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…
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.
Nikishin is a unique blend of raw power, skill, and skating ability, and despite some mental blemishes, is among the most entertaining players in the #2020NHLDraftpic.twitter.com/HpESqQggHK
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.
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.
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!
Hockey players are the toughest athletes on the planet. Click the pic and purchase this shirt right now!Elias Pettersson’s nickname is “Alien”. Here’s a shirt to celebrate it! Click the image to buy one!What a hilarious phrase! Click the pic to get yours today!
Now that the dust from the 2019 NHL draft has settled and with the upcoming Hlinka Gretzky Cup set to start this week, it’s time we started getting into the 2020 class, right?
Word has it that this draft might be as good or better than the 2015 class and the 2003 class. Just from doing a little bit of digging so far, there’s a group of about 8 players that are basically in everyone’s top-ten lists so far and the top-5 has more or less been set.
So without further adieu, let’s get into our lists!
Name
BLH (@beerleagueheroe)
Max (@TPEHockey)
Keith (@keithfries)
1.
Alexis Lafreniere – LW
Alexis Lafreniere – LW
Alexis Lafreniere – LW
2.
Quinton Byfield – C
Quinton Byfield – C
Anton Lundell – C
3.
Lucas Raymond – RW
Lucas Raymond – RW
Quinton Byfield – C
4.
Alexander Holtz – RW/LW
Anton Lundell – C
Lucas Raymond – RW
5.
Anton Lundell – C
Noel Gunler – RW/LW
Noel Gunler – RW/LW
6.
Cole Perfetti – C
Alexander Holtz – RW/LW
Tim Stutzle – LW
7.
Noel Gunler – RW/LW
Yaroslav Askarov – G
Alexander Holtz – RW/LW
8.
Jamie Drysdale – D
Cole Perfetti – C
Marco Rossi – C
9.
Justin Barron – D
Marco Rossi – C
Justin Barron – D
10.
Dylan Holloway – C
Jamie Drysdale – D
Jaromir Pytlik – C
For shits and giggles, we thought it would be fun to take the latest Stanley Cup betting odds and apply that to a hypothetical scenario that would tell us where the Oilers would be drafting in 2020 and the site we used told us that they will be selecting 9th overall. So who would each of us select in that case?
Max’s Take at #9
With the Oiler’s hypothetical 9th pick in the 2020 draft, I would select goaltender Yaroslav Askarov.
Edmonton’s need for a goalie is no secret with 37-year-old Mike Smith and 31-year-old Mikko Kokkonen expected to split the net next year, a top prospect is needed to fill the void. While Shane Starrett and Stuart Skinner are good goalies neither have NHL starter upside. Askarov, on the other hand, can be expected to be a franchise goaltender at around the level of Andrei Vasilevskiy. Although this isn’t a pick based solely on need. Askarov is around my number 5 or 6 ranked player for the 2020 draft. I wrote a full article breaking down his game so I won’t get into that here, but Askarov is certainly worthy of a top 10 pick. He showed last season he was every bit as good as Spencer Knight despite being a year younger. His style and statistics are impeccable, and every aspect of his game is top-notch.
Other good options at #9 could be centers Marco Rossi and Dylan Holloway, but if you want to look to the wing Jan Mysak is a very intriguing guy out of the Czech league.
Keith’s Take at #9
While Justin Barron is my 9th-overall selection – who would be a nice fit for Edmonton, so, I’m not discounting that as a viable option – I’m going to rely solely on my draft list and select Tim Stutzle.
Stutzle’s greatest strength is his skating, which, if you were to rank on a system out of 5, he’d be a 6. Or for you ‘Spinal Tap’ fans out there, his skating can turn up to 11. In one of my viewings, the opposition was closing in to finish a hard check on Stutzle, who quickly recognized the hit coming and did a figure skating 360-degree spin in the air, avoiding contact, and stuck the landing.
He can play at multiple speeds, and with solid heads up play and a high hockey IQ readily on display, it’s not hard for Stutzle to take over games and play at his desired pace.
I can’t see him hitting some rapid growth spurt, so he’ll need to start filling out the frame he has. Playing his draft year in the German pro-league (DEL) should help toughen him up and give him some kind of idea of the level of competition he might be facing in the AHL – where I’m projecting he’ll be for a year-or-so before making a splash on the main roster.
BLH’s Take at #9
Tell ya what. I really like Justin Barron at #9 because he’s such a smooth operator. I like what Draftgeek.com had to say about him,
Barron is a mobile, intelligent defenceman. He’s not extraordinarily flashy, but he transitions the puck and can create offence from his position. He can start a breakout, distribute the puck from the blueline, and run a powerplay, and there’s a lot of value in that that NHL teams will be looking to capitalize on.
