With Phase 2 of the draft lottery and the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs complete, the 2020 NHL draft picture is slowly becoming clearer in this unprecedented season. The New York Rangers are the lucky winners of the Alexis Lafreniere sweepstakes, but there's plenty of talent across this draft class for other teams that were dispatched from the postseason bubbles.
The draft is going to be one of the most unpredictable we've seen in a while because nothing in its buildup has been normal. Teams have had extraordinary time to review prospect tape and hold Zoom meetings, especially those that weren't part of the postseason. Opinions on players are going to vary across the board, and things might get interesting after the first few picks.
How might this most unique of drafts go? Here are my predictions for all 31 of the first-round selections in the 2020 NHL draft.
Note: Draft order for picks Nos. 1-19 is set. For picks Nos. 20-31, various playoff outcomes could impact where teams pick. We projected draft order for those picks based on potential playoff scenarios and the inverse of the regular-season standings. An explanation is provided prior to the 20th pick in the mock.
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1. New York Rangers
Alexis Lafreniere, LW, Rimouski (QMJHL)
The Rangers' rebuild was already winding down -- they went 37-28-5 this season -- and now they have a chance to add another elite offensive weapon to their growing arsenal. Lafreniere should fit right into the way the Rangers play. He is a skilled forward with a solid frame, some snarl and the ability to contribute right away. Lafreniere posted a ridiculous 2.15 points-per-game average this season with Rimouski.
2. Los Angeles Kings
Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury (OHL)
The Kings have a lot of centers in their system, but there isn't much reason to pass on a player who would immediately ascend to the top of the team's deep prospect pool, thanks to his mountain of upside. Byfield has the size and speed to be an absolute monster at the next level, assuming that he continues on his current development track.
3. Ottawa Senators (via SJ)
Tim Stutzle, LW, Mannheim (Germany)
Whether Stutzle is a wing or center in the long term -- I think he will be the former -- doesn't matter much. His combination of skill and speed is fantastic, and he is a zone-entry monster with the ability to take over shifts. Even as a 17-year-old playing professionally in Germany, he was controlling things on the ice. His confidence with the puck is nearly unrivaled in this draft, and he'd become a cornerstone player in Ottawa.
4. Detroit Red Wings
Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw (OHL)
Steve Yzerman is one of the hardest GMs to read when it comes to the draft. There isn't a pattern, and I'm usually looking for a curveball from him. But Perfetti isn't a curveball here; he's one of the most skilled players in this class with the puck on his stick. Having spent his junior hockey career in nearby Saginaw, he'd certainly have his own cheering section at every game in Detroit. The Red Wings need to get more dynamic, and that happens with Perfetti.
5. Ottawa Senators
Jake Sanderson, D, USA U18 (NTDP)
This, to me, is going to be the most intriguing draft slot in the first round. The Senators have so many options available to them, and they could go forward, defense or even goalie here. The University of North Dakota houses a handful of Ottawa prospects at the moment, and with all due respect to Jacob Bernard-Docker and Shane Pinto, the best of the bunch would be Sanderson, who is set to join the Fighting Hawks. He is an incredible skater, the most well-rounded defenseman in this class and a potential solid top-four guy in Ottawa. There are some production concerns, but he'd be a difference-maker in this organization.
6. Anaheim Ducks
Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie (OHL)
The Ducks have a lot of quality forward prospects and young forwards already on their NHL roster. They don't, however, have a potential game-breaker on the back end. That is where Drysdale would really help. He has the skill to produce and can help control the game. His defending needs work, but the Ducks have been excellent at developing blueliners over the years.
7. New Jersey Devils
Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda (Sweden)
It's hard to imagine Raymond dropping this far -- he is my No. 4 prospect -- but nothing is out of the realm of possibility after No. 1 in this draft. Should Raymond dip, the Devils could have a strong winger with high-end skills and a solid motor. They are slowly becoming a more dynamic team, and Raymond would fit right into that mold. Landing the Swede would be a great start to a three-pick opening round.
