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Home
NHL Entry Draft

2020 NHL Draft: 10 Risers from Fisher’s Top 217 for February

By Larry Fisher February 3rd, 2020

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  • Fisher’s Top 217 for February
  • Fisher’s Top 217 for January
  • Fisher’s Top 186 for December
  • Fisher’s Top 186 for November
  • Fisher’s Top 124 for October
  • Fisher’s Top 124 Preseason Rankings

This month’s risers feature a few standouts from the CHL Top Prospects Game, a couple Finnish defencemen, both big and small American forwards, and a productive Swede that is hard to read.

RELATED: 10 Fallers from Fisher’s Top 217 for February

1) Jack Quinn (RW, Canada, Ottawa OHL)

JANUARY RANKING: 44

FEBRUARY RANKING: 20

VARIATION: +24

ANALYSIS: Quinn has been a scoring machine in the OHL, filling the net and emerging from the shadow of his projected top-10 teammate Marco Rossi (No. 9 for me). Together, they have been torching the league and tormenting goaltenders, with Quinn now earning his share of the spotlight and recognition as a first-round talent. They were linemates in the CHL Top Prospects Game, combining for one of the nicest goals — a tap-in for Quinn — and coming close on a couple other chances. Quinn was named Team Red’s player of the game in defeat, but he was already on the rise prior to that showcase.

Jack Quinn Ottawa 67's
Jack Quinn of the Ottawa 67’s. (Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

2) Seth Jarvis (RW, Canada, Portland WHL)

JANUARY RANKING: 42

FEBRUARY RANKING: 32

VARIATION: +10

ANALYSIS: Jarvis has also been lighting it up as of late, surpassing projected top-20 pick Connor Zary (No. 12) as the top scorer among draft eligibles from the Dub — at the time my rankings were submitted (Zary regained the lead by a single point over the weekend, 65-64 through 43 games each). That offensive surge has Jarvis knocking on the door of my first round and he deserves to be in the top 31, but who comes out to make room for him? I really like my top 31 as it stands, but Jarvis will be bumping somebody to the second round if he is able to sustain this torrid pace. Jarvis is in a great spot developing under renowned offensive juggernaut coach Mike Johnston, with a system that certainly plays to his strengths. Several prospects have thrived in Portland before struggling to produce as pros — Ty Rattie, Nic Petan and Brendan Leipsic, among others — but Jarvis is quite diverse in his attack and should be able to succeed at the highest level thanks to his high hockey IQ. Jarvis isn’t just producing points but also highlights such as this recent goal (which looks even better from this angle).

Seth Jarvis Portland Winterhawks
Seth Jarvis of the Portland Winterhawks. (Keith Dwiggins/Portland Winterhawks)

3) Ryan O’Rourke (LD, Canada, Sault Ste. Marie OHL)

JANUARY RANKING: 54

FEBRUARY RANKING: 35

VARIATION: +19

ANALYSIS: O’Rourke was another standout from the CHL Top Prospects Game, playing a key role in Team White’s triumph despite only getting credited with one assist. He came as advertised from a puck-moving perspective and made the most of his touches throughout the game. Often times, the puck wasn’t on his stick for long but many of Team White’s scoring chances could be traced back to O’Rourke’s breakouts. His vision and offensive instincts were on full display as a catalyst from the back end, also leading the rush on a few occasions. O’Rourke reminded me of Josh Morrissey and Ty Smith in the way he reads the game and that should translate well to the NHL, which could result in him becoming a first-rounder. O’Rourke played his way into my bubble tier from 23-42, with those 20 prospects all worthy of being selected in the top 31.

Ryan O'Rourke Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Ryan O’Rourke of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. (Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

4) Eemil Viro (LD, Finland, TPS Liiga)

JANUARY RANKING: 62

FEBRUARY RANKING: 43

VARIATION: +19

ANALYSIS: Viro’s rise is reminiscent of Ville Heinola last year and there are some similarities between the Finnish blueliners. Viro has that same poise with the puck and also possesses legit offensive skill that I had been underrating. Viro is gaining on Topi Niemela (No. 36) in the battle to be my top Finnish defenceman for 2020, and the next prospect on this list is also right there with them — as a trio of potential first-rounders. I have a feeling at least one of them will wind up hearing their name called in the top 31 come June. The evaluation process continues in determining which one, though it might be two or even all three.