But I’m not sure that he’s the guy I would take there. My feeling is that there’s a need to select a game-breaking forward in 2020 and since they skipped on Matthew Boldy this past year in favor of Philip Broberg, I’d like to see Holland call the name of Dylan Holloway.
He’s one of the fastest and most powerful players in the draft and he’s got the size to boot (6’1″ 192 and growing). Not only that, but he was the AJHL’s 2nd leading scorer as a 16-year-old… That’s nuts! He’s got the hockey IQ to go with the physical tools and I’ve heard his character isn’t of any question.
Now, I don’t know if he’s close to a Chris Kreider type or if he’s closer to a Dylan Larkin one, but either way, I believe the attributes that he brings to the ice are ones that would benefit the Oilers more so than the likes of a Marco Rossi or a Hendrix Lapierre.
I’ll say this though, it would be awfully hard to pass on Jamie Drysdale if he were around or if Anton Lundell or Noel Gunler dropped.
Who do you have your eyes on for the 2020 NHL draft? Let us know in the comments below!
Elias Pettersson’s nickname is “Alien”. Here’s a shirt to celebrate it! Click the image to buy one!What a hilarious phrase! Click the pic to get yours today!Rasmus Dahlin might turn out to be the best 16-bit defenseman of all time! Grab his likeness today! Click the pic above!
This year the Hughes vs Kakko debate has raged over who will and should go 1st. As Hughes sets records for USA National Team Development Program (USNTDP), Kakko is also setting records in the Finnish Liiga. Both seem like historic prospects but they may pale in comparison to the NHL draft prospects that are coming up after them.
Already, the hype has surrounded the projected number one pick in the 2020 draft, Alexis Lafreniére. This while the rest of the 2020 draft is loaded with high-end players that could be considered 1st overall quality players. Quinton Byfield, Noel Gunler, and Anton Lundell plus others have received a lot of hype in scouting circles. Despite this Alexis Lafreniére still ranks 6th on my list of the top 50 draft eligible prospects. So who are these young star athletes and when will we get to see them in the NHL?
In this list, I’ll combine my draft rankings from 2019, 2020, and 2021, but I’ll also add 5 world class prospects from the 2022 and 2023 drafts. I don’t have extensive rankings for the 2022 or 23 drafts so other than those 5 there won’t be any other prospects from those drafts on the list. Also, no goalies will be included in the top 50.
We begin this list with “The Big Five.” These 5 prospects are players we previously only saw once in a decade, but this time we are seeing 5 in only two drafts, 2022 and 2023. We haven’t seen players this good at their age since Connor McDavid tore up the GTHL, the top youth league in Ontario, in 2012.
Number One Matthew Savoie
Center | 2022 Draft | Jan 1, 2004 | St. Albert, AB, Canada
NAX – CSSHL
Matthew Savoie has committed to the Univ. Of Denver in the NCAA!! So he will NOT play in the WHL. Enormous news from the #1 #2022NHLDraft prospect and the top prospect in all of hockey! pic.twitter.com/ZY0d3ifgVD
He loves to cut down the wing with speed and use his edges and strength to cut to the net and create a scoring chance. Matthew Savoie also holds a great shot in his arsenal. He can rip pucks where ever he wants and catches goalies off guard with a quick release. His shot has even been compared to that of Steven Stamkos. On the power play, he can often snipe a goalie from the blue line or the tops of the circles. Savoie has been a stellar playmaker as well. He can thread passes to and through the slot to give his winger a one-timer. He can often do this due to his off the charts hockey IQ and eye for the ice. He’s by far the best passer in his league and can set up a multitude of opportunities at any given moment. All this not to mention his elite puck skills and hands. His immense toolset of skills plus his top-end processor make him the top prospect in all of hockey right now.
