Prospect Info: 2020 Way-Too-Early Top 10 Draft Rankings

[The Wumpus]

I wouldn't worry about Byfield. 17-yr-olds rarely shine at the WJCs.

 

[Ol Dirty Bstrd]

I wouldn't worry about Byfield. 17-yr-olds rarely shine at the WJCs.

This. He’s barely getting any ice time

 

[StevenToddIves]

Byfield hasn’t really looked spectacular at all at the WJC ‘s . Think he will slide down some from the poor showing ? He does have an early birthday but as of now , Lafreniere has separated himself from Byfield big time in my opinion.
Kind of sucks for the Devils . There was a very slight chance that if the Devils don’t pick 1 overall , teams picking ahead of us might have drafted Byfield ahead of Lafreniere if they had a huge need for a center vs. winger .
No way that happens now as I can’t see a team passing Lafreniere over unless they trade down

If Lafreniere is off the board , would you guys take Byfield still if he’s still there or would you prefer someone like Stutzle , Drysdale , Holtz ?
I’m undecided now , used to think it was clear cut Lafreniere then Byfield for sure .

I say this a lot, don't put too much stock in one tournament. Quinton Byfield is a beast, but he's also the least experienced center on a Canadian line-up which is stacked up the middle. He's been skating on the 4th line and that's certainly limited his production.

Right now the top two picks in the draft are easy, just like they were last year. Lafreniere is the first pick. Byfield is the second pick. Barring major injury or earth-shattering event, I cannot see that changing.

It's also unlikely that we see a scenario like last year when a large number of people said the second-best player was better than the best player simply because of nationalism or anti-Americanism, since both Lafreniere and Byfield are Canadian. Nothing is set in stone a half-year away from the draft, but right now Lafreniere/Byfield at 1/2 looks pretty solid to me.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I’m a big fan of Stutzle. Would be pleased if we got him. Hell, any of the top 5 would be ideal.

In my mind, if the Devils draft top-10 they will get another franchise cornerstone. It's a very strong group, in my mind.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Think devils would trade down in that situation (Lafreniere gone and Byfield is still there ) ?
Already have Nico and Jack at C but I guess could move someone to the wing or ?? I still think BPA is the wise thing to do normally but is a little different in this circumstance

You've just got to take the best available player in that situation. Byfield is going to be an absolute beast at the NHL level.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I have to do a lot more research but at this point I’m in the Drysdale camp if the Devils pick 3-6. As Steven mentioned, the pocket of the draft where we may have Arizona’s selection (if they miss playoffs) is more ripe with forwards than D-men. In my ideal world, the Devils come away with one of each without compromising the integrity of BPA.

Yeah, my ideal would be getting Drysdale with our pick in the 4-7 range and then getting a power scoring winger like Dylan Holloway in the #15 range with Arizona's pick.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Idk honestly, right now with how the past few drafts have gone with teams being "forced" to pick that player who's a favorite to go #2 hasn't gone well at all I'm pretty hesitant. Not because I don't think Byfield is going to bust, but I because I think the other players in the top 5 will be just as good, if not better than Byfield. It's still early though, plenty of time to keep re-assessing.

 

[Ol Dirty Bstrd]

Idk honestly, right now with how the past few drafts have gone with teams being "forced" to pick that player who's a favorite to go #2 hasn't gone well at all I'm pretty hesitant. Not because I don't think Byfield is going to bust, but I because I think the other players in the top 5 will be just as good, if not better than Byfield. It's still early though, plenty of time to keep re-assessing.

Other than 2017, is that really true? Guessing you’re not a big Kakko fan but it’s way too early to tell there

 

[Call Me Al]

yeah eichel laine and svechnikov were all the right picks

 

[Emperoreddy]

This team is playing like it wants no part of a top 5 pick.

Holtz it is.

 

[devilsblood]

This team is playing like it wants no part of a top 5 pick.

Holtz it is.

Drysdale maybe?

 

[My3Sons]

Drysdale maybe?

