2020 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 2

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: October 6, 2020.

32. Detroit Red Wings: Lukas Cormier, D, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
    
    
    Detroit has Dylan Larkin and Valteri Filpulla as their top two centers. Two of their first round picks Joe Veleno and Michael Rasmussen are both doing well in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins and will be ready to be role players on the back 6 at some point. Detroit needs a defender at 32 as this team is not going to have either Moritz Seider or Jared McIsaac their top two prospects on the blue line up on Detroit until 2021-2022 with Seider returning to Adler Mannheim, and McIsaac going to the Grand Rapids Griffins, assuming we have an AHL season in 2020-2021 thanks to Covid-19. Detroit drafted Jamie Drysdale at 4 in this mock, but more help on the blue line is needed.
    
    
    
    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 Detroit needs.
    
    
    
33. Ottawa Senators: Ozzy Wiesblatt, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
    
    The Ottawa Senators grab a two-way forward who is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing. The 5-10 183 lb Ozzy Wiesblatt was part of the Prince Albert Raiders team that won the 2019 WHL Playoffs where he posted 5 goals, 5 assists, and 10 points in 23 playoff games during Prince Albert's Championship Season in the Western Hockey League. Wiesblatt was the second line center in Prince Albert's game 7 victory over the Vancouver Giants. In that game, Ozzy Weisblatt demolished Justin Sourdif in the face off department.
    
    
    
    Ozzy Wiesblatt had 15 goals, 24 assists, 39 points, and a +30 +/- ratio in 2018-2019 on the Prince Albert Raiders second line. Ozzy Wiesblatt had 25 goals, 45 assists, 70 points, and a +20 +/- ratio in 2019-2020 when he got promoted to the top line on the Prince Albert Raiders.
    
    
    
    
    
34. San Jose Sharks: Brendan Brisson, C, Chicago Steel (USHL)
    
    
    San Jose gets Joe Thorton's replacement in the second round. Brendan Brisson is a first round prospect who fell to San Jose at 34 in this mock. He's a great value pick early in the second round just like Lukas Cormier and Ozzy Wiesblatt. You could argue Brisson the best overall player at this point in the second round.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 179 lb Brendan Brisson began the season with the Green Bay Gamblers, the USHL team that took him with a tenth round pick in the 2017 USHL Players Selection. After getting his first goal with the Gamblers, Brendan Brisson got traded to the Chicago Steel where he had 24 goals, 35 assists, and 59 points before finishing the season with 60 points and a +16 +/- ratio.
    
    
    
    Brisson led Chicago Steel centers with 60 points. He even surpassed last years line 1 center Sean Farrell as the first line center on the Chicago Steel before winning the 2020 USHL Rookie Of The Year award. Brisson has a consensus first round grade by most scouting services so if a team gets this guy in the second round, then that's a huge steal.
    
    
    
    The Chicago Steel led the USHL in points with some of their players having record seasons. Outside of the USNTDP, the Chicago Steel look like the best USHL factory for developing NHL talent as Brisson will enroll in Michigan in 2020-2021. Brisson can develop at Michigan before signing his rookie deal with the San Jose Sharks.
    
    
    
    Brendan Brisson has the has the playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, offensive awareness, hockey IQ, and stick handling. He's a playmaker that can do everything you want a line 1 game changer to do on tape. He can do well on the power play or dominate as a penalty killer. His defensive awareness and skating needs to improve, but he can correct those areas of his game once he enrolls at Michigan.
    
    
    
    Brendan Brisson's father Pat Brisson is a former NHL Player. Pat Brisson is also a renowned NHL Agent and Pat believes his son is a first round prospect. Brendan said great things about both the Flyers and Avalanche in interviews on podcasts leading up to this draft. He could go as early as 22 to the New York Rangers, but could fall all the way to the San Jose Sharks at 34.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Roni Hirvonen, C, Assat (SM Liiga)
    
    
35. Los Angeles Kings: Daemon Hunt, D, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
    
    
    Daemon Hunt, the 2017 first round pick for the Moose Jaw Warriors is someone that Los Angeles can groom for the future. He was a first line defenseman on the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2019-2020 despite injuries. The Los Angeles Kings never replaced Jake Muzzin, and Hunt is a bargain at this point in the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
36. Anaheim Ducks: Jacob Perreault, RW, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
    
    
    Anaheim is a team that could get a great value pick like Jacob Perreault early in the second round. The 5-11 198 lb Jacob Perreault is the best player on the board. He was a first round prospect for most of the NHL Draft Process, and could still end up being a first round pick.
    
