Introduction: What Is an NHL Mock Draft?
Each year, the NHL Entry Draft gives teams the chance to secure the future of their franchise by selecting promising young talent from around the world. A mock draft is a predictive tool used by hockey analysts and fans to project which players will be selected and in what order. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the 2020 NHL Mock Draft, analyzing team needs, top prospects, and potential surprises.
Table of Contents
Top Picks Overview: Who Are the 2020 Draft Headliners?
1. Alexis Lafrenière – LW, Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)
At the top of nearly every mock draft for 2020 sat Alexis Lafrenière, a dynamic winger with elite playmaking skills. He dominated the QMJHL and showed up big on the international stage. The New York Rangers, after winning the draft lottery, were expected to snatch him up—and they did. Lafrenière was widely considered the safest and most impactful choice at No. 1 overall.
2. Quinton Byfield – C, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
Byfield brought a rare combination of size, speed, and skill to the center position. At 6-foot-4, his skating and puck-handling stood out, making him a coveted player for teams needing a top-tier center. Most mock drafts placed him as the No. 2 pick, and the Los Angeles Kings took him as expected.
3. Tim Stützle – C/W, Adler Mannheim (DEL, Germany)
The German forward rocketed up draft boards thanks to his impressive play in the DEL and at the World Juniors. His creativity, vision, and skating made him a lock for the top three, with the Ottawa Senators eagerly picking him third overall.
Team-by-Team Mock Draft Projections and Analysis
New York Rangers – 1st Overall Pick
Projected Pick: Alexis Lafrenière (LW)
The Rangers had the good fortune of winning the draft lottery, and their choice was easy. With Lafrenière, they added a franchise-level forward to complement young talents like Kaapo Kakko and Adam Fox.
Los Angeles Kings – 2nd Overall Pick
Projected Pick: Quinton Byfield (C)
The Kings needed a big, skilled center to eventually take over for Anze Kopitar. Byfield’s upside was too great to pass up.
Ottawa Senators – 3rd Overall Pick (via San Jose Sharks)
Projected Pick: Tim Stützle (C/W)
Ottawa needed offensive firepower and found it in Stützle, a player who could play both center and wing, making him a versatile asset.
Detroit Red Wings – 4th Overall Pick
Projected Pick: Lucas Raymond (RW, Frölunda HC, SHL)
While many expected Detroit to go for a defenseman, Raymond’s elite hockey IQ and scoring potential made him an excellent choice.
Ottawa Senators – 5th Overall Pick
Projected Pick: Jake Sanderson (D, USA U18)
The Senators, with their second top-five pick, added a top shutdown defenseman. Sanderson’s skating and two-way game were highly praised by scouts.
Anaheim Ducks – 6th Overall Pick
Projected Pick: Jamie Drysdale (D, Erie Otters, OHL)
Anaheim needed to strengthen its blue line and chose Drysdale, the best offensive defenseman in the draft.
New Jersey Devils – 7th Overall Pick
Projected Pick: Alexander Holtz (RW, Djurgårdens IF, SHL)
Holtz’s goal-scoring ability made him a perfect fit for a Devils team that lacked finishers.
Buffalo Sabres – 8th Overall Pick
Projected Pick: Marco Rossi (C, Ottawa 67’s, OHL)
One of the most NHL-ready players in the draft, Rossi’s size raised questions, but his skill level and tenacity made him hard to ignore.
Minnesota Wild – 9th Overall Pick
Projected Pick: Anton Lundell (C, HIFK, Liiga)
Lundell was praised for his strong two-way game. Minnesota needed depth at center, and his style fit their system.
Winnipeg Jets – 10th Overall Pick
Projected Pick: Cole Perfetti (C/W, Saginaw Spirit, OHL)
Perfetti was a high-IQ player with elite vision and playmaking ability. He could play both center and wing, offering flexibility.
Potential Steals and Risers
While the top 10 received most of the attention, the 2020 draft class was deep with talent. Some names that appeared in the late first round of mock drafts included:
- Dawson Mercer – A crafty forward from the QMJHL
- Braden Schneider – A rugged, right-shot defenseman
- Hendrix Lapierre – A talented center who fell due to injury concerns but had top-10 skill
- Yaroslav Askarov – The top goaltender prospect, drawing comparisons to Russian greats
Why Mock Drafts Matter
Mock drafts provide a useful lens for fans and analysts to understand team needs, player rankings, and potential movement. Though they aren’t always accurate, they serve as a snapshot of consensus opinions and help create conversation around future stars.
In the case of the 2020 NHL Draft, many picks aligned with projections, but the beauty of sports is the unpredictability. Trades, team strategies, and personal interviews all play a role in the final decisions on draft day.
Comparing Actual Picks to Mock Predictions
Here’s how a typical mock draft lined up with the actual selections:
| Pick | Team | Mock Draft Prediction | Actual Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NY Rangers | Alexis Lafrenière | Alexis Lafrenière |
| 2 | LA Kings | Quinton Byfield | Quinton Byfield |
| 3 | Ottawa Senators | Tim Stützle | Tim Stützle |
| 4 | Detroit Red Wings | Lucas Raymond | Lucas Raymond |
| 5 | Ottawa Senators | Jake Sanderson | Jake Sanderson |
| 6 | Anaheim Ducks | Jamie Drysdale | Jamie Drysdale |
| 7 | New Jersey Devils | Alexander Holtz | Alexander Holtz |
| 8 | Buffalo Sabres | Marco Rossi | Jack Quinn |
| 9 | Minnesota Wild | Anton Lundell | Marco Rossi |
| 10 | Winnipeg Jets | Cole Perfetti | Cole Perfetti |
As seen above, most mock predictions were on point until pick 8, where the Sabres surprised many by selecting Jack Quinn over the more widely mocked Marco Rossi.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the purpose of a mock draft?
A mock draft is used to predict and analyze which players teams might select based on their roster needs and player rankings. It’s not an official selection but a way for fans and analysts to explore possible outcomes.
Q2: Was Alexis Lafrenière the best player in the 2020 draft?
Yes, most analysts considered Lafrenière the most NHL-ready and skilled player in the 2020 class due to his size, vision, and leadership.
Q3: Why did the Ottawa Senators have two top-five picks in 2020?
The Senators acquired a second top-five pick from the San Jose Sharks as part of a trade involving Erik Karlsson in 2018.
Q4: Who was the top goalie in the 2020 draft?
Yaroslav Askarov was the highest-rated goaltender. He was selected 11th overall by the Nashville Predators.
Q5: Are mock drafts usually accurate?
Mock drafts can be quite accurate in the top 5–10 selections but tend to become less predictable in the later rounds due to trades, team strategies, and unknown variables like interviews and medical reports.
Q6: What made the 2020 draft unique?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 NHL Draft was held virtually for the first time in NHL history. Despite the unusual format, teams conducted extensive scouting via video and analytics.
Conclusion: Looking Back, Moving Forward
The 2020 NHL Draft showcased a strong class of players ready to shape the future of the league. With Alexis Lafrenière leading the pack and teams like the Senators, Kings, and Red Wings adding key pieces, the mock drafts leading up to the event were largely accurate and insightful.
Mock drafts remain a fun and engaging way to dive into the sport, allowing fans to become part of the scouting and team-building process. As these young players grow and develop, we’ll see which projections came true—and which ones surprised us all.
