2020 MOCK DRAFT - TORIE PETERSON
Torie Peterson takes a shot at predicting the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft
1. New York Rangers - Alexis Lafrenière - LW - Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)
The dynamic left winger has rightfully earned the praise he's gotten ahead of this year's draft. His skill level can be classified as elite, he is incredibly smart and makes excellent decisions with the puck, he thrives under pressure, and plays with a relentless, physical edge.
2. LA Kings - Quinton Byfield - C - Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Byfield is a power forward who can impose his will on defenders thanks to his skating, skill, and smarts. In addition to his offensive upside, he plays a responsible game in his own zone, backchecking well and getting his team back into transition quickly.
3. Ottawa Senators (via San Jose) - Tim Stützle- LW - Adler Mannheim (DEL)
The Senators land a versatile forward in Stützle, who can play on the wing or at center. He's a strong skater, excellent with the puck, and a quick release that handcuffs goaltenders with the power and accuracy behind his shot.
4. Detroit Red Wings - Cole Perfetti - C - Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
With Perfetti, Detroit is getting a forward who does everything well, as evidenced by his 37-goal, 111-point season. His skating is strong, he's highly-skilled on the puck, he can act as a playmaker or a goal-scorer, and he's very smart.
5. Ottawa Senators - Marco Rossi - C - Ottawa 67's (OHL)
At 5-foot-9, Rossi isn't the biggest player but he plays above his weight class. He isn't afraid to dive into puck battles, has been effective in the face-off circle, and has the tools to produce plenty of offence.
6. Anaheim Ducks - Lucas Raymond - RW - Frölunda HC (SHL)
Raymond may not be as physically developed as some of his first-round peers but he more than makes up for that with his offensive talent. With superb skating and great vision, he's one of the best playmakers in this year's draft class.
7. New Jersey Devils - Jamie Drysdale - D - Erie Otters (OHL)
The Devils nab the one of the best defencemen in the draft with their first pick in the first round. Drysdale is an elite skater and won't hesitate to jump up in to the play. He has the offensive skill set to give New Jersey more firepower from their blueline for years to come.
8. Buffalo Sabres - Alexander Holtz - RW - Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
The Swedish winger can be described as a pure goal-scorer. He boasts an impressive wrist shot, packs a lot of power into his slap shot, and has a nose for the net. He isn't afraid to mix things up in the blue paint and battle for the puck in deep.
9. Minnesota Wild - Anton Lundell - C - HIFK (Liiga)
Lundell is a two-way centre who has developed a very complete game thanks to his time with HIFK in Finland's top league. He's an extremely smart player who is rarely out of position and has been able to put decent offensive numbers at the pro level.
10. Winnipeg Jets - Jake Sanderson - D - USA U-18 (NTDP)
Sanderson is an elite skater with tremendous puck-moving abilities. He plays well in transition and has a high ceiling when it comes to offence. His play in his own zone is positionally sound and thanks to his compete level, he will be a nightmare to battle against as he adds muscle.
11. Nashville Predators - Jack Quinn - RW - Ottawa 67's (OHL)
Netting 52 goals in 62 games last season, Quinn is one of the OHL's best goal scorers. Once he sets up shop in the offensive zone, he's hard to stop. His shot is his best asset, with a quick release and plenty of strength behind it.
12. Florida Panthers - Dawson Mercer - C - Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
While listed as a centre, Mercer is a versatile forward who can play on either wing as well. He's a relentless worker who is hard on the puck and while he may be a bit raw when it comes to offensive skill, he's got the tools to develop into a high-scoring forward at the pro level.
13. Carolina Hurricanes (via Toronto) - Seth Jarvis - RW - Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
A heart-and-soul type of player, Jarvis' never-say-die attitude has led to plenty of offence for the winger. He rattled off 42 goals and 98 points in 58 regular season games in 2019-20.
14. Edmonton Oilers - Yaroslav Askarov - G - Neva St. Petersburg (VHL)
One of the most highly touted draft-eligible goaltenders in the last 20 years, Askarov would give the Oilers a blue chip prospect in net. With no glaring weaknesses, the sky is the limit for the Russian.
15. Toronto Maple Leafs (via Pittsburgh) - Braden Schneider - D - Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
A bruising blueliner who has taken on the role as Brandon's number one defender, Schneider plays a shutdown, physical game. His positioning, gap control, stick work, and compete level are well above average.