    
    
    Jacob Perreault had 30 goals, 25 assists, 55 points, and a +1 +/- ratio in 2018-2019. Perreault had 39 goals, 31 assists, 70 points, and a -34 +/- ratio in 2019-2020. Perreault played center in 2018-2019, but made the switch to right wing in 2019-2020. He's an aggressive sniper that likes to hit hard so he's a better fit at right wing despite having the versatility to play left wing, center, or right wing.
    
    
    
    The line 1 right winger on the Sarnia Sting is a fantastic value pick here since his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy is through the roof. Perreault is an A+ shooter not an A grade shooter. He can score from any angle on tape, and will have success in the NHL as long as you use him as a sniper. The rest of his game needs development espeially his defense before you bring him up to the NHL.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Vasili Ponomaryov, LW, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
    
    
37. Nashville Predators: Vasili Ponomaryov, LW, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
    
    
    The 6-0 170 lb Vasili Ponomaryov is from Russia. Vasili Ponomaryov has the versatility to play left wing, center, or right wing. He had 18 goals, 31 assists, and 49 points in his rookie season in the QMJHL after being the ninth overal pick in the 2019 CHL Import Draft. He did well enough to work his way up to the first line.
    
    
    
    I saw him go in the late first round in one mock. He provides very good value for the Predators at 37. His tape looked good when he was on the ice with line shifts.
    
    
    
    NHL Prospect Center posted a film cut of Vasili Ponomaryov on their Youtube channel. Even though he played center on Shawinigan and filled in for Mavrik Bourque on the top line for a game, he's not great at winning face offs so he may be a better fit for the wing because of this.
    
    
    
    
    
    Previous Pick: Hendrix Lapierre, C, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
    
    
    
    
38. Buffalo Sabres: Tyler Tullio, LW, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
    
    
    Buffalo drafts the 5-9 161 Tyler Tullio who can play left wing, center, or right wing with his versatility. Tyler Tullio was the Oshawa Generals first round pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.
    
    
    
    Tyler Tullio had 15 goals, 27 assists, and 42 points in 60 games in 2018-2019. Tyler Tullio had 27 goals, 39 assists, and 66 points in 2019-2020 averaging over 1 point per game in his draft year. He needs to improve defensively which is why he's still going to be in the OHL until he's 20. Despite this Tullio has more upside than any prospect on the Oshawa Generals as he was the first line left winger in Oshawa's final regular season game before Covid-19.
    
    
    Previous Pick: William Villenueve, D, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
    
    
39. Minnesota Wild: Hendrix Lapierre, C, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
    
    
    Minnesota grabs a center to develop for the future. Hendrix Lapierre finally gets picked here. Lapierre went on TSN1200 in Ottawa and basically said he feels great, he's skating again, and feels 100 percent after three seperate injuries as a rookie and three concussions in the last eight months.
    
    
    
    Hendrix Lapierre had 13 goals, 32 assists, 45 points, and a +5 +/- ratio in 48 games despite being injured on three separate games in 2018-2019. Hendrix Lapierre had 2 goals, 15 assists, 17 points, anad a +4 +/- ratio in 2019-2020 after being limited to 19 games.
    
    
    
    Hendrix Lapierre has the has the playmaking, passing, offensive awareness as a passer, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, speed, skating, agility, and stick handling. He's a playmaker that is a natural passer. He doesn't shoot as much as he should. He looks for an open man on 95 percent of his plays meaning his game is dependant on him being able to find an open man. His shooting power and shooting accuracy needs to improve with both slap shots and wrist shots. He's got potential to be a first line center in the NHL since he was the first overall pick for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the 2018 QMJHL Draft. His biggest challenge will be to stay healthy to have a few breakout years in the CHL before he turns twenty before being called up to Minnesota.
    
