by Brian Fogarty, September 26, 2020
Below are the top 31 prospects for the 2020 NHL Draft as ranked by Hockey Prophets. The 2020 class contains a deep group of sensational talent, many of whom could be top-five picks in most draft years and are close to or actually ready to take the leap into the NHL. From elite thinkers to blazing speedsters, Europeans already playing in top men's leagues, small defenders with sniper shots, and well-rounded NHL-ready forwards, this class has it all. Enjoy!
Please note that each segment below has a link to the individual player pages for each prospect. The profile pages contain more information, game notes, Draft Year Database comparable players, and statistics provided by EliteProspects.
Here is the ranking for the top 62 prospects.
Also, if you are not already, please consider supporting Hockey Prophets by becoming a Premium Member. Current premium members have access to the full Hockey Prophets ranking of more than 300 of the 2020 draft-eligible prospects.
Notes on metrics:
Age At Draft is measured against June 30th of the draft year, regardless of when the draft is actually held. In this way, the age of each player can be measured with the same standard.
A/P Score is a measure of the players age and league-normalized production, scored on a standard distribution (forwards and defenseman rated separately). As such, the smaller the number, the better. The top score overall in the forward database belongs to Sidney Crosby (-5.89) and the best score for defenders is Ryan Ellis's -4.66. The rank of each player in the Draft Year Database is shown in parentheses (ranking out of more than 3,400 players). Note that for some players, the A/P score may be worse than expected due to the league in which they played. For example, normalizing production in the DEL is difficult due to the relatively rarity of draft-eligible players spending the season playing in the German men's league.
1 | Alexis Lafreniere | LW | Rimouski Oceanic | QMJHL |
Height: 6'1 (185 cm)
Weight: 192 (87 kg)
Age At Draft: 18.73
Points per Game (normalized): 2.15
A/P Score: -3.80 (8th)
Key Strength: Superb skill set mixed with intense competitive nature
Key Question: How great can he become?
Coming into the season, Lafreniere was the only choice for the first-overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft. However, Quinton Byfield’s early dominance in the OHL led some prospect watchers (professional and amateur) to wonder if he might be a legitimate contender to challenge for the first overall pick. At the World Junior Championships—the biggest prospect stage in the game—Lafreniere obliterated all doubts about his status with a dominating performance. He was simply the best player on the ice in every game in which he played in the Czech Republic and in fact was named the tournament MVP despite missing time with a leg injury.
Lafreniere combines a full package of skills that make him the clear top prospect in one of the best high-end drafts in years. Although he may not have the blistering speed of Conor McDavid, Lafreniere has shown a steady improvement in his straight-line skating ability over the last two years, and his current top end looks to be bordering on excellent and should continue to improve. His edgework and conservation of speed during glides and changes of direction appear to be excellent, as well. His turns and stops are precise, tight and controlled, showing balance and agility even under contact.
Lafreniere’s game truly sparkles, however, in his hands, vision and offensive creativity. He shows that class of stick skills that sets the superstar playmakers apart from the rest: his stick appears to be an extension of his vision. Like a Formula One driver who seems to be one with his car, Lafreniere’s stick simply executes the opportunities that he sees on the ice. He finds passing lanes and openings where none are evident, and his hands do what he needs without hesitation or apparent thought. One outstanding example came in a game versus Sweden at the 2018 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, in which Lafreniere—at full speed through the neutral zone—received a pass from his right that was three feet behind him by reaching back with one hand on his stick and one-touch redirecting the puck to his left perfectly on the tape of his winger also in full stride. It was a remarkable play that highlighted everything that Lafreniere brings to the game. He also shows patience with the puck, never rushing plays or showing any effects of opposition pressure, even though he attracts plenty of it.
On top of his obvious offensive abilities, Lafreniere plays a good defensive game with some physicality. His uses his stick to disrupt passing lanes, poke away pucks or lift sticks, and he has shown an aptitude for taking the puck from opposing carriers. He does not get a lot of time in the defensive zone, however, because he constantly pushes the game into the offensive zone.
In short, Lafreniere may not quite reach that sublime level of the generational player that McDavid or Sidney Crosby have proven themselves to be, but Lafreniere is close.
Read more: 2020 NHL Draft Prospects: The Top 31
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The Hockey Prophets have been busy loading up new Player Profile pages. Each profile pages shows some relevant biographical and statistical information, various draft and ranking information, as well as all of the Hockey Prophets notes on that player (if available). New player pages are being added all the time.
The most recent pages added are:
The Hockey Prophets have been busy loading up new Player Profile pages. Each profile pages shows some relevant biographical and statistical information, various draft and ranking information, as well as all of the Hockey Prophets notes on that player (if available). New player pages are being added all the time.
The Hockey Prophets have been busy loading up new Player Profile pages. Each profile pages shows some relevant biographical and statistical information, various draft and ranking information, as well as all of the Hockey Prophets notes on that player (if available). New player pages are being added all the time.
Below is the penultimate edition of the Hockey Prophets top 62 prospects for the 2020 draft class.
The latest rankings now show the top 62. The final list will be released in September 25th and the complete ranking will then be available for premium members. If you are not a premium member, please consider becoming one. For a small annual fee of $5 US, you can help support the Hockey Prophets and get access to the full draft ranking, full prospect rankings, and other expanded content.
If you have any questions, you can contact Brian at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on Twitter @hockey_prophets. Thanks!
Read more: 2020 Draft Class ("The 2002s") MainPage
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