2020 Draft & Undrafted Free Agent Thread

[B17 Apricots]

I'm too lazy to scroll back but I'm sure it's been talked about before. Anyone's whos seen Lundkvist a bit have you been able to catch Gunler? With where our pick might wind up you gotta figure the Rangers are watching him with our guy. Say we fall outta the top 10 what would the outlook on that pick be

 

[B17 Apricots]

If we land somewhere in the bottom half of the top 10 I'm comfortable with a bunch of guys but man if we can walk away with Rossi or Lundell and add another pick towards the end of the first and add Mysak jeeeeez

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

There are atleast 10 players in the 2020 draft that are top 5 (3?) calibre players in an average draft, high end is insanely strong this year.

 

[ElLeetch]

There are atleast 10 players in the 2020 draft that are top 5 (3?) calibre players in an average draft, high end is insanely strong this year.

and we are playing ourselves to the 11-15th pick. LOL. I *still* can't believe we actually won to pick 2nd last season.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

and we are playing ourselves to the 11-15th pick. LOL. I *still* can't believe we actually won to pick 2nd last season.

First off ”atleast”. Secondly the 10 best prospect won’t go 1-10.

 

[Edge]

Put me down as someone who isn’t as sold on the higher end talent in this draft as some.

I think there there’s a lot of skill to be had, but right now I see question marks and a lot of guys who have been good, but not “as good” as they should be.

I like the top 8 or so for its risk/reward potential.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Who hasn’t been as good as they should be? The 3 SHL kids all close to 2 P/60 ‍ Lundell has been great, the OHL kids and Lafreniere lighting it up, Askarov crushing it...

 

[Mikos87]

I’m more surprised to see Foudy not take a step this year. I still think he’ll be a good NHLer, but I thought he was going to explode this year based on his skating ability

Might be one of those players who is a better pro than a junior player. I said the same thing about Athanasiou in 2011. Guys that can skate like that will get NHL minutes, sometimes you get a very good 4th liner, sometimes you get a guy who finds his way further up the line-up.

He's going to play in the NHL. Just like his brother. I would expect Jean-Luc's stock to go up right before the draft. His brother had some off the charts athletic testing. These are players who become very good pros after they become man strong. So it might be a couple of years before you get one of the better 3rd liners in the league.

 

[Mikos87]

But me down as someone who isn’t as sold on the higher end talent in this draft as some.

I think there there’s a lot of skill to be had, but right now I see question marks and a lot of guys who have been good, but not “as good” as they should be.

I like the top 8 or so for its risk/reward potential.

Yeah I'm with you. A weaker year on defense, and you've got a lot of boom/bust forwards in terms of them hitting what their ascribed offensive ceiling is. At the end of the day, you might end up with a bunch of 20-20 guys among the forwards that are getting hyped, with a couple of guys who are a tier above that, and Alexis and Quintin.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

A couple of the mocks I've seen have the team taking Connor Zary. I've not watched anything on him to comment

Byfield would honestly be the dream, but outside of him and Lafreniere, I like Stutzle, Holloway, Lundell and Mysak a lot.

Defenseman is weaker for this draft, but there's a couple later round guys I've been monitoring like Joni Jurmo, Kasper Puutio and Yan Kuznetsov (who I believe has been mentioned here before)

 

[wafflepadsave]

Put me down as someone who isn’t as sold on the higher end talent in this draft as some.

I think there there’s a lot of skill to be had, but right now I see question marks and a lot of guys who have been good, but not “as good” as they should be.

I like the top 8 or so for its risk/reward potential.

so we will pick 9th?

 

[mas0764]

If we aren’t gonna be bad enough to tank our way into the top 3 (and we’re not) or lucky enough to win another lottery (and it’s unlikely), and that rules out Lafreniere or Byfield, then I want Stutzle.

By trade up if necessary.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

D isn’t really weak this draft, it just looks weak because the forwards are so strong... Drysdale is a high end D prospect, ahead of where Byram was imo, then you have a bunch of 1st round Ds that are good too.

 

[Edge]

so we will pick 9th?

I predicted 8-12, so 9 wouldn’t shock me.

 

[Mac n Gs]

Might be one of those players who is a better pro than a junior player. I said the same thing about Athanasiou in 2011. Guys that can skate like that will get NHL minutes, sometimes you get a very good 4th liner, sometimes you get a guy who finds his way further up the line-up.

