The air of mystery that surrounds the NHL draft is a significant part of the season-long evaluation proce s. Diligence no matter how robust or regimented does not guarantee that an NHL general manager and staff will make the right choice. The good news is that we are at the midway point of league play, with nearly a dozen international tournaments in the books,to help beef up a se sments and allow thescouting community the opportunity tosharpen their opinions on not only the elite players available but the entire2020 draft cla s. In terms of the top tier of high profile prospects, not much has changed since . Left wing Alexis Lafrenire and center Quinton Byfield havent budged from their respective top two spots; forwards Cole Perfetti , Alexander Holtz , Lucas Raymond , Rodion Amirov , Dylan Holloway and Marco Ro si , plus defender Jamie Drysdale have remained in the top 10. The biggest jump came from dynamic German forward Tim Sttzle , who was No. 23 in our preliminary rankings but now sits at No. 5, with an eventual top-3 slot not out of the question. From then on, identifying the overall quality of the crop not to mention the prospects deserving of praise or a longer look can be conducted with confidence after four full months of a se sing their on-ice performance. Overall Depth There isnt a scientific formula but one way to a se s the depth of the draft is: how many first-year eligibles are selected for their respective national teams at the under-20 world junior championship, whichbegins Dec. 26 in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Although rosters have yet to be finalized, its a good bet to count on at least two-dozen late-2001 or 2002 birth years to participate. However, at least two nations Canada and Ru sia tend to be stingy with WJC roster spots when it comes to 17or 18-year-olds. This year should be different. Lafrenire, Byfield and Perfetti are outproducing the vast majority of their older CHL counterparts. Lafreniere, who made Canadas team last year, leads the QMJHL in scoring with 59 points in 28games while Byfield and Perfetti are among the leaders in OHL scoring and a sists. For Ru sia, their two best prospects for the draft Amirov and rangy defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin already have played for the U20 team in the pre-WJC tuneups. Germany will have Sttzle and po sibly three more in forwards J.J. Peterka and Lukas Reichel , and defenseman Maximilian Glotzl . NHL farm system rankings: The Czechs will rely on phenom Jan Mysak , while Finland can summon Roni Hirvonen and po sibly defenseman Topi Niemela to offset the lo s of injured center Anton Lundell . The Swedes have leaned on Raymond and Holtz at multiple U20 events and both will be key cogs playing heavy minutes. As for Slovakia, ithas two excellent 2002-born options in offensive defenseman Samuel Knazko and scorer Martin Chromiak . Only the Americans are all but guaranteed to not ice a first-year draft-eligible player. Another measuring stick is depth at a certain position. The 2019 cla s was a se sed as strong for centers and goaltenders. This years group has a solid mix of game-breakers at all three forward positions meaning a team picking in the late first round can still come away with a prospect that has legitimate point-producing potential. This group can also helpteams looking for right-handed defensemen, especially those with high hockey IQ and playmaking abilities. As the NHL continues to emphasizespeed, smarts and creativity, expect the first two rounds of this draft to be loaded with prospects who can meet the requirements of todays fast-paced game. Here are quick breakdowns for each position: Forwards Much like every draft since 2012, the opening half of the first round should be dominated by a mix of centers and wings. Last Lou Angotti Jersey year, nine of the first 15 picks were forwards, making it the lowest total since 2013 when nine went between picks 1 and 15. Outside of the Erie Otters’Drysdale, there arent any defensive prospects earmarked to leapfrog into the top 10 and disrupt one of the deepest forward groups in recent memory. Leading the way is Lafrenire, a franchise winger who is not only averaging well over two points per game in the QMJHL but is also poised to be the first draft prospect since John Tavares