Number Two Shane Wright
Center | 2022 Draft | Jan 4, 2004 | Burlington, ON, Canada
Kingston Frontenacs – OHL
It’s now official. Shane Wright has been granted Exceptional Status to compete in the OHL a year early as a 15 year. Wright is one of the best upcoming prospects in the world and is he #2 for the #2022NHLDraft. Now we wait to see if Matthew Savoie, my #1, gains it for the WHL. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/u2bs6tLskW
While Savoie was denied Exceptional Status, Shane Wright was not. He will play in the OHL at just 15 next season for the Kingston Frontenacs as they drafted him 1st overall at the 2019 OHL Draft. Wright was undisputedly the best player in Ontario minor midget hockey (2003 born players) as a 2004 born this past season. He scored a ridiculous 150 points in just 72 GTHL games. For perspective that’s a 2.08 PPG total while McDavid had a 2.38 and Tavares a 2.15 in the same league at the same age. He was the centerpiece of a super team in the Don Mills Flyers that have lost one singular game all season and went unbeaten in league play. But don’t think that his team being so good is why is point totals are so good. It isn’t. Wright is the clear driver of offense in Don Mills, nobody stands close to him. In the OHL Cup, a tournament between the best minor midget teams in the OHL’s territory, Wright led his team to victory and a huge comeback from a 4-1 deficit in the finals. He scored 8 goals and 18 points in his 7 games. Coming away with not only the championship but tournament MVP as a 2004 born. What makes Shane Wright so great is hard to put a finger on. He’s one of the best playmakers I’ve ever seen at 15 with only Savoie on his level. His passes are perfect and he reads the play so well. He can use his strength and skating skill to take the puck to a dangerous area and create a shooting and passing option. While he’s a pass-first player he has a very accurate shot with good power behind it too. Often on the rush, he can skate the puck in and dangle defensemen to get to the net and snipe the goaltender the second he spots netting. There’s nothing Wright can’t do. He an extremely complete player. In the past, Wright has said that he models his game off of Matt Barzal.
Number Three Brad Lambert
Left Wing | 2022 Draft | Dec 19, 2003 | Lahti, Finland
Lahti Pelicans – Jr A. SM-Liiga
https://youtu.be/NqGvXqhv99Q
There is a STRONG argument to be made that Brad Lambert could be the #1 player on this list. He may be an ’03, but he’s less than a month older than both Savoie and Wright. Already Lambert has played junior hockey in Finland’s U20 league. As an ’03 he would’ve required Exceptional Status to do that in Canada. (European junior systems don’t have Exceptional Status, if you’re good enough you can just get called up from your U18 team). As a December birthday he was doing this at a ridiculously young age. He scored an impressive 11 points in just 17 games as a 15 year old. Lambert is a well rounded player with both goal scoring and playmaking upside. In the U20 league he wasn’t the goal scoring dynamo he was at lower levels, but his playmaking skill was on full display. He’s got a nasty wrist shot and good vision with the puck. He’s very mobile and moves very well with the puck on his stick. Lambert has a breakaway speed, going from a glide to full speed before you know what happened. Size isn’t a problem for him either as at just 15 he’s already pushing 6’0”. Lambert also has some crazy hands as many saw in his viral shootout clip.
Number Four Connor Bedard
Wing/Center | 2023 Draft | July 17, 2005 | N. Vancouver, BC, Ontario
West Van Warriors – CSSHL
At just 13, the Canadian media has already created a storm of hype around 2005 born Connor Bedard, and rightfully so. Bedard played a year up with the 2004 crop of Western Canadian players in the CSSBHL, but not only did he play, but he also won the MVP. Bedard scored over 2 goals per game and almost 3 points per game. Often Bedard went on streaks of not goals, but hat tricks. If you compare his season to Savoie’s in the same league, at a similar age (only a few months off), Savoie did have a higher point per game total, but Bedard’s goal-scoring prowess is unmatched. Next year it is assumed that he will be in the CSSHL against 18-year-olds. So what makes Bedard such a great goal scorer? Connor Bedard has what must be the best shot of any 13-year-old ever. It’s accurate, hard, fast, has a quick release, and he knows where to put it. Bedard is great at identifying what a goaltender is giving up and picking him apart for it. His shot drops jaw regularly. His other qualities are very intriguing, skating, hands, smarts, but nothing compares to the ridiculous shot of his.
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Number Five Adam Fantilli
Wing | 2023 Draft | Dec 10, 2004 | Ontario, Canada
17-18 Team: Toronto Red Wings – GTHL | 18-19 Team: Toronto Jr. Canadiens – GTHL
Adam Fantilli spent this season putting himself on the map. As an underager in the GTHL, similarly to Shane Wright, Fantilli showed that Wright had a challenger. While there is no debate that Wright is clearly the better player Fantilli isn’t too far behind and is 11 months younger than Wright. At just 14 and 15, 11 months makes a huge difference. At the OHL Cup, Fantilli wowed crowds as he helped lead his team to the finals. Fantilli did not apply for Exceptional Status, but it’s now clear he is far and away the top prospect for the 2020 OHL Draft. Although rumors have swirled about where he will play. Fantilli said himself his dream is to play in the NCAA and go on to the NHL. At 14 Fantilli already stands out as a superb athlete. The 6’2” power forward is an explosive skater. With his skating, he creates separation from any defenders as he hits his top speed before the defenders can get their first few strides in. His quick feet make him impossible to catch, and his edges allow him to weave through defenders. He also frequently capitalizes on odd-man rushes as not only can he create them with speed, but he can catch up with his teammates on a breakaway and turn a 1 on 1 into a 2 on 1.
