2020 NHL Entry Draft

[Sandman]

In the times I've seen Zary play, his skating didn't bother me-I don't think it's a big problem, and I believe it's fixable. It's hard to ignore his IQ and his numbers last year and this year are pretty amazing.

[Poe969]

Is Askarov still highly touted? He was rumoured to be a really high pick then I've seen him drop to 20. Is there any chance he's still around at 19 and if so, am I the only crazy one who wants him?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Is Askarov still highly touted? He was rumoured to be a really high pick then I've seen him drop to 20. Is there any chance he's still around at 19 and if so, am I the only crazy one who wants him?

The only real knock on him was his sub-par performance at the WJC, and while that tourney can affect draft position both positively and negatively, I don't think he makes it out of the top-10, maybe not even the top-5. The reports on him are saying he could be the best of his generation, the best since Carey Price.I think we're not really talking about him because we don't think it's realistic to hope to draft him. If he slid to 19-the brass would be fools not to take him. I myself would be delighted.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Is Askarov still highly touted? He was rumoured to be a really high pick then I've seen him drop to 20. Is there any chance he's still around at 19 and if so, am I the only crazy one who wants him?

I want him. But doubt he’ll be there at 19. Would even consider #49 and #19 to move up to 10-12 to snag the guy (Would have to really think about it)

[bdubbs]

Originally Posted by Sandman

In the times I've seen Zary play, his skating didn't bother me-I don't think it's a big problem, and I believe it's fixable. It's hard to ignore his IQ and his numbers last year and this year are pretty amazing.

If the Flames didn't already have many players who had 'OK' skating that was 'fixable' I would feel the same way. As it stands, if I'm the flames, I'm trying to get a player who is strong on his edges and has a more effortless stride.

[JTech780]

Originally Posted by bdubbs

If the Flames didn't already have many players who had 'OK' skating that was 'fixable' I would feel the same way. As it stands, if I'm the flames, I'm trying to get a player who is strong on his edges and has a more effortless stride.

I agree, right now there are only a few guys who are fast enough to transition the puck through the neutral zone, it's one of the reasons I am really hopeful that Dylan Holloway is available at 19.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by JTech780

I agree, right now there are only a few guys who are fast enough to transition the puck through the neutral zone, it's one of the reasons I am really hopeful that Dylan Holloway is available at 19.

Holloway or Mercer would be great at 19 IMO

[Ashes]

Apologies if this has already been said in the thread, but is anyone familiar with how the hockey world viewing this 2020 draft in comparison to drafts from previous years? I'm sure with there being no combine this year that may muddy the waters a bit.

but i.e. is this considered a top heavy draft with a big drop off? Deep draft into the second round with multiple "shelfs/tiers" of players? Thanks in advance, I generally enjoy researching the draft in advance but haven't delved into the 2020 draft as of yet.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Ashes

Apologies if this has already been said in the thread, but is anyone familiar with how the hockey world viewing this 2020 draft in comparison to drafts from previous years? I'm sure with there being no combine this year that may muddy the waters a bit.

but i.e. is this considered a top heavy draft with a big drop off? Deep draft into the second round with multiple "shelfs/tiers" of players? Thanks in advance, I generally enjoy researching the draft in advance but haven't delved into the 2020 draft as of yet.

Everything I’ve heard is this draft might be the strongest we’ve seen in years.

Lafreniere is on an island on his own, then a tier of a handful of guys thereafter then I think it’s fairly wide open with a lot of talent running into the 2nd round.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Ashes

Apologies if this has already been said in the thread, but is anyone familiar with how the hockey world viewing this 2020 draft in comparison to drafts from previous years? I'm sure with there being no combine this year that may muddy the waters a bit.

but i.e. is this considered a top heavy draft with a big drop off? Deep draft into the second round with multiple "shelfs/tiers" of players? Thanks in advance, I generally enjoy researching the draft in advance but haven't delved into the 2020 draft as of yet.

