All About Alexis
2020-02-05Molson Canadien Lager Proudly Presents:
The Waite Scouting Service Mock 1.0:
1st Overall)Alexis Lafreniere, LW, Rimouski (QMJHL)
The next star from Rimouski is a slam-dunk to go number one overall. The Canadiens are still in the earlier stages of a much needed rebuild, and an addition of the World Juniors MVP is something that would jump that rebuild up a few seasons.
2nd Overall)Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury (OHL)
The currently GM less Ducks have suffered through a miserable past couple seasons. After holding the number one overall pick last year, Anaheim swung a last second deal and moved it for Dylan Larkin and Vasili Podkolzin. Another terrible season has the Ducks on the verge of selecting another franchise center. Unlike his predecessors, let’s hope GM (Insert Name) can resist the siren calls from Europe.
3rd Overall)Tim Stutzle, LW, Adler Mannheim (DEL)
Stutzle has been fantastic in his first season in the DEL. Close to a point per game player as a 17-year-old playing against men. Which is always something that raises eyebrows. Boston is pretty well stacked with U24’s on the left side, but according to Corey Pronman of The Athletic, “NHL scouts I’ve talked to think that he’s an NHL center due to his speed, skill and ability to play off the puck.”
4th Overall)via Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie (OHL)
Drysdale fills the hole of a future number one. The Jets have an already aging defense, and Drysdale is a skilled offensive defenseman with exceptional skating. The thought of going after Lucas Raymond or Alexander Holtz did cross my mind with this pick though.
How the pick was acquired:
Winnipeg acquired Patrick Marleau, Ryan Hartman, Brett Howden, Calen Addison, Scott Perunovich, and Colorado 2020 1st Round Selection from Colorado for Blake Wheeler, and 2020 Winnipeg 2nd Round Selection
5th Overall)Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa (OHL)
I did like Drysdale for the Blues, but with him off the board, Rossi is the selection. Rossi is currently crushing the competition in the OHL for 19-20 with 88 points in 40 games. Great skill, with exceptional puck handling skills. As with the last pick, “The thought of going after Lucas Raymond or Alexander Holtz did cross my mind with this pick though.”
6th Overall)Lucas Raymond, RW/LW, Frolunda HC (SHL)
While Raymond is not the biggest player, that myth finally seems to be wearing off. Raymond has been talked about as one of the top end players for the 2020 draft for a few years. Great skill, and an equally great hockey IQ, jumps right into the Devils rebuild.
7th Overall)Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgardens IF (SHL)
Rebuild is on in Ottawa. Five 1st Round Picks in the next two seasons has a selection of best player available. Holtz is that man. Elite shot, scoring touch, and fantastic puck skill. This will be the first draft for new GM Ed Arsenault, so not much is known on how things will go.
8th Overall)Yaroslav Askarov, G, SKA-Neva St. Petersburg (VHL)
It should happen, but will it? The biggest need for the Wild, and the most highly touted goalie prospect since Carey Price still on the board. Will Haralds venture outside of the Scandinavian bubble for a Russian? If Holtz or Raymond are still around or even the possibility of Anton Lundell, the goaltending void will continue in Minnesota.
9th Overall)Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw (OHL)
I really liked the thought of Askarov going to the Islanders, but with the Russian off the board, the small highly skilled center goes to the Islanders. Perfetti has been a point producing machine since he entered the OHL last season. The trend has continued into this season where Perfetti is close to a two point a night player.
10th Overall)Anton Lundell, C/LW, HIFK (Liiga)
Roberto has built an impressive core that could stay together for the next five to ten years. I really wanted to select a defenseman here, but with so many highly rated forwards still on the board, a reach for a defenseman here isn’t in the cards. While some scouts may feel Lundell is average in a few fields, his ability to score anywhere he has played is something to think about.
11th Overall)Connor Zary, C, Kamloops (WHL)
So far, this season has been a disappointment for the defending EHE Champions. On the bright side though, the Atlantic seems to be becoming the Pacific division of years past. The Red Wings still hold one of the most impressive U24 rosters, and with not too many holes to fill there, best player available is the way to go. Zary has been one of the main factors in why Kamloops is working on a fantastic season. A two-way center who has put together a fantastic season so far, already close to surpassing his point total from last year in 20 less games.
12th Overall)Dawson Mercer, C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
The positive from having miserable seasons of the past is, it has given the Flames several franchise players. Along with Alexis Lafreniere, Mercer the skilled two-way forward, was the only other underage forward on Team Canadas U20 team.
