• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
NHL Entry Draft

Simon Knak – 2020 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

By Mathieu Sheridan August 12th, 2020

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
The Hockey Writers 2020 NHL Entry Draft Guide

Simon Knak

2019-20 Team: Portland Winterhawks
Date of Birth: Jan. 27, 2002
Place of Birth: Zurich, Switzerland
Ht: 6-foot-1 Wt: 190 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: RW
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2020 first-year eligible

Rankings

  • NHL Central Scouting: 81st (Amongst NA skaters)
  • The Hockey Writers (Fisher): 184th
  • Future Considerations: 128th

While Simon Knak may not be as well-known as teammate Seth Jarvis, he was still an important piece of the Portland Winterhawks this past season. In 49 games, he managed to score 9 goals and added 25 assists for 34 points. He also represented his country internationally where he collected nine points in 19 games.

What really stands out about Knak’s game is his ability to do a little bit of everything on the ice. When the puck is on his stick, he has the ability to find teammates in the open slot with ease and can do so even with defenders pressuring him. Knak has a great shot and knows how to use it. When he is left open, he can corral the puck quickly and unload a heavy shot to the top of the net before anyone can react.

Related: THW’s 2020 NHL Draft Guide

Knak is no liability on defense either. His skating ability allows him to get back when the puck transitions the other way. He is good at reading passing lanes and can break up passes with his active stick. One thing I would like Knak to work on is his consistency without the puck. On some plays, he is all over the place and wreaking havoc while on other plays, he doesn’t seem to be pushing himself to his limits.

Simon Knak of the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks. (Chris Mast/Everett Silvertips)

While Knak will probably have to wait a while to hear his name called on draft day, I could seem him become a solid prospect down the line. He has great offensive instincts and if he can continue to grow his game and work on his inconsistencies, then I see no reason why he couldn’t become an impactful NHL player one day.

Other THW Profiles

  • Michael Krutil
  • Ilya Mironov
  • Dmitri Zlodeyev

Quotables

“Swiss left winger with good size but needs to develop his agility and foot speed. Uses his size, reach and fluid movement skills to close lanes, and even exploded up ice while killing penalties in his limited action on the fourth line at the World Junior U-20s. Really good at quick starting the counter-attack. Has good straight-line speed in open areas, but does tend to stop moving his pins when things close down.” – Bill Placzek/DraftSite

“Winger Simon Knak already captained the Swiss team in the spring at the U18 Worlds, so he should be their top dog up front and play big minutes in all situations. He’s a left-handed shot who likes to play on the right side. He’s a reliable two-way player with good offensive tools.” – Jokke Nevalainen/DobberProspects

Simon Knak – 2020 NHL Draft Projection

Ranked 81st amongst North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, I predict that Knak will go right around where they have him ranked. He has great skills on which he can build on and I think a team will take a chance on him. If I had to predict, I think he will go somewhere in the fourth or fifth round.

Strengths

  • Shot
  • Vision
  • Defensive awareness

Under Construction – Improvements to Make

  • Consistency on a nightly basis

NHL Potential

Knak has the chance to make an impact in the NHL, if he continues to work on his overall game. There is no denying he can make an impact but if he could do it on a nightly basis, his value will skyrocket. In the future, I could see him becoming a solid bottom-six forward who can go out and make a difference on both ends of the ice. He is not afraid to go to the dirty areas of the game and would be well suited on the penalty kill due to his speed and experience.

Risk/Reward Analysis 

Risk – 3.5/5, Reward – 3.5/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential 

Offense – 7.5/10, Defense – 8/10

Awards/Achievements

In 2018-19, while representing his country at the U18 World Junior Championships, he was named a top-three player on his team.

Interview/Profile Links

  • DraftSite
  • DobberProspects

Videos

  • Tags
  • 2020 NHL Draft
  • Simon Knak
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 21st 9:55 AM
San Jose Sharks

5 Sharks’ Takeaways From Blues Series: Faceoffs, Penalty Kills & More

Jan 21st 9:45 AM
Commentary

2020-21 NHL Season Will Require More Depth Than Usual

Jan 21st 9:35 AM
New Jersey Devils

Devils Get Goaltending Depth With Aaron Dell Waiver Claim

Jan 21st 9:15 AM
Anaheim Ducks

Ducks Trying to Avoid Making Same Mistake by Starting Zegras in AHL

Jan 21st 9:05 AM
Boston Bruins

Bruins Fans Should Not Overreact to Slow Start

Jan 21st 8:55 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens’ Jake Evans Has Been a Pleasant Surprise on the Penalty Kill

Jan 21st 8:45 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Highly Anticipated Maple Leafs & Oilers Game Ends Up Underwhelming

Jan 21st 8:35 AM
Fantasy

5 Fantasy Hockey Free Agent Targets

Jan 20th 6:10 PM
Column

Red Wings News & Rumors: Protocol, Rasmussen, Howard & More

Jan 20th 6:00 PM
Nashville Predators

Predators’ Forward Depth Leading to Wins

Editor’s Picks
NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information