NHL Draft 2020: Fall Top 31 Ranking

As an ongoing special to Burgundy Review, Nathan Chapman (@ncchapman15) has provided the latest installment of his rankings for the upcoming 2020 NHL draft.

While this draft class doesn’t hold as much attention of the last several for Colorado Avalanche fans, the early view on the 2020 edition is a deep group which could rival the tremendous 2015 draft class. Alexis Lafreniére is best winger prospect since Alex Ovechkin, although they have completely different styles. Quinton Byfield is another high-end forward who jumped out of the gate strong this season and could challenge for first overall. Swedes Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz are also part of a very formidable forward group at the top.

The QMJHL has a strong class even beyond Lafreniére with several top 10 hopefuls in the Patrice Bergeron-esque Hendrix Lapierre and offensive defenseman Justin Barron. The WHL has a few high end guys with a lot of wildcards including forwards Connor Zary and Justin Sourdif. This draft the OHL and Americans have switched places with the former boasting a bounce back year including Byfield and other top 10 possibilities in forward Cole Perfetti and Jamie Drysdale who could challenge for top defenseman in the class.

Clearly this is a forward heavy draft without a true top end defenseman as of now but with a lot of potential risers along with defensive depth. Finally, Russian Yaroslavl Askarov could be a Carey Price level prospect in net. Other Russians to watch push into the first round are forward Rodin Amirov and defenseman Alexander Nikishin.

Fall Top 31 Ranking

1-Alexis Lafreniere, LW Rimouski Oceanic(QMJHL)
2-Quinton Byfield, C Sudbury Wolves(OHL)
3-Lucas Raymond, RW Frolunda(SHL)
4-Hendrix Lapierre, C Chicoutimi Sagueneens(QMJHL)
5-Cole Perfetti, C Saginaw Spirit(OHL)
6-Anton Lundell, C HIFK(Liiga)
7-Alexander Holtz, W Djurgardens(SHL)
8-Justin Barron, D Halifax Mooseheads(QMJHL)
9-Connor Zary, C Kamloops Blazers(WHL)
10-Noel Gunler, RW Lulea(SHL)
11-Yaroslav Askarov, G SKA(VHL)
12-Jamie Drysdale, D Erie Otters(OHL)
13-Tim Stutzle, C Adler Mannheim(DEL)
14-Rodion Amirov, LW Ufa(KHL)
15-Marco Rossi, C Ottawa 67’s(OHL)
16-Mavrik Bourque, C Shawinigan Cataractes(QMJHL)
17-Dylan Holloway, LW Wisconsin(NCAA)
18-Justin Sourdif, RW Vancouver Giants(WHL)
19-Jake Neighbours, LW Edmonton Oil Kings(WHL)
20-Zion Nybeck, RW HV71(SuperElit)
21-Jeremie Poirier, D Saint John Sea Dogs(QMJHL)
22-Jacob Perreault, C Sarnia Sting(OHL)
23-Dawson Mercer, RW Drummondville Voltigeurs(QMJHL)
24-Kaiden Guhle, D Prince Albert Raiders(WHL)
25-Jean-Luc Foudy, C Windsor Spitfires(OHL)
26-Jake Sanderson, D NTDP(USHL)
27-Braden Schneider, D Brandon Wheat Kings(WHL)
28-Carter Savoie, LW Sherwood Park Crusaders(AJHL)
29-Alexander Nikishin, D Spartak Moskva(KHL)
30-Theo Rochette, C Chicoutimi Sagueneens(QMJHL)
31-Will Cuylle, LW Windsor Spitfires(OHL)
HM-Luke Tuch, LW NTDP(USHL)
HM-Jan Mysak, LW HC Litvinov(Czech)
HM-Antonio Stranges, LW London Knights(OHL)
HM-Simon Kubicek, D Seattle Thunderbirds(WHL)
HM-Michael Benning, D Sherwood Park Crusaders(AJHL)
HM-Daemon Hunt, D Moose Jaw Warriors(WHL)
HM-Lukas Cormier, D Charlottetown Islanders(QMJHL)
HM-Helge Grans, D Malmo(SuperElit)
HM-Ridley Greig, C Brandon Wheat Kings(WHL)