2020 NHL Draft First Round Updates
Updated information about the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft, including instant analysis of every pick
Photo Credit: Hockey Hall Of Fame
The 2020 NHL Draft is underway! Here’s updated information from the first round, including instant analysis of each pick and trade!
1. New York Rangers select Alexis Lafreniere
Analysis: Alexis Lafreniere projects to be a first-line scoring wing. He’s been dominant everywhere he has played. Lafreniere should be an immediate impact player next season.
2. Los Angeles Kings select Quinton Byfield
Analysis: Quinton Byfield has all the tools you love to see in a franchise center. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s skilled, and despite consistently being among the youngest players in every league he’s played in, he has dominated.
3. Ottawa Senators select Tim Stutzle
Analysis: Tim Stutzle is the most creative playmaker in this draft. He’ll either be a center or a wing. But wherever he plays, Stutzle is going to make plenty of jaws drop and put up plenty of points. Also, props for having Alex Trebek announce the pick.
4. Detroit Red Wings select Lucas Raymond
Analysis: While Lucas Raymond had been falling in mock drafts, he was still barely a top 5 prospect for me. Raymond’s skating and hockey IQ are the best in the class. Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he winds up being a top-line wing.
5. Ottawa Senators pick Jake Sanderson
Analysis: Bit of a curveball here. Jake Sanderson wasn’t a top 10 pick for me. Likely top 15. Sanderson’s a solid defenseman, but why not go with Jamie Drysdale here?
6. Anaheim Ducks select Jamie Drysdale
Analysis: Best defenseman in the draft. Has a very strong offensive upside. Very mobile. I think he’ll be a future top pairing defenseman.
7. New Jersey Devils select Alexander Hotz
Analysis: Devils needed goal scorers. Alexander Holtz is definitely a goal scorer. Has some flaws in his game, but man, can he skate and can he ever score.
8. Buffalo Sabres select Jack Quinn
Analysis: Surprised the Sabres didn’t go with Marco Rossi here, but Jack Quinn has the tools to be an impressive scoring forward.
9. Minnesota Wild select Marco Rossi
Analysis: Wild are getting a gem. Rossi is one of my favorite prospects in the draft. Size is a concern, but I think he knows how to use his lack of size to his advantage. Needs to play a bit more disciplined, but I like that he plays with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder.
10. Winnipeg Jets select Cole Perfetti
Analysis: Cole Perfetti is a high-end skilled forward. I’m not sure whether he’ll stick at center or at the wing, but regardless, he plays well with pace, which is important for the Jets.
11. Nashville Predators select Yaroslav Askarov
Analysis: Yup, the Predators went with the goalie. And it makes sense! Yaroslav Askarov gives the Predators a franchise goalie. I love Connor Ingram, but he’s not Askarov.
12. Florida Panthers select center Anton Lundell
Analysis: Love this pick for Florida. Lundell is elite defensively and should be a very good producer on offense as well.
13. Carolina Hurricanes select Seth Jarvis
Analysis: Typical Hurricanes pick. Undersized, but has a ton of skill. Not sure if he’ll stick at center. I’ve liked him more at the wing, but I wouldn’t rule him out down the middle.
14. Edmonton Oilers select Dylan Holloway
Analysis: I know they really liked Seth Jarvis, but Dylan Holloway is a decent consolation prize. Coming off a rough year, but he’s a very fast and skilled player. Not a fan of his hockey sense or IQ though. Could see him being similar to Chris Kreider.
15. Toronto Maple Leafs select Rodion Amirov
Analysis: Honestly haven’t watched him too much, but people I trust a lot love him. He’s off to a strong start start in the 2020-21 season in Russia.
16. Montreal Canadiens select Kaiden Guhle
Analysis: Third defensemen selected. Love his size and skating, but his skill isn’t overly impressive. Think he’ll max out as a number three or four defenseman unless his offense significantly improves.
17. Chicago Blackhawks select Lukas Reichel
Analysis: Second forward taken from Germany! That’s cool. Lukas Reichel grew on me this year. That said, this pick is definitely a reach.
18. New Jersey Devils select forward Dawson Mercer
Analysis: Devils going with the BPA here, which is fine. Dawson Mercer is one of this draft’s better playmakers and his vision is very impressive. Not in love with his speed, but he competes hard. Sort of a jack of all trades, except for his playmaking and vision.
19. New York Rangers select defenseman Braden Schneider
Analysis: Wow, this is a reach. Love Schneider’s defensive game, but his offense is average at best. Not overly mobile either. Had him as an early second-round pick.
20. New Jersey Devils select defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin
Analysis: Very raw defenseman. Big and mobile. Slapshot is promising.
21. Columbus Blue Jackets select Yegor Chinakhov
Analysis: Had him as a sixth round pick. Think he could develop into a decent goal scorer, but he’s very, very raw.
22. Washington Capitals select Hendrix Lapierre
Analysis: Oh man, ballsy pick by the Capitals. But I love it. Hendrix Lapierre has severe concussion issues, but he’s extremely talented. Might have been a top 10 pick without his concussions.
23. Philadelphia Flyers select Tyson Foerster
Analysis: Tyson Foerster is a gifted player but his skating really needs to improve. That’s fixable, but if he doesn’t improve, he could wind up being a bust.
24. Calgary Flames select Connor Zary
Analysis: Not a big fan of his skating, but he does a lot of things very well. Could be an all-situations player. Don’t think he’ll ever be a first line player, but he could be a mighty fine second line center or wing.
25. Colorado Avalanche selects defenseman Justin Barron
Analysis: Just had a major surgery. Even before then, he was a late second round pick for me. Barron’s defense took a nose dive last season.
26. St. Louis Blues select Jake Neighbours
Analysis: Had him as a second round pick. Well-rounded forward, though his offensive upside is a tad bit limited because he’s not dynamic with the puck. But if he gains some confidence and improves his skating, he could be a top-six forward.
27. Anaheim Ducks select Jacob Perreault
Analysis: Tons of upside, though he’s raw. He’s very fast and quick. Has to be more consistent, but when Perreault is on his game, very few are more dynamic than him.
28. Ottawa Senators select Ridly Greig
Analysis: Gritty player with skill, but man, this is a reach. He’s not dynamic with the puck, nor is he an excellent skater. Not someone I’d draft in the first round, though I think Greig could be a fine NHL player.
29. Vegas Golden Knights select Brendan Brisson
Analysis: Father of agent Pat Brisson. Impressed me in the USHL. He’s more consistent than dynamic. You won’t see him take over too many games, but he’ll make an impact in just about every game. Maybe that’s why I noticed him?
30. Dallas Stars select Mavrik Bourque
Analysis: There are players who are fast and players who play fast. Bourque is the latter. He does just about everything well and I think he has the potential to be a huge difference maker. Very fun player to watch, I thoroughly enjoyed watching him grow.
31. San Jose Sharks select Ozzy Wiesblatt
Acquired: He’s small, but dang it, he’s feisty. Had him as a second round pick, but he has a skill set the San Jose Sharks love.