Prospect Info: The Nascent 2020 Draft Thread

[ConnorMcMullet]

Askarov
Very good top 15
At least 2 or 3 others rise .

I missed Askarov. Potential top-5 talent.

 

[Fourier]

My biggest criticism for Byfield is his lack of production, both in the OHL and in the Hlinka. He played at a 78 point pace last year, and Rossi played at a 100. Perfetti also wildly outproduced him during the Hlinka. If he can improve that, I think he can challenge Lafreniere for #1.

Byfield is really young. He would have just turned 16 at the start of last season. It's pretty tough for a guy that age to put up huge numbers on a team like Sudbury. Their second leading scorer was Shane Bulitka with 19g and 54 points. He was a 19 year old with a previous high of 10 goals and 33 points. Blake Murray, like Byfiled was also very young in his draft class.

 

[Llamamoto]

Byfield is really young. He would have just turned 16 at the start of last season. It's pretty tough for a guy that age to put up huge numbers on a team like Sudbury. Their second leading scorer was Shane Bulitka with 19g and 54 points. He was a 19 year old with a previous high of 10 goals and 33 points. Blake Murray, like Byfiled was also very young in his draft class.

All very valid points. And Byfield's having an explosive start to this season. 5 goals and 1 assist in 3 games, whereas Lafreniere has 1 assist in 2 games.

It's going to be very close.

 

[KingKhron]

If you were going to be a bubble team, this would be the year. They can make the playoffs and still draft an unusually quality pick for the position. Of course, if things go awry(or some would say as expected) and we have a top 5 pick, you’re looking at first overall quality from other years. I’ve been storing up picks in this draft in all my keeper pools for some time

 

[BertMcDrai]

Tim Stützle

 

[Zaddy]

OHL watchers: what are your thoughts on Jamie Drysdale?

I've been just following him (and by that I mean reading stuff, watching just a little bit of video) on and off for the past 1-2 years as I usually like to keep an eye on smooth-skating defensemen with a good offensive game.

What would you guys say are his biggest weaknesses right now and is there any cause for concern for how fixable that'll be at the NHL level? I assume defensive game needs improvement? I'm kind of surprised not seeing him ranked higher to be honest, HP only has him #16 and FC has him just barely inside the top10. His numbers look great at every level and he is off to a hot start in the O with 5 points in 2 games.

Just watching this video he reminds me a lot of Vince Dunn in his draft year (and I was super-high on Dunn at the time having him ranked #21 in the really deep 2015 draft for those that recall). Would that be a fair comparison? Or is there some other player that is more fitting?



Where would you guys rank him? Is he a top10 prospect to you guys and if not, what is stopping him from being in that conversation?

 

[Aerchon]

If you were going to be a bubble team, this would be the year. They can make the playoffs and still draft an unusually quality pick for the position. Of course, if things go awry(or some would say as expected) and we have a top 5 pick, you’re looking at first overall quality from other years. I’ve been storing up picks in this draft in all my keeper pools for some time

It is supposed to be a good draft then? I have not heard much hype.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

OHL watchers: what are your thoughts on Jamie Drysdale?

I've been just following him (and by that I mean reading stuff, watching just a little bit of video) on and off for the past 1-2 years as I usually like to keep an eye on smooth-skating defensemen with a good offensive game.

What would you guys say are his biggest weaknesses right now and is there any cause for concern for how fixable that'll be at the NHL level? I assume defensive game needs improvement? I'm kind of surprised not seeing him ranked higher to be honest, HP only has him #16 and FC has him just barely inside the top10. His numbers look great at every level and he is off to a hot start in the O with 5 points in 2 games.

Just watching this video he reminds me a lot of Vince Dunn in his draft year (and I was super-high on Dunn at the time having him ranked #21 in the really deep 2015 draft for those that recall). Would that be a fair comparison? Or is there some other player that is more fitting?



Where would you guys rank him? Is he a top10 prospect to you guys and if not, what is stopping him from being in that conversation?

I haven't watched him that much, but I love his game. His skating and passing are top notch, and while his defensive game could use some work, it's pretty good for his age. I prefer his defensive game over Byram's last year.

I've got him at 6, but he could be a lot higher in another draft class. This is what I've got right now:

1. Lafreniere
2. Byfield/Raymond
3. Byfield/Raymond
4. Perfetti
5. Holtz
6. Drysdale
7. Lundell
8. Stutzle
9. Barron
10. Gunler
11. Askarov
12. Rossi
13. Lapierre
14. Nybeck
15. Holloway

 

[Zaddy]

I haven't watched him that much, but I love his game. His skating and passing are top notch, and while his defensive game could use some work, it's pretty good for his age. I prefer his defensive game over Byram's last year.

I've got him at 6, but he could be a lot higher in another draft class. This is what I've got right now:

1. Lafreniere
2. Byfield/Raymond
3. Byfield/Raymond
4. Perfetti
5. Holtz
6. Drysdale
7. Lundell
8. Stutzle
9. Barron
10. Gunler
11. Askarov
12. Rossi
13. Lapierre
14. Nybeck
15. Holloway

Yeah he strikes me as a definite top10 guy and I'd probably have him around the same place as you, in that 6-8 range basically with potential to move up as the season progresses. Just based on the little I've seen I don't really see why he isn't ranked higher. Looks like a really dynamic and potentially elite (at least offensively) defenseman.

Also how does Barron compare? I haven't seen him at all, what's his game like?

 

[Zaddy]

It is supposed to be a good draft then? I have not heard much hype.

Yes, 2020 has been talked about as a high-end draft for quite some time. Some really good talent at the top.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Yeah he strikes me as a definite top10 guy and I'd probably have him around the same place as you, in that 6-8 range basically with potential to move up as the season progresses. Just based on the little I've seen I don't really see why he isn't ranked higher. Looks like a really dynamic and potentially elite (at least offensively) defenseman.