He's going to play in the NHL. Just like his brother. I would expect Jean-Luc's stock to go up right before the draft. His brother had some off the charts athletic testing. These are players who become very good pros after they become man strong. So it might be a couple of years before you get one of the better 3rd liners in the league.

I've seen some complaints that he and his brother both have too much tunnel vision, which is what will hold them both back from reaching their true potential. His skating is already a plus-level NHL skill, so like you said, maybe he'll round out his game once he puts on more mass.

The one area I saw that he needed to work on was utilizing that speed whistle-to-whistle. There were some spurts where he'd start gliding and puck watching, but that was mainly last year and I'm unsure if it's a problem still. If we do figure out a way to get another late first, I'd still be open to drafting him.

 

[Mikos87]

I've seen some complaints that he and his brother both have too much tunnel vision, which is what will hold them both back from reaching their true potential. His skating is already a plus-level NHL skill, so like you said, maybe he'll round out his game once he puts on more mass.

The one area I saw that he needed to work on was utilizing that speed whistle-to-whistle. There were some spurts where he'd start gliding and puck watching, but that was mainly last year and I'm unsure if it's a problem still. If we do figure out a way to get another late first, I'd still be open to drafting him.

I am too, but I'm not expecting a scorer at all. But a very good bottom 6 player who establishing a forecheck and forces turnovers. That being said, I'm more inclined to flip a 2nd first round pick and other picks/prospects to get a RFA to be that can play in the top 6.

 

[wafflepadsave]

I predicted 8-12, so 9 wouldn’t shock me.

I was actually piling on the ole Rangers miss the better talent by one spot which it has always been other than last year.

 

[True Blue]

I predicted 8-12, so 9 wouldn’t shock me.

Sticking with 6-8. But clearly in the same 'hood.

Gotta say, after the build up for this draft, there sure appears to be a let down as far as how some of the prospects are performing.

Sticking with the realistic, I would be very happy if they can acquire another 1st and emerge with Lundell/Holloway & Mysak. Even a Schnieder. But two of the first three would be great.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

I'm too lazy to scroll back but I'm sure it's been talked about before. Anyone's whos seen Lundkvist a bit have you been able to catch Gunler? With where our pick might wind up you gotta figure the Rangers are watching him with our guy. Say we fall outta the top 10 what would the outlook on that pick be

Gunler is my #4, seen about 15 Luleå games this season and a bunch last season. Fantastic release, high hockey IQ on both sides of the puck, good skater. People knock his play off the puck but i think that’s just lazy scouting, he doesnt skate around a lot so it looks like he doesnt try hard but fact is he reads the play so well that he doesn’t have to skate around, this makes him very effective on the forecheck, one of the best teenagers i’ve seen at stealing the puck high up the ice.

 

[Edge]

Sticking with 6-8. But clearly in the same 'hood.

Gotta say, after the build up for this draft, there sure appears to be a let down as far as how some of the prospects are performing.

Sticking with the realistic, I would be very happy if they can acquire another 1st and emerge with Lundell/Holloway & Mysak. Even a Schnieder. But two of the first three would be great.

It's a good draft with some intriguing upside.

However, I don't think the actual results have quite matched the hype/hope across the board. Even in talking to different people, I've found that I hear a lot about one player or another having growth potential beyond what they've shown thus far.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

The CHLers are generally exceeding expectations and when you take usage into account so are most of the euros ‍

NTDP is weak but the rest of the world has a very strong draft class

 

[Lion Hound]

Top prospects game January 16th in Hamilton Ontario.

The 40 players from across the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League selected by NHL clubs to compete in the 25th annual showcase of draft-eligible talent have been divided into Team White and Team Red by NHL Central Scouting.

Rosters announced for 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game – WHL Network

Team White:

Goaltenders:
Dylan Garand (Kamloops Blazers)
Samuel Hlavaj (Sherbrooke Phoenix)

Defencemen:
Kaiden Guhle (Prince Albert Raiders)*
Ryan O’Rourke (Soo Greyhounds)
Luke Prokop (Calgary Hitmen)
Braden Schneider (Brandon Wheat Kings)*
Christoffer Sedoff (Red Deer Rebels)
Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)