and Sidney Crosby to win consecutive CHL Player of the Year honors before being drafted. At first, it looked like a hulking center like Byfield of the OHLs Sudbury Wolves would give Lafrenire a run for the top spot; he toowas averaging close to two points per game until falling back down to earth in November. For now, it looks like the top spot is Lafrenires to lose regardle s of what happens at the world junior championship in late December. The 2020 draft is a comeback of sorts for Canadian hockey. With Lafrenire and Byfield expected to be the first two picks and Perfetti a shot at for third overall it would give Canada the chance to boast each of the first three picks in the draft for the first time since 2010. On their heels is a slew of skilled European forwards who should dominate the rest of the top 10. The two Swedish wingers Holtz and Raymond have been on the 2020 draft radar for several years, and they are now joined by the likes of Sttzleand Ro si. Sttzle already is one of the top players in Germanys elite DELand Ro sis 2.11 points-per-game average not only is third overall in the OHL but almost half a point higher than Byfields 1.79 average. At this point, all of the above should be considered top-10 picks, thus pushing several quality defensemen and electrifying scorers like Mysak, Vasili Ponomaryov , Jacob Perreault , Jean-Luc Foudy and Noel Gunler , into the later stages of the opening round. Defensemen This is a strong group of rearguards, specifically offensive-minded types. Drysdale, as we mentioned, is the cream of the crop, but Quebec Leaguers Jeremie Poirier , Lukas Cormier and riser Charlie DesRoches arent too far behind in terms of creativity and flair from the back end. Several other defenders with strong skating abilities are NTDPer Jake Sanderson , Swedens Emil Andrae and William Wallinder , Sudburys Jack Thompson , Michael Benning of the AJHL and Finlands Joni Jurmo and Topi Niemela . All are proficient at running a power play and initiating breakouts with little help required. Additionally, there are several versatile two-way types with physicality and top-pairing upside such as Mukhamadullin, Justin Barron , Braeden Schneider and Kaden Guhle . Lastly, two names that keep popping up as potential first-rounders are Ru sian collegian Yan Kuznetsov and Finlands Eemil Viro , with the former impre sing as a freshman for UConn while the latter is a smooth skater who already has made the jump to the Finnish elite league. Goalies All signs point towards a goalie cracking the top 15 for the second straight draft year. With Ru sias Yaroslav Askarov , its not a question of if he goes within the first 15 picks, but how close hell come to the top five. Its hard to call any goalie generational when theyre only 17and can fall victim to the hot and cold streaks netminders at every level experience, butits hard to deny how impre sive Askarovs international resume already is. Hebackstopped Ru sia to major upset wins over last years historic U.S. NTDP at the world championship over Canada for Ivan Hlinka gold a few months later. His league play in the adult-age VHL has been nothing short of stellar, but keep in mind that theleague is a low-scoring circuitand his .925 save percentage ranks 25th among those qualified. Still, every team should be jumping at the chance to draft him, especially with the sorry state of goaltending and diminishing star power at the NHL level. Beyond Askarov is a trio of European backstops who also have impre sed in both league and international play. Finlands Joel Blomqvist has given up a goal or le s in 13 of his 27 starts and leads his junior league with a .932 save percentage. Over in the Czech Republic, Nick Malik , whose dad Marek was an NHL defenseman for 13 seasons, has been a brick wall for his club team and should represent his country at the remaining under-18 eventsin his draft year. Jan Bednar , Maliks fellow countryman, covers the net like a veteran and has the desired blend of size and quickne s. NHL top 25 under 25: Sleepers Joni Jurmo, LHD, Jokerit U20 (Jr. A SM-Liiga): A big, rangy defenseman who anchors the defense for the best team in Finlands top junior league. Charlie DesRoches, RHD,Saint John (QMJHL): Jeremie Poirier may get all the attention, but this hard-shooting puck mover has