit of a reach offensively, but I think Guhle tops out as a #3-4 at the NHL level, that could put up 25-30 points while being excellent defensively. A great addition to a bare Florida D corp.
15. Columbus Blue Jackets: RW, Jack Quinn
NHL comparison: Brayden Schenn: Another steady riser, Quinn exploded offensively playing on a stacked 67’s team with fellow first rounder Rossi. Contrarily to popular belief, Quinn has been a driving force behind the teams success this year, posting 52 goals on the season. He’s a shoot first winger that can skate and has only just begun to grow into his body. Boasting a solid 6’1” frame, Quinn is also an excellent two-way player and should prove to be a fantastic pick for Columbus at 15 if he’s not taken earlier.
16. Calgary Flames: C, Jan Mysak
NHL comparison: Adam Henrique: A bit of a lesser known commodity, Mysak is Czech Republics best player for the 2020 draft and one that we should all be excited for. He’s got a nasty wrister and very good breakaway speed, making him an exciting penalty killing option. Calgary’s center cup board is quite empty after Monahan & Backlund so they look to restock it with a player they can groom into a quality 2nd / 3rd line center. He’s also one of the youngest players in the draft.
17. New Jersey Devils: RHD, Braden Schneider
NHL comparison: Darnell Nurse: With their 3rd and final pick of the 1st round, New Jersey heads west and grabs the rock-solid defensemen. A high floor type of player, Schneider is only starting to come into his own offensively. He has size, mobility and excellent defensive acumen and should be a staple on the Devils 2nd pair in 2-3 years. The Devils walk away from this draft having addressed 3 positions of need.
18. Nashville Predators – LW/RW, Rodion Amirov
NHL comparison: David Perron: Nashville gets away with what might be the best two-way winger in the draft, picking Amirov. He knows where to position himself to score goals and is adept at playmaking too. On top of both these assets, the defensive side of things is his forte as he plays with dogged effort on every shift. Expect to see him on both special teams. Had Amirov not been playing out of the MHL, I could easily have seen a team take a chance at him around the #10-12 pick.
19. Carolina Hurricane – C/RW, Dawson Mercer
NHL comparison: Bryan Rust: A quick peak at the hurricanes prospect pool makes it very clear that they are stacked at every position (except goaltending perhaps) With no goalie prospects worth jumping for at 19, the hurricane go BPA and select the industrious Dawson Mercer. A fine roll player with point producing potential at the highest level, Mercer would be given plenty of time to develop In the OHL & AHL before settling in as a decent 2nd/3rd line winger/C. He’s always at the right place and seems like a player that would thrive alongside talented teammates.
20. Edmonton Oilers: LW/RW, Noel Gunler
NHL comparison: Tomas Vanek: Gunler is my personal choice for “steal of the draft” offensively. He’s got size, he’s got flare for the game and he’s one of the drafts purest goal scorers. He can drop a shoulder and drive the net just as well as he can wire his wicked wrister from the blue paint. Playing in Edmonton, he’ll be given plenty of opportunity to play alongside arguably the strongest C corps in the entire NHL. He’s been described as a “boom or bust” type of pick, but I see a lot more of the former. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go in the top 10 in a redraft a couple of years down the line.
21. Ottawa Senators – LHD, William Wallinder
NHL comparison: A cross between Colton Parayko & Alexander Edler: With their final pick of the first round, the senators pick hulking defender Wallinder out of MODO (SWE). He’s more of a raw prospect but the upside is huge. He’s 6’4”, skates incredibly well and is adept at all the little things. Think Byfield but on D. If he can put it all together, I can see him having a solid career like Edler. First pairing upside is there, but I think he tops out as a solid second pairing D. He also fits in perfectly with the senators D corps that is currently lacking defenders with size. (Chabot plays a different style of game)
22. Dallas Stars – C/LW, Hendrix Lapierre
NHL comparison: Evgeny Kuznetsov: Polarizing but not in the traditional sense. He’s an incredible playmaker that has “star level” skill but injuries have heavily derailed his development. Three consecutive concussions have held Lapierre to one full season over the last two years but even then, you’re looking at a PPG pace in his first year in the Q. We’ve seen it happen before where players have recovered from repeated injuries. The Stars hope they hit a home run, but I wouldn’t bet on it. He’s got one of the highest ceilings of any player in this draft.
