2020 NHL mock draft: Detroit Red Wings add much-needed talent
By Kyle Pereira
Picks 1 Through 8
72. . Forward. Detroit Red Wings. Alexis Lafreniere. 1. player
The Detroit Red Wings won the lottery and they were being run by Tony Ferrari. Tony is the associate editor and head of North American Scouting at Dobber Prospects.
“The pick is a no-brainer for whoever gets the first overall selection. Lafrenière will be able to step into the NHL next season and have an Auston Matthews-level impact immediately. Park him on a line with Larkin and Mantha and Detroit will have a legit top-line for their rebuild.”
105. . Forward. Anaheim Ducks. Quinton Byfield. 2. player
Anaheim ultimately got some lottery luck, striking the second overall selection in our mock lottery. Anaheim was run by Samuel Tirpak, who is the head scout and writer for Oh My Hockey, as well as the Slovakia and the Czech Republic scout and writer for Dobber Prospects.
“Best center in the draft. Hands down has the highest upside in the draft and Anaheim gets their future superstar.”
Ottawa Senators. Tim Stutzle. 3. player. 91. . Forward
The person running Ottawa was Manny Benevides, who is a contributor for Brotherly Puck, as well as co-hosting the Brotherly Pod podcast on BPW Radio.
“Stützle has an excellent vision with tremendous playmaking ability. He is going to fit right in as a premiere offensive talent on an Ottawa Senators team that can use someone with his vision and creativity.”
Defenseman. Ottawa Senators. Jamie Drysdale. 4. player. 91.
“Drysdale will join Chabot, Brannstrom and Bernard-Docker as the backbone of the Senators for years to come. The smooth-skating Drysdale is the best defenseman in the draft and the Sens cannot look past the skill set that he will deliver. Excellent puck-mover with great agility.”
Forward. Los Angeles Kings. Lucas Raymond. 5. player. 67.
The person running Los Angeles is Spencer White. Spencer is the managing editor and senior writer at Overtime Heroics’ hockey branch, as well as being a contributor at Puck Authority.
“Raymond enters the draft as one of the most skilled players. He brings skill and intensity to what’s already considered the best prospect pool in the league. As he progresses through the top Swedish league, he’ll likely be ready by the time the Kings are.”
player. 85. . Forward. New Jersey Devils. Marco Rossi. 6
Vinnie Parise did the picks for the New Jersey Devils. Vinne is a FanSided contributor at Pitchforked Puck as well as a contributor for FanSided’s DaWindyCity, where he talks about all things Chicago.
“Make that five Ottawa 67’s prospects in New Jersey’s system. He is a great young player who looks to join an up-and-coming young core.”
player. 12. . Forward. Buffalo Sabres. Alexander Holtz. 7
Buffalo was being run in this mock by Ted Brown. Ted’s a writer for Puck Authority, Last Word On Puck, and Philly is Flyer.
“One of the most offensively skilled forwards in this draft class. Holtz recorded 16 points in 35 SHL games, which is impressive for a young player in a tough league.”
Defenseman. Montreal Canadiens. Jake Sanderson. 8. player. 152.
Montreal was run by Jacob Lariviere. Jacob is a senior writer for Overtime Heroics’ hockey branch and is also a contributor for FanSided’s SenShot, which covers all things Senators.
“Montreal’s focus going into this draft is getting defensemen. Sanderson, I believe, was the best defenseman available at number 8. He has amazing potential, and just imagine a d-pair of Sanderson and Shayne Gostisbehere.”