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Draft Rankings

2020 Draft Class

By Jesse Ambrock

2020 NHL Draft — Top 20 Pre-Draft Rankings

As of early October 2020.

Top 20 Rankings

1. Alexis Lafrenière, LW, Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)

The clear best prospect in the class and the only forward with a true first-overall franchise winger profile. He logged 35 goals and 77 assists (112 points) in just 52 QMJHL games, leading the league in points and points per game, while also winning MVP at the World Juniors with 10 points in 5 games and dominating every touch of the puck. His combination of vision, hands, shot, play-driving, and competitive edge in high-leverage moments gives him the highest overall certainty and ceiling among 2020 forwards.

2. Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

The top center prospect in the class and a strong candidate to become a true No. 1 NHL pivot. At 6-foot-4 and over 210 pounds, he posted 32 goals and 50 assists (82 points) in 45 OHL games, giving him 1.82 points per game as one of the youngest players in the draft class. His size, straight-line speed, and puck-carrying ability, combined with improving two-way play, project to a high-end, matchup-capable center with legitimate 80-plus-point upside if everything hits.

3. Tim Stützle, C/LW, Adler Mannheim (DEL)

A dynamic, dual-threat playmaker who already excelled against men in Germany’s top league. He produced 7 goals and 27 assists (34 points) in 41 DEL games for Mannheim while playing top-six minutes, and was Germany’s standout at the World Juniors with 5 assists in 5 games despite limited support. His elite edgework, playmaking, and ability to create at high speed give him first-line center or dual-position top-line forward upside, just behind Lafrenière and Byfield.

4. Lucas Raymond, LW/RW, Frölunda HC (SHL)

A highly skilled Swedish winger who played a meaningful SHL role on a deep Frölunda team. Though his raw SHL production was modest (4 goals and 6 assists in 33 games), he dominated at the junior level and showed dynamic skill and decision-making in limited pro minutes and international play. His puck-handling, vision, and high-end hockey sense project to a top-line play-driving winger once he adds strength and a larger share of top-six usage.

5. Jamie Drysdale, RD, Erie Otters (OHL)

The best offensive defenseman in the class and a strong candidate to become a top-pair, right-shot puck-mover. He produced 9 goals and 38 assists (47 points) in 49 OHL games and played significant minutes for Canada at the World Juniors, showing calm breakouts, excellent four-way mobility, and strong offensive instincts. His skating, retrievals, and power-play quarterbacking give him a realistic projection as a No. 1 or high-end No. 2 defenseman.

6. Anton Lundell, C, HIFK (Liiga)

A pro-ready, two-way center who already handled a prominent role in Finland’s Liiga. He scored 10 goals and 18 assists (28 points) in 44 games for HIFK while playing top-six minutes, taking key defensive draws, and logging penalty-kill time against men. His hockey sense, defensive habits, and underrated finishing give him a high probability of becoming a matchup second-line center with 60-plus-point potential.

7. Cole Perfetti, C/LW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

One of the most intelligent and productive players in the draft. He posted 37 goals and 74 assists (111 points) in 61 OHL games and was a standout playmaker at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup for Canada. His vision, deception, and ability to dissect defensive coverages give him top-six play-driving upside at center or wing.

8. Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgårdens IF (SHL)

A pure goal-scoring winger who already showed a shot that translates against men in the SHL. He recorded 9 goals and 7 assists (16 points) in 35 SHL games and has long been one of Sweden’s best youth scorers, with a lethal one-timer and catch-and-shoot ability from the circles. His projection as a 30-plus-goal top-six winger keeps him firmly inside the top 10.

9. Seth Jarvis, RW, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

A smaller but explosive winger whose second-half surge in the WHL made him one of the most dangerous players in junior hockey. He finished with 42 goals and 56 assists (98 points) in 58 games, dominating at even strength and on the power play with speed, skill, and a relentless motor. His offensive toolkit and inside-driven game project to a top-six scoring winger.

10. Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

The most productive CHL player in the draft and a strong bet to become a top-six center despite his size. He led the entire CHL in scoring with 39 goals and 81 assists (120 points) in 53 games for Ottawa, while consistently driving possession and excelling in both special-teams roles. At 5-foot-9, he does not have the traditional No. 1 center frame, but his strength, motor, and offensive brain give him a legitimate chance to be a 70-point pivot.

11. Yaroslav Askarov, G, SKA Neva (VHL) / SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

One of the best goalie prospects of the last decade and a clear top-10 talent on ability alone. He posted outstanding numbers in Russia’s VHL as a teenager and had already started KHL games in his draft year, pairing athleticism with sharp technical play and a composed demeanor. Goaltender volatility keeps him outside the top five, but his upside as a long-term NHL starter is as strong as any netminder in recent drafts.

12. Jake Sanderson, LD, USNTDP U18

An all-situations left-shot defenseman whose late-season surge dramatically raised his stock. He emerged as the NTDP’s best defender, using excellent skating, gap control, and improving puck-moving to drive play in both directions while showing more offensive confidence as the year progressed. His tools and trajectory suggest a high-end top-four defender with legitimate top-pair potential, particularly in a matchup role.

13. Jack Quinn, RW, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

One of the elite goal-scorers in the class and a major late riser. He scored 52 goals and 37 assists (89 points) in 62 games, rising from a depth-scoring role the year prior to a first-line role while showing improved skating, forechecking, and scoring from multiple areas of the offensive zone. His projection as a top-six, 30-plus-goal winger is strong, even if he is less of a primary play-driver than some forwards ranked ahead of him.

14. Rodion Amirov, LW, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL/VHL)

A smart, skilled two-way winger with a strong track record in Russia’s pro system. He split his draft-year time among KHL, VHL, and MHL competition, showing good skating, defensive responsibility, and flashes of top-six playmaking and finishing, particularly at international tournaments. His combination of skill and conscientious two-way play gives him a high probability of becoming a middle-six winger who can play in all situations.

15. Dylan Holloway, C/LW, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

A powerful, straight-line forward whose tools suggest a strong middle-six projection with a chance for more. His counting stats at Wisconsin (8 goals and 9 assists in 35 games) were modest, but he played a complete two-way game with speed and physicality, and showed flashes of offensive upside that raw box scores understate. His size, skating, and work rate project to a versatile forward who can play center or wing in a top-nine role and potentially push into the top six.

16. Braden Schneider, RD, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

A big, physical right-shot defenseman with top-four shutdown potential. He recorded 7 goals and 35 assists (42 points) in 60 WHL games while being trusted on the power play and penalty kill and bringing a strong physical element. His size, mobility, and defensive reliability project to a 20-plus-minute matchup defender on a contending team.

17. Dawson Mercer, C/RW, Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)

A versatile, intelligent forward who played both center and wing, bringing a strong two-way presence. Splitting his draft year between Drummondville and Chicoutimi, he produced 24 goals and 36 assists (60 points) in 42 games and earned a spot on Canada’s World Junior team, where coaches trusted his responsible game. His projection as a middle-six, all-situations forward with 55-plus-point upside is one of the safer bets in this range.

18. Mavrik Bourque, C, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

A smaller but highly skilled play-driving center for Shawinigan. He recorded 29 goals and 42 assists (71 points) in 49 games, consistently creating offense through vision, deception, and smart off-puck timing. If his skating and strength continue to progress, he projects as a high-end middle-six pivot or a top-six complementary offensive center.

19. Kaiden Guhle, LD, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

A mobile, physical defenseman who already played top-pair minutes in the WHL. He produced 11 goals and 29 assists (40 points) in 64 games while matching up against opponents’ best players, using a strong stride and physical edge to close gaps and defend the slot. His projection as a hard-minutes top-four defender is strong.

20. Connor Zary, C, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

An older, high-IQ center whose WHL production and all-around game give him a strong middle-six projection. He scored 38 goals and 48 assists (86 points) in 57 games for Kamloops, playing in all situations and excelling in transition with smart positioning and anticipation. His sense and work rate give him a clear path to being a reliable, offensively capable NHL center.

Notable Prospects Just Outside the Top 20