23. New York Rangers – C/LW, Dylan Holloway
NHL comparison: Brock Nelson but I see shades of Gabriel Landeskog if he can get there: The Rangers head to the big 10 to pick a familiar face in Holloway. They already have top prospect Miller playing on the same team, so it is safe to say they’ve gotten their fair share of looks at the meat and potatoes type center. He plays a complete all-around game and with no real stand out qualities, both positively and negatively. He played second-class minutes this year so I wouldn’t put so much stock on his lacklustre production. A BPA type pick.
24. Minnesota Wild – C, Mavrik Bourque
NHL comparison: Derick Brassard: With a solid young D core already in place, the Wild go the BPA route and pick up skilled center Mavrik Bourque. He’s got excellent playmaking prowess and can put a ton of pressure on opposing defensemen by playing a positionally sound forechecking game. I see him playing both special teams and having a lengthy NHL career. He plays a pro style game and should prove to be a savvy pick at #24.
25. Philadelphia Flyers – LW, Lukas Reichel
NHL comparison: Jason Zucker: A goal scorer first and foremost, Reichel always seems to be in the right spot at the right time, unleashing his deadly shot several times a game. He’s also a high motor player that can dart into openings very easily. He plays with high energy and a responsible two-way game. The flyers grab him thinking they may have one of the few remaining players with top 6 upside.
26. San Jose Sharks – C/LW, Thomas Bordeleau
NHL comparison: Jonathan Marchessault: San Jose lacks high end forward prospects, having traded most of their top first rounders in recent years. With Bordeleau they look to add a talented playmaker on the smaller end. His production has been excellent considering he’s been playing in the shadow of what was a record breaking offensively talented 2018-2019 USNTDP team. He’s produced everywhere he’s played and projects as an undersized point producer at the NHL level. If he doesn’t make it in a top 6 role, I wouldn’t bet on him getting a bottom 6 role as he lacks intangibles.
27. Colorado Avalanche – C/LW, Brendan Brisson
NHL comparison: Max Domi: The Avalanche are pretty much set on the back end for the foreseeable future, so they head to the USHL to pick second league leading scorer Brendan Brisson. He had his coming out party at the world junior A challenge, leading the entire tournament with 5 goals and 7 assists in 6 games. He plays with fire, skates very well and has been a riser for the 2020 draft. A worthy pick at the end of the first round.
28. Vegas Golden Knights – RHD, Justin Barron
NHL comparison: Jonas Brodin: A blood clot sidelined the once highly sought-after defender. Going into the season, he was challenging to be the second defender off the board, mainly because he clocks in at 6’3” and 200lbs and can skate as well as any other defensemen in the draft. Barron plays a very effective, NHL style game. He cuts off passing lanes with an active stick and maintains excellent gap control. Despite his set back, he could end up being a highly valuable pick at #28 and one of the best defensemen out of the 2020 draft.
29. Washington Capitals – C, Marat Khusnutdinov
NHL comparison: Claude Giroux: The Caps have been known to love their Russians, and they do so once more drafting off the board pick Khusnutdinov. He is a dynamo offensively and defensively and can carve up defenses like it’s nobody’s business. Blistering wrister and deft passing skills highlight what is one of the most exciting forwards of the draft. He drops heavily mostly because of the “Russian factor” and due to playing in the MHL. Make no mistake, Marat’s got merit, and the caps will be laughing grabbing him at #29.
30. St-Louis Blues – RHD, William Villeneuve
NHL comparison: Josh Morrissey: My “dark horse” pick for this year’s draft, I have Villeneuve higher than most and that is purely based off the fact that I am a huge fan of the kid. He’s got NHL level size at 6’1” and is one of the youngest defensemen in the draft. He quietly put up an excellent offensive season as the leading scorer on his team as well as the highest scoring defensemen in the entire Q as a 17 year old. He’s got excellent 4-way mobility and makes crisp and efficient plays.