been able to generate consistent offense on Saint Johns middle pairing. Alex Laferriere, RW, Des Moines (USHL): The New Jersey native is a sturdy 200-foot winger with a heavy shot and strong work ethic. He’s a Harvard-bound recruit who will play for Team USA at the upcoming World Junior A Challenge. Lukas Svejkovsky, C, Vancouver (WHL): The son of former NHLer Yaroslav Yogi Svejkovsky, Lukas is a high-energy forward with a fine se aspect to his game. Nick Malik, G, Frydek-Mistek (Chance Liga): Another neophyte with NHL bloodlines, Malik is beginning to establish himself as one of the premier goalie prospects in this draft. The more shots he faces, the quicker his post-save recovery is executed. Rising Mavrik Bourque, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL): Averaging almost two points per game during a current 16-game point streak. He also is top-10 in QMJHL scoring. Emil Andrae, LHD, HV71 J20 (Superelit): A flashy puck mover and power-play quarterback who plays one or two steps ahead of his opponents,Andrae is HV71s on-ice commander. Shakir Mukhamadullin, LHD, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL): A physical defender with top-pairing upside who has quick feet and can blister the puck from the point. Seth Jarvis, RW, Portland (WHL): A silky smooth forward who is a dual-threat on the puck and displays a high compete level. Jarvis is difficult to contain and creates his own time and space. Falling Justin Barron, RHD, Halifax (QMJHL): Barron isnt dominating in his third full QMJHL season and plays it safe when risk needs to be a sumed. Hendrix Lapierre, C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL): Concu sion or no concu sion, Lapierre hasnt been himself this season. Hes an exceptional playmaker but hes also been invisible far too often. Playing for a strong team has masked his inconsistencies whileteammate Theo Rochette has been noticeably better. Antonio Stranges, LW, London (OHL): Pure skill isnt everything, even as the game begins to favor smaller and quicker forwards. Stranges has the tools to be an elite player but piecing it all together has been a struggle. Helge Grans, RHD, Malmo J20 (SuperElit): Initially a se sed as the premier prospect among Swedish defensemen, Grans appears to be nothing more than a power-play specialist who struggles at his line and gets caught out of position with regularity. Top 31 NHL Entry Draft prospects 1. Alexis Lafrenire, LW, Rimouski (QMJHL) A powerful force in all three zones who is as elite a set-up man as he is a shooter. Ble sed with size, superior hockey IQ, soft handsand an incredibly high compete level, Lafreniere has done more than enough to strengthen his grip on the top spot which says a lot considering how well Quinton Byfield has played. With an eye-popping 2.11points-per-game average, hes pacing to lead the entire CHL in scoring, something a first-year eligible hasnt done in five years. His on-ice leadership is infectious and he will never back down from a challenge. 2. Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury (OHL) Speaking of power, no center in this draft cla s can combined strength and fine se into an all-impre sive package likeByfield. A 6-4 playmaker with excellent vision and soft hands, through Dec. 1 he was only six points off the OHL scoring lead. Not only is he a beast in the offensive zone, but Byfield is a regular contributor in his own end and is one of the OHLs better penalty killers. He also is winning 53 percent of his draws. 3. Cole Perfetti, LW, Saginaw (OHL) Past or present, being a game-changing sniper in itself is enough to get a kid drafted high Kris Versteeg Jersey in the first round; however, Perfetti is adding the title of playmaker extraordinaire to an already impre sive pre-draft resume that was built off his goal scoring as a rookie a season ago. Its not like hes pa sing up the chance to shoot Perfettis averaging over a full shot more this year than last. What we are seeing from this heady winger now is that he is a low-maintenance threat who makes those around him better. 4. Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgarden(SHL) This Swedish goal scorer is battling Perfetti for the right to claim the top shot-release combination in the draft, and much like his aforementioned peer, Holtz has proven himself as more than just a finisher. He competes hard, finishes his checks, can connect with the open man from acro s the iceand his play off the cycle is advanced in terms of positioning and timing. Holtz has been in a bit of a scoring funk for Djurgardensbut his ice time has increased and hes being rewarded for his well-rounded game with responsibilities during late/close situations. Expect Holtz to be Swedens primary scoring option at the upcoming WJC. 5. Tim Sttzle, C/LW, Adler Mannheim (DEL) The Germans are beginning to widen their footprint in the NHL and some feel this explosive forward may be the best prospect the country has produced since Leon Draisaitl. He is a constant threat in the offensive zone and in open icehe displays excellent speed and ankle-breaking agility. Hes also a top-20 scorer in Germanys elite league and is all but a lock to spearhead the attack for them at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship. 6. Marco Ro si, C, Ottawa (OHL) One of the more exciting forward prospects in his cla s, this Austrian-born scoring machine is one of the OHLs top point producers and power-play specialists. Ro si is a consistent breakaway threat but also contributes in other areas thanks to a high-end motor, strong balance on the puck and an acute grasp of how plays will unfold before him. There is something to be said about a top draft prospect whose resume is primarily based on his league and postseason play;it could be a good thing that Ro si will never play in any major international events that may otherwise scrutinize one of the more complete skillsets youll find in a teenager. 7.Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda (SHL) Its too early to panicbut this excitable winger who was once expected to challenge Lafrenire for first overall is off to a slower start than perceived. Way too good for juniors but still somewhat green for the adult-age SHL, Raymondoozes star potential; his 200-foot play at the last under-20 Four Nations tournament helped his reputation as one of the most complete forwards in his draft cla s. He can thread the needle from just about anywhere in the offensive zoneand has a high-competelevel to augment his world-cla s skills. From July: 8. Rodion Amirov, RW, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL) Gauging prospect development in Ru sia can be tricky Colton Dach Jersey , especially when it seems like every kid promoted to the KHL ends up stapled to the bench. However, this wasnt the case with Amirov; a sturdy, east-west winger who was critical in Ru sia’s taking ofsilver at the under-18 world championship last April. He was named to the national team for the November CHL Super Series and was one of the more consistent forwards in puck po se sion and generating chances off the cycle. Most teenagers like to avoid trafficbut Amirov is a superior stickhandler who attacks it head-on. He is consistent in his efforts and decision making while dominating the puck. 9. Jamie Drysdale, RHD, Erie (OHL) The best defense prospect for the 2020 draft is a dandy worthy of the price of admi sion. Drysdale is an aggre sive puck rusher in the mold of Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes who not only jumpstarts the attack from deep in his own end but also utilizes phenomenal straight-line speed to create a numbers advantage. Drysdale is Eries problem solver for a variety of in-game conundrumsand the manner in which hes carrying a thin roster could be enough to convince Hockey Canada to make him the youngest defenseman added to their WJC squad since Jay Bouwmeester in 2001. 10. Dylan Holloway, C/W, Wisconsin (Big-10) A power forward who is part of college hockeys best freshman cla s, Holloway has spent most of this early season playing either center or wing on one of Wisconsins top two lines. He wears multiple hats for head coach Tony Granato and his physical style is perfectly suited for the college game. His stat line (seven points in 15games through Dec. 1) is not a real indicator of how much he contributes on a shift-to-shift basis and Holloway already has proven in international play that he can be an excellent pa ser with a wicked shot to boot. 11. Yaroslav Askarov, G, SKA-Neva (VHL) One of the more demonstrative goalies youll see between the pipes, Askarov personifies the term locked-inbecause when he gets into one of his patented groovesthe net can shrink in a hurry. Hard to cla sify stylistically, so well spare you with the comparisons, Askarovstays upright most of the time almost as if hes trying to lure shots his way. The problem for shooters is that he quickly plugs multiple holes simultaneouslyand his 360-degree awarene s makes second-chance attempts virtually impo sible. 