Eemil Viro records 2 primary assists in a 5-4 TPS win over Sport in the Liiga. Have already liked his game for quite some time, but his progress over the last two seasons has been impressive to say the least. High upside puck mover who also shows promise defensively #2020NHLDraft

— Marco Bombino (@marco_bombino) January 15, 2020

5) Joni Jurmo (LD, Finland, Jokerit U20)

JANUARY RANKING: 60

FEBRUARY RANKING: 44

VARIATION: +16

ANALYSIS: Jurmo is more of a raw talent than Viro and Niemela. He is significantly bigger and more powerful but still has finesse and subtleties to his game. Jurmo arguably has the highest ceiling of the three — boasting the best tools for an NHL team to develop — but is the least polished in the present. Jurmo may be viewed as more of a project than those Finnish peers, but some team could be rewarded for reaching on Jurmo in the top 50 — perhaps even the top 31.

This sequence by LHD Joni Jurmo (2020) was quite nice. #ASM #2020NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/K3VPsM3ALY

— Jokke Nevalainen (@JokkeNevalainen) October 25, 2019

6) Tyson Foerster (RW, Canada, Barrie OHL)

JANUARY RANKING: 68

FEBRUARY RANKING: 55

VARIATION: +13

ANALYSIS: Foerster’s stock will be soaring after scoring twice and adding a nice primary assist for a three-point performance at the CHL Top Prospects Game, earning player-of-the-game honours for the victorious Team White. His first goal was a wicked release on a partial break, then he finished off a four-way passing play by firing into a gaping net, before feeding a pinching defender for a similar tally that stood up as the winner. Foerster isn’t a great skater — in terms of acceleration and explosiveness — or a flashy puckhandler, but he is proving to be a clutch scorer with his shoot-first mentality and nose for the net. Foerster plays a strong two-way game, with the same strengths as Tanner Pearson, who rose up from the same junior program in Barrie.

Tyson Foerster, OHL, Barrie Colts
Tyson Foerster of the Barrie Colts. (Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

7) Emil Heineman (LW, Sweden, Leksands J20)

Emil Heineman Leksands IF J20
Emil Heineman of Leksands IF J20.
(Leksands IF J20)

JANUARY RANKING: 72

FEBRUARY RANKING: 61

VARIATION: +11

ANALYSIS: Heineman isn’t getting much hype for the numbers he is putting up in Sweden’s junior league. The stats are impressive — well over a point per game and nearly a goal per game, warranting a call-up to the pro league, the SHL — but stats aren’t everything and some have suggested pumping the brakes on Heineman. He has looked good in my limited viewings — certainly good enough to be a second-rounder — but I will need to see more of him to draw my own conclusions. Heineman is a late-2001 prospect, so he won’t be eligible for the under-18 worlds in April and he didn’t represent Sweden at the Hlinka last summer either. As a result, Heineman remains a bit of an enigma for me, but I feel he belongs somewhere in that second-round range — somewhere in my ever-evolving 43-80 tier, though more so in that 57-80 tweener group.

W Emil Heineman (2020) finishes his hat trick with a really nice one-timer on the PP.

Excellent pass from C Nils Åman.

Leksand leads 7-1 against Frölunda. #SuperElit #2020NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/m4c4J1OeRi

— Jokke Nevalainen (@JokkeNevalainen) February 1, 2020

8) Dylan Peterson (RC, USA/Canada, NTDP U18)

JANUARY RANKING: 110

FEBRUARY RANKING: 68

VARIATION: +42

ANALYSIS: Peterson stood out in the recent All-American Prospects Game, helping his NTDP team to a convincing 6-1 win over the top USHL draft-eligibles. During that showcase, Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) tweeted: “So many pro-level aspects about Peterson’s game. Does a lot of things clean and calculated, plus he can skate and hit hard. I’m no expert but feels like he’s just a tweak or two from the stats matching the effort and execution.” That sums up Peterson perfectly, with the size and tools to become a force in his prime. That is why some scouts had Peterson as a first-rounder to start the draft year — he was a second-rounder (No. 37) in my preseason rankings — but he has been underachieving to some degree thus far, with only six goals through 35 games. Peterson was plummeting for me — largely based on that lack of production, relative to the lofty expectations — but he seems to be gaining momentum lately, which has resulted in a sudden rise again. Peterson’s performance in the All-American Prospects Game served as a good reminder of his potential.