31. Anaheim Ducks - RW, Jacob Perreault
NHL comparison: Kyle Palmieri: With the final pick of the 2020 first round, the Ducks pick up goal scorer Jacob Perreault. He’s solidly built at 5’11” & 200 lbs, has very good shooting ability, puck skills and hockey IQ. I have him at 31 based mainly on the fact that other players suited other teams better. He could very well be considered a steal at 31. Perreault would be getting drafted by a team where he would ample ability to show off his wicked goal scoring ability as they have multiple playmaking centers in their prospect cupboard. He would perfectly compliment “Lafreniere – Zegras” as a goal -scoring winger.
1. Anaheim Ducks – LW, Alexis Lafreniere
NHL comparison: Marian Hossa/Jamie Benn: A full fledged power forward with the stick and hands to keep up. Anaheim finds their crown jewel, instantly pushing them to having one of the strongest 1-2 punch for years to come. Plug him on Zegras’ wing and you have 2/3 of what may very well be the best young prospect line in the NHL. He’s going to terrorize defenses for years to come as one of the most complete 1st overall forwards to come around in a while.
2. Buffalo Sabres – LW/C, Tim Stutzle
NHL comparison: Matthew Barzal: Skates like the wind and has the brain and skills to match. A zone entry machine that would give Buffalo two elite, young scoring talents. Buffalo could plug him on Eichel’s wing or have him play center on the second line, giving them two very potent offensive centers. Like Barzal, Stutzle excels at playmaking and thinks the game a step ahead of everyone else. A dynamic prospect with first line forward written all over him.
3. Montreal Canadiens – RHD, Jamie Drysdale
NHL comparison: Roman Josi: Fantastic first step and overall skating ability, has a very low panic threshold and can dictate the pace of the game with efficient, low risk plays. Can work a little on the defensive side of things as he does have a tendency for occasional brain-farts but he is still very young and would bolster the Habs RD depth considerably, instantly becoming their best defensive prospect.
4. Detroit Red Wings – RW/LW, Lucas Raymond
NHL comparison: Artemi Panarin: Offense is his specialty. He can create as a shooter or as a playmaker and is a powerplay specialist. All these things make for Detroit swooping him a bit earlier than expected, as they believe they have chosen the player with the highest offensive ceiling in the draft. A nightmare to defend against, Raymond makes everyone around a threat & produces offense almost at will. A true game-breaker.
5. Ottawa Senators – C, Quinton Byfield
NHL comparison: Mike Scheifele/Ryan Getzlaf hybrid: Despite dropping to 5-6, Ottawa looks forward to picking their future top 2 C’s. With the first they grab Byfield, a massive specimen of a C who’s speed surprisingly keeps up with his size. He’s got soft hands and elite puck protection and can safely be projected to man a beastly 1st line with Tkachuk sooner than later. If that comparison doesn’t strike fear into the oppositions heart, I don’t know what will.
6.Ottawa Senators – C, Marco Rossi
NHL comparison: Ryan O’Reilly: Ottawa picks Austrian born Rossi, A 200-foot jack of all trades type of center. He’s relentless on forechecks/defensively and fantastic on faceoffs on top of leading the entire CHL in points this year. He projects as player with a very high floor with room to grow. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him have a very similar career impact as the above mentioned O’Reilly.
7. Los Angeles Kings – C, Anton Lundell
NHL comparison: Mikko Koivu: Fantastic 2-way ability, a solid build and overall great two-way player. Nothing stands out significantly offensively, but he’s produced everywhere he’s played. The Kings feel they make a safe choice choosing the complete center, adding to their dynamic offensive prospect pool including goal scoring wingers Kaliyev, Kupari and Fagemo. He’d also be learning from the best in the business (Kopitar)
8. New Jersey Devils – RW, Alexander Holtz
NHL comparison: Kyle Connor: With their center slots already occupied by Hughes & Hischier, the devils pick the drafts deadliest sniper, hoping he can develop into a top line winger. Other than his goal scoring prowess, Holtz plays a rather complete offensive game and is not a one trick pony. He has the potential to score 40 in the NHL while holding his own defensively.
