2020 NHL Draft Results

Round 3

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: October 7, 2020.

62. Detroit Red Wings: Donovan Sebrango, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL) A Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 179 lb Donovan Sebrango has a great work ethic. His work ethic alone may get him on a top line in the NHL one day. He is someone that Boston can develop for the future. Donovan Sebrango improved on his rookie season with 6 goals, 24 assists, 30 points and 0 +/- ratio in 2019-2020 after having a -20 +/- ratio as a rookie.
    
    
    
    Donovan Sebrango did enough on tape to assert himself as the number one defenseman that anchors the first line on the Kitchener Rangers. The downside with Sebrango is that he started a fight in the 2020 CHL Prospects Game and that fight made teams question his character despite his strong work ethic. Sebrango reminds me of former Nashville Predators defenseman Seth Jarvis so Detroit takes a flyer on Sebrango here believing with good coaching they can clean up his character concerns molding him into a more disciplined player.
    
    
    
63. Toronto Maple Leafs: Topi Niemala, D, Oulun Karpat (SM Liiga) B Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 163 lb Topi Niemela is one of the best two-way defenders in this draft that can play both offense and defense effectively. He could end up going anywhere between the late first round and the early part of the third round meaning he's a guy with second round value. Niemala had 1 goal, 6 assists, 7 points, and a +4 +/- ratio in 41 games with Oulun Karpat in Liiga. Niemala is a second line defender that anchors the blue line on Oulun Karpat. He has no experience on the power play or as a penalty killer yet which is why I have a late second round grade on him. His NHL comparison is Matt Niskanen, so he's solid, but will never be spectacular which is why Toronto got a B grade.
    
    
    
    
    
64. Minnesota Wild: Daemon Hunt, D, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Daemon Hunt, the 2017 first round pick for the Moose Jaw Warriors is someone that Minnesota can groom for the future. He was a first line defenseman on the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2019-2020 despite injuries. The Minnesota Wild get another great defenseman prospect along with incredible value.
    
    
    
65. Los Angeles Kings: Kasper Simontaival, LW, Tappara (SM Liiga) B Grade
    
    
    Los Angeles gets the 5-9 172 Kasper Simontaival here. He's a forward that can play left wing, center, or right wing with his versatility. He's the best prospect to come out of Tappara since Patrik Laine and while he's not a top 5 pick like Laine was, he does have an outside chance of going in the late first round. He's probably a day 2 pick now after rewatching his film, as I found out he got limited minutes in a third line right winger role.
    
    
    
    He gives Los Angeles another forward for depth. He can easily develop into a third line winger that Los Angeles will need at some point down the road making him a great pick for Los Angeles here.
    
    
    
    
    
66. Anaheim Ducks: Ian Moore, D, St. Mark's HS (MA) D Grade
    
    
    The 6-3 165 lb Ian Moore is my favorite HS prospect in this years NHL Draft. His 12 goals, 34 assists, and 46 points in 28 High School games is just impressive. He's a huge reach at this point. That's why Anaheim got a D grade since I had him going to Tampa Bay to end the fourth round.
    
    
    
67. Vegas Golden Knights: Lukas Cormier, D, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-10 179 lb Lukas Cormier had 36 points in 2018-2019. He matched that total in 2019-2020 while posting 6 goals, 30 assists, and 36 points while playing on the first line of the Charlottetown Islanders.
    
    
    
    At this time, a year ago, I said Cormier would be a mid round pick, but Future Considerations has Charlottetown's best prospect in their top twenty. He has the passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, vision, and hockey IQ that you want a player to have. Lukas Cormier is sound offensively, but he needs to improve defensively while showcasing more speed on film. His best role is as a quarterback on the power play, and that's something Vegas needs.
    
    
    
    
    
68. Carolina Hurricanes: Alexander Nikishin, D, Spartak Moscow (KHL) C Grade
    
    
    The 6-3 196 lb Alexander Nikishin had 3 assists in 29 KHL games. Alexander Nikishin could go anywhere between the third and fifth round of the 2020 NHL Draft. I currently have a fourth round grade on Nikishin as he's a solid offensive defender. His KHL contract runs through 2023 and he's only 18-years-old so an NHL team can let him develop in Russia for a few years before he signs his rookie deal.
    
