Mock Draft 2020 and the Toronto Maple Leafs Big Decision

11. Nashville Predators – Jack Quinn (RW)

Jack Quinn figured things out in a hurry and made scouts sit up and take notice. It was his most recent season’s play that will ensure he’s drafted in the top half of the first round. Quinn went from a 32 point (12 goals and 20 assists in 61 games) rookie season playing for the 67’s in the OHL to an 89 point campaign, playing just one game more. More importantly, Quinn put 52 pucks past opposing goalies proving that he has a fine scorer’s touch.

12. Florida Panthers – Braden Schneider (D)

There is a lot to like about Braden Schneider’s game. The 6’2″ defenseman for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL shook the arena with his physicality on the ice. He is a reliable defender who will often make the safer choice with the puck.

13. Carolina Hurricanes – Seth Jarvis (C/RW)

Seth Jarvis’s story is similar to Quinn’s. The 5’10” forward for the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL had 39 points in 61 games in his rookie year. The following year he exploded in production. In 58 games he tallied 42 goals and 56 helpers for a total of 98 points. He plays the game fast and forces defenses to do the same.

14. Edmonton Oilers – Yaroslav Askarov (G)

Yaroslav Askarov might be the most interesting player in the draft. He is by far the best goaltender but teams often like to shy away from netminders in the first round. With Askarov, the Edmonton Oilers get their goalie of the future. He’s likely two years away from being ready to play in the NHL, but when he does, his potential is high. Askarov had a goals-against-average of 2.45
and a save percentage of .920 with SKA-Neva St. Petersburg in the VHL this season.

15. Toronto Maple Leafs – Dawson Mercer (RW)

While the Leafs would love to find a defenseman in this draft, it would be hard for them to pass up on the talent of Dawson Mercer. He would be the perfect fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs. While Mercer will need seasoning before making the jump to the NHL, he has proved that he can score. Mercer had 24 goals this past season in the QMJHL playing for both the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Chicoutimi Saguenéens. He also added 36 assists.

More importantly, the 6’0″ winger showed that he is an even better playmaker than goal-scorer. Mercer makes smart and timely passes. The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t rely on him to lead the rush, instead he should fit in more as a complementary piece to one of the team’s already established stars. After a couple of seasons improving his game, Mercer has the potential to play anywhere on the Leafs top three lines.

16.  Montreal Canadiens – Rodion Amirov (LW)

The Montreal Canadiens might roll the dice and pick Rodion Amirov. He’s a 6’0″ winger from Salavat Russia with a high ceiling. Unfortunately, as previously noted on this site, scouts may be worried about how his game in junior translates to the pros.

17. Chicago Blackhawks – Hendrix Lapierre (C)

Hendrix Lapierre is a 6’0″ center who played for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in the QMJHL. He has been a tough player to evaluate thanks to him missing time to injury. He actually had three concussions in 10 months. For the Blackhawks, Lapierre adds a skilled playmaker with good vision.

18. New Jersey Devils – Connor Zary (C)

Connor Zary is a point-producing 6’0″ center who played for the Kamloops Blazers in the WHL. His potential is spectacular. Zary is a smooth skater who can shoot and pass exceptionally well. This season for the Blazers, he accumulated 38 goals and 48 assists for a total of 86 points in 57 games.

19. Calgary Flames – Dylan Holloway (C/LW)

Dylan Holloway is the son of former NHLer Bruce Holloway. You’re excused for not knowing who that is. He played a total of two games in the league in 1985. Dylan is a two-way player with a dangerous clapper and will almost certainly surpass his father’s career totals in the NHL.

20. New Jersey Devils – Mavrik Bourque (C)

Mavrik Bourque was a highly trusted player in coach Ron Choules’s Shawinigan Cataractes lineup. He saw a lot of powerplay time which made sense because he always showed great poise with the puck to help his squad put points on the board. Bourque was better than a point-per-game player. He recorded 29 goals and 42 assists for a total of 71 points in 49 games.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets – Noel Gunler (RW)

Noel Gunler is a risky pick for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He features a quick release and has the potential to be an elite goal scorer in the NHL. His downside is that when he’s not performing well, he’s more of a liability to his team. In fact, Gunler may be the most inconsistent player in this first round.

22. New York Rangers – Kaiden Guhle (D)

Kaiden Guhle is sure to become an NHL regular. His shutdown skills are undeniable and he shows maturity simply in his angles and routes to puck handlers. With excellent speed and a 6’3″ frame, the Rangers should be ecstatic to draft Guhle this deep into the first round.

23. Philadelphia Flyers – Brendan Brisson (C)

Brendan  Brisson is a 6’0″ center from Manhattan Beach California. He uses his speed to make quick cuts, win races to the puck, and blow by defenders. Brisson’s hockey journey took him to the same elite prep school that Sidney Crosby attended in Faribault, Minnesota. From there he played in the USHL. Brisson has committed to beginning his college career at the University of Michigan. This means he won’t be joining the Philadelphia Flyers anytime soon.

24. Colorado Avalanche – John-Jason Peterka (LW/RW)

John-Jason Peterka is a 5’11” winger from Germany. He already has professional experience playing for EHC München on the big ice of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. He has experience on either wing but as a left shot, he looks more comfortable on the left side. Peterka is a high octane player who doesn’t need the puck to be impactful.

25. Washington Capitals – Helge Grans (D)

Helge Grans, the 6’3″ defenseman from the Malmö Redhawks in the SHL comes from a hockey family. His father and two brothers all played professionally in Sweden. That might be why it appears as though he understands the sport better than most while he’s on the ice. With a couple of years of seasoning in the Swedish Elite League, he could join the Washington Capitals and quarterback their powerplay.

