2020 NHL Mock Draft

With the NHL on an indefinite pause, it seems necessary to look towards the future of hockey and check out the 2020 NHL draft prospects and where each one will go in the draft. The order of this mock draft is based on an online simulator. Each pick was determined on either the team need or best available.

1. Detroit Red Wings- Alexis LaFreniere- LW- Rimouski (QMJHL)

The draft lottery simulator kept pity on the last place Red Wings, and they will be getting the unanimous number one pick in the draft in LaFreniere. Alexis LaFreniere had a stellar season with Rimouski Oceanic, coming up with 112 points in 52 games, in his first year as the teams captain. His tally led him to become the league leader in points and assists(77). He also recorded ten points in five games in the under 20 World Junior Championship and was the tournament MVP even while sustaining an injury that kept him out for a few games. LaFreniere can easily make the NHL right away and it would interesting to see him paired on a line with fellow young guns, Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi.

2. Los Angeles Kings- Lucas Raymond- RW- Frolunda (SHL)

The Kings move up a few spots in the draft thanks to the simulator. I have the Kings picking Raymond second overall because of their over abundance of centerman prospects. I could have easily given them center Quinton Byfield, but I think that they are more in need of a better prospect on the wing who can pair up with their young guns at center. Lucas Raymond had a spectacular rookie season in the SHL, recording ten points in 33 games. This might not seem like a lot, compared to the numbers of LaFreniere and Byfield in their respected leagues, but it is important to remember that teenagers in European leagues, like the SHL, barely get any playing time, so the ten points that Raymond accumulated is actually very impressive. In order to get perspective on how well he can play with players of his age group you need to look at his play from other leagues and tournaments. For Frolunda's under 20 team, in the Super Elite league, Raymond came up with fourteen points in nine games. In the under 20 World Championship, Raymond came up with six points in fifteen games.

3. Ottawa Senators- Quinton Byfield- C- Sudbury (OHL)

Their is no doubt in my mind that if the Senators have the opportunity to pick up Byfield third overall, they will take it. Byfield is an all-around stud. He has a huge body and does not shy away from scoring. He accumulated 82 points(32 goals, 50 assists) in 45 games, in his sophomore season in the Ontario Hockey League. Byfield also goes in perfectly with the prospects in Ottawa's system, who can use a potential number one center. The Sens will definitely be happy with this pick in the future, and Byfield will definitely get his chance to start right away.

These next selection will be shown, but will not have a long description. (Your welcome lazy readers.)

4. Ottawa Senators (Via SJ)- Jamie Drysdale- D- Erie (OHL)

5. Anaheim Ducks- Cole Perfetti- LW- Saginaw (OHL)

6. New Jersey Devils- Tim Stutzle- C- Manheim (DEL)

7. Buffalo Sabres- Alex Holtz- RW- Djugarden (SHL)

8. Montreal Canadians- Marco Rossi- C- Ottawa (OHL)

9. Chicago Blackhawks- Yaroslav Askarov- G- St. Petersburg (VHL)

10. New Jersey Devils (Via ARI)- Jake Sanderson- D- USA U-18 (NTDP)

11. Minnesota Wild- William Wallinder- D- Modo (Super Elite)

12. Winnipeg Jets- Anton Lundell- C- HIFK (Liiga)

13. New York Ranger- Dawson Mercer- C- Drummondville (QMJHL)

14. Florida Panthers- Braden Schneider- D- Brandon (WHL)

15. Columbus Blue Jackets- D- Kaiden Guhle- Prince Albert (WHL)

16. Calgary Flames- Jack Quinn- RW- Ottawa- (OHL)

17. New Jersey Devils (Via VAN)- Rodion Amirov- LW- Tolpar (MHL)

18. Nashville Predators- Jeremie Poirier- D- Saint John (QMJHL)

19. Carolina Hurricanes (Via TOR)- Hendrix Lapierre- C- Chicoutimi (QMJHL)

20. Edmonton Oilers- Seth Jarvis- C- Portland (WHL)

21. Ottawa Senators (Via NYI)- Justin Barron- D- Halifax (QMJHL)

22. Dallas Stars- Noel Gunler- RW- Lulea (SHL)

23. New York Rangers (Via CAR)- Jacob Perreault- RW- Sarnia (OHL)

24. Minnesota Wild (Via PIT)- Emil Andrae- D- HV71 (Super Elite)

25. Philadelphia Flyers- Ridly Greig- LW- Brandon (WHL)

26. San Jose Sharks (Via TB)- Dylan Holloway- C- Wisconsin (NCAA)

27. Colorado Avalanche- Vasily Ponomaryov- LW- Shawinigan (QMJHL)

28.Vegas Golden Knights- Shakir Mukhamadullin- D- Tolpar Ulfa (MHL)

29. Washington Capitols- John-Jason Peterka- RW- EHC Munchin (DEL)

30. St. Louis Blues- Mavrick Bourque- C- Shawinigan (QMJHL)

31. Anaheim Ducks (Via BOS)- Ryan O'Rourke- D- Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

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