NHL 2020 Mock Draft Picks 1-10 Presented by: VIGR Lifestyles

 

1. New York Rangers

Options: Lafreniere/ Byfield/ Stutzle 

This one is a no brainer, Lafreniere is a “can’t miss prospect” who plays at 110% at all times even though that’s physically and mathematically impossible. Alex throws the body around, goes in the corners, can score, can set up teammates, and brings it defensively too. He’s a guy who drags others into the fight, not in the same way Matthew Tkachuk does, for Lafreniere it’s his energy and drive that is contagious. The only way Lafreniere ends up somewhere else is if a trade occurs, but with the Rangers never drafting higher than #2 (twice in their history, Kakko was their last #2 overall pick last year. They actually have picked 1st once before in the 1965 amateur draft drafting Andre Veilleux but haven’t picked 1st since the universal draft was adopted) I don’t see them trading the pick, especially not with Lafreniere involved. Because they haven’t picked 1st in the Universal draft era I think they keep this pick, BUT, if they did wanna explore trading the pick they would have the interest of approximately 30 teams. I “could” see Ottawa offering a player like Brannstrom, another prospect or pick and #3 for #1, but something like that would only be accepted by the Rangers “IF” they were gung ho on picking a franchise centre and they would have to know for sure that LA was taking Stutzle at 2 , then maybe (a HUGE probably not maybe). I say this scenario because the Sens have Lassi Thompson, Tychonick and Bernard-Docker all on the cusp so they’ve got some solid trade bait, but I really don’t see this happening in the end. I could also see teams like Nashville, Minnesota, or Carolina trying to entice the Rangers to trade the pick for a top flight d-man and their 1st round pick this year but once again I can’t see the Rangers passing on or trading such a solid prospect who’s gonna make it real easy on their marketing department to sell tickets for years to come. But what if Minnesota offers up Dumba or Spurgeon and #9 and a prospect? do ya do it? If Nashville offers Ekholm and their 1st and 3rd round picks this year do ya do it? I would have a long serious thought session on any of these scenarios if I was GM of the Rangers but in the end I probably wouldn’t take any of them.

THE PICK: ALEXIS LAFRENIERE

2. Los Angeles Kings

Options : Byfield / Stutzle / Sanderson                                                                                                                                          

LA has one of the deepest pools of centre icemen in the league with Kopitar, Vilardi, Turcotte, Lizotte, Anderson-Dolan, Akil Thomas and Tyler Madden (who they just received in a trade from ‘Couver this year) all vying for an NHL roster spot in the very near future. With depth at centre like this and with about 15-20 players from this years draft said to have a chance at becoming superstars I would seriously look at trading this pick for a current player and any other pick in the top 10. I would also entertain trading the #2 pick for any teams 1st round pick that’s #’s 10-15  if they threw in a prospect and a solid player. If I was a GM I would regularly try and trade down a few spots to pick up more assets. People I tell this to say things like “no way you pass on a guy like Byfield, he has too much upside, he’s too good to pass up”, but the same was said about Dylan Strome in ’15. I’m sure somebody in Arizona’s organization said “no way we would trade #3 (Strome) for the #10 pick and a #3 d-man! Strome has way too much upside!”. Now what would have happened if they traded that pick? Most likely they could have received a player like Zadorov and Colorado’s #10 pick and possibly even more. Who was still available at 10? Well the Avs went with Rantanen but also still available at that time was : Gurianov, Debrusk, Barzal, Connor, Chabot, White, Samsonov, Boeser, Konecny, Larsson, Beauvillier, Carlsson, Carlo, Joseph, and Aho. Obviously hind sight is 20/20 but my point is there are always solid picks anywhere in the first and even the early part of the 2nd round these days, if you can get more assets and you trust your scouts why not try build and add that way unless you’re 100% sure that a guy is gonna be a star? This same scenario can be used for almost any of the last 10 drafts, what if, instead of Kotkaniemi, Montreal traded 4 spots down and took Quinn Hughes? or even lower and went with Farabee? or even deeper yet and took Sandin? They could have missed on a guy too, but this is where trust in your scouts has to be at 100% capacity. Besides a draft pick what else could they have added to trade down??? What if in 14’ Buffalo traded #2 who was Reinhart for #8 Nylander or #15 Larkin or #18 Tuch or #19 DeAngelo? there are always good players available in the 1st round, unless y’er getting a can’t miss prospect like a McDavid or Eichel I say trade down and take assets from someone else. Sometimes you will give up great players doing it this way, but in my opinion you’re gonna hit in the 1st round just as much either way and this way you get solid proven players to go with your pick. I view it like this : trading is akin to betting, when you’re at the casino you can’t sit around and worry about every hand you lose ( let fans and the media do that ), you have to hope that you win more times than you lose, because you’re gonna lose sometimes, just keep trying to build your pile and if you trust both your pro and amateur scouts things will work out. LA needs LW’s & D’s more than anything right now, they could also use a tender but with the 2 pick, if they keep it, I think they go Stutzle since he plays LW but can also play centre if needed. If I’m LA I’m trading a few spots down and taking Drysdale or Sanderson but if they do hold onto the pick I say they go with Stutzle. 

