If you haven’t already, you’ll likely soon be feeling that NHL Draft itch – you know, that feeling that you get heading into the draft where you wonder which name will be called next for your respective team.
Well, it’s just around the corner and while this past season and offseason have been much different from previous years, the fact that there are a large number of young prospects waiting to hear their names called hasn’t changed in the least.
The lottery is in the books. We know who is picking where and it’s seemingly unanimous as to who will be heading to the New York Rangers with the first overall pick – enjoy Broadway, Alexis.
But as the draft goes one, there are some names that are interchangeable in where they might end up and it’ll depend significantly on whether teams look to take the best possible player available or if they draft based on the needs of the team.
In a recent episode of Sticks in the 6ix podcast, The Hockey Writers’ Josh Bell, agreed that teams should focus on taking the best possible player in the draft. Build their pipeline and deepen their prospect pool.
On my list of rankings, I’ve placed players in order of how I would take them. Sure, they differ from those of THW colleagues’ Josh Bell and Larry Fisher’s final rankings, but that the beauty of looking at these lists. Every person sees the game and its players differently.
From Yaroslav Askarov jumping into a potential top-10 pick to a guy like Luke Evangelista who jumped his teammate Antonio Stranges in my latest rankings, this draft is deep and full of talent at all positions.
Related: FREE 2020 NHL Draft Guide
There have been questions as to when my final rankings would come out, so here you have it. Here’s my list of the top-217 prospects for the 2020 NHL Draft. Some are overagers. Others we could see in the NHL in the next couple of seasons.
Either way, I invite you to reach out – either in the comments below or on Twitter at @AndrewGForbes – and share your thoughts on my rankings. Is there someone too high? Too low? Or is there someone missing altogether? Let me know.
Without further adieu, here are my final rankings for the 2020 NHL Draft.
First Round
1) Alexis Lafrenière, LW, Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)
2) Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
3) Tim Stützle, C, Adler Mannheim (DEL)
4) Lucas Raymond, RW, Frölunda HC (SHL)
5) Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie Otters (OHL)
6) Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa 67s (OHL)
7) Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgårdens (SHL)
8) Cole Perfetti, LW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
9) Anton Lundell, C, HIFK (Liiga)
10) Yaroslav Askarov, G, SKA-Neva St. Petersburg (VHL)
11) Rodion Amirov, LW, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)
12) Jan Myšák, LW, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
13) Dylan Holloway, C/W, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
14) Noel Gunler, LW/RW, Luleå HF (SHL)
15) Jake Sanderson, D, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
16) Connor Zary, C, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
17) Seth Jarvis, RW, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
18) Jack Quinn, RW, Ottawa 67s (OHL)
19) Dawson Mercer, RW, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
20) Mavrik Bourque, C, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
21) Hendrix Lapierre, C, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
22) Lukas Cormier, D, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
23) John-Jason Peterka, LW, EHC München (DEL)
24) Kaiden Guhle, D, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
25) William Wallinder, D, MODO Hockey J20 (SuperElit)
26) Jacob Perreault, C/RW, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
27) Braden Schneider, D, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
28) Emil Andrae, D, HV71 J20 (SuperElit)
29) Vasily Ponomaryov, C, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
30) Justin Barron, D, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
31) Zion Nybeck, RW, HV71 J20 (SuperElit)
Second Round
32) Kasper Simontaival, LW, Tappara U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)
33) Tyson Foerster, RW, Barrie Colts (OHL)
34) Jeremie Poirier, D, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
35) Lukas Reichel, LW, Eisbären Berin (DEL)
36) Thomas Bordeleau, LW, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
37) Alexandr Pashin, LW, Tolpar Ufa (MHL)
38) Marat Khusnutdinov, C/LW, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)
39) Roni Hirvonen, C/LW, Ässät (Liiga)
40) Brendan Brisson, C, Chicago Steel (USHL)
41) Ryan O’Rourke, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
42) Jake Neighbours, LW, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
43) Topi Niemelä, D, Karpat (Liiga)
44) Martin Chromiak, LW, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
45) Carter Savoie, LW, Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)
46) Ty Smilanic, LW, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
47) Jean-Luc Foudy, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
48) Ridly Greig, C/LW, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
49) Jaromir Pytlik, RW, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
50) Sean Farrell, F, Chicago Steel (USHL)
51) Joni Jurmo, D, Jokerit U20 (Jr. A SM-Liiga)
52) Daniil Gushchin, RW, Regina Pats (WHL)
53) Veeti Miettinen, RW, Blues U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)
54) Theodor Niederbach, C/RW, Frölunda J20 (SuperElit)
55) Ozzy Wiesblatt, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
56) Luke Evangelista, RW, London Knights (OHL)
57) Luke Tuch, LW, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
58) Antonio Stranges, LW, London Knights (OHL)
