As with everything else in this year like no other, the NHL draft will be different in 2020. It’ll be all virtual and the fact that it is taking place in October, rather than June, means most of the players eligible to be drafted are playing right now, already having started their 2020-21 regular seasons, in Europe and elsewhere.
But some things never change. Pundits say (as they do every year) the talent pool is deep. And there is a new darling expected to change the hockey world when he is picked No. 1 overall on Tuesday — his name is Alexis Lafreniere. Beyond that, there is the usual speculation of who will be the steal of the draft, and what team, with multiple selections, will set itself up best for the future?
The New York Rangers, who won the second overall pick in the 2019 lottery, did one better this year, when, for the first time since the league expanded beyond six teams, they landed the No. 1 pick overall. GM Jeff Gorton wouldn’t say it, but they will almost certainly select Lafreniere, a 6-1 left wing from Rimouski of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The intrigue then is who is No. 2 — German Tim Stutzle or Quinton Byfield of Sudbury.
The still-rebuilding Rangers also have a second pick in the first round, No. 22 overall, courtesy of a trade they made at the February deadline when they sent defenseman Brady Skjei to Carolina. The New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators each have three picks in the first round, with two of Ottawa’s picks coming in the top five. The Senators’ third pick, No. 28 overall, comes from the Islanders in the Jean-Gabriel Pageau trade. The Islanders don’t have a pick in either the first or second round.
Here’s a solid mock draft for the first round:
1. Rangers — Alexis Lafreniere, LW, Rimouski (QMJHL), 6-1, 193, Shoots left: The Rangers’ bigger need may be center but they won’t overthink it with Lafreniere the consensus No. 1, even though his skating could improve. He could become an elite, top-line scorer as he uses his big frame to get to the net with 35 goals and 77 assists in 52 games last season.
2. Los Angeles Kings — Tim Stutzle, C, Manheim (DEL), 6-1, 187, Shoots left: The top-ranked prospect among European skaters had seven goals and 34 points in 41 games in Germany’s top league as the teenager skated against men. He’s a complete playmaker, combining speedy skating with strong puck-handling skills and vision.
3. Ottawa Senators (from San Jose Sharks) — Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury (OHL), 6-4, 215, Shoots left: Ranked second among North American skaters behind Lafreniere, Byfield had 32 goals and 82 points in 45 games in his second season of junior hockey. Byfield has superior skating ability to go with considerable size.
4. Detroit Red Wings — Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw (OHL), 5-10, 177, Shoots left: Perfetti had 37 goals and 111 points in 61 games in his second season of junior hockey. He’s ranked fifth among North American skaters and his statistics bear evidence to his strong passing and playmaking skills.
5. Ottawa Senators — Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda (SHL), 5-10, 161, Shoots right: The fourth-ranked European skater is currently starting his third season in the Swedish league after notching four goals and six assists in 33 games last season. Raymond is a strong two-way player and a solid skater explosive on a straight line.
6. Anaheim Ducks — Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie (OHL), 5-11, 175, Shoots right: The top-ranked defenseman among North American skaters is an offensive-minded puck mover strong on the rush and with his shot. He had nine goals and 38 assists in 49 games in his second season of junior hockey.
7. New Jersey Devils — Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa (OHL), 5-9, 183, Shoots left: The Austrian-born Rossi had 39 goals and 81 assists in 56 games in his second season of junior hockey and his ranked sixth among North American skaters. He’s strong on the puck and possibly the best defensive center in the draft.
8. Buffalo Sabres — Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgarden (SHL), 6-0, 192, Shoots right: Ranked second among European skaters, Holtz has started his third season in the Swedish league after compiling nine goals and seven assists in 35 games last season. Holtz projects as a top-line forward with an excellent shot.
But some things never change. Pundits say (as they do every year) the talent pool is deep. And there is a new darling expected to change the hockey world when he is picked No. 1 overall on Tuesday — his name is Alexis Lafreniere. Beyond that, there is the usual speculation of who will be the steal of the draft, and what team, with multiple selections, will set itself up best for the future?
The New York Rangers, who won the second overall pick in the 2019 lottery, did one better this year, when, for the first time since the league expanded beyond six teams, they landed the No. 1 pick overall. GM Jeff Gorton wouldn’t say it, but they will almost certainly select Lafreniere, a 6-1 left wing from Rimouski of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The intrigue then is who is No. 2 — German Tim Stutzle or Quinton Byfield of Sudbury.
The still-rebuilding Rangers also have a second pick in the first round, No. 22 overall, courtesy of a trade they made at the February deadline when they sent defenseman Brady Skjei to Carolina. The New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators each have three picks in the first round, with two of Ottawa’s picks coming in the top five. The Senators’ third pick, No. 28 overall, comes from the Islanders in the Jean-Gabriel Pageau trade. The Islanders don’t have a pick in either the first or second round.
Here’s a solid mock draft for the first round:
1. Rangers — Alexis Lafreniere, LW, Rimouski (QMJHL), 6-1, 193, Shoots left: The Rangers’ bigger need may be center but they won’t overthink it with Lafreniere the consensus No. 1, even though his skating could improve. He could become an elite, top-line scorer as he uses his big frame to get to the net with 35 goals and 77 assists in 52 games last season.
2. Los Angeles Kings — Tim Stutzle, C, Manheim (DEL), 6-1, 187, Shoots left: The top-ranked prospect among European skaters had seven goals and 34 points in 41 games in Germany’s top league as the teenager skated against men. He’s a complete playmaker, combining speedy skating with strong puck-handling skills and vision.
3. Ottawa Senators (from San Jose Sharks) — Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury (OHL), 6-4, 215, Shoots left: Ranked second among North American skaters behind Lafreniere, Byfield had 32 goals and 82 points in 45 games in his second season of junior hockey. Byfield has superior skating ability to go with considerable size.
4. Detroit Red Wings — Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw (OHL), 5-10, 177, Shoots left: Perfetti had 37 goals and 111 points in 61 games in his second season of junior hockey. He’s ranked fifth among North American skaters and his statistics bear evidence to his strong passing and playmaking skills.
5. Ottawa Senators — Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda (SHL), 5-10, 161, Shoots right: The fourth-ranked European skater is currently starting his third season in the Swedish league after notching four goals and six assists in 33 games last season. Raymond is a strong two-way player and a solid skater explosive on a straight line.
6. Anaheim Ducks — Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie (OHL), 5-11, 175, Shoots right: The top-ranked defenseman among North American skaters is an offensive-minded puck mover strong on the rush and with his shot. He had nine goals and 38 assists in 49 games in his second season of junior hockey.
7. New Jersey Devils — Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa (OHL), 5-9, 183, Shoots left: The Austrian-born Rossi had 39 goals and 81 assists in 56 games in his second season of junior hockey and his ranked sixth among North American skaters. He’s strong on the puck and possibly the best defensive center in the draft.
8. Buffalo Sabres — Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgarden (SHL), 6-0, 192, Shoots right: Ranked second among European skaters, Holtz has started his third season in the Swedish league after compiling nine goals and seven assists in 35 games last season. Holtz projects as a top-line forward with an excellent shot.