THE PICK: TIM STUTZLE 

With everyone saying “there’s the big 3, then everyone else” I think they keep the pick and make the Sens a VERY happy organization by leaving Byfield on the board. Stutzle is a German kid who played in the DEL last year, he has great speed, amazing hands,and is good defensively as well. This guys motor doesn’t seem to quit and he always seems to be i1n position to score, he’s been great on the world stage as well.

3. Ottawa Senators

Options: Byfield / Lundell / Drysdale / Sanderson

The Senators have such a deep prospect pool that they really don’t need a whole lot besides centers and goalies, all they wanna do is upgrade where possible and then maybe pick up a goalie with pick #63, #70 or #94 of the draft. Then I’d take another goalie in round 6 or 7, I’d try to take a stab at a taller guy with upside and hope for the best maybe, or a smaller guy who’s really athletic. With Tkachuk, Norris (center but could move to the wing), Formenton, Boedker (I feel like he’ll get traded to Edmonton or somewhere West), Matthew Peca, Balcers, Duclair, and Anisimov, they have solid LW’s but I would not hesitate for a second to take Stutzle if Byfield goes at #2. The Sens are not very deep at centre, even if Norris plays that position at the NHL level, Stutzle could fill either position as well, but if Byfeild is available I think they go with him. Byfield is compared to Evgeni Malkin, he’s one of the youngest players in the draft who played a limited roll with team Canada at the WJC’s which people said put Lafreniere way ahead of him, but we should keep in mind that Lafreniere is only 6 weeks away from being one calendar year older than Quinton. What does Byfield do if he plays in the WJC’s this year? This would be a much better comparison. Although they played in different leagues (OHL/QMJHL) both put up about the same ppg at the same age (17). The argument some folks make for Byfield is that he is 6’4 and weighs 220 pounds already and could end up being around 6’5 235 pounds when he’s 25 years old (he’s listed at 215 but word has it he hit 220 by about mid summer). He has high end speed and skill and at 220+ pounds at 18 years of age imagine what he can be if he puts in the work which everyone says he does.

THE PICK: QUINTON BYFIELD

I think his upside ends up being too high to pass on due to having all the tools and a very high hockey IQ. He’s a guy that scouts would like to see play with a little bit more of an edge but when a guy is 17 years old you have to keep in mind that with is skill and speed he’s probably never needed to play with more of an “edge”. I think that edge will come once he realizes there are men constantly going after him, once he gets a little frustrated at the next level, that can help to bring out more of that edge. 

4. Detroit Red Wings

Options: Perfetti / Rossi / Drysdale / Sanderson

I’ve seen people saying that Detroit needs a defenseman and will take Drysdale, I’ve also seen people saying they will take Rossi because he’s the most NHL ready, either of these things could happen and I wouldn’t be surprised one bit. One thing I could see Yzerman doing is taking Sanderson a little early with this pick, he likes his big tough dmen with skill, he didn’t hesitate to take one about 10-15 spots earlier than he was expected to go in last years draft when he surprised the hockey world and called the name of German born defenseman Moritz Seider last year.  For this pick though I think Yzerman goes for a guy who is a little more similar to himself, a guy who isn’t the fastest top end skater but still has decent speed, has an incredible set of mitts, is said by many to be the best playmaker in the draft, and possesses a ridiculously high end hockey IQ, Cole Perfetti. When you listen to Perfetti speak in interviews it sounds like he’s 45 years old with a ton of life experiences in the bank, he just sounds like he gets it. If I was Yzerman I would trade down knowing I could pick up more assets for doing so and still have access to Perfetti, Drysdale, Sanderson, Lundell or Rossi a few spots down. Anything will work for Detroit at this point and all of the players in this area have a great shot at being studs in the league. Lundell isn’t as sexy of a name for some reason but he might just be the most well-rounded player in this draft besides Lafreniere. In his draft -1 year he has the most points all-time in the LIGA (2nd most ppg, tied with Barkov). He has the 4th most points ever in the LIGA in his draft year trailing only to NHL players named Granlund, Barkov, and Kakko. Where he is ahead of everyone, including the players I just listed, is with his corsi which was 3rd best in the ENTIRE LIGA. The kid is good. Personally, I would try trade for any pick 5-10 and a solid current player for the #4 pick. Then I would take Perfetti or Lundell or Rossi, one would be available, if not then Drysdale or Sanderson would have to be. If I’m Stevey-Y I’m trying to gain assets by trading down because they need so many different things that they can take any position with that pick, plus Detroit has also never cared about “NHL ready”.