Fantilli also uses a big shot to beat goaltenders. He’s great at sending a howitzer at full speed catching goalies off guard. He’s also an exceptionally smart player who knows where and when to shoot the puck. He’s got a lot of skill too allowing him to work his way to dangerous areas with his puck skills. Adam Fantilli is a player that overwhelms opposing teams with his sheer power. Whether it’s his shot or speed it’s impossible to stop him.
Everybody knows who Alexis Lafreniére is. He was drafted 1st overall in the QMJHL Draft and lead all QMJHL rookies in scoring in the 17-18 season, ahead of Filip Zadina. Lafrenière then went on to compete at the U18s as a 16-year-old where he stood out as one of Canada’s best players. At the conclusion of the season, he won CHL Rookie of the Year over the 2018 2nd overall pick Andrei Svechnikov. This was as a 2020 draft eligible compared to the #2 pick in the 2018 draft. This season Lafreniére hasn’t disappointed at all and has only increased the hype around himself. He finished top 3 in QMJHL scoring 105 points in just 61 games this season. This was good enough to outpace Connor McDavid’s draft minus one season (Lafreniére was 3 months older). And while Lafreniére is not McDavid he is by far the best player to come through the CHL since. What makes Lafreniére such a special player is undoubtedly his mind for the game. It’s possible that at this stage in his career he has never played a game where he wasn’t the smartest player on the ice. He not only makes the right decisions, but he makes them quickly. Lafreniére has an elite processor and somehow even better vision of the ice. His smarts and IQ is nothing less than world class. On top of his smart play, Lafreniére is exceptionally skilled. Unreal hands, and confidence in his ability to dangle defenders. He’s also a good shooter with a nice wrister with a real quick release. Lastly, his skating ability, while not world class, is very good. Smooth, quick feet with a good top speed.
7) Jack Hughes
C |2019 Draft |May 14, 2001 | Orlando, FL, USA
USNTDP (USHL)
— Coach Jeremy – How To Hockey (@howtohockey) April 4, 2019
Jack Hughes has had plenty of attention already so I’ll keep it fairly short. Hughes has spent the entirety of his career dominating at every single level. He put himself on the map with the Toronto Marlboros in the GTHL. While he applied for Exceptional Status he was denied and headed off to the NTDP. Hughes then went on to set the NTDP all-time points record and has become arguably the best player in program history. Over the course of this season, Hughes has remained at above 2.00 PPG in the USHL. He’s been the best player in all of junior hockey if you ask me. Internationally Hughes has put on a show. At one tournament he managed to put up 16 points in only 4 games, that a 4.00 PPG. Jack Hughes is a can’t miss player. He’s one of the most skilled players we’ve seen come through the draft. To consider him an elite skater is a vast understatement. He can get up and down the ice faster than anybody he’s ever played against. And to combine this with his unmatched edge work makes him the best skater since McDavid. Hughes also has hands and a processor as quick as his feet. His puck skills are stellar and he thinks the game at the highest pace.
8) Quinton Byfield
C |2020 Draft |August 19, 2002 | Newmarket, ON, Canada
Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
Quinton Byfield has been high on NHL radars since he played youth hockey for the York Simcoe Express. He scored at almost 3 PPG for the Express and got picked 1st overall by Sudbury in the OHL draft. Byfield then became one of the team’s biggest offensive drivers as a 16-year-old for a solid Sudbury team and won OHL Rookie of the Year. He scored at almost a point per game and led the team to the playoffs. Despite being knocked out in the 2nd round Byfield was phenomenal. He played a huge role in their 1st round sweep of Mississauga. He had 7 points in those 4 games before Sudbury was swept by the juggernaut Ottawa 67s team. Byfield is a big, tall power forward with amazing speed and skill. His height and weight make him one of the most physically imposing players we’ve seen at his age. He’s a 6’3” 214lbs monster who’s physically ready for pro hockey at just 16. Despite his size, Byfield is a fantastic skater and very skilled player. He’s got a superb top speed and is very agile. I’ve never seen a player at his age and size be able to move as Byfield can. In other words, he’s an athletic freak.
