Prospect Info: 2020 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[Raccoon Jesus]

He's not for a lot of people. He's been mostly unnoticed for lots of his career which is why he went from overlooked and underrated to comparatively over-gushed-over right back to underrated.

 

[cyclones22]

He's not for a lot of people. He's been mostly unnoticed for lots of his career which is why he went from overlooked and underrated to comparatively over-gushed-over right back to underrated.

Which is crazy, right? In the last decade Drew has been ALL-NHL 1st or 2nd team 4 times. Norris finalist 4 times. Has been the BEST defender on Team Canada for the Olympics over his career. He's going to have a huge bounce back, once he's given a partner who he believes in. It shouldn't have to be that way, but he's been carrying a piano on his back for years as the resident veteran blueline babysitter.

 

[Scottkmlps]

But but Doughty's not even in the top ten best Dman in the past Decade according to this guy. LMAO.

Oh wow, that was bad. I mean, really bad.

 

[jimmy1100]

The video itself isn't dumb, it's the title/author that is. He titled it, "10 Best NHL Defenceman of the last Decade" and then prefaces the video by saying it's the 10 D-men with the highest point totals. Should be titled "Top 10 Scoring D-men of 2010-2019". But, if he'd done that, nobody would watch the video when they cold just look at a list.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[funky]

I would be very happy with that draft. Stützle looks like the game breaker we do not have. I really miss the days of Ziggy Palffy. Wallander is my Darkhorse Boom or bust prospect. He is a tremendous skater with tremendous size and has very good offensive instincts but does not know how to play defense. The kings system has always been good at developing the defense of side of things and with the extra second round picks I would love to take a gamble on this guy. Just getting Stützle alone in the draft and having him meet expectations would be a win for me

 

[funky]

Spent most of the afternoon reading reviews on the expected top 10 for the draft. Most of the views are pretty much the same with a couple of people placing a prospect a couple spots lower or higher than others. After reading everybody’s list and write ups I am very happy if we pick in the top six. As of today I think there is a little bit of a tear within the top six.

1 Lafreniere

2 Byfield/ Stutzle

3 Drysdale/ Holtz / Raymond

Hon Mention - Rossi - I am not sure why his size is holding me back but it is. I think he could be a very dynamic player in the new NHL, for some reason I am still having some old school draft bigger player philosophies hold me back from putting him in my top six. The guy truly does have everything you would look for in a prospect other than the height.

Top tier

Lafreniere could make the NHL next year. He is one of the older prospects in the draft and does look physically ready. There’s no denying his scale isn’t NHL ready.


Tier 2

Looking at our roster and looking at our center prospects Byfield might be the most repetitive of what we have but in the long run he may be the best player in the draft. The kid is almost a year younger than Lafreniere.

Stützle is a two-way rocket. This guy is this good or could be as good in the defense of zone as in the offense of zone. He’s one of the better skaters in the draft and feels a need that we do not have. I could see him playing with Turcotte for years to come.

Tier 3

Raymond is probably the best skater in the draft. He is somewhat like Kopitar during his draft year because scouts could not view him playing against solid competition as he played in a lower grouping. Saying that everybody believes he has the skills to make it as a top line winner in the NHL. He’s got that pull away gear like McDavid and it is just a question whether his hands and his IQ will be able to handle the NHL. He easily has the makings of a true superstar if everything comes together.

Drysdale may be a power play machine in the new NHL. My only hold back is he is on the smaller range for a defenseman and we already have numerous small defenseman in the system or on the current roster. This guy can skate, shoot, and lead a power-play. It would almost be better if he was a left hand shot so we could pair him with Drew. Not sure how we bench Drew on the power play or how that would go over if Drysdale does turn out to be that stud power-play quarterback. Either way if he’s available where we pick he is very much in contention for me.

I love Holtz. He is not as good of skater as his countrymen but he does possess a better shot and does possess a bigger body. Everyone seems to comment on both his slapper and his wrist shot in NHL caliber and they do note he puts himself in good positions to score. Sounds like something the kings could use.