THE PICK: COLE PERFETTI

In the OHL coaches poll he was voted best stickhandler, best playmaker, and highest hockey IQ. He also trains with Chris Draper and his crew, in my experience when you hear things like that it’s for a reason, seems they’re already training and watching over him in a way? Yzerman also doesn’t hesitate to take guys way out of place if he thinks they have the highest upside, although this wouldn’t be “way out of place” for Cole, just a few spots higher than some think.

5. Ottawa Senators

Options: Rossi / Lundell / Raymond / Drysdale / Sanderson 

No matter who the Sens get at 3, Stutzle or Byfield, I think they take another center at 5. I know that’s not a popular opinion, but I see that as the position of most need, and why not take two studs to build your offence around if you have the chance? Lundell would be a good option here, but I’m hearing they are absolutely in love with the Ottawa 67’s Marco Rossi, as am I and a lot of other people if we’re being completely honest. In my opinion, he’s the best playmaker of the draft even though I don’t hear many others saying that. He can create plays out of nothing and does things in traffic that most guys would never even dream of. Another player I could see taken here is Drysdale or Sanderson, Detroit has quite a few solid d prospects on the cusp but I could still see a dman going here even though I’m guessing they take a center. I’m hearing they like Sanderson as much as if not more than Drysdale and if you look at their depth chart, I think you’ll start to see one possible reason as to why. LD : Chabot, Reilly, Englund, Borowiecki, Lajoie, Tychonic, on RD they have : JB Docker, Lassi Thompson, Brannstrom, Zaitsev, Wolanin. My gut still tells me they go with a center and that they would like that center to be as NHL ready as possible so he can join right in with the rest of the young guys who are all about to become regulars and gel together. 

THE PICK: MARCO ROSSI

(*Bold prediction : Rossi is the NHL rookie of the year next year.)

6. Anaheim Ducks

Options: Drysdale / Sanderson / Raymond / Lundell

The Ducks are decent at defence with the NHL squadron but don’t have a lot of sexy names coming up, they’re also decent at LW and C but once again don’t have a ton of solid organizational depth at either of those positions. I could see them taking Lundell but also wouldn’t be surprised to see them taking Raymond with this pick, great players are gonna fall this year so it would all depend on who their scouts like the best as either player would be an amazing addition to the organization here. With all the young dmen making so much noise in the NHL right now I think they go to Jake Sanderson and make him the 1st dman off the board. Jake started the year known as one of the top defensive dmen in the class, after the year he’s known as THE top defensive dman and he’s started to really come around offensively too which is why I have him going ahead of Drysdale. It almost seemed like Sanderson was holding back a little bit in the early half of the season but right around the time of the prospects game down south he started to show that he had a lot more to give offensively than people may have previously been aware of. He is a fast smooth skater with a heavy shot and he loves to throw the body around, when playing college teams it was said that a lot of older players were a little timid to go down his wing or into his corner. Jake is just starting to tap into his offensive abilities, worst case scenario is Jake turns into one of the best 3-4 dmen in the league and plays solely a shutdown role, but knowing this kids genetics I think he ends up being a great PP guy as well. This is a guy who in ten years everyone might say “he should have went 1st or 2nd overall”.