9. Chicago Blackhawks – C/RW, Cole Perfetti
NHL comparison: Patrick Kane-lite: Dynamic offensive talent that just oozes hockey sense. He was considered a sniper but has also elevated his playmaking ability two-fold, production wise, in his draft year. Going from 37 assists to 74 in less games played is nothing to undermine. He was the third player overall in the CHL to hit 100 points, following Rossi and Lafreniere. His ceiling is incredible, and Chicago runs to the bank with this pick.
10. New Hersey Devils – G, Yaroslav Askarov
NHL comparison: Marc-Andre Fleury: Lacking any legit goalie prospects, the devils choose the highest ranked goalie prospect & far and away the 2020 crops most talented netminder, Yaroslav Askarov. He’s cool as a cucumber in nets, has amazing lateral quickness, an active glove-hand and solid size. All the makings of the future #1 goalie the devils require to further move their rebuild along.
11. Minnesota Wild – C, Connor Zary
NHL comparison: Mikael Backlund: Zary plays a game that is very similar to Backlund’s as in they both really do the little things needed to win games. He’s a gamer who never takes a shift off. Though he doesn’t seem to have any dynamic skill offensively, he’s consistently improved his production everywhere he’s played and continues to push his offensive abilities forward. He’s a high floor center and that should be enough for Minnesota to snag him at #11, believing they’ve got themselves a solid #2 C option.
12.Winnipeg Jets – LHD, Jake Sanderson
NHL comparison: Ivan Provorov: despite boasting one of the NHL’s most exciting forward pools, the
Winnipeg Jets are in a bit of a fiasco defensively. They grab the reliable young defender, who is a stalwart defensively, out of the USNTDP. He’s a minute-muncher & an efficient defender that can chip in both defensively and offensively. He rarely makes mistakes and plays with his head up, making the right play almost every time. I could see him being a fantastic #2 defensemen if he continues developing.
13. New York Rangers – C/RW, Seth Jarvis
NHL comparison: Tyler Toffoli: As versatile as they come, Jarvis ended the season as one of the CHL’s hottest players, putting up 58 points in the final 23 games of the season. He can play both special teams, pass & shoot, all while putting in a valiant two-way effort. He’s a kid who gets by on hockey smarts and his thirst to get better. Though I do believe their may be a few bumps on the road in terms of adapting to NHL level skating, I think if he pulls it all together, he could go on to be an effective top six winger with 20-25 goal upside.
14. Florida Panthers: LHD, Kaiden Guhle
NHL comparison: Oscar Klefbom: Like Klefbom, Guhle is an excellent shutdown defenseman that should easily log 20+ minutes a night while playing a sound, mistake free type of hockey game at the NHL level. He also has excellent 4-way mobility and is starting to jump into the play more often. Klefbom may be a bit of a reach offensively, but I think Guhle tops out as a #3-4 at the NHL level, that could put up 25-30 points while being excellent defensively. A great addition to a bare Florida D corp.
15. Columbus Blue Jackets: RW, Jack Quinn
NHL comparison: Brayden Schenn: Another steady riser, Quinn exploded offensively playing on a stacked 67’s team with fellow first rounder Rossi. Contrarily to popular belief, Quinn has been a driving force behind the teams success this year, posting 52 goals on the season. He’s a shoot first winger that can skate and has only just begun to grow into his body. Boasting a solid 6’1” frame, Quinn is also an excellent two-way player and should prove to be a fantastic pick for Columbus at 15 if he’s not taken earlier.