    
    
69. Detroit Red Wings: Eemil Vero, D, TPS (SM Liiga) A- Grade
    
    
    Detroit gets another winger for depth here. The 6-0 168 lb Eemil Vero is a two-way defender and the top defender on TPS in this draft. Vero anchors the second line on TPS and that's his ceiling for a player since he's someone who can anchor a second line, but will never quite have the skill set to play on a top blue line. He's a consistent second line defender and he's skilled enough to be picked here by a team that's desperate for defense.
    
    
    
    
    
70. Ottawa Senators: Leevi Merilainen, G, Oulun Karpat (SM Liiga) F Grade
    
    
    Ottawa reached for a backup goalie that I did not have getting drafted. The Senators get an F grade here.
    
    
    
71. Calgary Flames: Jeremie Poirier, D, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) C Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 192 lb Jeremie Poirier is a great offensive defenseman. He's improved as a two-way defenseman in 2019-2020 after having a -41 +/- ratio as a rookie in 2018-2019. Jeremie Poirier had 20 goals, 32 assists, 52 points, and a -25 +/- ratio in 2019-2020.
    
    
    
    Jeremie Poirier scored in the 2020 CHL Prospects game, but also was on a line that gave up a goal. Ottawa only has one decent defender on their entire three lines. Jeremie Poirier takes plays off and some believe he's a selfish teamate. He's the worst defender on his own team, but was once considered a first round pick. Poirier fell to Calgary in the third round, so Calgary takes him as a project hoping to get lucky since they need bodies on the second and third line of their blue line.
    
    
    
    
    
72. Nashville Predators: Luke Prokop, D, Calgary Hitmen (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    I had Luke Prokop to Nashville at this exact pick in my mock. Great job here.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 218 lb Luke Prokop is one of the best defensive defenders in this draft. He had his best season with 4 goals, 19 assists, 23 points, and a +4 +/- ratio in 2019-2020.
    
    
    
73. Florida Panthers: Ty Smilanic, RW, USNTDP (USHL) A Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 170 lb Ty Smilanic can play left wing, center, or right wing with his versatility. He has a first round grade, but is going to enroll in Quinnipac in 2020 so he will not see the NHL right away, which is why Florida should go for value over need by developing Smilanic for the future. Smilanic had 7 goals, 15 assists, and 22 points on teh UNTDP Under-18 Team. He had 3 goals, 6 assists, 9 points, and a +4 +/- ratio as a line 1 right winger on the USNTDP in the USHL. He played on the same line as Luke Tuch. There's a good reason NHL Central Scouting gave Smilanic an A grade just like Tuch.
    
    
    
    
    
74. Colorado Avalanche: Jean-Luc Foudy, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL) B- Grade
    
    
    The Colorado Avalanche get the Windsor Spitfires best prospect Jean-Luc Foudy here. The 5-11 168 Jean-Luc Foudy comes from a proud family of athletes. His father Sean Foudy is a former CFL player. His mother France Gareau is a former Olympic Sprinter. His older brother Liam Foudy was the Columbus Blue Jackets 2018 first round pick and is now the team captain of the London Knights. Liam Foudy's younger brother was drafted tenth overall in the 2018 OHL Priority selection by the Windsor Spitfires.
    
    
    
    Jean-Luc Foudy had 8 goals, 41 assists, 49 points, and a -19 +/- ratio in 2018-2019. Jean-Luc Foudy had 15 goals, 28 assists, 43 points, and a -7 +/- ratio in 2019-2020. Jean-Luc Foudy is skilled, not quite as talented as his older brother, but still a good prospect.
    
    
    
    He's a third line center on the Windsor Spitfires. NHL Central Scouting gave Jean-Luc Foudy an A grade. So taking these factors into consideration you are looking at a project who has the floor of a third line center in the AHL and ceiling of a first line center in the NHL. As far as projecting Liam Foudy's younger brother goes, worst case scenario, you get a first line center in the AHL. Best case scenario, you get a good third line center in the NHL down the road.
    
    
    
75. San Jose Sharks: Daniil Gushchin, RW, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) A Grade
    
    
    San Jose gets a prospect with a second round grade that was the best player on the board early in the third round. The 5-8 161 lb Daniil Gushchin is a second round talent, and arguably the top USHL prospect outside of the four guys to play for USNTDP in the USHL.
    
