2020 NHL Draft: Grading each and every team’s draft class
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes
Favorite pick: Seth Jarvis is a perfect Carolina Hurricanes forward. So is Noel Gunler, who could wind up being the best non-first-round prospect from the 2020 draft. Alexander Pashin has third-round talent and they got him in the seventh round. Zion Nybeck was a great pick at 115 too.
Least favorite pick: I’m not as big on Vasili Ponomaryov as others. Wouldn’t have drafted him in the second round (had him as a third round target), but at this point, I’m going to shut up and defer to the Canes who have killed it the past two drafts.
Grade: A+. Geez, what a draft. Easily the best one of any team. Stop drafting my favorite prospects, you bunch of jerks.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Favorite pick: Samuel Knazko is someone I had graded as a second-round pick, so getting him in the third round is a good move. He’s got some stuff to work on, but it wouldn’t totally surprise me if he becomes a regular NHL defenseman.
Least favorite pick: Yegor Chinakhov is having a nice start to the KHL season, but that’s one heck of a small sample size to gamble on. I had him as a sixth round pick and I had to make sure they actually picked him in the first round.
Grade: F. Wouldn’t shock me if they got zero NHL games from this draft class.
New Jersey Devils
Favorite pick: Dawson Mercer was a great pick in the first round. Though they passed on Marco Rossi and Cole Perfetti, I get why they picked Alexander Holtz, who has all the tools you love to see in a top-notch goal scorer. Nico Daws is a great goaltending prospect, even if he’s an over-ager.
Least favorite pick: Shakir Mukhamdullin was a bit of a reach in the first round. The Devils fell into a trap once Brayden Schneider was picked just before them. Mukhamdullin has impressed me so far this KHL season, but that’s a mighty small sample size to draft someone in the first round. I still think he could be an NHL defenseman, but ideally, you want to draft more of a sure thing in the first round.
Grade: B+. I like a lot of the players they added. The Devils honestly didn’t “wow” me with any pick other than Daws, though.
New York Islanders
Favorite pick: William Dufour is an intriguing prospect. He’s the kind of player teams should be picking in the later rounds. As I always say, when in doubt, gamble on skill.
Least favorite pick: Didn’t even have a grade on Alex Ljungkratz, who they drafted in the third round.
Grade: D-. Very underwhelming draft class.
New York Rangers
Favorite pick: Alexis Lafreniere was obviously a terrific pick, but I’m not lazy, so let me find another prospect I like. Evan Vierling is a fascinating prospect who has enough skill to stick in the NHL, maybe even as a top-six forward. He’s got a lot of things to work on, but he’s already overcome so much. I sure as heck wouldn’t bet against the kid.
Least favorite pick: William Cuylle has a lot of work to do if he wants to be an NHL player. That’s not the kind of player you want to draft in the second round.
Grade: A. In terms of pure talent, the Rangers easily had a top 5 draft class. Yes, it was boosted by Lafreniere, but they made some other very good selections too.
Philadelphia Flyers
Favorite pick: Emil Andrae was a steal in the second round. I had a bottom of the first round grade for him. Andrae is a very effective defenseman. He’s 5’9″, but he’s a very strong 5’9″. Andrae has to improve his skating, but I love his instincts and his confidence in all three zones.
Zayde Wisdom was a heck of a pick as well. I’m definitely rooting for him. He’s a great, skilled kid who has overcome so much in his life. Wisdom’s the kind of player who Flyers fans rally behind. He plays hard on every shift and can be lethal with the puck.
Least favorite pick: I had a second round grade on Tyson Foerster, who they drafted in the first round. Certainly skilled, but his skating needs to be overhauled if he wants to stick in the NHL. Then again, people said the same thing about Brayden Point and looked what happened to him.
Grade: A-. Flyers drafted some very skilled guys and had a terrific second day of the draft.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Favorite pick: Joel Blomqvist doesn’t wow you in net, but he’s very technically sound and plays with a ton of confidence. I like how he challenges shooters, even if he tends to get a bit too aggressive there from time to time. Definitely has a shot at being an NHL goalie.
Least favorite pick: Calle Clang. Two goalies in one draft? Come on. Two goalies with your first two draft picks? That’s…. certainly a choice.
Grade: D+
Washington Capitals
Favorite pick: Hendrix Lapierre was a terrific first round pick for the Washington Capitals. He’s got some injury issues, but when he’s healthy, he might be one of the top 10 most talented players in this draft. Small sample size, but Lapierre has been outstanding thus far this season. The Capitals needed someone like Lapierre.
I’m a big fan of Oskar Magnusson, who is an undersized forward with a ton of skill. Hasn’t stood out in the SHL yet, but I’ve liked his game there. Just hasn’t showed up on the stat sheet yet. Had a third round grade on him and the Capitals got him in the seventh round.
Least favorite pick: Bear Hughes is a great story, but I don’t like his chances of being an NHL player. Didn’t even dominate as an over-ager.
Grade: B-. Lapierre raises that grade a bit.