THE PICK: JAKE SANDERSON

7. New Jersey Devils 

Options: Raymond / Drysdale / Holtz / Askarov 

The Devils are ok at center for now with Zajac, Zacha, Hughes and Hischier but aren’t that deep after that. They are “ok” at wing, but besides Nolan Foote they don’t really have any blue-chip prospects. Blackwood is pretty good young #1 so I’m not sure they go for Askarov here, although it would be a great pick. What the Devils need right now is RHD, and if Drysdale is still sitting there at 7 I think the Devils jump all over him. He would look great on the pp with Ty Smith as the QB in the near future as well. Drysdale played with the Canadian WJC team last Christmas where he started out the tourney in a limited role but ended up taking on a bigger role due to injuries, and he thrived in that role which is incredible when you take a look at how many 17 year olds have played in the WJC’s over the years. Almost all seem to have gone on to some sort of respectable NHL career afterwards. With Drysdale, he's a guy who's tough for me to compare to anyone, he is very unique IMHO. I think his game may just translate right away to todays NHL game much like Hughes or Heiskanen or Makars did, but in his own way. The decision here is easy, 

THE PICK: JAMIE DRYSDALE

I don’t see Drysdale becoming the PP QB everyone is slating him to be, I think he’s on the PP but I don’t think his stickhandling is good enough to be the QB at the NHL level, to me it looks like he needs to cut a good 3 inches off his stick. His skating and hockey IQ are both top end quality, he can shoot the puck and is a great kid. Anaheim would be over the moon if they got to pick Drysdale.

8. Buffalo Sabres 

Options: Raymond / Holtz / Quinn / Gunler / Askarov 

This is another one where the team should go for BPA which many will say is Raymond here but I just don’t see it all around quite yet. The Sabers don’t have a ton of depth at defence, LW or RW after the big club. If I’m GM here I go for Askarov, no use letting someone get him in the 20’s like when Washington got Samsonov in the 20’s, he’s gonna be a star in this league, take him when ya can. I think this is a year someone takes a stab at him early, trading down may result in the loss of opportunity to take this player. In ten years, people will be saying he shoulda went in the top 5 or top 3, just watch, he’s that good. I could also see Buffalo going after a goal scoring winger which many say Holtz is the best, Quinn is right there too, but Gunler could be the best of em all. He didn’t get selected to the Swedish WJC team for what was said to be a disagreement with team coaches and staff?(unconfirmed) but he plays in the SHL and in the Super Elite league he has the best goals per game average ever in a players draft -1 year. Even though Gunler is great most say Holtz is better.

THE PICK: ALEXANDER HOLTZ

He may lack a little defensively at the moment but he can blast the puck and has one heckuva one timer for the pp. He’s always in position to take a pass and he gets shots off easily in tight. Why not give Jack or Dylan that true sniper to play with?

9. Minnesota Wild

Options : Raymond / Askarov / Lundell 

Minnesota has Boldy, Staal, Eriksson-Ek, Donato, and Rask right now at center ice, they’re also solid at d with the big club. They look great at LW and RW but everyone could always use an upgrade in that department. Where they lack the most though is in goal, they have Kaapo Kahkonen but could really use a player that is said to be the best prospect since Carey Price, that prospect is Yaroslav Askarov. Askarov has medalled at every single International tournament he has ever played in including a silver at last years WJC Championship where people say he didn’t have the best tournament, but if you look back at the goals scored on him and who scored them I think you will see that even a lot of NHL goaltenders wouldn’t have had a chance on some of them. In the VHL, Russia’s 2nd tier league, Askarov put up a 2.45 GAA and a 9.20 sv% while going 12-3-3 in 18 games, not bad for a 17-year-old. Askarov is a right hand catching 6’2 goaltender with sound technical abilities, he’s a guy who can take over a game and frustrate opponents with style, he’ll show a spot and then take it away on a shooter, he’s gonna be fun to watch. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say he makes the league by 21.

 THE PICK: YAROSLAV ASKAROV

10. Winnipeg Jets 

Options: / Holloway / Lundell / Raymond

In this draft I have two amazing gems falling this far named Anton Lundell and Lucas Raymond, either one could be a top 5 pick but here I’m guessing what teams will do, so I’m gonna drop one at least one more spot. Winnipeg could use a center, Lundell would look great here but with one young center in his prime in Scheifele and with Wheeler the Captain, I think they like where they’re at with the center position for now. If I was GM I would take Lundell here and trade Wheeler, then I’d give the “C" to Scheifele, but I think Winnipeg still believes in Wheeler for 2-3 more years and takes RW'er Lucas Raymond. Raymond is very talented and is being compared to Mitch Marner (there’s been better times to be compared to Marner). He’s a smooth skater with great hands and plays the pp and pk as well, he is very creative and can make something out of nothing, Raymond is a guy who will bring you out of your seat. Many people have him as a guaranteed top 5 pick but for some reason I think he falls a bit. We’ll see. 

THE PICK: LUCAS RAYMOND