16. Calgary Flames: C, Jan Mysak
NHL comparison: Adam Henrique: A bit of a lesser known commodity, Mysak is Czech Republics best player for the 2020 draft and one that we should all be excited for. He’s got a nasty wrister and very good breakaway speed, making him an exciting penalty killing option. Calgary’s center cup board is quite empty after Monahan & Backlund so they look to restock it with a player they can groom into a quality 2nd / 3rd line center. He’s also one of the youngest players in the draft.
17. New Jersey Devils: RHD, Braden Schneider
NHL comparison: Darnell Nurse: With their 3rd and final pick of the 1st round, New Jersey heads west and grabs the rock-solid defensemen. A high floor type of player, Schneider is only starting to come into his own offensively. He has size, mobility and excellent defensive acumen and should be a staple on the Devils 2nd pair in 2-3 years. The Devils walk away from this draft having addressed 3 positions of need.
18. Nashville Predators – LW/RW, Rodion Amirov
NHL comparison: David Perron: Nashville gets away with what might be the best two-way winger in the draft, picking Amirov. He knows where to position himself to score goals and is adept at playmaking too. On top of both these assets, the defensive side of things is his forte as he plays with dogged effort on every shift. Expect to see him on both special teams. Had Amirov not been playing out of the MHL, I could easily have seen a team take a chance at him around the #10-12 pick.
19. Carolina Hurricane – C/RW, Dawson Mercer
NHL comparison: Bryan Rust: A quick peak at the hurricanes prospect pool makes it very clear that they are stacked at every position (except goaltending perhaps) With no goalie prospects worth jumping for at 19, the hurricane go BPA and select the industrious Dawson Mercer. A fine roll player with point producing potential at the highest level, Mercer would be given plenty of time to develop In the OHL & AHL before settling in as a decent 2nd/3rd line winger/C. He’s always at the right place and seems like a player that would thrive alongside talented teammates.
20. Edmonton Oilers: LW/RW, Noel Gunler
NHL comparison: Tomas Vanek: Gunler is my personal choice for “steal of the draft” offensively. He’s got size, he’s got flare for the game and he’s one of the drafts purest goal scorers. He can drop a shoulder and drive the net just as well as he can wire his wicked wrister from the blue paint. Playing in Edmonton, he’ll be given plenty of opportunity to play alongside arguably the strongest C corps in the entire NHL. He’s been described as a “boom or bust” type of pick, but I see a lot more of the former. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go in the top 10 in a redraft a couple of years down the line.
21. Ottawa Senators – LHD, William Wallinder
NHL comparison: A cross between Colton Parayko & Alexander Edler: With their final pick of the first round, the senators pick hulking defender Wallinder out of MODO (SWE). He’s more of a raw prospect but the upside is huge. He’s 6’4”, skates incredibly well and is adept at all the little things. Think Byfield but on D. If he can put it all together, I can see him having a solid career like Edler. First pairing upside is there, but I think he tops out as a solid second pairing D. He also fits in perfectly with the senators D corps that is currently lacking defenders with size. (Chabot plays a different style of game)
22. Dallas Stars – C/LW, Hendrix Lapierre
NHL comparison: Evgeny Kuznetsov: Polarizing but not in the traditional sense. He’s an incredible playmaker that has “star level” skill but injuries have heavily derailed his development. Three consecutive concussions have held Lapierre to one full season over the last two years but even then, you’re looking at a PPG pace in his first year in the Q. We’ve seen it happen before where players have recovered from repeated injuries. The Stars hope they hit a home run, but I wouldn’t bet on it. He’s got one of the highest ceilings of any player in this draft.
23. New York Rangers – C/LW, Dylan Holloway
NHL comparison: Brock Nelson but I see shades of Gabriel Landeskog if he can get there: The Rangers head to the big 10 to pick a familiar face in Holloway. They already have top prospect Miller playing on the same team, so it is safe to say they’ve gotten their fair share of looks at the meat and potatoes type center. He plays a complete all-around game and with no real stand out qualities, both positively and negatively. He played second-class minutes this year so I wouldn’t put so much stock on his lacklustre production. A BPA type pick.