Dylan Peterson USNTDP
Dylan Peterson of the U.S. National Team Development Program. (Credit: Rena Laverty)

9) Luke Evangelista (RW, Canada, London OHL)

JANUARY RANKING: 113

FEBRUARY RANKING: 70

VARIATION: +43

ANALYSIS: Evangelista has been coming on strong for London — learning from 2019 first-rounder Connor McMichael as linemates — and carried that confidence into the CHL Top Prospects Game, where he set up the opening goal in impressive fashion and generated a few other chances for Team Red. Evangelista has the pedigree of a top prospect — he was a first-round pick in the OHL draft — and appears to be hitting his stride in taking a run at the top 50. Those who watch London on a regular basis have been raving about Evangelista, believing he could overtake his more highly touted teammate Antonio Stranges (No. 47) between now and June — perhaps pushing for the first round. Time will tell, but Evangelista is certainly on the rise.

Luke Evangelista of the London Knights
Luke Evangelista of the London Knights. (Luke Durda/OHL Images)

10) Brett Berard (LW, USA, NTDP U18)

JANUARY RANKING: 120

FEBRUARY RANKING: 73

VARIATION: +47

ANALYSIS: Berard is this year’s little American scoring sensation, getting labelled a poor man’s Cole Caufield. That isn’t a fair comparison — Berard isn’t the same type of player and nowhere near the same level of sniper — but he could become the next Rocco Grimaldi or Nathan Gerbe. Berard is already taller than those two and might not be done growing as one of the youngest prospects in this draft class with a September 2002 birthdate. That upside, combined with the numbers he is presently putting up, has Berard trending up in the rankings. He may not be a Caufield clone but check out this snipe to open the scoring in the All-American Prospects Game.

👀 Brett Berard on the breakaway! #BAAG https://t.co/H3G4eqGWdy

— USA Hockey’s NTDP (@USAHockeyNTDP) January 21, 2020

Honourable Mentions

NOTE: Here are 12 more double-digit risers from within my top four rounds.

William Villeneuve (RD, Canada, Saint John QMJHL)

JANUARY RANKING: 87

FEBRUARY RANKING: 75

VARIATION: +12

Marat Khusnutdinov (LC, Russia, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg MHL)

JANUARY RANKING: 90

FEBRUARY RANKING: 76

VARIATION: +14

Anton Johannesson (LD, Sweden, HV71 J20)

JANUARY RANKING: 98

FEBRUARY RANKING: 79

VARIATION: +19

Brandon Coe (RW, Canada, North Bay OHL)

JANUARY RANKING: 114

FEBRUARY RANKING: 84

VARIATION: +30

Thimo Nickl (RD, Austria, Drummondville QMJHL)

JANUARY RANKING: 149

FEBRUARY RANKING: 94

VARIATION: +55

Tristen Robins (RC, Canada, Saskatoon WHL)

JANUARY RANKING: 115

FEBRUARY RANKING: 96

VARIATION: +19

Lukas Svejkovsky (RC/RW, USA/Czech Republic, Medicine Hat WHL)

JANUARY RANKING: 116

FEBRUARY RANKING: 97

VARIATION: +19

Brock Faber (RD, USA, NTDP U18)

JANUARY RANKING: 128

FEBRUARY RANKING: 104

VARIATION: +24

Blake Biondi (RC, USA, Hermantown U.S. High School)

JANUARY RANKING: 119

FEBRUARY RANKING: 105

VARIATION: +14

Evan Vierling (LC, Canada, Barrie OHL)

JANUARY RANKING: 132

FEBRUARY RANKING: 115

VARIATION: +17

Dylan Garand (G, Canada, Kamloops WHL)

JANUARY RANKING: 135

FEBRUARY RANKING: 121

VARIATION: +14

Luke Prokop (RD, Canada, Calgary WHL)

JANUARY RANKING: 136

FEBRUARY RANKING: 122

VARIATION: +14

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