If we pick first overall there is no debate.

If we do end up picking fourth there are many options for the Kings. Even if we are set at center if for some reason Byfield miraculously falls to number four I grab him. With his size and skating ability he makes an ideal pivot. We can always move the Vilardi or Turcotte to the wing.
If the draft order does not change from word is today I cannot see Ottawa passing up on Byfield as they lack at center ice. Their fans also seem to be pretty hot on grabbing a right handed defenseman like Drysdale. If this is the case and Stützle falls to us, I will be doing backflips across the living room floor on draft day.

If we do get relegated to fifth or lower it still is not the end of the world as there is a lot of talent in this draft.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

Drysdale may be a power play machine in the new NHL. My only hold back is he is on the smaller range for a defenseman and we already have numerous small defenseman in the system or on the current roster. This guy can skate, shoot, and lead a power-play. It would almost be better if he was a left hand shot so we could pair him with Drew. Not sure how we bench Drew on the power play or how that would go over if Drysdale does turn out to be that stud power-play quarterback. Either way if he’s available where we pick he is very much in contention for me.

.

Reduce Drews pp time give him a rest make drew rested for end of game play I d put drysdale on top pp but that just me

 

[funky]

Reduce Drews pp time give him a rest make drew rested for end of game play I d put drysdale on top pp but that just me

absolutely agree. But it worries me how Drew would react.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

absolutely agree. But it worries me how Drew would react.

I would hope he would react by not conserving his energy as much. He's at a stage in his career where he needs to work as hard or harder than everyone else. I get what you're saying, though.

Spent most of the afternoon reading reviews on the expected top 10 for the draft. Most of the views are pretty much the same with a couple of people placing a prospect a couple spots lower or higher than others. After reading everybody’s list and write ups I am very happy if we pick in the top six. As of today I think there is a little bit of a tear within the top six.

1 Lafreniere

2 Byfield/ Stutzle

3 Drysdale/ Holtz / Raymond

Hon Mention - Rossi - I am not sure why his size is holding me back but it is. I think he could be a very dynamic player in the new NHL, for some reason I am still having some old school draft bigger player philosophies hold me back from putting him in my top six. The guy truly does have everything you would look for in a prospect other than the height.

Top tier

Lafreniere could make the NHL next year. He is one of the older prospects in the draft and does look physically ready. There’s no denying his scale isn’t NHL ready.


Tier 2

Looking at our roster and looking at our center prospects Byfield might be the most repetitive of what we have but in the long run he may be the best player in the draft. The kid is almost a year younger than Lafreniere.

Stützle is a two-way rocket. This guy is this good or could be as good in the defense of zone as in the offense of zone. He’s one of the better skaters in the draft and feels a need that we do not have. I could see him playing with Turcotte for years to come.

Tier 3

Raymond is probably the best skater in the draft. He is somewhat like Kopitar during his draft year because scouts could not view him playing against solid competition as he played in a lower grouping. Saying that everybody believes he has the skills to make it as a top line winner in the NHL. He’s got that pull away gear like McDavid and it is just a question whether his hands and his IQ will be able to handle the NHL. He easily has the makings of a true superstar if everything comes together.

Drysdale may be a power play machine in the new NHL. My only hold back is he is on the smaller range for a defenseman and we already have numerous small defenseman in the system or on the current roster. This guy can skate, shoot, and lead a power-play. It would almost be better if he was a left hand shot so we could pair him with Drew. Not sure how we bench Drew on the power play or how that would go over if Drysdale does turn out to be that stud power-play quarterback. Either way if he’s available where we pick he is very much in contention for me.

I love Holtz. He is not as good of skater as his countrymen but he does possess a better shot and does possess a bigger body. Everyone seems to comment on both his slapper and his wrist shot in NHL caliber and they do note he puts himself in good positions to score. Sounds like something the kings could use.

If we pick first overall there is no debate.