    
    
    Daniil Gushchin had 16 goals, 20 assists, and 36 points in 51 games as a rookie in 2018-2019. Daniil Gushchin had 22 goals, 25 assists, 47 points, and a +21 +/- ratio in 2019-2020. Guschin was a line 2 winger on the Muskegon Lumberjacks. He lined up at both wing spots.
    
    
    
    
    
76. Pittsburgh Penguins: Calle Clang, G, Rogle BK (Elitserien) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 176 lb Calle Clang is the most consistent goalie in the 2020 NHL Draft not named Yaroslav Askarov. This 2020 NHL Entry Draft, has ten goalies with the upside to be starting goalies in the NHL. It's the deepest goalie draft that I've ever scouted and after Askarov, Clang is my top goalie.
    
    
    
    That goalie is Rogle BK's, Calle Clang. Calle Clang had a 2.83 GAA with .907 save percentage in 24 starts in 2018-2019. Clang had a 2.64 GAA with a .913 save percentage in 34 starts in 2019-2020 improving on what he did with Rogle BK's SuperElit Under 20 Team. Clang is projected to go in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft so if you cannot get Askarov take this guy in the late first, second, or third round and really draft for value. Pittsburgh got two good goalies in this draft to start the 2020 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
77. Columbus Blue Jackets: Samuel Knazko, D, TPS (SM Liiga) A- Grade
    
    
    Samuel Knazko has upside to be a line 1 defender, but he has played on junior teams in TPS. He has not faced real competition in TPS yet so he will be a huge project despite his incredible upside.
    
    
    
    I actually had Knazko in the first round of my very first mock draft back in September of 2019 before Vero surpased Knazko as the top draft prospect on TPS. The Blue Jackets take a flyer on Samuel Knazko and hope its not a disaster.
    
    
    
    
    
78. Chicago Blackhawks: Landon Slaggert, LW, USNTDP (USHL) C Grade
    
    
    The 5-11 177 lb Landon Slaggert was the line 2 left winger on the USNTDP. He has a fourth round grade so the Blackhawks go for value rather than need this late in the draft. Landon Slaggert had 13 goals, 11 assists, and 24 points in 47 games with the USNTDP Under-18 Team. He only had 6 goals, 4 assists, and 10 points in the USHL. He's versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing and could develop into a top six forward down the road.
    
    
    
79. Calgary Flames: Jake Boltmann, D, Edina HS (MN) C Grade
    
    
    Jake Boltmann was the team captain for Edina High School. He also played on the Lincoln Stars in the USHL. He has a scholarship to the University Of Minnesota.
    
    
    
    
    
80. Chicago Blackhawks: Wyatt Kaiser, D, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    This was another pick that I correctly mocked. That's now five picks I correctly predicted so far.
    
    
    
    Wyatt Kaiser is the team captain of Andover HS. He also got some experience with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL. He's been ranked in the top fifty on some draft boards so to get Kaiser here is fantastic value.
    
    
    
81. Vancouver Canucks: Joni Jurmo, D, Jokerit (KHL) A Grade
    
    
    The 6-4 198 lb Joni Jurmo had 5 goal, 23 assists, 28 points, and a +13 +/- ratio. He will play for JYP in Liiga's Hockey League for Finnish skaters. Jurmo was born in Finland despite playing for Jokerit's U20 Team. Jokerit was a former Liiga team that converted to the KHL. Joni Jurmo is expected to be a third round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. Jurmo may be the best skating defenseman in the entire 2020 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
82. Los Angeles Kings: Alex Laferriere, RW, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) B- Grade
    
    
    Alex Laferriere is a 5-10 161 lb right winger that displays the skating, agility, speed, playmaking, and stick handling of a future NHL right winger. Alex Laferriere has 9 goals, 17 assists, 28 points, and a -1 +/- in 20 games. Des Moines Buccaneers best prospect could go as early as the second round, but could also go undrafted due to how raw and unpolished he is defensively. Most scouting services have the Harvard committment going in the third round.
    
    
    
    Alex Laferriere can clean up his defensive woes while getting good grades at Harvard. Once he cleans that part of his game up, Los Angeles can sign him from Harvard and find a role for this Ivy League right winger on their back 6.
    