Also how does Barron compare? I haven't seen him at all, what's his game like?

Barron is also an outstanding skater. He's probably better defensively than Drysdale in junior, but Drysdale is smarter in his own end, if that makes sense. Drysdale relies more on defensive IQ and positioning than Barron, who is more physically developed and uses his tools more to his advantage.

I don't feel he is quite as smart a player as Drysdale, or as well-rounded offensively. A large portion of his offense comes on the rush, and Drysdale is the superior PPQB. He is also a 2001 birthdate and his production isn't as impressive. I still really like his game though, and he is the clear 2nd best defenseman in the draft from what I've seen.

 

[OilerTitanFan]

Yes, 2020 has been talked about as a high-end draft for quite some time. Some really good talent at the top.

No it hasn't. Maybe only by pumpers. This draft does not have anything remotely close to hughes, eichel, mcdavid, matthews or laine. These names i just mentioned had been on radars for 2 yrs prior to their draft or more.

You won't be able to land a McAvoy or Chabot player in the mid first. This is a draft similar to the Yakupov one. Lots of busts and question marks. Broberg would go first overall in this draft.

 

[OilerTitanFan]

It is supposed to be a good draft then? I have not heard much hype.

Because there isn't any hype.

 

[Zaddy]

No it hasn't. Maybe only by pumpers. This draft does not have anything remotely close to hughes, eichel, mcdavid, matthews or laine. These names i just mentioned had been on radars for 2 yrs prior to their draft or more.

You won't be able to land a McAvoy or Chabot player in the mid first. This is a draft similar to the Yakupov one. Lots of busts and question marks. Broberg would go first overall in this draft.

What a great take. As for the bolded, you might want to look up when guys like Holtz, Gunler and Raymond were starting to get talked about. And that's only the swedes.

 

[Zaddy]

On another note, Zion Nybeck has 6 goals and 12 points in 5 games in the Swedish junior league so far. Clearly too talented for that league, but he's in a difficult situation being as tiny as he is and HV71 having a strong team, which makes it hard for him to get a chance in the SHL. Curious to see how it will play out. Would hope that he would get a taste of the men's game soon.

 

[Stud Muffin]

No it hasn't. Maybe only by pumpers. This draft does not have anything remotely close to hughes, eichel, mcdavid, matthews or laine. These names i just mentioned had been on radars for 2 yrs prior to their draft or more.

You won't be able to land a McAvoy or Chabot player in the mid first. This is a draft similar to the Yakupov one. Lots of busts and question marks. Broberg would go first overall in this draft.

What are you talking about? Lafreniere has been talked about for just as long as Jack Hughes has and is considered to be a better prospect by some. Absolute joke of a post by you. Honestly its embarrassing.

 

[McDNicks17]

On another note, Zion Nybeck has 6 goals and 12 points in 5 games in the Swedish junior league so far. Clearly too talented for that league, but he's in a difficult situation being as tiny as he is and HV71 having a strong team, which makes it hard for him to get a chance in the SHL. Curious to see how it will play out. Would hope that he would get a taste of the men's game soon.

How good is his teammate, Emil Andrae?

Noticed he had 8 points in 5 games too.

 

[Zaddy]

How good is his teammate, Emil Andrae?

Noticed he had 8 points in 5 games too.

I haven't watched him this season so I don't know if he has improved on some of his weaknesses but I saw him quite a bit last year and in essence I'm not a huge fan. He's small (5'9, although he has a pretty stocky build) and while he has good edges he is not a particularly dynamic skater which is a pretty huge minus for me. On top of that I don't think his all-around game is that spectacular, it's not bad but I don't really think he excels in any one area of the game except specifically in the offensive zone.

I'd be surprised if he made it to the NHL, and if he does it's most likely as a sheltered offensive specialist. I don't know what FC sees in him to have him ranked #21. he's probably in the 3rd round for me, but again I haven't seen him this season, maybe his game has grown leaps and bounds...but I kinda doubt it.

 

[ImmuneEH]

I think it would be pretty cool to have four D prospects with top-4 upside in Bouchard, Broberg, Samorukov, and possibly one of Drysdale, Barron, or Schneider. I'll be following those three players primarily.

 

[McDNicks17]

Byfield casually leading the OHL with 9 points in 4 games.

5 goals and 4 primary assists. Not bad.

 

[Skolman]

I think it would be pretty cool to have four D prospects with top-4 upside in Bouchard, Broberg, Samorukov, and possibly one of Drysdale, Barron, or Schneider. I'll be following those three players primarily.

I'm a big believer in building our blueline up, but I sure hope we go with a forward this year in the 1st round. Always BPA though.

 

[Aerchon]

I'm a big believer in building our blueline up, but I sure hope we go with a forward this year in the 1st round. Always BPA though.

Very few teams seem to go with consensus BPA at least lately. Centers especially jump up considerably higher by teams that are even slightly weak at that position.

 

[ImmuneEH]

I'm a big believer in building our blueline up, but I sure hope we go with a forward this year in the 1st round. Always BPA though.

I agree. All I was saying that, should we find ourselves in that position, that would be pretty cool. We'd have a pool of D prospects any team would be jealous of.

We need a C imo (in-case Nuge walks in FA/prices himself out of EDM). I hope most of the picks are spent on forwards.

 

[McDNicks17]

Antonio Stranges with a strong start too. 7 points in 4 games.



Best edges in the draft, AINEC.

Dude is so fun to watch.

 

[Llamamoto]

Quinton Byfield's having an insane start to the year.

12 points (6 + 6) in 5 games.