A new season means a new design! Click the image above to get the new Pulju shirt!
9) Kaapo Kakko
C/RW |2019 Draft |February 13, 2001 | Turku, Finland
TPS Turku (Liiga)
Kaapo Kakko has been making waves in the Finnish elite league. Kakko holds the all-time lead in U18 goal scoring. This while he is also in the top 5 for assists and points. Kakko also is tied for 1st in U18 playoffs points per game with Mikael Granlund and leads in playoffs goals per game. He’s been nothing short of phenomenal at the pro level. This earned him a roster spot on Finland’s men’s team. Even at the men’s international level, he’s played phenomenally. Kakko has controlled play and fit in with Team Finland. In terms of play style, Kaapo Kakko is an all-around offensive threat that doesn’t lack any major offensive attributes. He can do it all in the opposing zone and makes his presence know the second he steps on the ice. Kakko adapts well to any style he needs to play. He can play fast pace, smart hockey or play a little more gritty. Kakko has thrived at every level and doesn’t back down to a challenge. His size, smarts, and speed will translate well to the NHL game, and he will step in right away.
10) Noel Gunler
W |2020 Draft |October 7, 2001 | Luleå, Sweden
Luleå HF (SHL)
Despite being a late birthday, Noel Gunler has had one of the most impressive draft minus 1 years from a prospect in a while. After dominating the SuperElit (Swedish U20) with the highest PPG in the league. He then moved on to the SHL and wowed at the pro level. Some Swedish scouts have said they haven’t been as impressed by a player his age since Elias Pettersson and William Nylander. Gunler has functioned as an all offense sniping forward this season. Some Swedish scouts have said he has the best shot of a 17-year-old they’ve seen, and I’d compare his shot closest to that of Auston Matthews. He’s great at changing the angle of his shot and tricking goaltenders. It also has a shocking release. Overall, Gunler’s shot is absolutely lethal. Although Gunler doesn’t score off shooting ability alone. He’s an exceptionally smart player. He’s great at putting himself in an area to collect rebounds or receive a pass in an open area. In addition to his scoring ability, he’s shown he can drive play at any level with his playmaking skill.
11) Anton Lundell
C |2020 Draft |October 3, 2001 | Espoo, Finland
HIFK (Liiga)
Anton Lundell is simply a fantastic player. He was key in Finland’s World Junior win in his draft minus 1 year. Despite his age, he was arguably Finland’s best center. He played this season in the Finnish Liiga and was unbelievable, scoring 19 points in 38 games. It’s entirely possible, even likely, that he outdoes Kakko in terms of Liiga production next year (although he would be older). Lundell is an extremely cerebral, two-way centerman that NHL team would die for. He’s not flashy, but he makes the right play. Lundell also sees the ice very well and has a terrific shot.
12) Lucas Raymond
W |2020 Draft |March 28, 2002 | Göteborg, Sweden
Frölunda (SHL)
The Swedish hype train has surrounded Lucas Raymond as he’s lit up Swedish and international hockey. Raymond was one of the better players in the SuperElit and earned a temporary spot on Frölunda’s SHL team. He was the first 2002 born player to play in the SHL. Raymond showcased his absolute howitzer of a shot. Like Gunler, Raymond can really shoot the puck and has no problem putting the puck past even a pro goalie. He’s also a phenomenal passer and better at setting up teammates in dangerous areas than anyone.
13) Aatu Räty
C |2021 Draft |November 14, 2002 | Oulunsalo, Finland
Kärpät (Jr. A SM-Liiga)
Great job by Aatu Raty and Patrik Puistola to connect on this goal for Finland in #U18Worlds tuneup action. Gave the Finns the 1-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/9nmKf20UeI
The 1st prospect from the 2021 draft finally comes off the board. The 2021 draft doesn’t have a real first overall quality player like Hughes or Lafreniére, but rather it’s an extremely deep draft. You’ll see a lot of 2021 names on this list. Räty himself has had himself a season. He started at the U18 level in Finland, but absolutely annihilated the competition. He moved onto the U20 level and performed very well. He compares similarly to Anton Lundell in terms of production. Räty is another big shooter out of Scandinavia and has some mad hands too. He’s a versatile player that can get the job done in any role, and do any job a team needs him too.
14) Alexander Holtz
W |2020 Draft |January 23, 2002 | Saltsjö-Boo, Sweden
Djurgårdens (SHL)
What a rip by Alex Holtz. He’s showing us what many probably already know, he can shoot the puck. The Swedish 02s are putting on a show here.