    
    
    Hendrix Lapierre is good enough to be a first line center and he showed that when he was healthy. Since Minnesota drafted Anton Lundell at nine, they just need Lapierre to stay healthy and do well enough to be a second line center that compliments Lundell at one point.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Jacob Perreault, RW, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
    
    
    
    
40. Winnipeg Jets: William Villenueve, D, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
    
    
    Winnipeg goes with the best player on the board rather than drafting for value. The 6-1 163 lb William Villenueve has only added 8 lbs of muscle since the Saint John Sea Dogs drafted him second overall behind Hendrix Lapierre in the 2018 QMJHL Draft.
    
    
    
    William Villenueve had 1 goal, 18 assists, 19 points, and a -52 +/- rating after his rookie season in 2018-2019. William Villenueve had 9 goals, 49 assists, 58 points, and -5 +/- ratio in 2019-2020 after being promoted to alternate captain over Jeremie Poirier, who is considered a first round prospect.
    
    
    
    Heading into the 2020-2021 QMJHL preseason, Villenueve is now the number one defenseman anchoring the first line of defense on the Sea Dogs while Poirier is now the number six defender barely holding onto his roster spot. That reveals a lot, so now Villenueve is the top Sea Dog drafted.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Tyler Tullio, LW, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
    
    
41. Carolina Hurricanes: Zayde Wisdom, RW, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
    
    
    Carolina gets the best player on the board at this point since this team is stacked with talent everywhere. The 5-10 201 lb Zayde Wisdom had 29 goals, 30 assists, and 59 points in 2019-2020. Wisdom is versatile enough to play left wing, center, and right wing. Wisdom was the line 1 right winger on the same line with future 2022 NHL Draft prospect Shane Wright who may be the top pick in two years from now.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Topi Niemala, D, Oulun Karpat (SM Liiga)
    
    
    
    
42. Nashville Predators: Donovan Sebrango, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
    
    
    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 Nashville takes a flyer on Sebrango here believing with good coaching they can clean up his character concerns molding him into a more disciplined player.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Cross Hanas, LW, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
    
    
43. Florida Panthers: Luke Tuch, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    Los Angeles takes Luke Tuch as a developmental player for the future. Luke Tuch was the line 1 left winger on the USNTDP Under-18 Team as well as the USHL squad. He had 15 goals, 15 assists, and 30 points on the Under-18 Team. Tuch had 8 goals, 6 assists, and 14 points in 19 USHL games on the top line. Luke Tuch plans on enrolling into Boston University this fall where he will continue to develop. Tuch may be able to develop first line player in the NHL if he spends the next four years at Boston University improving offensively and fixing his defense. As long as the Florida Panthers have Jonathan Huberdeau, they really only need Tuch to be a second line left winger in the NHL.
    
    
    Previous Pick: William Wallinder, D, Modo Hockey (Elitserien)
    
    
    
    
44. Toronto Maple Leafs: Carter Savoie, LW, Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)
    
    
    The Toronto Maple Leafs get the 5-10 181 lb Carter Savoie is an alternate captain and the line 1 left winger on the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
    
    
    
    Carter Savoie had 31 goals, 42 assists, 73 points. After getting promoted to alternate captain Savoie had 53 goals, 46 assists, and 99 points in 2019-2020.
    
    
    
    He's also the older brother of 2022 first round pick Matthew Savoie, the first pick in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft. I've seen some mocks place Savoie in the second round, but this is a guy who could end up providing first round value in the second round since he accepted a scholarship to Denver for NCAA Hockey.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Pavel Novak, RW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
    
    
45. Detroit Red Wings: Shakir Mukhamadullin, D, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)
    
    
    The Detroit Red Wings add a defender with a first to second round grade here with this last second round pick. The 6-2 170 lb Shakir Mukhamadullin had 1 assist with a -1 +/- ratio in 27 KHL games. Detroit can groom him to be a future blue line player on their team with this pick. He has more KHL experience and a better floor than teammate Rodion Amirov despite having less upside than Amirov.
    