8. Buffalo Sabres
Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa (OHL)
The Sabres need to get better all the way around, and Rossi is a surefire way to energize the forward group. Although he lacks the size of a prototypical center in the NHL (5-foot-9), Rossi processes the game well, he competes, he has the skill, and he put up massive numbers this year. There is still some concern about whether Dylan Cozens is a long-term center, but between Cozens and Rossi, the Sabres would have two guys who at least have the chance to be good understudies to Jack Eichel.
9. Minnesota Wild
Yaroslav Askarov, G, Neva St. Petersburg (Russia 2)
The Wild have needs throughout their system, though they have a little more depth on the wings. They also have a few quality goalie prospects, including AHL goalie of the year Kaapo Kahkonen. But Askarov has the potential to be a game-changer and a franchise cornerstone at a position that suffered from poor play during Minnesota's 2019-20 season. While either of the dynamic scoring wings available -- Alexander Holtz and Jack Quinn -- would be enticing here, there aren't many opportunities to land a goalie of this quality.
10. Winnipeg Jets
Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgarden (Sweden)
The Jets are nothing if not incredibly deep on the wings. But one of the best drafting teams of the past decade often does not stray from the best available player. Although Winnipeg could use blue-line help, the best available would be Holtz here. I really like his release, quick hands and vision. There is not a defensive option that beats Holtz at No. 10 unless either Drysdale or Sanderson fortuitously falls.
11. Nashville Predators
Jack Quinn, RW, Ottawa (OHL)
I'm not sure how the Preds could pass on Quinn, one of the very best goal scorers in the draft, in this range. He has an elite shot, gets to the middle of the ice remarkably well and was one of the most consistent scorers in all of junior hockey this season.
12. Florida Panthers
Anton Lundell, C, HIFK (Finland)
The Panthers have plenty of needs in a system that has a few players on the cusp of making an NHL impact. Lundell is one of the players in this draft who I think could challenge for a spot immediately in the right situation. He is one of the smartest and most efficient players in this draft class. He can play in all situations, and though not flashy, he has enough offensive pop to contribute.
13. Carolina Hurricanes (via TOR)
Dawson Mercer, C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
The Hurricanes have good depth in their prospect system, especially at center, but you can never have enough natural centers -- especially when they're as versatile as Mercer, who plays the game at a remarkably fast pace. While particularly skilled, Mercer also comes with a side of grit, as he hunts pucks and transitions quickly. He'd be a valuable asset to an already deep prospect pool.
14. Edmonton Oilers
Seth Jarvis, C, Portland (WHL)
The Oilers should have some good options here, but with two quality defense prospects in Philip Broberg and Evan Bouchard at the top of their prospect pool, they should be looking for offensive skill. Jarvis was the second-leading scorer in the WHL, with 98 points in 58 games. Although his skating needs some work, he processes and plays the game at a fast pace, which should continue to be a priority for the Oilers as they build around their big guns. He can also slide over to the wing to accommodate the high-end pivots Edmonton already has in town.
15. Toronto Maple Leafs (via PIT)
Rodion Amirov, LW, Ufa (Russia)
Having acquired this pick from the Penguins in last week's Kasperi Kapanen trade, the Maple Leafs have a chance to nab a solid prospect at just about any position. The most intriguing of the remaining players would probably be Amirov, who has a higher-end skill level and can make plays all over the offensive zone. He plays a crafty game, with high-end puckhandling abilities and a deceptive shot release.
16. Montreal Canadiens
Braden Schneider, D, Brandon (WHL)
The Habs have quality depth at all positions in their system right now. They also have some immediate help for the NHL roster, so they can go in a number of directions here. Schneider is a strong two-way defenseman who defends remarkably well and saw his offensive game grow last season. He doesn't have a ton of flash in his game, but he makes quality decisions and has an easy-to-project NHL skill set. His ceiling is probably as a second-pairing guy in the long term, but he has a style that translates well to the current NHL.