13th Overall)via Jeremie Poirier, D, Saint John (QMJHL)
Poirier is a skilled offensive defenseman who is putting together a fantastic season on the blue line for the Sea Dogs. Several quality forwards are still left on the board at the moment, but with two first round picks this year I went with best rated defenseman, especially with Arizona up next.
How the pick was acquired:
(I) NY Rangers acquired Denis Malgin, Jacob Larsson, Filip Kral, Gilles Senn, Michael Brodzinski, San Jose 2020 1st Round Selection, NYR 2019 3rd Round Selection, Arizona 2019 4th Round Selection, and Florida 2019 5th Round Selection from San Jose for Brady Skjei, Calle Dahlstrom, and Roland McKeown
(II) Florida acquired Tyler Seguin, Chicago 2019 1st Round Selection, San Jose 2020 1st Round Selection, and Columbus 2020 2nd Round Selection from the NY Rangers for Frans Nielsen, Noah Hanifin, Evan Bouchard, Vladimir Sobotka, Dallas 2019 1st Round Selection, Florida 2019 1st Round Selection, Florida 2019 2nd Round Selection, and Florida 2019 3rd Round Selection
14th Overall)Braden Schneider, D, Brandon (WHL)
Arizona has not taken a defenseman in the first round since 2016 (Dante Fabbro), and is thin on the backend. A mobile two-way player who is known more for his defensive game is the way to go.
15th Overall)Dylan Holloway, C, Univ. of Wisconsin (NCAA)
While Holloway has not put up the numbers yet in his first NCAA season with Wisconsin the potential is still there. A strong skater that has the offensive tools, it will be interesting to see if he can become the player in the NCAA that he was in the AJHL.
16th Overall)Hendrix Lapierre, C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
Lapierre has a fantastic skill set, but three concussions in a 10 month span is worrisome. A player that can either increase his stock if he can stay healthy, or a player that could fall depending on what GM’s think of his injury history.
17th Overall)Noel Gunler, RW/LW, Lulea HF (SHL)
Los Angeles has a solid foundation on defense, so an addition to the forward grouping is why Gunler goes off the board here. Entering his second season in the SHL, Gunler has an elite shot, and scoring instinct for an 18-year-old.
18th Overall)via Rodion Amirov, LW, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)
As with every Rangers first round pick mock selection, look for this to be moved by the time of the draft. However, since they currently hold this selection, an offensively gifted winger from Russia would be my pick.
How the pick was acquired:
(I) New Jersey acquired Alex Barre-Boulet, Eric Comrie, Jeremy Davies, Chicago 2020 1st Round Selection, and $2M from Chicago for Cory Schneider
(II) NY Rangers acquired Sean Durzi, Colton Point, Chicago 2020 1st Round Selection, Vancouver 2020 2nd Round Slection, Vancouver 2020 3rd Round Selection, and Tampa Bay 2020 5th Round Selection from New Jersey for Alexander Georgiev, Ilya Mikheyev, and Miles Wood
19th Overall)via Jake Sanderson, D, USNTDP (USHL)
Sanderson has an overall impressive game. Not many weaknesses’ or holes to be found. The son of former NHLer Geoff Sanderson is slated to attend the University of North Dakota next fall. Yes, the son of Sabres legend, ole #80, Geoff Sanderson. If he falls to Vegas.....book it.
How the pick was acquired:
(I) Anaheim acquired Jake Gardiner, Jimmy Vesey, Troy Terry, Bode Wilde, and NY Rangers 2020 1st Round Selection from the NY Rangers for Seth Jones
20th Overall)Jacob Perreault, C, Sarnia (OHL)
The current leader in the “Future Watch” standings, the Flyers continue to stockpile young talented forwards. Perrault put up 30 goals in his first OHL season as a 16-year-old, and is continuing to do the same this year, with 28 goals in 44 games as a 17 year old.
21st Overall)Jack Quinn, RW, Ottawa (OHL)
The current leader in goals in the OHL has been showing off his scoring touch this year. Quinn may just miss out on a 50 for 50 season, but he should be close to 60 when the season comes to an end.
22nd Overall)Jan Mysak, LW, Hamilton (OHL)
Winnipeg was able to grab a falling Cole Caufield last year at the draft. Mysak is another winger who is known as a scoring machine. The Jets were able to grab a player at a position they needed at fourth overall, so stacking up on scoring wingers could not be out of the realm of possibility with their bonus first round pick.