Alex Holtz is the 2nd part of the Swedish duo of him and Raymond. Holtz, like Raymond, got his share of time in the SHL as a 16-year-old. He had a similarly dominant SuperElit season to Raymond as well. Holtz captained the Swedish U17 team and lead them to a bronze medal. Holtz, like Gunler, Raymond, and Räty, is another big shot goal scorer. Holtz probably has the hardest shot of the group too. He is the definition of a goal scorer. There is not a moment when Holtz is on the ice and isn’t dangerous.
15) Brandt Clarke
D |2021 Draft |February 09, 20013 | Nepean, ON, Canada
Barrie Colts (OHL)
Brandt Clarke is one of the best 15-year-old defensemen since Rasmus Dahlin. From the blueline, he scored 113 points in 73 games on the Don Mills Flyers. Clarke was integral in their OHL Cup victory, and there were times where Clarke was the best player on the Flyers over Wright. Wright is obviously a year older, but still. Clarke is one of the craftiest defensemen I’ve seen. He plays very similarly to Quinn Hughes, but I would say better. He’s quite good defensively and better physically than Hughes. He’s also got a laser of a shot. Clarke is also extremely deceptive and smart in the offensive zone. Other Names to Note:
Rasmus Dahlin might turn out to be the best 16-bit defenseman of all time! Grab his likeness today! Click the pic above!
The 1st overall pick in the WHL Draft is looking like he could be quite the player for the Oil Kings. In his short stint in the WHL as an underager (many top WHL prospects play at 15 for a few games since their draft us a year early) he impressed going half a point per game including a few nice goals. Guenther is a phenomenal goal scorer with all the right instincts to be a threat at the NHL level. Masterful powerplay guy.
#2021NHLDraft prospect Dylan Guenther registered 2G in last night’s victory over Kootenay. Guenther is an underager in the WHL who was selected 1st overall in the last WHL Draft by the Oil Kings.
Guenther is a goal scoring winger with a nasty wrist shot. He is my #4 for 2021. pic.twitter.com/atlxrwva7q
18) Joshua Roy C, Saint Johns Sea Dog (probably) (QMJHL), 2021 Draft
Roy is the likely 1st pick in this year’s QMJHL Draft in which Saint John has the pick. He dominated in the Quebec Midget league this year with Levis. He led them to a historic season going 41-1. Roy put up similar totals to that of Alexis Lafreniére, although he was a few months older. Joshua Roy is a versatile and skilled forward that is a scary player to defend. His hands are as silky as they get and his shot is an absolute laser.
Joshua Roy is the clear #1 player up for the #2019QMJHLDraft and a projected premier pick in the #2021NHLDraft. Hes known for his high paced play and offensive prowess. Roy also has some of the best hands in the business. Watch as he pulls off his signature move in this shootout. pic.twitter.com/h78e3JutjN
The US Development Program is expecting to have their next star forward in Chaz Lucius. Lucius was just 13 when he committed to the University of Minnesota along with his younger brother Cruz. Chaz put up a ridiculous 63 points in 13 games with Gentry Academy this season including 39 goals. Chaz is a high tempo skilled forward with big goal scoring upside. He’s known for destroying defenders with some nasty moves and whipping a shot past the goalie without a problem. Expect Chaz to light up the USHL next season with the U17s and probably play quite a bit with the U18s.
We all know of the prestige of the 3 Hughes brothers, but there is another upcoming set of brothers. Chaz (03) and Cruz (04) Lucius both committed to the U of Minnesota at 14 and 13 years old respectively. The two play on the top 03 AAA team in the US, the Gentry Galaxy. pic.twitter.com/zzPoGL0JDm
The 3rd of the Hughes gang, Luke is expected to be a key player for next year’s NTDP team. He led the Little Caesars 15s (yes that’s their name) to a national championship including a goal in the finals. Luke is already the biggest of the Hughes brother at 5’11”. He’s almost exactly the same player as Quinn in terms of style. A skills coach for the family said it’s possible that Luke is the best skater of them all, and I’d consider him to be better defensively than Quinn. At this point, Luke isn’t as highly touted as Quinn or Jack, but he still has the potential to rise.
This morning Little Caesar’s won the 15U National Title. Luke Hughes scores the 3rd goal in their 4-0 win over Oakland. Hughes was recently named to next year’s NTDP team and had a great tournament.
If you dig hockey shirts, please take a moment to visit the BLH TeePublic shops here and here. Below are some of the designs you’ll find at those links as well as the 16-bit hockey player shirts!