12. Mavrik Bourque, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL) A highly-skilled playmaker with soft hands and big-play proclivity, Bourques creativity and vision are at the forefront of his distinctive style. He utilizes a lot of trickery, such as pa ses of the no-look, behind-the-back, saucer, and bank variety. What also keeps opponents honest, however, is his goal-scoring ability and explosive shot release. Bourque is the focal point of Shawinigans power play and can orchestrate the po se sion from either the half-wall or the point. He is a strong, well-balanced skater who can dangle or toe-drag his way to an improved shooting angle. 13. Jan Mysak, C/W, Litvinov (Extraliga) A prolific scorer in junior hockey that to some probably seems like eons ago,Mysak has been earning his stripes in the tough Czech Extraliga where he plays a top-nine role and already is one of the top scorers on his goal-starved team. He wasnt as impactful at the Ivan Hlinka tournament last August but his league play has him pacing to surpa s the pre-draft production of the likes of Martin Necas, Filip Chytil, and Filip Zadina. Mysakhas a knack for getting open and usinghis top-end speed to outpace pre sure. 14. Anton Lundell, C, HIFK (SM-Liiga) A solid 200-foot center who is holding his own in Finlands elite SM-Liiga, Lundell has some stylistic comparisons to 2019 second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko although the former is a natural center and an exceptional penalty killer. Theres a lot more to Lundells game thanjust intangibles, as he boasts a clean, powerful stride and fires off an absolute laser with accuracy to boot. Unfortunately, he just suffered an injury and likely will be out of action during the world juniors. 15. Jean-Luc Foudy, C/W, Windsor (OHL) A speedy forward who can play center or wing, Foudy has centered Windsors Kid Line with great succe s especially when you consider his usage and how deep a team the Spitfires are. Foudy, whose older brother Liam was a first-round pick of Columbus in 2018, plays a similarly aggre sive style predicated on speed and smarts. He also unloads a deadly shot that forces the most competent of goalies to put rebounds into the low slot; however, it’s hisquickne s to the inside that separates him from most draft-eligible forwards. 16. Connor Zary, C, Kamloops (WHL) A top-notch competitor with a nose for the net, Zary is one of the WHLs leading scorers with 39points in 26 games (thru Dec. 1). Hes an intelligent two-way center who provides support in a variety of ways, including subtle touch or bank pa ses in the defensive zone that leads to swift breakouts. However, playmaking is just one of his distinguishable a sets, as he can deliver precision pa ses from either his forehand or backhand. Strong and well-balanced, Zary displays deceptive quickne s and requires only two or three strides to accelerate to top speed and become an open-ice threat. 17. Justin Sourdif, RW, Vancouver (WHL) A bruising forward with a complete skillset that is bolstered by his sharp hockey sense, Sourdif is one of the top forwards on a thin Vancouver squad that continues to battle hard every game. He plays with intensity in all three zones and will never turn down the chances to drive all his weight into opponents of all sizes. Theres a fair amount of trickery to his game as well, so dont label him as merely a power winger who mashes opponents. 18. Vasili Ponomaryov, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL) The transition from Ru sia to the QMJHL has been relatively seamle s for this energetic center who in August was a catalyst in the upset win over Canada for gold at the Ivan Hlinka. Ponomaryov is a strong stickhandler with multiple fakes and spin moves that he times with precision, both in open ice and tight spaces. Hes a po se sion driver with very good speed and excellent balance, and much like Amirov, he can create chances using crisp cro s-ice pa ses forehand or backhand while operating off the cycle. An under-appreciated aspect of Ponomaryovs game is his dedication to backchecking and defensive-zone positioning while you rarely see him allow the low slot to be vacated. 