23rd Overall)Mavrik Bourque, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
Bourque has shown a gritty side to his game this year in the Q while still putting up good numbers. Not a great skater, but a player that is still able to get it done when it matters. However, **BREAKING NEWS**, a new GM has just taken over the Caps while in the middle of typing this article. Not sure I see a former WHL player taking a soft little boy from the Q now....
24th Overall)Justin Barron, D, Halifax (QMJHL)
The Canucks are stacked down the middle with talent young centers. Adding a skilled winger to this mix or adding a defenseman would be my suggestion. Barron is a good-sized defenseman who can do it all. Blood-clot issues have seen him miss time this season, but even still I do not see that dropping him out of the first round.
25th Overall)Kaiden Guhle, D, Prince Albert (WHL)
The Oilers desperately need defensive prospects. With currently only two players under 24 on the blue line in the organization, Guhle gives a needed boost. Good size, mobile, and physical. A player I could see moving up the draft chart as the season continues.
26th Overall)Thomas Bordeleau, C, USNTDP (USHL)
Not too sure about this pick. Nashville has never been known for drafting from the USNTDP, but Bordeleau would give the Predators a crafty yet small forward will playmaking skill.
27th Overall)William Wallinder, D, MODO (Allsvenskan)
Another surprise pick for a team not used to drafting many Swedes. Wallinder’s size and mobile ability may be too much for Tampa Bay to pass up on.
28th Overall)via Seth Jarvis, RW, Portland (WHL)
The rebuild in Ottawa continues with their second first round pick of the draft. How many teams have been looking for a right winger in the trade forum over the past few years? That is why the Senators take a second right winger here. The little ball of energy has been lighting the WHL on fire this year and is a big reason on why Portland is doing so well.
How the pick was acquired:
(I) Ottawa acquired Kirill Kaprizov, Logan Brown, Ryan Murray, Jared McCann, Nikita Okhotyuk, Columbus 2020 1st Round Selection, and Columbus 2021 1st Round Selection from Ottawa for Evgeni Malkin, Mike Hoffman, and Keith Yandle
29th Overall)Lukas Comier, D, Charlottetown (QMJHL)
A player the Knights desperately need. A skilled offensive defenseman with beautiful skating ability. Another quality smokescreen for all the rubes.
30th Overall)Ty Smilanic, C, USNTDP (USHL)
I for one would be surprised to see Smilanic still around at this point. Just something about him that I like. A speedy forward, who has not really wow’d in the USNTDP but has played solid overall. Kyle Dubas' voice has just cracked at the thought of the NHL Leafs being in this spot.
31st Overall)via John-Jason Peterka, LW, EHC Munchen (DEL)
This pick is a recent acquisition for the Blue Jackets. Will they keep it, or will they move it for the playoff push? After a massive deal with Ottawa this off-season that saw them give up several quality prospects, Peterka would give them Jackets a player with pure speed and skill.
How the pick was acquired:
(I) Columbus acquired Charlie Coyle, and Dallas 2020 1st Round Selection from Tampa Bay for Anthony Mantha, and $2M
Standings Explained:
Game Number: 53
Based on Winning Percentage number
1. MONTREAL .295
2. ANAHEIM .400
3. BOSTON .413
4. COLORADO .420
5. ST. LOUIS .423
6. NEW JERSEY .432
7. OTTAWA .440
8. MINNESOTA .442
9. NY ISLANDERS .500 8 W
10. BUFFALO .500 10 W
11. DETROIT 12 W
12. CALGARY .519 11 ROW
13. SAN JOSE .519 12 ROW
14. ARIZONA .540
15. PITTSBURGH .563
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16. FLORIDA .542
17. LOS ANGELES .558
18. CHICAGO .560
19. NY RANGERS .565
20. PHILADELPHIA .580
21. CAROLINA .583 11 ROW
22. WINNIPEG .583 12 ROW
23. WASHINGTON .604
24. VANCOUVER .635
25. EDMONTON .635
26. NASHVILLE .646
27. TAMPA BAY .714
28. COLUMBUS .667 (METRO CHAMPS)
29. VEGAS .712 (PACIFIC CHAMPS)
30. TORONTO .750 (LEMIEUX CHAMPS)
31. DALLAS . 820 (GRETZKY CHAMPS)