    
    
83. New Jersey Devils: Nico Daws, G, Guelph Storm (OHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-4 203 lb Nico Daws finally broke out in 2019-2020 with a 2.48 goals against average and a .924 save percentage in 38 OHL games. The New Jersey Devils get my third best goalie in this draft behind Yaroslav Askarov and Calle Clang in the third round. Durability is the only question with Daws because an injury kept him out of the 2020 CHL Prospects game and even the announcers said that Daws would have been the top goalie in that game had he played which says a lot. Daws is now my third best goalie in the 2020 NHL Draft after watching his tape and hearing him speak highly of his family.
    
    
    
    
    
84. Tampa Bay Lightning: Maxim Groshev, RW, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL) A Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 187 lb Maxim Groshev can play left wing or right wing with his versatility. Maxim Groshev is a projected third round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. Tampa Bay loves to draft players from Russia so this is an ideal pick for the Lightning here.
    
    
    
85. St. Louis Bluess: Dylan Peterson, RW, USNTDP (USHL) A Grade
    
    
    St. Louis gets Dylan Peterson. The 6-4 192 lb forward is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing. He projects as a center in the NHL due to his size. He played as a second line right winger on the USNTDP Under-18 Team where he had 8 goals, 17 assists, and 25 points. He had 4 goals, 7 assists, and 11 points in the USHL on a second line. St. Louis can develop him over time at Boston University.
    
    
    
    
    
86. Florida Panthers: Justin Sourdif, C, Vancouver Giants (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Florida could honestly make Justin Sourdif their third line center behind Aleksander Barkov and Anton Lundell at some point. The 5-11 165 lb Justin Sourdif is the best player on the board at this point providing a huge bargain for the Florida Panthers in the late first round as he's already the second line center on the Vancouver Giants.
    
    
    
    Justin Sourdif was the third overall pick in the 2017 WHL Draft for a reason. Jusitn Sourdif had 23 goals, 23 assists, 46 points, and a +27 +/- ratio in 2018-2019. Sourdif had 26 goals, 28 assists, 54 points, and a +30 +/- ratio in 2019-2020. He's got two years of experience on the second line in Vancouver, and now you just keep developing him until he takes over the thir line center role in the NHL.
    
    
    
    
    
87. St. Louis Blues: Leo Loof, D, Farjestads BK (Elitserien) A Grade
    
    
    Leo Loof is a 6-2 179 lb defenseman. He had 2 goals, 13 assists, 15 points, and a -7 +/- ratio this season in the Elitserien after posting a +8 +/- ratio and only 2 points as a rookie last year. Leo Loof may be raw right now, but he does possess the upside to be a very good two-way defender in the NHL in 2-5 years if he keeps developing.
    
    
    
88. Boston Bruins: Trevor Kuntar, LW, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) B Grade
    
    
    Boston drafts the 6-0 203 lb Trevor Kuntar. Kuntar is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing with his versatility. Kuntar had 28 goals, 25 assists, and 53 points in 2019-2020. Kuntar struggles defensively and needs to improve his defense.
    
    
    
    
    
89. New York Islanders: Alexander Ljungkrantz, RW, Bryans IF (Elitserien) F Grade
    
    
    New York wasted their first pick in the third round pick on an undrafted prospect. The New York Islanders get an F grade here.
    
    
    
90. Vegas Golden Knights: Jackson Hallum, LW, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) F Grade
    
    
    Vegas got Jackson Hallum at 90. This was the worst draft pick that Vegas Golden Knights made.
    
    
    
    
    
91. New York Rangers: Oliver Tarnstrom, C, AIK IF (Elitserien) A Grade
    
    
    Oliver Tarnstrom is a 6-1 163 lb center. He had 11 goals, 23 assists, 34 points, and a +8 +/- ratio this season in the Elitserien. Oliver Tarnstrom is a playmaker who can make things happen on the Super Elit AIK IF U20 Team. He is a project, but has the upside of an NHL prospect after being second on his team in points and first on his team in assists.
    
    
    
    New York needs a line 1 center. Oliver Tarnstrom is one of the best centers. New York will have Alexis Lafrenierre, Oliver Tarnstrom, and Kappo Kakko on their top line in five years. Braden Schenider should also be up in the NHL by then. Once that happens, New York will have a window of opportunity to win their first Stanley Cup since 1994.
    
    
    
92. Tampa Bay Lightning: Jack Thompson, D, Sudbury Wolves (OHL) C Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 172 lb Jack Thompson doubled his point total from 16 to 32. The bad news is he regressed defensively going from having a +14 +/- ratio as a rookie to having a -9 +/- ratio.