I prefer the lefty so I’d take Koufax.

man I’m old.

 

[Nubmer6]

I prefer the lefty so I’d take Koufax.

man I’m old.

I understood that joke. I think you're only a couple years ahead of me.

 

[Unknown Caller]

This team is playing like it wants no part of a top 5 pick.

Holtz it is.

Colorado, Islanders, Rangers, Toronto, Washington x2 and Tampa coming up as our next 7 games. I would pump the breaks on the thought that this team will keep picking up points, at least in the foreseeable future.

 

[My3Sons]

Colorado, Islanders, Rangers, Toronto, Washington x2 and Tampa coming up as our next 7 games. I would pump the breaks on the thought that this team will keep picking up points, at least in the foreseeable future.

He is Nico! Those teams are like the buzzing of flies to him!!

 

[Call Me Al]

team is going to make a run but fall short, finish 11th and then win with the 2% draft lotto odds and get lafreniere

 

[Blackjack]

Colorado, Islanders, Rangers, Toronto, Washington x2 and Tampa coming up as our next 7 games. I would pump the breaks on the thought that this team will keep picking up points, at least in the foreseeable future.

Team is playing up to the competition at this point. Pretty unlikely they win all of those games, but it would be fun to win 4 or 5 of them.

 

[glenwo2]

1. Ugh, I know. I'm awful at goalies.

2. Not even in the slightest.

3. Hm, good question. I'd say for now a level below Rasmus Dahlin in 2018, but certainly on a par with Byram in 2019 and Makar/Heiskanen in 2017. Kid's going to be very, very good. I would not hesitate to take him #3 overall if I were the Devils.

4. Ideally -- and this is assuming the Devils do not win a lottery pick -- NJ will draft somewhere in the #4-#8 range. If Drysdale were available, I would grab him. The 2020 class is loaded with quality forwards, but not as strong depth-wise on the back end. Then, the Devils can take a F with the Arizona pick (or, perhaps, a goalie in Askarov). Some high end Fs who could be available in the mid-first round include LW Dylan Holloway, RW Rodion Amirov, C/LW Jan Mysak and C Mavrik Bourque.

Any relations to Ray?

 

[MichaelJ]

He is Nico! Those teams are like the buzzing of flies to him!!

I like to hockey

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I say this a lot, don't put too much stock in one tournament. Quinton Byfield is a beast, but he's also the least experienced center on a Canadian line-up which is stacked up the middle. He's been skating on the 4th line and that's certainly limited his production.

Right now the top two picks in the draft are easy, just like they were last year. Lafreniere is the first pick. Byfield is the second pick. Barring major injury or earth-shattering event, I cannot see that changing.

It's also unlikely that we see a scenario like last year when a large number of people said the second-best player was better than the best player simply because of nationalism or anti-Americanism, since both Lafreniere and Byfield are Canadian. Nothing is set in stone a half-year away from the draft, but right now Lafreniere/Byfield at 1/2 looks pretty solid to me.

Remember also that Lafrennier is almost a year older than Byfield and Lafrennier was benched during last year's WJC.

Drysdale maybe?

Just a guess that Shero will look to trade the pick if they're in a spot where Drysdale would go, especially if the Arizona pick is higher than he expected.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Any relations to Ray?

No, but he's a really skilled kid and a strong two-way player. If he reminds me of anyone, it's Anthony Beauvillier, but with more offensive upside. He's really impressed all year long for Shawinigan in the QMJHL.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I admittedly don't know a ton here yet, but we are devoid of top-end talent (1st line sort-of guy) on the RW, so I'd like to see one of those two picks go for that.

It's interesting... the Devils boast a ton of depth on the RW in the prospect pipeline with Clarke, Thompson, Gritsyuk, Pasic, Moynihan, Anderson, Bastian, Zetterlund and Studenic. I would agree with you that none of this group projects as a first-line, big-time scorer -- though several of them have the ability to blossom into very strong middle-6 and bottom-6 options.