24. Minnesota Wild – C, Mavrik Bourque
NHL comparison: Derick Brassard: With a solid young D core already in place, the Wild go the BPA route and pick up skilled center Mavrik Bourque. He’s got excellent playmaking prowess and can put a ton of pressure on opposing defensemen by playing a positionally sound forechecking game. I see him playing both special teams and having a lengthy NHL career. He plays a pro style game and should prove to be a savvy pick at #24.
25. Philadelphia Flyers – LW, Lukas Reichel
NHL comparison: Jason Zucker: A goal scorer first and foremost, Reichel always seems to be in the right spot at the right time, unleashing his deadly shot several times a game. He’s also a high motor player that can dart into openings very easily. He plays with high energy and a responsible two-way game. The flyers grab him thinking they may have one of the few remaining players with top 6 upside.
26. San Jose Sharks – C/LW, Thomas Bordeleau
NHL comparison: Jonathan Marchessault: San Jose lacks high end forward prospects, having traded most of their top first rounders in recent years. With Bordeleau they look to add a talented playmaker on the smaller end. His production has been excellent considering he’s been playing in the shadow of what was a record breaking offensively talented 2018-2019 USNTDP team. He’s produced everywhere he’s played and projects as an undersized point producer at the NHL level. If he doesn’t make it in a top 6 role, I wouldn’t bet on him getting a bottom 6 role as he lacks intangibles.
27. Colorado Avalanche – C/LW, Brendan Brisson
NHL comparison: Max Domi: The Avalanche are pretty much set on the back end for the foreseeable future, so they head to the USHL to pick second league leading scorer Brendan Brisson. He had his coming out party at the world junior A challenge, leading the entire tournament with 5 goals and 7 assists in 6 games. He plays with fire, skates very well and has been a riser for the 2020 draft. A worthy pick at the end of the first round.
28. Vegas Golden Knights – RHD, Justin Barron
NHL comparison: Jonas Brodin: A blood clot sidelined the once highly sought-after defender. Going into the season, he was challenging to be the second defender off the board, mainly because he clocks in at 6’3” and 200lbs and can skate as well as any other defensemen in the draft. Barron plays a very effective, NHL style game. He cuts off passing lanes with an active stick and maintains excellent gap control. Despite his set back, he could end up being a highly valuable pick at #28 and one of the best defensemen out of the 2020 draft.
29. Washington Capitals – C, Marat Khusnutdinov
NHL comparison: Claude Giroux: The Caps have been known to love their Russians, and they do so once more drafting off the board pick Khusnutdinov. He is a dynamo offensively and defensively and can carve up defenses like it’s nobody’s business. Blistering wrister and deft passing skills highlight what is one of the most exciting forwards of the draft. He drops heavily mostly because of the “Russian factor” and due to playing in the MHL. Make no mistake, Marat’s got merit, and the caps will be laughing grabbing him at #29.
30. St-Louis Blues – RHD, William Villeneuve
NHL comparison: Josh Morrissey: My “dark horse” pick for this year’s draft, I have Villeneuve higher than most and that is purely based off the fact that I am a huge fan of the kid. He’s got NHL level size at 6’1” and is one of the youngest defensemen in the draft. He quietly put up an excellent offensive season as the leading scorer on his team as well as the highest scoring defensemen in the entire Q as a 17 year old. He’s got excellent 4-way mobility and makes crisp and efficient plays.
31. Anaheim Ducks - RW, Jacob Perreault
NHL comparison: Kyle Palmieri: With the final pick of the 2020 first round, the Ducks pick up goal scorer Jacob Perreault. He’s solidly built at 5’11” & 200 lbs, has very good shooting ability, puck skills and hockey IQ. I have him at 31 based mainly on the fact that other players suited other teams better. He could very well be considered a steal at 31. Perreault would be getting drafted by a team where he would ample ability to show off his wicked goal scoring ability as they have multiple playmaking centers in their prospect cupboard. He would perfectly compliment “Lafreniere – Zegras” as a goal -scoring winger.
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