If we do end up picking fourth there are many options for the Kings. Even if we are set at center if for some reason Byfield miraculously falls to number four I grab him. With his size and skating ability he makes an ideal pivot. We can always move the Vilardi or Turcotte to the wing.
If the draft order does not change from word is today I cannot see Ottawa passing up on Byfield as they lack at center ice. Their fans also seem to be pretty hot on grabbing a right handed defenseman like Drysdale. If this is the case and Stützle falls to us, I will be doing backflips across the living room floor on draft day.

If we do get relegated to fifth or lower it still is not the end of the world as there is a lot of talent in this draft.

I love Rossi, but re: Rossi, it's not just size. He's not an elite skater, doesn't have breakaway speed. Has literally every other tool though and he's solid as hell on his skates.

 

[cyclones22]

What matters is how shifty and slippery Rossi can be. I'm not following a lot of the highlight videos so I couldn't tell you my thoughts on it. But think about Justin Williams, he's not a great skater in terms of straight ahead speed. However, give him the puck in tight spaces around the boards and he's spinning defenders around because of his change of direction. How is his edge work? That's way more important in my opinion for a forward. If Rossi is a better playmaking version of Willy who can play center, I'd take him and run.

 

[Rusty Batch]

With all this time at home I've watched hockey prospect videos non stop lol. And for what it's worth I really think Drysdale is probably no worse than the 4th best prospect in this draft. I think if we are going BPA at #4 and Laf/TS/QB go top 3 than he should be our pick at #4.

His skating is elite, he plays great D and is excellent at moving the puck.

If Stutzle or Byfield are there it's a tougher decision.

 

[RocketKing]

What impresses about Stutzle is that he is already doing what he does playing against men. So he gets the edge for me but I think that both Drysdale & Stutzle will get selected by the Sens and be gone when we go 4th. At that point I would prefer Rossi over Byefeild but that decision is going to be really tough. No mattter if we got one of any of these 4 then we walk away massive winners.

 

[Rusty Batch]

I don't think there is any way you can pass on Byfield at #4 If TS and JD are off the board. Byfield is awesome and I think people are nitpicking at him because of the raw talent he has.

He is essentially a full year younger than much of the top of this draft class. And he is already incredibly productive. His Size/Speed/Skills/Age/Production package is so rare that you have to really search for a reason to not have him top 4.

For example a year ago Marco Rossi was 1 month younger than Byfield is now. In that season Rossi had 65 pts in 53 games. Byfield had 84 pts in 45 games this season.

I love Rossi and think he is going to be a really good pro. But Byfield has superstar potential. I think Rossi is the 5th best prospect.

 

[AlphaBravo]

This year's draft is similar to last year. Who we pick is not really in our hands. It's whoever falls to us. Last year it was Turcotte or Dach. This year, its whoever Detroit and Ottawa don't pick (assuming we don't win the lottery) from the top 4.

 

[slovakia18]

I don't think there is any way you can pass on Byfield at #4 If TS and JD are off the board. Byfield is awesome and I think people are nitpicking at him because of the raw talent he has.

He is essentially a full year younger than much of the top of this draft class. And he is already incredibly productive. His Size/Speed/Skills/Age/Production package is so rare that you have to really search for a reason to not have him top 4.

For example a year ago Marco Rossi was 1 month younger than Byfield is now. In that season Rossi had 65 pts in 53 games. Byfield had 84 pts in 45 games this season.

I love Rossi and think he is going to be a really good pro. But Byfield has superstar potential. I think Rossi is the 5th best prospect.

And than see not just the points from Rossi, see that he was injuried long time and look his defens play and than his PO performence in the first season.
rossi, it doesnt matter which # they pick him, he is in 2-3 years the example of an elite Two way Forward in the NHL.

 

[dman3474]

I really don't see how they can have the draft without a decision on how they will finish the season (unless they cancel it)

If they decide to go to the 24 team playoff, I think they have to give the other 7 teams a shot of winning the lottery. Maybe not #7 moving up to #1 but they have to do something for them missing out on playing.

