#1. New York Rangers: Alexis Lafrenière, LW, Rimouski – QMJHL
The consensus number one overall pick is the best prospect since the 2016 NHL Draft. This when the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Auston Matthews.
#2. Los Angeles Kings: Tim Stützle, C, Mannheim – DEL
According to the Athletic’s Corey Pronman, “team sources around the league by about a 65-to-35 split think the Kings will take Stützle.” Additionally, on DraftKings Sportsbook Tim Stützle is -143 to go second overall.
#3. Ottawa Senators (via San Jose): Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury – OHL
Whoever the Kings do not go with at two between Byfield and Stützle the Senators will then draft.
#4: Detroit Red Wings: Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw – OHL
Studying Twitter as well as several highly respected journalists and media members indicates Cole Perfetti is the pick here. As Corey Pronman of the Athletic, “it’s almost suspicious,” regarding how many NHL front office members think Detroit goes with Perfetti.
However, do not be surprised if all hell breaks out here. Other options for this pick are Lucas Raymond, Jake Sanderson, and Yaroslav Askarov.
#5: Ottawa Senators: Jake Sanderson, D, USNTDP – USHL
This is the pick that brings some intrigue. It seems the consensus here is between two players. These being Lucas Raymond and Jake Sanderson. Raymond would be the safe pick, but knowing the Senators’ past, I do not believe they go safe here.
#6: Anaheim Ducks: Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda – SHL
The Anaheim Duck have a barren farm system. Thus, it makes it kind of hard to determine which direction they go. This leads me to believe they go best player available. On my board that is Lucas Raymond. The other player I can very well see going here is Jamie Drysdale.
#7: New Jersey Devils: Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa – OHL
Rejoice Devils’ fans, it seems very likely Marco Rossi will be available once New Jersey is on the clock. Per Todd Cordell, some around the league think Rossi will be on the board at seven.
A choice between Rossi and Drysdale would be tough, but the Devils lack an elite forward in the team’s prospect system (excluding Jack Hughes). The other speculated option: Yaroslav Askarov. This per ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
#8: Bufalo Sabres: Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie – OHL
Sabres new general manager Kevyn Adams is probably not prepared to have the chance to select Jamie Drysdale at eight. However, the long rumored draft’s best defenseman and top-five pick has a real chance to fall if Sanderson is taken off the board first. I foresee just that happening.
Another name to watch out for here is Jack Quinn.
#9: Minnesota Wild: Yaroslav Askarov, G, SKA – KHL
At this spot there seems to be a consensus of three different players: Anton Lundell, Yaroslav Askarov, and Alexander Holtz. I am leaning Askarov, but the Wild have guys in the pipeline they seem to believe in with Kaapo Kahkonen and prospect Hunter Jones.
However, general manager Bill Guerin was quoted by the Athletic’s Micahel Russo saying, “the next couple days,” when asked about getting Minnesota’s next goalie. Additionally, the team just traded Devan Dubynk to San Jose. Lastly, Elliot Friedman reported that one of the landing sports he has heard for Askarov is Minnesota.
#10: Winnipeg Jets: Anton Lundell, C, HIFK – Liiga
The Winnipeg Jets are another team in desperate need for center help. Anton Lundell makes too much sense, especially if the Minnesota Wild pass on him. The analytic-freak will bring much needed help down the middle for years to come.
#11: Nashville Predators: Seth Jarvis, C, Portland – WHL
Yaroslav Askrov would be my first choice at this spot, however, I have him being taken two picks ahead. Seth Jarvis is someone that Corey Pronman of the Athletic reported the Predators are extremely high on. And I do not blame them, Jarvis is an elite talent.
#12: Florida Panthers: Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgarden – SHL
Alexander Holtz, per Todd Cordell, is a guy some team sources believe may fall a bit in the draft. Craig Button of TSN has Holtz dropping all the way to 13th in his mock draft.
Overall, his defense needs work and his game is a bit away from NHL-ready. However, at 12th this is a steal for a player once regarded as a top-eight pick.
#13: Carolina Hurricanes: Jack Quinn, RW, Ottawa – OHL
Believe it or not, there is some belief that Quinn could jump all the way up into the top-. If this is not the case, 12-15 is most likely for him. Another name to watch here is Russian forward Rodion Amirov.
#14: Edmonton Oilers: Dylan Holloway, C, Wisconsin – NCAA
The only news I have read regarding the Oilers’ pick is courtesy of Corey Pronman of the Athletic. He cites two players in this spot: Dylan Holloway or Kaiden Guhle. The Oilers have recently spent high picks on both Evan Bouchard and Philip Broberg each are defenseman. I believe Edmonton goes forward in this spot.
#15: Toronto Maple Leafs: Dawson Mercer, LW, Chicoutimi – QMJHL
Kyle Dubas loves drafting forwards, and I would expect it to be no different here. Especially since the Leafs have two great defensive prospects in Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Lilegren. Best two forwards available at this point are Dawson Mercer and Rodion Amirov.
