The Utopia Of Sports
Draft Order
2020 NHL Draft Results
Round 6
Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: October 19, 2020.
Detroit Red Wings: Kyle Aucoin, D, Tri-City Storm (USHL) 
A+ Grade
- Kyle Aucoin is the son of former NHL defenseman Adrian Aucoin. Steve Yzerman and Kris Draper clearly did their homework on Adrian Aucoin's kid who is enrolling into Harvard starting in 2021. He interviewed really well in his first press conference with the Detroit Red Wings.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Nick Capone, RW, Connecticut 
F Grade
- The 6-2 216 lb Nick Capone is a big physical forward. He can endure hits without being knocked on his ass. He can pack quite the punch as well. He knows how to play aggressive. My issue with Capone is he was too reckless on the Tri-City Storm in the USHL. Nick Capone having 96 penalty minutes makes him about as vicious as Al Capone on the ice. He has a lot fo fix at Connecticut, and honestly, I think he's a guy who is an AHL player at best. Unlike his teammate Kyle Aucoin, I don't see him making it to the NHL.
Ottawa Senators: Philippe Daoust, C, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) 
B Grade
- Philippe Daoust only had 7 goals, 22 assists, 29 points, and a +12 +/- ratio in his first season with the Moncton Wildcats before getting promoted to alternate captain.
- He's struggled since being promoted to alternate captain. He may be a player with the ceiling of an AHL guy. Ottawa waited until the sixth round to draft a center, so if Ottawa does not get this guy on their NHL roster, their rebuild may continue into 2021 and 2022 before contending in 2023.
- From a value standpoint, this pick gets a C grade. Ottawa needed to draft multiple centers, four to be exact, which is the only reason, I bumped this pick up to a B grade.
Carolina Hurricanes: Lecus Mercuri, C, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) 
A+ Grade
- Lecus Mercuri played for the Des Moines Buccaneers. He spent most of his draft year playing for the Salsbury Crimson Knights leading Salsbury to a championship where they won the New England Prep School Elite 8 Championship game featuring the 8 best teams in New England. Mercuri may not be a consistent goal scorer, but he can get hot in the playoffs, and that's something Carolina needs with all their young talent.
Anaheim Ducks: Albin Sundsvik, C, Skelleftea AIK (Elitserien) 
B+ grade
- The 6-2 187 lb Albin Sundsvik is a guy that most scouts believe has a higher upside than Gabriel Sall. I focused more on Sall than Sundsvik when scouting Skelleftea AIK. Sall went undrafted, and the Ducks were looking at ten different centers in Europe as potential prospects to pick outside of the first round. Albin Sundsvik was one of those ten centers, and he will get as much time to develop as he needs with all the depth the Ducks have at center on their current NHL roster.
New Jersey Devils: Benjamin Baumgartner, C, HC Davos (National League A) 
D- Grade
- New Jersey is loaded at center. I gave this an D- grade though because Switzerland only had one prospect with a draftable grade, and that was Dario Allenspach, a winger on EV Zug. Benjamin Baumgartner was the best player on HC Davos, but he was not a player projected to get drafted.
- The 5-9 165 Benjamin Baumgartner is a 20-year-old center. He is eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft, but currently has an undrafted grade.
Dallas Stars: Evgeni Oxentyuk, RW, Flint Firebirds (OHL) 
A+ Grade
- The 5-8 163 lb Evgeni Oxtenyuk, pronounced Yevgeni Oksentyuk in Russia is the top prospect on the board. He's versatile enough to play right wing or left wing.
- Evgeni Oxtenyuk was drafted fifth overall by the Flint Firebirds in the 2019 CHL Import Draft. Oxtenyuk had a hell of a rookie season with 33 goals, 45 assists, 78 points, and a +13 +/- ratio in 58 games averaging over 1 point a game. He's a second line winger who lined up at both wing spots as stated in the last paragraph.
- Worst case scenario, Dallas gets former Oiler Nail Yakupov. Best case scenario you get another version of current Oiler Kailer Yamamoto who Edmonton took in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft on the Dallas Stars. Evgeni Oxentuyk was certainly a boom or bust pick. Dallas getting a guy I had a third round grade on in the sixth round makes me very happy as a Stars fan.
St. Louis Blues: Will Cranley, G, Ottawa 67's (OHL) 
D Grade
- St. Louis needed to draft a backup goalie after trading Jake Allen to Montreal. Will Cranley never had a save percentage of above .900 in his two seasons on the Ottawa 67's.