19.Jacob Perreault, C/W, Sarnia(OHL) The son of former NHL faceoff wizard Yanic Perreault, Jacob displays good straight-line speed and puck skills similar to his soft-mitted father but seems more comfortable on the wing rather than at center. There may not be a better bad-angle scorer that Perreault, who like Perfetti can sneak the puck through the tiniest of openings and does so while looking off to lure the goalie off that near post. Perreault can be both a set-up man and a finisher and he can bury the puck in a variety of ways. He works well with his linemates and consistently finds himself open in high-danger scoring area with his stick in a shooting position. 20. Shakir Mukhamadullin, LHD, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL) A physical presence on Ru sias blue line at multiple under-20 events, Mukhamadullin is a crease clearer and one-on-one eraser who has spent most of his draft year with Ufa of the KHL and holding his own against premier competition. You can make a strong argument that hes the most polished of any draft-eligible defenseman withhis versatility in all situations helping to boost his value. Mukhamadullin isa top penalty killer, shutdown defender and can quarterback a power play. He also owns one of the hardest shots in the draft and hits the net with consistency, 21. Emil Andrae, LHD, HV71 J20 (Superelit) This years Swedish crop is a tad deeper at forward than on the back end but this agile puck rusher has the highest upside in terms of point production at higher levels. Andrae is the primary option to swing momentum and control play from the point for both HV71 and Swedens under-18 team. He displays a phenomenal touch when connecting on breakout pa ses but also has quick feet and a sudden speed burst that helps him dart into openings. Skating and playmaking, however, are just part of the overall package; Andrae stands up at his defensive line and uses a powerful leg drive to deliver clean hits. His timing while backskating could use some work, but the fact that hes reading plays properly is a strong foundation to build off of. 22. Jeremie Poirier, LHD, Saint John (QMJHL) Poirier is apoised offenseman with escapability, who like Drysdale, is dedicated to pushing the pace to his level and creating chances off the rush. He’s a cerebral puck distributor who sees the ice at an advanced level and is usually more reliable than not when it comes to initiating and completing a clean breakout. His biggest strength lies in his puck control and he has posterized many opponents who have tried to interdict his movements acro s center. Once inside the zone, Poirier can dictate the flow of po se sion and loves to drop down as deep as the goal line for chances near the net. He also owns an excellent shot; one that can force goalies into making tough saves. Although hes far from polished and has shown inconsistency with his skating and defensive play, only the aforementioned Drysdale can rival Poiriers creativity from the back end. 23. Kasper Simontaival, RW, Tappara U20 (Jr. A SM-Liiga) A slippery scorer with a nonstop motor who reaps the rewards of his own hard work more than the significant majority of his peers, Simontaival belongs in the upper tiers of this cla s for several reasons. For starters, he has the international tournament box checked for his strong showings at both Lukas Reichel Jersey the Ivan Hlinka as a draft-1 and at the under-18 worlds. Throw in consecutive point-per-game seasons in league play, and you have the foundation for a potential steal outside the top 20. There really isnt much for him to work on, as hes consistently in open ice and makes good decisions to get there and take advantage. 