Elias Pettersson’s nickname is “Alien”. Here’s a shirt to celebrate it! Click the image to buy one!What a hilarious phrase! Click the pic to get yours today!The Vegas Golden Misfits are going to the Stanley Cup Final in 2018!!! Love ’em or hate ’em it’s an amazing story and this is one punk rocker’s way of giving tribute! Click the pic above and get yours today!
What a great hockey game the Edmonton Oilers played versus the Washington Capitals last night. They’re really starting to remind me of the 2016 roster who could play any way you wanted. Wanna run and gun? Cool. We’ve got the pieces to do that. Wanna play a button-down defensive game? No problem. We can do that too. Wanna chuck knucks? Well, you get the point.
It was a full-team 60-minute effort to keep Ovechkin and co. off the boards let alone have Ovi and Kuznetsov finish the game dash three. Lucky for the Caps, Braden Holtby was standing on his head or that game could’ve looked different.
I hope we can see more of that on the weekend where we’re slated to get our first proper look at 6’7″ goalie Mikko Koskinen. I reckon Jesse Puljujarvi will draw back in on the 3rd line as well. I feel bad for the kid but the situation is what it is.
I do want to say this though on Pulju. At some point Yamamoto is going to get hurt, almost all little guys who play the style he’s playing do and whenever that happens that’ll be Jesse’s opportunity to take advantage of. But for the time being, he has to play his ass off on the 3rd line because there’s no way McLellan is going to put him ahead of Yamamoto or Rattie when he returns.
So Elliotte Friedman posted in his 31 Thoughts this week that Vlad Namestnikov and Sergei Bobrovsky are a couple of names that might be entering the trade market, my words not his.
I feel like Namestnikov has the tools to be a top-6 player in the NHL but might not be the coach’s favorite where ever he’s gone if you know what I mean. When I watched him earlier this season, he looked like a kid who had very good technical skills and was really good on his skates edge-wise but he wasn’t getting that much ice-time.
For whatever reason, this is the second team that he’s failing to catch on with.
As for Bobrovsky, I don’t think that the Oilers cap can survive a hit of the magnitude he’s looking for. I think I’ve heard that he’s looking for Carey Price numbers and that simply isn’t going to work in Edmonton. His play this season hasn’t really been all that inspiring either.
Do you think that either of those players would benefit the Oilers either on the short-term or the long-term?
Our emerging prospects expert Max from TPE Hockey is back with a glimpse into the draft of 2020. This draft is looking like it might be top-heavy as many of its eligibles are making themselves known early and often. If you took in any of the games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton this summer you would’ve noticed a good number of 2020 prospects had very good games.
Let’s get into Max’s top-ten 2020 NHL draft prospects!
1) Alexis Lafreniére LW (Rimouski Océanic, QMJHL) – 185cm, 87kg
Lafreniére is the talk of the draft. He holds 25 point in 15 QMJHL games and is one point away from being the league’s leading scorer. He dominated the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and was tied as the leading scorer and captained Canada to gold. Lafreniére dominates with his exceptional hockey IQ and utilizes his skill and soft hands to put himself on highlight reels. Rimouski had high expectations for him when he was selected 1st overall in the 2017 QMJHL Draft. Lafreniére has lived up to and exceeded all expectations.
2) Noel Gunler LW/RW (Luleå HF, SHL) – 185cm, 80kg
Of all undrafted prospects, Noel Gunler is the name to watch going forward. He has been on the radar for a while, but only this season has he rocketed up the rankings. Gunler has the same point and game totals as Lafreniére except in the SuperElit (Sweden U20) and leads the league and scoring. After 15 games of complete dominance in that league, he was promoted to the SHL. In only his second game he registered a goal and an assist against Malmö. In that game, Gunler had one of the best performances of a player his age in the SHL. Virtually every time he stepped on the ice he had or created a scoring opportunity. Gunler now has 3 points in 3 SHL games. If he plays more game like the one against Malmö then Gunler is in serious consideration for 1st overall.
3) Quinton Byfield C (Sudbury Wolves, OHL) – 194cm, 97kg
Byfield is one of the most physically impressive players in this draft. The 2018 OHL Priority Selection 1st overall pick is a big, tall power forward with amazing speed and skill. His height and weight make him one of the most physically imposing players we’ve seen at his age. Despite his size, Byfield is a fast, agile, and has great puck skills. In other words, he’s an athletic freak. Scoring wise, Byfield started off very strong but went on a 5 game pointless streak. Even though he had that pointless streak he still holds 10 points in 12 OHL games for the Sudbury Wolves. It’s also worth keeping in mind that Byfield is one of the younger eligible players for this draft. With all of this, Byfield has to pick up the pace to keep a top 3 spot. He still has all the attributes to make him a top 2 pick, but he needs to score.