- There were better goalies on the board. His teammates respect him and he interviewed well which is why he got drafted. Worst case scenario, you wasted this pick on a starting goalie in the AHL. Best case scenario, you get that backup to Jordan Binnington if Will Cranley makes the NHL.
Winnipeg Jets: Tyrel Bauer, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) 
C Grade
- The 6-3 206 lb Tyrel Bauer was my third best defender on the Seattle Thunderbirds. All of the Seattle Thunderbirds defensemen underperformed in 2019-2020. Bauer was the only one to get picked.
New York Rangers: Matt Rempe, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) D Grade
- New York needs center depth don't get me wrong. They passed on the two best players on the Seattle Thunderbirds, which is why I gave the Rangers a D grade.
Nashville Predators: Luke Reid, D, Chicago Seel (USHL) 
A+ Grade
- The 6-0 190 lb Luke Reid had 16 points in 2018-2019 with the Chicago Steel. He matched that point total in 2019-2020 and improved his +/- ratio from +15 to +16. Reid was on the best USHL team this past season so adding him here in the fifth round is great value when you consider that I had a first round grade on Reid.
Colorado Avalanche: Nils Aman, C, Leksands IF (Elitserien) 
C Grade
- Nils Aman, the 20-year-old prospect on Leksands IF has a better floor than Emil Heineman. He's already got more experience on Leksands IF. He had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in 8 SHL games. This is a solid pick that warants a C grade.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Veeti Miettinen, RW, St. Cloud State 
A Grade
- The 5-9 159 lb Veeti Miettinen had 42 goals, 31 assists, and 71 points over in Finland as an alternate captain. Toronto grabs a prospect who will begin his College Hockey career at St. Cloud State, who may go as high as the third round in the sixth round.
Edmonton Oilers: Filip Engaras, C, New Hampshire 
C+ Grade
- Filip Engaras only had 8 goals, 7 asssists, and 15 points in 2019-2020 during his sophomore year with the New Hampshire Wildcats after being on the fourth line as a true freshman. He got promoted to the third line and led all centers on New Hampshire in face off percentage. He was also the line 2 center on the power play and penalty kill with numerous responsibilities despite seeing limited minutes. Solid pick by Edmonton here.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Chase Yoder, C, USNTDP (USHL) 
A Grade
- Chase Yoder was the third line center on both the USNTDP Under-18 Program as well as the USNTDP program. Pittsburgh has needed a third line center behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin since Nick Bonino left after the Penguins won back-to-back Stanley Cups. Pittsburgh may have one more run in them if they can keep Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin under contract until Yoder develops. Both Crosby and Malkin have expiring deals in 2022, so right now until 2022 is Pittsburgh's window of opportunity to win a fourth Stanley Cup in this core, but Pittsburgh probably has the two best lines of forwards in the entire NHL, while the back six looks awful unless you move Bryan Rust into that third line center role.
Montreal Canadiens: Alexander Gordin, RW, SKA Saint Petersburg (KHL) 
D Grade
- I don't like this pick because he only has one game of experience in the KHL. He's off to a terrific start in Russia which is why Montreal is spared from an F grade with a D grade.
Chicago Blackhawks: Chad Yetman, RW, Erie Otters (OHL) 
A Grade
- Chad Yetman had 43 goals, 31 assists, and 74 points as an alternate captain. Hayden Fowler was my top right wing prospect on the Erie Otters. Chicago got Alex Debrincat from the Erie Otters and are hoping they get someone as good as Debrincat with this pick.
Arizona Coyotes: Filip Barklund, C, Orebro HK (Elitserien) 
A Grade
- The 5-11 169 lb Filip Barklund is a two-way forward with the versatility to play left wing or center. Barklund was an alternate captain in 2018-2019 when he had 14 goals, 15 assists, and 29 points. Filip Barklund had 9 goals, 21 assists, and 30 points in 2019-2020 showing why he's a playmaker that can generate assists regardless of whether its at center or on the wing. I have a third round grade on Barklund and believe he's one of the sleepers outside of the first two rounds of this years 2020 NHL Draft.<
Calgary Flames: Rory Kerins, C, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) 
A Grade
- The 5-11 172 lb center had 30 goals, 29 assists, 59 points, and a +2 +/- ratio in 2019-2020. He gives Calgary a good third or fourth line center that they can develop for the future.