24. Lukas Cormier, LHD, Charlottetown (QMJHL) A graceful offensive defenseman with fantastic footwork and escapability, Cormier is a threat to create a quality scoring chance every time he hops over the boards. He was named the QMJHL Defenseman of the Month for October but suffered an injury that will keep him out well into December. When healthy, he is one of the more capable power-play quarterbacks. There doesnt seem to be a selfish bone in his body and is very coachable with a strong desire to round out his overall game beyond playmaking and shooting. A testament to his improved defensive play is how often you see him on the ice for a big penalty kill or late-game draw in his own end. 25. Theo Rochette, C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL) A sound decision-maker in all areas of the ice, Rochette is an aggre sive center with a strong desire to make an impact in all three zones. Hes played center offChicoutimis top line for most of the season and has been able to stand out via his playmaking and quick shot-release combination. Like several skilled forwards in the upper tier of this draft cla s, Rochette is willing to support his defensemen below the circles and will pounce on loose pucks to kickstart the attack. 26. Seth Jarvis, RW, Portland (WHL) A slick and cerebral forward with excellent hands, Jarvis has all the tools required to be a dominant player in major junior. He can dish the puck with flair but also sneak into the role of a scorer thanks to an excellent shot and release. Jarvis keeps his feet moving at all times and tracks the puck like a hawk and when he takes control of it, hell button-hook or curl to change the plane of attack and improve his angle. Compounding i sues for defenders is his strong balance, as he’ll dart inside with confidence while not seeming deterred by traffic or a potential double team. He also provides his coaching staff with the nece sary intangibles to contribute in other areas such as special teams and communicates well with his linemates while trying to execute set plays. 27. Sean Farrell, LW, Chicago (USHL) A succe sful stint on last years historic U.S. NTDP has propelled Farrell into the spotlight as the USHLs leading scorer with 30 points in 20 games (as of Dec. 1). Although he was more of a support player a season ago, his abilities namely his speed and creativity were quite distinguishable during limited ice time. Not only is he Chicagos most prolific scorer on a roster loaded with talent, but his energy and high-compete level set the right example for his teammates to follow. Hes committed to Harvard University in 2020. 28. Kaiden Guhle, LHD, Prince Albert (WHL) Guhle is a complete defenseman who can impact the game in multiple ways. Not only is he physical, with a penchant for delivering solid open-ice hits, but he’s alsoinclined to push the puck up ice with hisabove-average mobility and powerful stride. Summoned to solve problems at any point in the game,playing for the reigning WHL champions has helped Guhle experience the intense pre sure of playing under the spotlight. He is a fixture on both the penalty kill and the power play and occupies the right point where his howitzer is used off the Dennis Hull Jersey pa s with frequency. 29. Jake Sanderson, LHD, U.S. U18 (NTDP) A cerebral two-way defender with NHL bloodlines (his dad is 17-yearveteran Geoff Sanderson), Sanderson is the early-season favorite to be the first player selected directly from the NTDP this June. He is a low-maintenance option on the breakout, which he initiates with his speed or clean, crisp stretch pa ses.Committed to the University of North Dakota, he also helps run the power play, where he utilizes his quick feet and agility to open up ashooting lane for his heavy shot. A developing aspect of his game that bears mentioning is his playmaking and vision, especially while taking the puck strong to the net. 30. Noel Gunler, RW, Lulea (SHL) One of the more enigmatic forwards among 2020 draft hopefuls, Gunler displays incredible offensive skills and a newly discovered adherence to smart play within his own end. He can be an unstoppable force, not only when hes loading up his devastating wristerbut also when hes maneuvering laterally to create time and space before exploiting an opening with a perfect pa s. This was the case last year in Swedens top junior league, and his promotion to the parent club seems to have helped him round out his game away from the puck. Still, there are too many instances where you are left wanting moreand it seems like Swedens governing hockey body is not keen on including him at international events. Consider him the biggest boom or bust prospect for 2020. 