17. Chicago Blackhawks
Lukas Reichel, LW, Eisbaren Berlin (Germany)
The Blackhawks have needs throughout their system, though they look pretty loaded on the blue line at the moment. In this range, there remains a number of quality skill players, and Reichel provides a particularly high reward. He has raw skill, and as he tacks on some muscle, he has legitimate top-six upside. There are safer picks, but based on how our board has shaken out so far, among the available prospects, ceilings aren't much higher than Reichel's. He shows great hands and offensive sense.
18. New Jersey Devils (via ARI)
Kaiden Guhle, D, Prince Albert (WHL)
The Devils have a lot of mobile, offensive-minded defensemen. Guhle is a stouter defender and has excellent mobility as one of the better skaters among blueliners in this draft. He has a frame to grow into, and he should tack on more muscle to become an even stronger defender. He adds a different element to what the Devils already have in system.
19. Calgary Flames
Connor Zary, C, Kamloops (WHL)
I think Zary should go a bit higher than this, but I don't believe that opinion is widely shared. This could be a superb value pick. Zary has exceptional playmaking skills and a good work ethic, and he was an offensive catalyst for the Blazers in a resurgent season. He'd be a good stylistic fit for the Flames and would easily be the best player available, as far as I'm concerned.
Note: Draft order after this point is to be determined. After the 15 teams that did not qualify for the playoffs make their selections, Nos. 16-27 consist of teams that did not make the conference finals. They are ordered by the inverse of the 2019-20 regular-season standings, regardless of whether teams lost in the first or second round. A team still playing could pick earlier than a team already eliminated if that team recorded a lesser points percentage during the regular season. However, no team could jump Montreal, Chicago, Arizona or Calgary, based on point percentage, which is why picks 16-19 are locked in. Then we have that conference finalists, Stanley Cup runner-up and Cup winner in the final four spots. Outcomes for the remaining playoff teams were based on the inverse of the regular-season standings, not current outlooks or series scores.
20. New Jersey Devils (via VAN)
Dylan Holloway, C, Wisconsin (Big Ten)
Opinions vary on Holloway. He had an unimpressive season at Wisconsin, but then again, so did the rest of the Badgers. Those who have been following the past two seasons of Holloway's career know that he has potential breakout star quality and displays superior skating ability. His skill set needs to be refined a little bit, but Holloway can do a lot of things and is a very moldable player. I'd expect bigger things from him in the future than what he showed last season. Holloway would join Raymond and Guhle for a satisfying first-round haul for the rebuilding Devils.
21. Columbus Blue Jackets
Jacob Perreault, RW, Sarnia (OHL)
The Blue Jackets have filtered in some solid young players recently, but it never hurts to add more scoring, and that's what Perreault could provide down the line. He has been a bit of a polarizing prospect, but no one denies his skill level. Perreault has a high-end shot and quality puck skills to go with his NHL bloodlines, as the son of former NHL center Yanic Perreault.
22. Ottawa Senators (via NYI)
Mavrik Bourque, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
Bourque picked up a ton of steam as the 2019-20 season went on. He is a crafty playmaker who greatly outpaced other under-18 players in QMJHL scoring, with 1.45 points per game. He'd be another nice piece in the Sens' growing arsenal of prospects, and he'd put an exclamation point on the earlier Stutzle and Sanderson selections. Of course, if the Islanders get past the Flyers (up 3-1), Ottawa won't be drafting at No. 22, though.
23. Dallas Stars
Tyson Foerster, RW, Barrie (OHL)
Foerster quietly put up big numbers this season, finishing third behind Perfetti and Byfield among U18 forwards in the OHL scoring (80 points). He has good size and physical strength, gets to the net well and has a scorer's touch. The Stars' offense has broken out a bit during this year's postseason, but they still need weapons up front. Again, keep in mind this draft order is based on regular-season points for the remaining playoff teams, and Dallas is one win away from eliminating Colorado. If it does so, Dallas will be picking a few spots later.