Vancouver Canucks: Dmitri Zlodeyev, C, UHC Dynamo Moscow (KHL) 
A+ Grade
- Dmitri Zlodeyev is a center and team captain on UHC Dynamo Moscow's MHL team. He has enough upside to crack a fourth line in the NHL. Vancouver can patiently develop Zlodeyev hoping for the best result.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Samuel Johannesson, D, Rogle BK (Elitserien) 
A+ Grade
- The 5-11 176 lb Samuel Johannesson had 1 goal, 10 assists, and 11 points in 44 SHL games. Calle Clang did not play in the SHL even though I think he has much greater upside than Johannesson. Johannesson gives the Columbus Blue Jackets an potential NHL defender who could replace Ryan Murray, who got traded to New Jersey. I really like this pick for Columbus here in the sixth round, because I mocked him in the fourth round one pick before Zlodeyev. In the real NHL draft, Johannesson went to the sixth round.
-
Toronto Maple Leafs: Axel Rindell, D, Mikkelin Jukurit (SM Liiga)
C Grade
- The 6-0 176 lb Axel Rindell is an offensive defender. He can create scoring chances for your team despite being an effective 20-year-old defender. Defending is something he still needs to work on.
Philadelphia Flyers: Connor McClennon, C, Winnipeg Ice (WHL) 
A+ Grade
- The 5-9 157 lb Connor McClennon has a fourth round grade and is a fantastic value pick for Philadelphia in the sixth round. He's versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing. He had 14 goals, 15 assists, and 29 points as a rookie in 2018-2019. He did so well in his rookie season, that he got promoted to alternate captain and had 21 goals, 28 assists, 49 points, and a +9 +/- ratio in 2019-2020.
Washington Capitals: Garin Bjorklund, G, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) 
A+ Grade
- The 6-2 170 lb Garin Bjorklund had a 2.91 goals against average and an .897 save percentage in 28 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers. Bjorklund only has one year of experience as a starting goalie so he's got a lot of work to do before he gets called up. The Capitals can develop him while the tandem of Ilya Samsonov and Henrik Lundqvist anchors the net in 2020-2021.
- After Garin Bjorklund finishes his WHL time, he can go to the Hershey Bears in the AHL. I like him as a long-term backup to Ilya Samsonov.
-
Toronto Maple Leafs: Joe Miller, C, Chicago Steel (USHL) B Grade
- Joe Miller played for the Chicago Steel. This is a good developmental pick for Toronto here.
-
Ottawa Senators: Cole Reinhardt, LW, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
F Grade
- Ottawa took the second best Brandon Wheat Kings left winger on the board. That is why the Senators got an F grade here.
Boston Bruins: Riley Duran, C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) 
D Grade
- This pick is a reach. Boston took Riley Duran's teammate Trevor Kuntar which is why this pick was spared of an F grade.
New York Islanders: Matias Rajaniemi, D, Lahti Pelicans (SM Liiga) 
B Grade
- The 6-4 205 lb defender is already playing in the Liiga against pros that are older than him. He has 2 assists, but his defensive play needs to improve as right now, the big bodied defender looks more like an offensive defenseman rather than a two-way defenseman.
- I mocked Matias Rajaniemi to Tampa Bay in the last pick in the sixth round. That's why I gave the Islanders a B grade. Slight reach, but good pick.
Vegas Golden Knights: Noah Ellis, D, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) A+ Grade
- The Vegas Golden Knights get a blue line prospect with their fourth round pick. The 6-2 192 lb Noah Ellis is ranked 92nd on Future Considerations. He's someone the Golden Knights can draft and stash for the future this late in the sixth round.
-
Dallas Stars: Remi Poirier, G, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
A Grade
- The 6-2 216 lb Remi Poirier has three years of experience as a starting goalie with the Gatineau Olympiques. Dallas has Ben Bishop and Anton Khudobin under contract until 2023. This means Jake Oettinger will remain the starting goalie on the Texas Stars until 2022 when his contract is up.
- Remi Poirier will probably be the backup goalie on the Texas Stars for two years after his time with the Gatineau Olympiques after his time in the QMJHL is up. He could take over as the starting goalie on the Texas Stars for a year. I really like this pick by Dallas.
-
Tampa Bay Lightning: Amir Miftakhov, G, Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)
A Grade
- The 6-0 165 lb Amir Miftakhov dominated in the VHL and MHL. He struggled in the KHL. The 20-year-old goalie is expected to start for Ak Bars Kazan in 2020-2021 where he will enter a contract year with his KHL team so whoever drafts this fifth round prospect will have a year to wait before they sign this 21-year-old goalie. He seems like a goalie with the ceiling to be a starter in the AHL. He's good enough to lead a team to a Calder Cup, but I don't think he's got the ceiling to be a starter or a backup goalie in the NHL. Despite his shortcomings, he's the best goalie on the board for Tampa Bay at this point in the sixth round, and I mocked him to Calgary.
