Mock Draft 2020 and the Toronto Maple Leafs Big Decision
The 2020 NHL Draft is a chance for the Toronto Maple Leafs to prepare for their future. We feature two mock drafts to get you prepared for the big event.
The NHL’s 2020 Entry Draft will not be the celebration of youth in the sport at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Instead, it will be all business for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the other 30 teams as they meet virtually in October to conduct the selection process.
After losing what would have been the 13th overall draft choice to the Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto didn’t have any picks in the first round. That was until they made a big trade involving Kasperi Kapanen. Part of the return in that deal was the Pittsburgh Penguins first-round pick. That now gives Kyle Dubas a shot at finding a stud with the 15th overall selection.
In this article, you will get two very different perspectives of what the Maple Leafs and the rest of the league will do with their first-round picks. The first mock draft is from Jeff Borsuk, a former U Sports scout who enjoyed far too many of the free muffins the OHL teams offered their binder carrying visitors.
The second mock draft is from rising star Kyle Cushman. He is one of the hosts of the KMN Show on Spotify.
Jeff Borsuk’s Draft Board
1. New York Rangers – Alexis Lafreniere (LW)
This is the easiest pick to predict. Alexis Lafreniere is the consensus best player in the draft. He is supremely talented with an NHL ready game. He should step right onto the Rangers top six and make an impact as a rookie. He is a game-changing player who holds the distinction of being the only player other than Sidney Crosby to be a two-time CHL Player of the Year.
2. Los Angeles Kings – Quinton Byfield (C)
Like Lafreniere, Quinton Byfield is a player with an NHL ready game. He plays strong on the puck and uses his size to bully his way past defenders. The 6’4″ center plays the game fast and has excellent handles. He also features a lightning-quick release on his wrist shot. This former first overall pick of the Sudbury Wolves in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection will likely be the top center of his NHL team in the future.
3. Ottawa Senators – Tim Stutzle (C/LW)
There isn’t just one skill set that will stand out most to NHL fans who watch Tim Stutzle for the first time. He is multi-talented with fluffy-soft mitts and explosive speed. His lateral quickness is off the charts. The 6’0″ German-born forward is a pass-first player who can create chances on his own thanks to his exciting style of play.
4. Detroit Red Wings – Lucas Raymond (RW/LW)
By drafting Lucas Raymond, there’s a chance for him to quickly become one of the best players in Detroit. Raymond is a strong two-way player who should get plenty of minutes on special teams. He is a creative playmaker with tight dangles. With Frölunda HC J20 in the SuperElit league, Raymond played 9 games and scored 3 goals and 11 assists. With the pro club in the SHL, he dressed for 33 games and scored 4 goals and had 6 helpers.
5. Ottawa Senators – Jamie Drysdale (D)
With the Senators already adding a forward in Stutzle, taking Jamie Drysdale gives them some backend help as well. He has top-pairing potential thanks to his hockey IQ and skating ability. This makes him a nightmare to deal with one-on-one. Drysdale has no fear of being an aggressive defender. He attacks puck handlers directly and forces them to make mistakes.
6. Anaheim Ducks – Alexander Holtz (RW)
Alexander Holtz might possibly be the most natural goal scorer in the draft. Both his wrist and slap shot have eyes. Holtz is sure to add a much-needed scoring punch to the Anaheim Ducks. Drafting in the sixth position, this would be an excellent pick-up.
7. New Jersey Devils – Cole Perfetti (C/LW)
Cole Perfetti has proven that he can be a goal-scoring machine. He notched 37 goals in each of his two seasons with the Saginaw Spirit. It was impressive as a rookie, with him also adding 37 assists. This past season, he worked on improving his teammates production as well and it paid off. Perfetti had 74 assists for a total of 111 points this season. Paired with Nico Hischier, the Devils should have a scary top line.
8. Buffalo Sabres – Marco Rossi (C)
If Perfetti’s point total makes General managers salivate then they’d love Marco Rossi. He finished the season with the Ottawa 67’s as the CHL’s top point-getter. In 56 games he recorded 39 goals and 81 assists for a total of120 points. As much as the Sabres would love to have another elite center playing behind Jack Eichel, Rossi may not be NHL ready. If he doesn’t play in the league, he could very well return to play in the Swiss league next season.
9. Minnesota Wild – Jake Sanderson (D)
Just like Rossi, Jake Sanderson looks like he might play one more year outside the NHL before getting his shot. He has a high ceiling but with the Minnesota Wild already having a formidable blue line, they can afford to be patient with Sanderson’s development. As the top rated defenseman in the U.S. National U-18 Team program, the son of Geoff Sanderson is an offensive defenseman.
10. Winnipeg Jets – Anton Lundell (C)
Anton Lundell is a 6’2″ Finnish center. He is a dependable backchecker with a powerful slapshot. Having already played professionally in Finland for HIFK of the Liiga, Lundell brings a high hockey IQ to the ice along with his calm demeanor.
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.
Here is the game-tying goal scored by @Voltigeurs_DRU forward Dawson Mercer! #CANvsRUS pic.twitter.com/kZl6EP7hxt
— QMJHL (@QMJHL) November 6, 2019
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.
Next. The Multiple Curses on the Maple Leafs. dark
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.