59) Justin Sourdif, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
60) Helge Grans, D, Malmö Redhawks J20 (SuperElit)
61) Sam Colangelo, RW, Chicago Steel (USHL)
62) Eemil Viro, D, TPS (Liiga)
Third Round
63) Roby Järventie, LW, KOOVVEE (Mestis)
64) Michael Benning, D, Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)
65) Connor McClennon, RW, Winnipeg ICE (WHL)
66) Pavel Novak, RW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
67) William Villeneuve, D, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
68) Tyler Kleven, D, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
69) Tyler Tullio, C/RW, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
70) Yan Kuznetsov, D, University of Connecticut (NCAA)
71) Tristan Robins, C/RW, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
72) Joel Blomqvist, G, Karpat U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)
73) Shakir Mukhamadullin, D, Tolpar Ufa (MHL)
74) Alexander Nikishin, D, MHK Spartak Moskva (MHL)
75) Adam Raska, LW, Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)
76) Daniel Ljungman, C, Linköping J20 (SuperElit)
77) Blake Biondi, RW, Hermantown U.S. High School (USHS-MN)
78) Will Cuylle, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
79) Jack Finley, C/RW, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
80) Daemon Hunt, D, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
81) Anton Johannesson, D, HV71 J20 (SuperElit)
82) Samuel Knazko, D, TPS U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)
83) Brett Berard, LW, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
84) Oliver Suni, RW, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
85) Dylan Peterson, C/RW, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
86) Emil Heineman, LW, Leksands IF J20 (SuperElit)
87) Kasper Puutio, D, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
88) Eamon Powell, D, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
89) Daniel Torgersson, RW/LW, Frölunda HC J20 (SuperElit)
90) Ruben Rakfin, D, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
91) Ryan Francis, RW, Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)
92) Théo Rochette, C, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
93) Brandon Coe, RW, North Bay Battalion (OHL)
Fourth Round
94) Evan Vierling, C, Barrie Colts (OHL)
95) Nick Malik, G, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
96) Maxim Groshev, RW, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL)
97) Juuso Mäenpää, C, Jokerit U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga)
98) Jack Thompson, D, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
99) Cross Hanas, LW, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
100) Charlie Desroches, D, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
101) Drew Commesso, G, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
102) Pavel Tyutnev, C/LW, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
103) Brock Faber, D, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
104) James Hardie, LW, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
105) Šimon Kubíček, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
106) Mitch Miller, D, Tri-City Storm (USHL)
107) Luke Reid, D, Chicago Steel (USHL)
108) Bogdan Trineyev, F, MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)
109) Jan Bednar, G, HC Karlovy Vary (Czech)
110) Lleyton Moore, D, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
111) Thimo Nickl, D, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
112) Zayde Wisdom, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
113) Rory Kerins, C, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
114) Ronan Seeley, D, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
115) Landon Slaggert, C/LW, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
116) Dmitri Ovchinnikov, LW, Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk (MHL)
117) Yevgeni Oksentyuk, RW/LW, Flint Firebirds (OHL)*
118) Oskar Magnusson, C/RW, Malmö Redhawks J20 (SuperElit)
119) Hugo Styf, D, MODO Hockey J20 (SuperElit)
120) Donovan Sebrango, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
121) Carson Bantle, LW, Madison Capitols (USHL)
122) Noah Ellis, D, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
123) Colby Ambrosio, C, Tri-City Storm (USHL)
124) Simon Knak, LW, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Fifth Round
125) Christoffer Sedoff, D, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
126) Calle Clang, G, Rögle BK J20 (SuperElit)
127) Jacob Dion, D, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
128) Marko Stacha, D, HK Dukla Trencin (Slovakia)
129) Nico Daws, G, Guelph Storm (OHL)*
130) Ben Schoen, RW, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
131) Ivan Didkovsky, LW, MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)
132) Dylan Garand, G, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
133) Patrick Guay, C/LW, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
134) Alex Gaffney, C/LW, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
135) Elliot Ekmark, C, Linköping J20 (SuperElit)
136) Logan Morrison, C/RW, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
137) Brady Burns, C, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
138) Lukas Svejkovsky, C/RW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
139) Hayden Fowler, RW, Erie Otters (OHL)
140) Michal Gut, C/LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
141) Leo Lööf, D, Färjestad BK J20 (SuperElit)
142) Luke Prokop, D, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
143) Sergei Safin-Tregubov, D, Tolpar Ufa (MHL)
144) Matej Kaslik, C, Malmo Redhawks J20 (SuperElit)
145) Jack Smith, C, St. Cloud Cathedral (U.S. High School)
146) Ryder Rolston, RW, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