#16: Montreal Canadiens: Kaiden Guhle, D, Prince Albert – WHL
The Canadiens are loaded with forward prospect depth: Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Ryan Poehling. This makes me turn to the defenseman, and the best left on my board at this point is Kaiden Guhle.
#17: Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Zary, C, Kamloops – WHL
The Blackhawks prospect system is not all that deep, and is top-heavy with defenseman. Forward is most likely going to be the choice here, and with the aging Jonathan Toews and most of the prospect forward depth at wing I expect them to look at the center position. Zary is a power play specialist and a safe pick. He fits the Blackhawks’ model nicely.
#18: New Jersey Devils: Rodion Amirov, LW, Ufa – KHL
The Devils continue to improve the team’s forward depth. The team was rumored to be a big fan of Amirov a few months back. If he drops, expect general manager Tom Fitzgerald to pull the trigger.
#19: Calgary Flames: Jacob Perreault, RW, Sarnia – OHL
The Flames are another team with a subpar prospect system. This makes it kind of difficult to predict which direction the team goes. The system is top-heavy with forwards, outside of stud defenseman Juuso Valimaki. However, I’d expect Calgary go best player available, and in this circumstance, its goal-scoring forward Jacob Perreault.
#20: New Jersey Devils: Braden Schneider, D, Brandon – WHL
I would prefer the Devils to go three forwards, but it is increasingly likely they choose at least one defenseman if they keep all three first-round picks. Todd Cordell also indicated he has heard the Devils are high on the Wheat Kings’ defenseman.
#21: Columbus Blue Jackets: Hendrix Lapierre, C, Chicoutimi – QMJHL
The Blue Jackets prospect pool was recently ranked in January last in the NHL by the Athletic’s Scott Wheeler. In this situation the team has to go best player available given they have so many holes. Despite the injury history, when healthy, Lapierre is a top-ten talent in the draft.
#22: New York Rangers: Brenden Brisson, C, Chicago – USHL
The only information I found when researching where the Rangers may go with this pick is courtesy of Corey Pronman of the Athletic. He explained he has heard Brisson’s name rumored to New York. Brisson is a real solid, undersized forward who would give the Rangers a terrific start to the 2020 draft.
#23: Philadelphia Flyers: Ridly Greig, C, Braden – WHL
Greig’s father is a scout for the Philadelphia Flyers. Call it a bit of nepotism but Greig is a solid prospect and fulfills a need in the team’s system. Especially given the uncertainty regarding former second overall pick, center Nolan Patrick.
#24: Washington Capitals: William Walinder, D, MODO – Allsvenskan
William Wallinder may be one of the more exciting prospects of round one. He has the upmost potential but poses a ton of risk. The Capitals are in a position for this type of “boom-or-bust” pick and are also more forward heavy in the team’s prospect pool.
#25: Colorado Avalanche: Noel Gunler, RW, Lulea – SHL
The consensus seems to be Brenden Brisson at this spot. However, I have him coming off the board at number 22. Gunler is a prospect with an incredibly high ceiling and someone the Avalanche are in the position to take a shot on.
#26: St. Louis Blues: Maverik Bourque, C, Shawinigan – QMJHL
The Blues have decent depth in the team’s system at defense and the wings. The best center on the board still, and one that may go well before pick 26, is Maverik Bourque. This would be a great value pick for St. Louis.
#27: Anaheim Ducks: Ryan O’Rourke, D, Sault Ste. Marie – OHL
The Ducks do a terrific job developing defenseman. William Wallinder would be a great fit here, however, I have him off the board to Washington. O’Rourke is a great consolation and someone who is a lot more ready than Wallinder.
#28: Ottawa Senators: John-Jason Peterka, LW, Munich – DEL
Like the Devils, the Senators also have three first-round picks. Several, such as Craig Button, Corey Pronman, and Steve Kournianos, have German forward John-Jason Peterka going to Ottawa.
#29: Vegas Golden Knights: Lukas Cormier, D, QMJHL – Chalottetown
The Golden Knights traded Erik Brannstrom to the Ottawa Senators in the Mark Stone deal. The team’s defensive prospect depth is not all that deep and Cormier’s style mirrors that of Brannstrom.
#30: Dallas Stars: Justin Barron, D, Halifax – QMJHL
The Stars prospect pool is full of forwards. Although they have some young defenseman at the NHL-level, the team’s system lack at this position. At this point the defenseman are a tad bare. Although combatting health issues, Justin Barron would be a solid value pick here.
#31: San Jose Sharks (via Tampa Bay): Marat Khusnutdinov, C, SKA – MHL
The Russian forward helps mend the lack of offensive talent in a barren San Jose Sharks’ system. Other options at this pick are Roni Hirnovonen, Ozzy Wiesblatt, and Tyson Foerester.