Forwards:
Mavrik Bourque (Shawinigan Cataractes)
Brandon Coe (North Bay Battalion)
Will Cuylle (Windsor Spitfires)*
Tyson Foerster (Barrie Colts)
Ryan Francis (Cape Breton Eagles)
Ridly Greig (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Seth Jarvis (Portland Winterhawks)
Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)*
Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit)*
Vasily Ponomarev (Shawinigan Cataractes)
Jaromir Pytlik (Soo Greyhounds)
Connor Zary (Kamloops Blazers)*

Team Red:
Goaltenders:
Nico Daws (Guelph Storm)
Brock Gould (Victoria Royals)

Defencemen:
Lukas Cormier (Charlottetown Islanders)
Jamie Drysdale (Erie Otters)*
Thimo Nickl (Drummondville Voltigeurs)
Jeremie Poirier (Saint John Sea Dogs)*
Kasper Puutio (Swift Current Broncos)
Donovan Sebrango (Kitchener Rangers)

Forwards:
Quinton Byfield (Sudbury Wolves)*
Luke Evangelista (London Knights)
Jack Finley (Spokane Chiefs)
Jean-Luc Foudy (Windsor Spitfires)*
Dawson Mercer (Drummondville Voltigeurs)*
Jake Neighbours (Edmonton Oil Kings)
Jacob Perreault (Sarnia Sting)*
Jack Quinn (Ottawa 67’s)*
Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s)*
Justin Sourdif (Vancouver Giants)*
Antonio Stranges (London Knights)*
Ozzy Wiesblatt (Prince Albert Raiders)

 

[Joey Bones]

I finally had some time to polish up on some prospects. Updated mocks below....

Tankathon | 2020 NHL Draft Order & Lottery Simulator

1 (10) C: Marco Rossi (AUS)(5'8"/178lbs., Shot: Left, Ottawa/OHL)

2020 NHL Mock Draft | 2020 NHL Draft | NHL Draft

1 (7) C/LW: Cole Perfetti (CAN)(185lbs., Shot: Left, Saginaw/OHL)

2020 NHL Mock Draft - NHL - DraftSite.com

1 (10) C: Anton Lundell (FIN)(6'1"/182lbs., Shot: Left, HIFK/Liiga)
3 (72) D: Lukas Cormier (CAN)(5'8"/169lbs., Shot: Left, Charlottetown/QMJHL)
3 (86) D: Nathan Schweitzer (USA)(6'0"/185lbs., Shot: Right, Benilde-St. Margaret's School/HS-MN) *21/22 Colorado College Commit*
4 (103) Elliot Desnoyers (CAN)(5'9"/178lbs., Shot: Left, Moncton/QMJHL)
5 (134) LW: Pier-Olivier Roy (CAN)(5'7"/167lbs., Shot: Left, Gatineau/QMJHL)
6 (165) RW: Ivan Didkovsky (RUS)(5'9"/185lbs., Shot: Left, Tver/VHL)
7 (195) C: Matt Choupani (CAN)(5'7"/160lbs., Shot: Right, Des Moines/USHL) *21/22 Northeastern Commit*
7 (196) G: Devon Levi (CAN)(6'0"/182lbs., Catches: Left, Carleton Place/CCHL) *20/21 Northeastern Commit*
7 (201) D: Noah Ellis (USA)(6'1"/185lbs., Shot: Right, Des Moines/USHL) *21/22 UMass Amherst Commit*

Not a big fan of this group if it were the NYR draft class. Lundell is dope at No. 10 and I love the Levi pick in the 7th. Not entirely a huge fan of all the selections in the Q, as I think it's unrealistic NYR grab 1 guy from there let alone 3. Think Cormier is okay. Bit of a reach in the 3rd, though. Schweitzer is interesting, but not that interesting for a 3rd round pick, either. Desnoyers is another reach, IMO. I wouldn't take Roy at all in this draft. Didkovsky is a good gamble as he's playing really well in the MHL and got a call to the VHL. Dynamo obviously see something in him. I like the Choupani pick. It's a 7th rounder so whatever, but he could develop into a good goal scorer down the line. Ellis pick is, mediocre at best. Don’t think he does anything more worthy in a few years.

Thoughts? Were entering the second half here, folks!!

 

[True Blue]

Thoughts? Were entering the second half here, folks!!

Worse things in life than ending up with Lundell. Except for the debates that will be had around here.

Rosi is interesting and one to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

 

[Mac n Gs]

Worse things in life than ending up with Lundell. Except for the debates that will be had around here.

Rosi is interesting and one to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

I haven't seen him, but it's hard to ignore those scoring numbers. The kid is absolutely torching the OHL.