I hope we are picking 4th or higher, puts us in a great spot for this draft. I am really liking Stutzel and Drysdale in that spot

 

[KINGS17]

Finishing the regular season is a waste of time. Get on with the playoffs.

 

[Rekingsfan17]

Jokke is one of my favorite hockey twitter follows and I love that he did a mock draft. I would have made different choices with the picks that he listed and seeing the players that were available in his mock. My picks would have been
4) Drysdale
35) Peterka
48) Chromiak
59) Robins

 

[Rusty Batch]

And than see not just the points from Rossi, see that he was injuried long time and look his defens play and than his PO performence in the first season.
rossi, it doesnt matter which # they pick him, he is in 2-3 years the example of an elite Two way Forward in the NHL.

Trust me I love Rossi. I'm just trying to point out that on paper everything points towards Byfield being a superior prospect. I think the upside with Byfield is also quite a bit higher than Rossi.

I have heard multiple times that Byfield is soft and doesn't use his body well. But I have seen a shift by shift video from one game of his where he must have had 10 guys either fall down from bouncing off of him when he had the puck or from him laying the body.

I've heard he has great straight line speed but suspect agility. And yet I've watched him skate through entire teams with the puck.

It just seems like every knock on him is exaggerated and then people point to the WJC as a dissapointing tournament for him when prospects like Perfetti and Rossi who are each significantly older than him didn't even make the team.

It just feels like many are trying to find flaws in his game instead of just recognize the immense upside he has and the proven production.

 

[ru4reals]

Trust me I love Rossi. I'm just trying to point out that on paper everything points towards Byfield being a superior prospect. I think the upside with Byfield is also quite a bit higher than Rossi.

I have heard multiple times that Byfield is soft and doesn't use his body well. But I have seen a shift by shift video from one game of his where he must have had 10 guys either fall down from bouncing off of him when he had the puck or from him laying the body.

I've heard he has great straight line speed but suspect agility. And yet I've watched him skate through entire teams with the puck.

It just seems like every knock on him is exaggerated and then people point to the WJC as a dissapointing tournament for him when prospects like Perfetti and Rossi who are each significantly older than him didn't even make the team.

It just feels like many are trying to find flaws in his game instead of just recognize the immense upside he has and the proven production.

I see what your saying just wanted to point out his team wasn't in the tournament this year.

 

[KingsCrown]

Jokke is one of my favorite hockey twitter follows and I love that he did a mock draft. I would have made different choices with the picks that he listed and seeing the players that were available in his mock. My picks would have been
4) Drysdale
35) Peterka
48) Chromiak
59) Robins

I’d be extremely happy if Peterka drops to us at 35. Since we have a little time on our hands this person has posted some great highlights of draft eligible guys that will hopefully be in our first round draft range including Peterka later. Unfortunately they do not have any Byfield or Rossi vids.

Peterka

Lafreniere
Stutzle
Drysdale
Raymond
Holtz

Give me both the Germans please.

 

[KopitarFAN]

Interesting read given Byfield, Drysdale, Rossi or Perfetti could be the choice somewhere in the Top 7.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Interesting read given Byfield, Drysdale, Rossi or Perfetti could be the choice somewhere in the Top 7.

I liked that. Interesting read.

Not a pro scout by any means but even with the example they mentioned--Hall, Seguin, Gudbrandson--I always worry that when one league dominates the upper end of the draft that it was actually a weaker year for that league than a better year, that the top-end prospects were just picking on a weaker league that year. One of Rossi's criticisms is just that, that he absolutely destroys lesser teams and has a more reasonable PPG against stronger comp. See also last year's US team/draftees. Obviously all still top prospects, but no one came out gangbusters really. And Hall-Seguin turned out to be top-end players but not the consistently elite threats they were hyped as (and of course...there's Gudbrandson).

I also really like that they mention Rossi like Crosby, excellent stylistic comparison.