24. New York Rangers (via CAR)
Hendrix Lapierre, C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
The Rangers have a deep prospect pool. They also can have Lafreniere via the No. 1 pick. They can now afford to gamble a little with this pick. One of the bigger gambles in the class is Lapierre, who missed a large chunk of last season because of an injury and was only OK on the ice when he was healthy. That said, his previous season and last summer's performance at Hlinka-Gretzky Cup showed flashes of brilliance. He has the skill to be a top-10 talent, but the risk factor knocks him way down a lot of boards. The Rangers are in a position of strength to take that risk.
25. Washington Capitals
John-Jason Peterka, RW, Munchen (Germany)
A finisher with solid offensive sense, Peterka gets himself into good positions on the ice to produce. The Caps don't have any immediate needs, and he's a bit more of a project, as he'll need to adjust to the spacing and timing of the North American game. Peterka has options for the season, including a potential trip to the OHL, where his rights are owned by the London Knights, where Washington's top prospect, Connor McMichael, plays. He'll, at the very least, start next season in Germany, though.
26. San Jose Sharks (via TB)
Noel Gunler, RW, Lulea (Sweden)
The Sharks are not shy about taking risks at the draft table, especially when the upside is there to justify it. The highest reward available here comes from Gunler, who had rather remarkable production in Sweden's U20 league during the 2018-19 season and showed flashes of brilliance in the SHL this past season. He has a good mix of size and skill that should entice San Jose in this range. But if Tampa Bay wins one more playoff game, the Sharks would actually be drafting a few spots down the board.
27. St. Louis Blues
Brendan Brisson, C, Chicago (USHL)
The Blues have had some success drafting out of the USHL in the past, and Brisson brings a ton of intrigue. He put up big points on the league's top team and showcased higher-end hockey sense. He has a terrific one-timer, and I think his creativity has improved. Brisson is a longer-term prospect, but he is headed to the University of Michigan, which has had plenty of success propelling players to the next level.
28. Vegas Golden Knights
Ridly Greig, C, Brandon (WHL)
The Golden Knights sure love their Brandon Wheat Kings, and Greig could make a lot of sense here. He's a two-way force with an unrelenting motor. He did not light up the WHL last season, but I know there are a lot of NHL teams that are quite high on him for his versatility. The son of former NHLer Mark Greig, Ridly has high-end vision, makes good decisions with the puck and commits to playing at both ends. If he lands anywhere in the first round, it certainly wouldn't be a shock for it to be with Vegas.
29. Philadelphia Flyers
Jake Neighbours, LW, Edmonton (WHL)
Neighbours is an intriguing prospect who picked up steam as the season went on. He plays a heavy brand of hockey with good physicality, and he is the kind of guy who can be tough on the opposition. Philly has bet big on skill in recent first rounds, and while Neighbours can produce, it still helps to have guys who provide some extra pop on the physical side.
30. Colorado Avalanche
Justin Barron, D, Halifax (QMJHL)
The Avs have a pretty strong prospect system, with good players at all positions. Although the forward group could use a little boost, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Avs go back to the Halifax well for a dependable, two-way blueliner. Barron does a lot of little things well, defends at an above-average level, plays physically and can contribute at the other end of the ice. However, Colorado might be drafting earlier in Round 1, given its current 3-1 playoff series deficit.
31. Anaheim Ducks (via BOS)
William Wallinder, D, Modo Jr. (Sweden Jr.)
The Ducks' staff will leave the first round happy no matter what, thanks to a top-10 pick. Going after a big, raw blueliner such as Wallinder could take it up a notch. He needs a lot of patience and development, but the skill set is there for him to potentially grow into a top-four blueliner. There's still good value to be had in this range, but Wallinder is the most intriguing prospect still out there. Of course, the order is based on the regular season, and if Boston squanders one more game, the Ducks will have the chance to make this pick higher in Round 1.