147) Artem Shlaine, C, Shattuck St. Mary’s (U.S. High School)
148) Marek Blaha, D, Sparta Praha U19 (Czech)
149) Jacob Truscott, D, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
150) Alex Laferriere, RW, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
151) Lucas Ramberg, D, Lulea (SHL)
152) Victor Mancini, D, Frölunda J20 (SuperElit)
153) Ville Ottavainen, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
154) Kyle Crnkovic, LW, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
155) Axel Kumlin, D, Frölunda J20 (SuperElit)
Sixth Round
156) Oliver Tärnstöm, C, AIK J20 (SuperElit)
157) Vsevolod Skotnikov, G, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)
158) Jake Ratzlaff, D, Rosemount (U.S. High School)
159) Ian Moore, D, St. Mark’s (U.S. High School)
160) Ethan Cardwell, C/RW, Barrie Colts (OHL)
161) Ethan Edwards, D, Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)
162) Mikael Pyyhtia, C, TPS U20 (Jr. A SM-Liiga)
163) Landon Kosior, D, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
164) Ethan Bowen, C/LW, Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
165) Senna Peeters, C, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
166) Alex Cotton, D, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)*
167) Cole Shepard, C/LW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
168) Aidan Campbell, G, Erie Otters (OHL)
169) Maximillian Glotzl, D, Kölner Haie (DEL)
170) Artur Akhtyamov, G, Irbis Kazan (MHL)
171) Josh Lawrence, C, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
172) Wyatt Schingoethe, C/LW, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
173) Tomas Chlubna, RW, Dukla Jihlava (Czech2)
174) Isak Garfve, C/LW, Mora J20 (SuperElit)
175) Dmitriy Zlodeyev, MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)
176) Jackson Kunz, LW, Shattuck St. Mary’s (U.S. High School)
177) Samuel Hlavaj, G, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)*
178) Egor Sokolov, RW/LW, Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)*
179) Michael Krutil, D, Sparta Praha U20 (DHL Cup)
180) Noah Delemont, D, Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)
181) Ben King, C/RW, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
182) Danila Palivko, D, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
183) Oliver Okuliar, LW, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)*
184) Xavier Simoneau, C, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)*
185) Carsen Richels, LW, Blaine (U.S. High School)
186) William Dufour, RW, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
Seventh Round
187) Maxim Beryoskin, RW/LW, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
188) Yaroslav Likhachyov, W, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)*
189) Owen Pederson, LW, Winnipeg ICE (WHL)
190) Ryan Kirwan, LW, Madison Capitols (USHL)
191) Josh Pillar, C/RW, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
192) Devon Levi, G, Carleton Place (CCHL)
193) Veeti Korkalainen, RW, KooKoo U20 (Jr. A SM-Liiga)
194) Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, F, Chicago Steel (USHL)*
195) Amir Miftakhov, G, Bars Kazan (VHL)*
196) Wyatt Kaiser, D, Andover (U.S. High School)
197) Jake Boltmann, D, Edina (U.S. High School)
198) Yegor Guskov, G, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
199) Brock Gould, G, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
200) Florian Elias, LW, Mannheim U20 (Germany)
201) Joona Lehmus, D, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
202) Ilya Rychkov, RW, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)
203) Benjamin Zloty, D, Winnipeg ICE (WHL)
204) Matias Rajaniemi, D, Pelicans (Liiga)
205) Pontus Johansson, D, Djurgårdens J20 (SuperElit)
206) Chase Yoder, C, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
207) Alex Jefferies, RW, The Gunnery (U.S. High School)
208) Riley Duran, RW, Lawrence Academy (U.S. High School)
209) Ivan Ivan, C/LW, Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)
210) Winter Wallace, LW, Shattuck St. Mary’s (U.S. High School)
211) Gerard Keane, D, London Knights (OHL)
212) Ryan Helliwell, D, Langley Rivermen (BCHL)
213) Daniil Aimurzin, Tolpar Ufa (MHL)
214) Stephen Halliday, RW, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
215) Hank Kempf, D, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
216) Raivis Ansons, LW, Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
217) Tanner Dickinson, C/W, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
*Indicates overager
Closing Thoughts
There are a number of players just outside my top-217 that could easily jump into the mix on Oct. 6 when the NHL Draft takes place. Players like Samuel Hlavaj, Oliver Okuliar and others in their second year of eligibility could hear their names called this time around which would push the players at the lower end of my list out of this year’s draft. Still, there’s always free agency for some of these guys if teams are really interested in seeing what they have.
I’ve been all over Luke Evangelista this season. He had a breakout year with the OHL’s London Knights and continued to push the seal on what teams can expect from him if they draft him. In my rankings, he jumped fellow Knight Antonio Stranges and could be a candidate for an early-second round pick.
James Hardie is another player to keep an eye on. He climbed the ranks all season long and made a name for himself in the OHL this past year. While the pandemic cut his season short – like it did with many – I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go late-second or early-third round.
With that, let’s look ahead to Oct. 6 as these young players will have their dreams come true. As for you, what do you think of the rankings? Agree? Disagree? Who’s missing and who’s too high or low? Have your say in the comments below.