16. Montreal Canadiens - Dylan Holloway - C - Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA)
The Habs land a well-rounded, two-way centre in Holloway, who put up 17 points in 35 games in his freshman season at Wisconsin. The Calgary native does all the little things right, is a hard worker, and has superb vision.
17. Chicago Blackhawks - Rodion Amirov - LW - Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)
Amirov is extremely fun to watch thanks to his creative flair in the offensive zone. He's highly skilled with the puck, is a constant threat in the offensive zone, and plays with plenty of pace.
18. New Jersey Devils (via Arizona) - Connor Zary - C - Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
Zary gives the Devils a heart-and-soul centre who not only leads his teams with outstanding all-around play, but also with his unyielding work ethic. His play in his own zone took a big step this past season and he is a key cog on the Blazers' penalty kill.
19. Calgary Flames - Noel Gunler - RW - Luleå (SHL)
The winger has high-end skill and the confidence to be creative in the offensive zone. Gunler owns a lethal wrist shot, has soft hands, and is tenacious in his forecheck. As he adds strength to his 6-foot-2 frame, watch for his skating to become even more explosive.
20. New Jersey Devils (via Tampa Bay, via Vancouver) - Kaiden Guhle - D - Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
One of the best skaters among the defencemen in this year's draft class, Guhle has excellent positioning, great gap control, and plays with an aggressive edge that makes battling against him a challenge.
21. Columbus Blue Jackets - Lukas Reichel - LW - Eisbären Berlin (DEL)
The forward's draft stock skyrocketed in 2019-20 thanks to consistent play in Germany's top pro league. There's a maturity to his game, with strong play in all three zones, and he has skill set to be a regular offensive contributor at the pro level.
22. New York Rangers (via Carolina) - Hendrix Lapierre - C - Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
With their second pick in the first round, the Rangers nab the talented pivot who had his 2019-20 shortened by injuries. In 19 games, he posted 17 points thanks to his high-end hockey IQ and his strong playmaking abilities.
23. Philadelphia Flyers - Mavrik Bourque - C - Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
Averaging 1.45 points-per-game in 2019-20, Bourque has exceptional vision and reads the game at a high level. While undersized at 5-foot-10, he isn't afraid to play in the hard areas and acts as the motor for the Shawinigan squad.
24. Washington Capitals - John-Jason Peterka - LW - EHC München (DEL)
Another high-ranked German, Peterka has a strong offensive skill set that will allow him to flourish as a pro. With a great top speed and soft hands, he's dangerous in transition and on the rush. He's also effective in tight, battling around the blue paint and working for his goals.
25. Colorado Avalanche - Jacob Perreault - RW - Sarnia Sting (OHL)
A natural goal scorer, Perreault led the Sting with 39 tallies through 57 games in 2019-20. His best attribute is his powerful, accurate shot and is known as a high-end finisher. Like his dad Yanic, Perreault is also a very smart player who processes the game at a high level.
26. St. Louis Blues - William Wallinder - D - MODO Hockey J20 (SuperElit)
Wallinder is a puck-moving defenceman with the potential to develop his offensive game thanks to his vision and a very hard shot. He also skates very well for a player that stands 6-foot-4, with agility and speed.
27. Anaheim Ducks (via Boston) - Tyson Foerster - C - Barrie Colts (OHL)
The Colts leading scorer in 2019-20 with 80 points through 62 games, Foerster is an offensively gifted pivot with a knack for scoring goals. He's got a quick release, is willing to shoot from anywhere, and works well in the offensive zone when it comes to finding open ice.
28. Ottawa Senators (via New York Islanders) - Ridly Greig - C - Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
A strong skater who handles the puck extremely well, Greig averaged over a point-per-game during the shortened 2019-20 season. He's a hard-working, competitive presence who is willing to mix it up physically.
29. Vegas Golden Knights - Jan Myšák - C/LW - Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
Myšák is a rising star among his Czech counterparts, having already played pro in his home country before making the jump to the OHL in 2019-20. A natural goal scorer, he has put in the work to round out his playmaking skills and make him even more of an offensive threat.
30. Dallas Stars - Brendan Brisson - C - Chicago Steel (USHL)
A strong playmaker, Brisson put up 59 points in 45 games with the dominant Steel in 2019-20. His ability to read and process plays at a high level elevates the play of his wingers and generates plenty of scoring chances.
31. San Jose Sharks (via Tampa Bay) - Justin Barron - D - Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Thanks to his skating, Barron has developed into one of the best two-way defenders in the QMJHL. He's agile, strong on his edges, and can hit top speed in a few strides.
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