26. St. Louis Blues – William Wallinder (D)

William Wallinder takes advantage of his 6’4″ frame by protecting the puck and taking big strides down the ice. He has the ability to go end-to-end. Wallinder’s game is still under construction and is overly susceptible to egregious errors.

27. Anaheim Ducks – Jeremie Poirier (D)

Toronto Maple Leafs fans could see comparisons in Jeremie Poirier’s game to Jake Gardiner. He is a multi-talented defenseman that can carry the puck for breakouts. Poirier’s problem is that his mistakes are glaring. Scouts have been split on exactly what to expect from Poirier. He is likely in very different positions on different teams’ draft boards.

28. Ottawa Senators – Tyson Foerster (C) 

Tyson Foerster is off the to the Senators thanks mostly to his cannon of a shot. His development has been undeniable. The 6’1″ center went from recording 23 points in 64 games in his rookie year with the Barrie Colts to posting 80 points this season. That production came from 36 goals and 44 assists in 62 games.

29. Dallas Stars – Jake Neighbours (LW)

Being a playmaker has always been a part of Jake Neighbours’ game. The 5’11” winger has a knack for setting up his teammates. Playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL, Neighbours dressed for 64 games. He potted 23 goals and had 47 assists for a total of 70 points. He also accumulated 39 penalty minutes.

30.  Vegas Golden Knights – Jan Mysak (RW)

Jan Mysak split his time between HC Litvinov in the Czech league and the Hamilton Bulldogs in the
OHL. The transition was smooth, which should give the Vegas Golden Knights hope that his next move should go equally well. Mysak, who has some slick moves with the puck, will either go back to the Czech Republic next year or continue to play with the Bulldogs.

31. San Jose Sharks – Jacob Perreault (RW)

Jacob Perreault is the son of former Maple Leafs center Yanic Perreault and their games have some similarities including that they’re both 5’11”. Jacob seems to have a knack for sneaking through small holes in opposing defenses. He is a goal-scorer with a killer shot. Perreault could be the steal of the first round as he’d certainly have a higher draft slot if not for being stuck on a lousy team in Sarnia. Even with that group, Perreault still managed to collect 70 points in 57 games. He had 39 goals and 31 assists.

Kyle Cushman’s Mock Draft

Cushman sees the 2020 Entry Draft playing out very differently than what you just read. Most notably, he is anticipating the Toronto Maple Leafs do something unexpected.

Now that Kyle Dubas and the Toronto Maple Leafs managed to get a ticket into the first round, Cushman expects that they will use it to re-stock the coffers. The perfect dance partner for Toronto is the Devils. They already have three first-round picks, which allows them to make a move.

In Cushman’s mock draft, Tom Fitzgerald, the Devils general manager, uses his third pick in the opening round and his high pick in the second to get the Toronto Maple Leafs number 15 spot. This would put Dubas on the clock for the 20th and 38th overall selections. Those changes are noted by an asterisk in the draft below.

1. New York Rangers – Alexis Lafreniere (LW)

2. Los Angeles Kings – Quinton Byfield (C)

3. Ottawa Senators – Tim Stutzle (C/LW)

4. Detroit Red Wings – Cole Perfetti (C/LW)

5. Ottawa Senators – Jamie Drysdale (D)

6. Anaheim Ducks – Lucas Raymond (LW/RW)

7. New Jersey Devils – Jake Sanderson (D)

8. Buffalo Sabres – Marco Rossi (C)

9. Minnesota Wild – Yaroslav Askarov (G)

10. Winnipeg Jets – Anton Lundell (C)

11. Nashville Predators – Alexander Holtz (RW)

12. Florida Panthers – Jack Quinn (RW)

13. Carolina Hurricanes – Seth Jarvis (C/RW)

14. Edmonton Oilers – Braden Schneider (D)

15. New Jersey Devils – Rodion Amirov (LW)*

16.  Montreal Canadiens – Mavrik Bourque (C)

17. Chicago Blackhawks – Dylan Holloway (C/LW)

18. New Jersey Devils – Dawson Mercer (RW)

19. Calgary Flames – Connor Zary (C)

20. Toronto Maple Leafs – Helge Grans (D)*

21. Columbus Blue Jackets – Kaiden Guhle (D)

22. New York Rangers – Noel Gunler (RW)

23. Philadelphia Flyers – Tyson Foerster (C)

24. Colorado Avalanche – Thomas Bordeleau (C)

The only player in Cushman’s mock draft that doesn’t appear on Borsuk’s list is Thomas Bordeleau. He is a 5’9″ center but there is a good chance that the Avalanche transition Bordeleau to the wing. He shoots left, so if this is the direction the organization chooses to go, Bordeleau may play more minutes as a left-winger.

Bordeleau has good vision on the ice, which meshes well with his sharp passing. He is able to put his skills to use a playmaker who can also fill the net. The biggest downside to Bordeleau’s game at this time is his size. If he were taller, he’d be a more desirable pick for NHL clubs.

25. Washington Capitals – Jan Mysak (RW)

26. St. Louis Blues – John-Jason Peterka (LW/RW)

27. Anaheim Ducks – William Wallinder (D)

28. Ottawa Senators – Hendrix Lapierre (C)

29. Dallas Stars – Brendan Brisson (C)

30. Vegas Golden Knights – Jeremie Poirier (D)

31. San Jose Sharks – Jacob Perreault (RW)

In this draft model, there are many potential high-quality prospects available for the Leafs to select with two picks in the second round. They would hold both the 38th and 44th overall picks.

The NHL Entry Draft is scheduled to take place on October 9th and 10th. It means that there isn’t a long wait to find out exactly how everything will unfold for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the rest of the NHL.