Fortunately, the 2020 draft class features some very strong RW options. The top two right-shooting wingers available are both Swedes -- Alexander Holtz and Lucas Raymond. Holtz is a better pure shooter and natural goal-scorer, which might make him a better fit for the Devils, but Raymond also features a terrific offensive skill-set. They're both looking like top 10 picks, and the Devils should have a shot at one of them if they pick in the #3-#9 range.

If the Devils decide to use their own (likely top 10) pick on a different position (I cannot see them passing on RD Drysdale if they pick in the #3-#5 range), there will be a few high end RWs available with the pick acquired from Arizona, likely somewhere in the #12-#20 range. Vancouver Giant RW Justin Sourdif features a tantalizing mix of physicality and skill, while fellow WHL-er Seth Jarvis has proven to be one of the smartest and slickest wingers in the draft this year for the Portland Winterhawks. I would say the wild card of the 2020 draft class is Swedish RW Noel Gunler, who has an unbelievable athletic skill set and can dominate at times, but a propensity for long stretches of disappearances and inconsistency has left him off Swedish rosters in several international events.

 

[MichaelJ]

It's interesting... the Devils boast a ton of depth on the RW in the prospect pipeline with Clarke, Thompson, Gritsyuk, Pasic, Moynihan, Anderson, Bastian, Zetterlund and Studenic. I would agree with you that none of this group projects as a first-line, big-time scorer -- though several of them have the ability to blossom into very strong middle-6 and bottom-6 options.

Fortunately, the 2020 draft class features some very strong RW options. The top two right-shooting wingers available are both Swedes -- Alexander Holtz and Lucas Raymond. Holtz is a better pure shooter and natural goal-scorer, which might make him a better fit for the Devils, but Raymond also features a terrific offensive skill-set. They're both looking like top 10 picks, and the Devils should have a shot at one of them if they pick in the #3-#9 range.

If the Devils decide to use their own (likely top 10) pick on a different position (I cannot see them passing on RD Drysdale if they pick in the #3-#5 range), there will be a few high end RWs available with the pick acquired from Arizona, likely somewhere in the #12-#20 range. Vancouver Giant RW Justin Sourdif features a tantalizing mix of physicality and skill, while fellow WHL-er Seth Jarvis has proven to be one of the smartest and slickest wingers in the draft this year for the Portland Winterhawks. I would say the wild card of the 2020 draft class is Swedish RW Noel Gunler, who has an unbelievable athletic skill set and can dominate at times, but a propensity for long stretches of disappearances and inconsistency has left him off Swedish rosters in several international events.

How are Mercer and Perreault looking?

 

[StevenToddIves]

How are Mercer and Perreault looking?

Good catch -- Jacob Perreault and Dawson Mercer are also very good RWs who could be Devils targets in the mid-first round (Arizona pick).

Perreault is one of those players who simply checks off every tool in the box. He skates well (though he's no speed demon), he's smart, understands the game well (his father was NHL-er Yan Perreault), has pretty good size (I'd guess 5'11-190) and has good vision and passing skills. If he has one plus tool, it's his shot release and accuracy -- this kid does not need much time or space to wire the puck home. If I recall correctly, he's around the 25-goal mark already for the Sarnia Sting (Pavel Zacha's old team).

Dawson Mercer has really become the go-to option on Drummondville of the QMJHL this year. He's also checks across the board in every offensive tool and can really finish. Although of similar size (I think 6'0-175), he's more of a pest than Perrault, consistently getting under the skin of the opposition. He's a smart player, one would almost say clever -- I like the way he thinks the game. He's a real puckhound with a constant engine.

There's a lot of season to go, and a lot more film to watch on both these kids. Right now, I'd make a (way too early) rudimentary guess that they both project to be second line scoring RWs in the NHL, and are likely to be taken anywhere in the #15-#35 range.

 

[Spoiled Bratt]

Mercer reminds me a lot of Brendan Gallagher, which would be an awesome pick with Arizona’s 1st rounder.

Leaving the draft with Drysdale and Mercer in the 1st round would be amazing!