Apologies for the tardiness on the rankings! I started at a new school and the time has been limited. Add to that the NHL and AHL season starting and things are busy around the BLH household!
One thing you’ll notice is that it’s only a top-20 and the reason I decided to go that route this month is that I think the top-10 are pretty set and selfishly as an Edmonton Oilers fan, I’d like to focus on some of the players that might fall out of that range and give those who are also fans of the team a broad idea of who the Oilers might be drafting next summer!
As always, I tapped into the headbones of my favorite draft gurus, Keith Fries and Max from TPE Hockey. Both of who, I’m proud to say, are playing their crafts at some much larger online institutions than this one. Keith has signed on with Dobber Prospects to cover the Florida Panthers and Max is working with The Prospect Network! Congrats to both of them!
But without delaying this any longer, here are our September rankings for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft!
| # | Beer League Hero | Keith Fries | TPE Hockey |
| 1 | Quinton Byfield (C) | Alexis Lafreniere (LW) | Alexis Lafreniere (LW) |
| 2 | Alexis Lafreniere (LW) | Anton Lundell (C) | Quinton Byfield (C) |
| 3 | Yaroslav Askarov (G) | Quinton Byfield (C) | Lucas Raymond (W) |
| 4 | Anton Lundell (C) | Lucas Raymond (W) | Anton Lundell (C) |
| 5 | Alexander Holtz (W) | Noel Gunler (W) | Yaroslav Askarov (G) |
| 6 | Lucas Raymond (W) | Yaroslav Askarov (G) | Noel Gunler (W) |
| 7 | Jamie Drysdale (D) | Tim Stutzle (LW) | Alexander Holtz (W) |
| 8 | Cole Perfetti (C/W) | Alexander Holtz (W) | Tim Stutzle (LW) |
| 9 | Tim Stutzle (W) | Cole Perfetti (C/W) | Jamie Drysdale (D) |
| 10 | Hendrix Lapierre (C) | Marco Rossi (C) | Cole Perfetti (C/W) |
| 11 | Dylan Holloway (C) | Justin Barron (D) | Marco Rossi (C) |
| 12 | Marco Rossi (C) | Jamie Drysdale (D) | Dylan Holloway (C) |
| 13 | Justin Barron (D) | Jaromir Pytlik (C) | Antonio Stranges (C/W) |
| 14 | Alexander Pashin (RW) | Alexander Nikishin (D) | Hendrix Lapierre (C) |
| 15 | Kasper Simontaival (C) | Kasper Simontaival (C) | Jan Mysak (LW) |
| 16 | Antonio Stranges (C/W) | Jeremie Poirer (D) | Kasper Simontaival (C) |
| 17 | Braden Schneider (D) | Hendrix Lapierre (C) | Justin Barron (D) |
| 18 | Jan Mysak (C/W) | Antonio Stranges (C/W) | Connor Zary (C) |
| 19 | Connor Zary (C) | Justin Sourdif (D) | Zion Nybeck (RW) |
| 20 | Zion Nybeck (RW) | Theo Rochette (D) | Michael Benning (D) |
My feeling, as a fan of the Oilers, is that they’ll be looking to add a forward in the first round given the ridiculous amount of talent they have coming on defense. I’m hoping that they’ll be drafting somewhere between 14th and 31st overall and with that, they take a goal-scoring forward. Of course, it’ll depend on where they land but in that role I like Alexander Pashin, Connor Zary, Will Cuylle, Noel Gunler, or Jacob Perreault. Gunler probably being the best of that group but he comes with some baggage and there’s no guarantee he slips…
Noel Gunler scores his first of the #SHL season.
He’s quite adept at creating turnovers as opposing defensemen attempt to breakout. Uses his reach so effectively.
And that release is sublime.#2020NHLDraft https://t.co/WJgZI2El1C
— Sammmy Stern (@SammmyStern) September 21, 2019
A few names that you won’t find in more mainstream rankings include Alexander Nikishin, a big Russian defender who can skate very well but might have some work to do with his passing and decision making. The micro-profile below and the highlight will shed some light on the player a bit better.
PROSPECT THREAD:
Alexander Nikishin, LHD
6’2”, 196, Rank: #22
Team: MHK K.S.V. (MHL)
Comparison: PK SubbanNikishin is a unique blend of raw power, skill, and skating ability, and despite some mental blemishes, is among the most entertaining players in the #2020NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/HpESqQggHK
— Brandon Holmes (@BHolmes_Hockey) July 23, 2019
Antonio Stranges out of London is another player that I think the big draft gurus might be a bit scared of ranking too high because he’s so much flash and dash. He reminds me of Mathew Barzal a bit. Not sure if he’s THAT good, but his hands, skating, and edgework are elite.
Antonio Stranges, continuing to prove why he’s the BEST Skater in the 2020 NHL Draft, absolutely INSANE.
— Nathan "Grav" Murdock (@NathanGraviteh) September 28, 2019
Lastly, Michael Benning (Matt’s brother), is lighting up the AJHL right now with another 2020 draft-eligible, Carter Savoie. He’s a smaller defender but his vision and passing are exemplary. Safe to say he’s polar opposite to Matt in terms of skill and playing style. Check out this brief report on him from Daniel Gee and the following video.
This is 2020 NHL Draft prospect Michael Benning, in the finals of the JCWC. Benning has the ability to run power plays from the point. His right handedness opens up shot options. His vision allows him hit teammates through bodies and sticks. Makes him a good PP QB.
Part 1/2👇 pic.twitter.com/ByHAUOvQJu
— Daniel Gee (@DanielGScouting) September 8, 2019
What do you think of our top-20s? Considering where your favorite team might end up drafting, who would you like to see them draft? Let us know in the comments below! Thanks for reading!