4) Marco Rossi C (Ottawa 67s, OHL) – 176cm, 79kg
In my mind, the most underrated prospect in this draft is Marco Rossi. Being Austrian, Rossi hasn’t played in any top division international tournaments. Exposure was especially limited last year as he also played in the Swiss league. In Switzerland, he was the 5th leading player in points per game as a 16-year-old against 20-year-olds. He then decided to play in the CHL and enter the CHL Import Draft where he was stolen at 16th overall by the Ottawa 67s. Playing for Ottawa this season, he started slow. In his first 6 games he only scored 2 points, but in his next 8 games, he scored 14 points. In those 8 games he’s outscoring Alexis Lafreniére in terms of points per game, and in the slightly tougher OHL. Rossi uses his flashy skill and speed to take over when the puck is on his stick. He’s challenging Quinton Byfield and could end up ahead of him by next month. Time will tell if he earns the spot as the top OHL prospect.
5) Anton Lundell C (Helsinki IFK, Liiga) – 185cm, 83kg
Early this season Lundell was named to the HIFK pro team at the Champions Hockey League, which is a competition between the top European league teams. He performed well but was held pointless in 3 games. He then started the season with the HIFK U20 team in which he scored 11 points and 9 games and earned a spot with the pro squad. With HIFK in the Liiga Anton Lundell has put up 5 points in 9 games. Lundell has shown his great mind for the game as he scores at a staggering rate for his age. Keep in mind that 2019’s consensus #2 pick, Kaapo Kakko, played only 6 games in the Liiga as a 16 turning 17-year-old.
6) Lucas Raymond RW/LW (Frölunda HC, SHL) – 179cm, 75kg
Lucas Raymond became the first 2002 born player to compete in the SHL this season. Raymond has great playmaking ability but also has an underrated scoring ability. Raymond is all about skill, speed, and work ethic. Before his SHL promotion, he scored 17 points in 13 games but is pointless in 4 SHL games.
Lucas Raymond (2020) scored a ridiculous goal last night versus Rögle BK U20 squad. Raymond should get some games with Frölunda’s mens team this season. #2020NHLDraftpic.twitter.com/N1IAr2KvvF
7) Alexander Holtz RW/LW (Djurgårdens IF J20, SuperElit) – 183cm, 83kg
The biggest faller since the beginning of the season is Alexander Holtz. He’s only at just over a point per game over 12 SuperElit games. Holtz is a sniper with a pro-caliber shot that tears apart junior aged goaltenders. Holtz also has an underrated playmaking game that he showed when he played with Lucas Raymond at the Hlinka tournament.
8) Kasper Simontaival C (LeKi, Mestis) – 175cm, 78kg
Simontaival became the first 2002 born player to play professional hockey earlier this season. He started with Tappara in the Finish Liiga where he registered 2 assists in 5 games. Simontaival looked good in the Liiga but was demoted to the Finnish 2nd league likely so he could get more ice time. Over 3 games Simontaival has 3 assists. He is a pure playmaker with great hockey sense. In multiple international tournaments with the Finnish U18 team, he has 0 goals and 16 assists over 10 games.
9) Yaroslav Askarov G (SKA-Varyagi im. Morozov, MHL) – 188cm, 71kg
The only goalie in the top 10 and 1st round is Askarov. He was, in my mind, the best goalie at the Hlinka tournament despite being a year younger than most of the competition. He then proceeded to play in the MHL where he as shut down every team he’s competed against with a .934 Sv% in 14 games. These are similar numbers to what Andrei Vasilevskiy put up at the same age, but Askarov will end up playing more games.
10) Jan Mysak F (HC Litvinov, Czech) – 180cm, 80kg
Out of all the players in my top 10, Jan Mysak has gotten the least attention. Mysak has played in the Czech pro league and scored 4 points in 13 games. As a younger 2002, who is still 16, it’s impressive that he cracked the pro roster right out of the gate. It shows that his team has a lot of trust in him as a player. Mysak is also highly touted by the Czech international teams as in a Czech article the coach of the team said that they are seriously considering him for the U20 team at the World Juniors.
Give Max a follow on Twitter @TPEHockey if you’re a draft nut like me. He’s constantly throwing out updates and opinions on prospects!
A new season means a new design! Click the image above to get the new Pulju shirt!Grab this sweet Nintendo parody shirt! Click the image above!