31. Jake Neighbours, LW, Edmonton (WHL) A rugged winger with a hunched skating style and good speed, Neighbours was a high bantam pick in 2017 and thus far has delivered on expectations. He plays a tough north-south game predicated on anticipation and physicality, and his ability to win a fair amount of 50-50 battles is at the forefront of his game off the puck. Neighbours is an excellent pa ser and can thread the needle through stick traffic, especially as he mans the half-wall on the power play. He may only have six goals on 90 shots through Dec. 1but he owns a very good shot and can release it with authority even if the puck is in his skates or hes overextended. Neighbours is a difficult opponent to match up against, and he has been known to drop the gloves when nece sary. Ranking Nos. 32-125 RANK NAME POS. TEAM LEAGUE 32 Hendrix Lapierre C Chicoutimi QMJHL 33 Dawson Mercer C Drummondville QMJHL 34 Zion Nybeck RW HV71 J20 SuperElit 35 Braden Schneider RHD Brandon WHL 36 Veeti Miettinen RW Kiekko-Espoo U20 Jr. A SM-Liiga 37 Justin Barron RHD Halifax QMJHL 38 Joel Blomqvist G Karpat U20 Jr. A SM-Liiga 39 Topi Niemela RHD Karpat SM-Liiga 40 Thomas Bordeleau C U.S. U18 NTDP 41 Jaromir Pytlik C/W Sault Ste. Marie OHL 42 Oliver Suni RW Oshawa OHL 43 Joni Jurmo LHD Jokerit U20 Jr. A SM-Liiga 44 Charlie DesRoches RHD Saint John QMJHL 45 Alexander Pashin RW Tolpar MHL 46 Ozzy Wiesblatt RW/C Prince Albert WHL 47 William Wallinder LHD MODO J20 SuperElit 48 Roni Hirvonen C A sat SM-Liiga 49 Lukas Reichel LW Eisbaren Berlin DEL 50 Connor McClennon RW Winnipeg WHL 51 Ty Smilanic C/W U.S. U18 NTDP 52 Michael Benning RHD Sherwood Park AJHL 53 Tyler Kleven LHD U.S. U18 NTDP 54 Luke Tuch LW U.S. U18 NTDP 55 Danil Gushchin LW Muskegon USHL 56 Ryan Francis C/W Cape Breton QMJHL 57 Marat Khusnutdinov C SKA-1946 MHL 58 Eemil Viro LHD TPS Turku SM-Liiga 59 Samuel Knazko LHD TPS U20 Jr. A SM-Liiga 60 Ryder Rolston RW Waterloo USHL 61 Jack Quinn RW Ottawa OHL 62 Adam Raska RW Rimouski QMJHL 63 Blake Biondi C Hermantown HS-MN 64 Antonio Stranges LW London Knights OHL 65 Ryan ORourke LHD Sault Ste. Marie OHL 66 Sam Colangelo RW Chicago USHL 67 Will Cuylle LW Windsor OHL 68 Maxim Groshev RW Reaktor MHL 69 Patrick Guay C/RW Sherbrooke QMJHL 70 Tyler Tullio RW Oshawa OHL 71 Pavel Novak RW Kelowna WHL 72 Ridly Greig C Brandon WHL 73 Michal Gut C Everett WHL 74 Luke Evangelista RW London OHL 75 Yan Kuznetsov LHD UConn HE 76 Lukas Svejkovsky C/LW Vancouver WHL 77 Alexander Nikishin LHD Spartak KHL 78 Pavel Tyutnev C Loko Yaroslavl MHL 79 Juuso Maenpaa C Jokerit U20 Jr. A SM-Liiga 80 Alex Laferriere RW Des Moines USHL 81 Bogdan Trineyev RW JHC Dynamo MHL 82 Carson Bantle LW Madison USHL 83 William Villeneuve RHD Saint John QMJHL 84 J.J. Peterka LW Red Bull Munich DEL 85 Dmitri Zlodeyev C JHC Dynamo MHL 86 Cro s Hanas LW Portland WHL 87 Jack Smith C Cathedral HS-MN 88 Kasper Puutio RHD Swift Current WHL 89 Carter Savoie LW Sherwood Park AJHL 90 Roby Jarventie RW KooVee Mestis 91 Nick Malik G Frydek-Mistek Chance Liga 92 Jack Finley C Spokane WHL 93 Helge Grans RHD Malmo J20 SuperElit 94 Colby Ambrosio C Tri-City USHL 95 Theo Niederbach RW/C Frolunda J20 SuperElit 96 Jack Thompson RHD Sudbury OHL 97 Oskar Magnu son C/W Malmo J20 SuperElit 98 Brandon Coe RW North Bay OHL 99 Elliot Ekmark C Linkoping J20 SuperElit 100 Hayden Fowler C/LW Erie OHL 101 Evan Vierling C Flint OHL 102 Tyson Foerster RW Barrie OHL 103 Carsen Richels LW Blaine HS-MN 104 Matt Choupani C Des Moines USHL 105 Brett Berard C/W U.S. U18 NTDP 106 Jan Bednar G Karlovy Vary Extraliga 107 Ruben Rafkin RHD Windsor OHL 108 Jake Boltmann RHD Edina HS-MN 109 William Dufour RW Chicoutimi QMJHL 110 Ethan Bowen C Chilliwack BCHL 111 Sergei Safin-Tregubov LHD Tolpar MHL 112 Donovan Sebrango LHD Kitchener OHL 113 Wyatt Schingoethe C Waterloo USHL 114 Noah Ellis RHD Des Moines USHL 115 Jacob Truscott LHD U.S. U18 NTDP 116 Ivan Didkovsky RW JHC Dynamo MHL 117 Luke Reid RHD Chicago USHL 118 Brendan Bri son C Chicago USHL 119 Ben King C/W Red Deer WHL 120 Dylan Peterson C U.S. U18 NTDP 121 Simon Kubicek RHD Seattle WHL 122 Thimo Nickl RHD Drummondville QMJHL 123 Lukas Stehlik RW Litvinov U20 DHL Cup 124 Lucas Ramberg LHD Lulea J20 SuperElit 125 Maximilian Glotzl LHD Koln DEL