My view is
- Strong at the top though not with a Crosby level superstar. Maybe Mackinnon level. I think Byfield is a wild card as he could be a franchise centre, but may not be
- A good second wave of high end forwards, followed by another wave of skilled forwards with high upside, but some warts/risk
- Weaker on D, with two clear guys at the top, and then a big bunch of guys that I think largely are second pairing potentials
- Potential franchise goalie and then almost nothing with tenders

I like the draft and have for a while. I think there is a lot of skill available within the forwards and even in the early 20s, there's going to be forwards available with front line potential.

[Sandman]

I'm actually impressed with the talent available in the third round as well. Some really good D in the beginning of the 2nd, then a whole lotta 5'10"-5'11"(which isn't necessarily bad).

[dammage79]

Forward rich, like top line talent rich from round 1 to maybe just after the halfway mark of round 2. Weaker Defense draft from round 1 to mid 2nd. Deep defensive draft from round 3 onward.

Wouldn't shock me in the least to see some deep reaches for D men in round 1 either.

Also a very size small draft. Lots of krill.

Goalies, 1 "Generational", 2 worth a look and really grasping for straws later. I say this knowing full well the next Tim Thomas is very likely to come out of a draft like this lol.

Its a good draft to take players with specific traits you like in the later rounds. Tons of diversity. Tiny Russian players, tiny finnish players, oh look! Tiny Swedish players!

Oh, and I do not think I've seen so many RHS in one draft before. The shrimpy rhs draft.

[Sandman]

A guy to watch in the 2nd round is D Joni Jurmo. He's 6'4" and apparently is an extremely fast, puck rushing guy. Knock is that he doesn't use his size well enough.

[David Struch]

I always want the Flames to take the local boy.

Ridly Greig, Lethbridge kid, could be another Matthew Tkachuk.

Maybe he's flying under the radar a bit with only 56 games played and being just shy of 6 feet tall.

[Harry Lime]

I like the strategy of picking high risk/reward forwards early, defensemen who are good skaters in the middle of the draft and a late goalie. Do that every year.

[Harry Lime]

I'm also good with Calgary going after Dmitri Zlodeyev with their 4th round San Jose pick, or even reaching with their second if the winds are blowing that way. Did some research on him, and Craig Button has proposed marriage.

Craig Button's Analysis
"Four exceptional attributes; skating, puck skills, processing speed and imagination work in seamless coordination to make a big impact on the game."

Projection: Elite Offensive No. 1 Centre
Comparable: Patrick Kane/Steve Yzerman

https://www.tsn.ca/dmitri-zlodeyev-centre-1.1472321

No one else in the world seems to like this player this much.

[Crown Royal]

Originally Posted by David Struch

I always want the Flames to take the local boy.

Ridly Greig, Lethbridge kid, could be another Matthew Tkachuk.

Maybe he's flying under the radar a bit with only 56 games played and being just shy of 6 feet tall.

His dad also played 8 games for the Flames back in the 90s

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

I'm also good with Calgary going after Dmitri Zlodeyev with their 4th round San Jose pick, or even reaching with their second if the winds are blowing that way. Did some research on him, and Craig Button has proposed marriage.



https://www.tsn.ca/dmitri-zlodeyev-centre-1.1472321

No one else in the world seems to like this player this much.

If he's that good, use your first on him.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

If he's that good, use your first on him.

But no one else thinks he's that good. Just Craig. It's just weird how he think that he lands somewhere between Kane and Yzerman.

[Icon]

Ideal (and realistic) for me:

1st - Zary
2nd - Biondi
3rd - Kaiser / Prokop
4th - Nickl
5th - Reid
6th - Hardie
7th - Chibrikov (because it'd be great to have a potential Chara)

Obvious there are about a half dozen other guys at least in each spot, but after a bunch of mock drafts and seeing who's predicted to maybe be around, the above is who I'm realistically optimistic for.

I think if you don't draft a C in the first, which would feel like a misstep to me with the likey options (unless they're all taken ahead of us), then there are still a couple sleeper future#1Cs in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Picks 10-100 are actually quite interesting imo, could see a lot of movement in draft position vs rankings