    
    
    Mukhamadullin also is the line 1 defenseman that anchors this blue line on the power play despite being a line 2 defender that anchors the blue line. His game needs a lot of work, but he could be a good offensive defenseman with the right coaching.
    
    
    
    Detroit got Marc Staal and three defensemen with experience on the top line in this final mock draft. I think I can focus on forwards and goaltending with Detroit's remaining picks unless someone really good slips to the right spot because Detroit is probably gonna get another defender to compliment Staal in Free Agency.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Lukas Cormier, D, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
    
    
    
    
46. Chicago Blackhawks: Mathieu De St. Phalle, RW, Chicago Steel (USHL)
    
    The Chicago Blackhawks use this pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins to get the best player on the board. I rarely mock NHL prospects over the age of 18 in the first two rounds. However, I will make an exception for the 20-year-old Mathieu De St. Phalle as he was the line 1 right winger on the Chicago Steel as he had 30 goals, 30 assists, and 60 points.
    
    
    
    Mathieu De St. Phalle dominates on special teams. He's a line 1 right winger on the power play and a line 1 right winger on the penalty killing unit for the Chicago Steel. He also has a scholarship to Wisconsin.
    
    
    
47. Montreal Canadiens: Luke Evangelista, LW, London Knights (OHL)
    
    
    The 5-11 165 lb Luke Evangelista played both left wing and right wing on the London Knights top line. That versatility may get Luke Evangelista drafted in the first or second round to be quite honest. Montreal gets their second left winger of this draft.
    
    
    
    Luke Evangelista had 23 goals, 38 assists, 61 points, and a +15 +/- ratio in 2019-2020. He has outperformed teammate Antonio Stranges, who received an A grade from NHL Central Scouting back in November.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Zion Nybeck, RW, HV71 (Elitserien)
    
    
    
    
48. Montreal Canadiens: Jack Finley, C, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
    
    
    The Montreal Canadiens get the best prospect on the Spokane Chiefs here in second round. The 6-5 207 lb Jack Finley had 19 goals, 38 assists, 57 points, and a +32 +/- ratio in 61 games in 2019-2020 as a first line center. He's also a top 50 prospect on NHL's Central Scouting list. His ceiling is huge because he's younger than most prospects in this draft as he was 13 days shy of being ineligible for this draft class. He inspired guys like Kailer Yamamoto and Ty Smith to play better the very first day he became a member of the Spokane Chiefs back in 2017.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ridly Greig, LW, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
    
    
49. Calgary Flames: Ridly Greig, LW, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
    
    
    The 5-11 159 Ridly Greig was my best prospect on the Brandon Wheat Kings heading into the preseason despite being a line 2 left winger. Luka Burzan and Ben McCartney another 2020 NHL Draft prospect anchored the top line with the Brandon Wheat Kings. Ridly Greig was the line 2 left winger and the line 1 left winger in power play situations with the Brandon Wheat Kings this past season.
    
    
    
    Ridly Greig had 26 goals, 34 assists, 60 points, and a +11 +/- ratio. Calgary drafts him here because he's versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing. I've also heard reports that Calgary has a late first round grade on Greig, but they'd rather draft him on the second day of the draft, so he's still there as is William Wallinder, another player the Flames spoke with. Calgary gets Greig here.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Justin Sourdif, C, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
    
    
50. Los Angeles Kings: Ty Smilanic, RW, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    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 Los Angeles 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.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Tyler Kleven, D, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
51. Ottawa Senators: Michael Benning, D, Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)
    
    The 5-10 164 lb Michael Benning had 10 goals, 51 assists, and 61 points in 60 games in his rookie season with the Sherwood Park Crusaders back in 2018-2019. Benning also had 9 points in 12 playoff games despite being a defender.
    
    
    
    Benning had 12 goals, 63 assists, and 74 points in 54 games. He also cut back on his penalty minutes from 99 penalty minutes to 54 penalty minutes in his second season. He may take a few years to develop, but he anchored the Sherwood ParK Crusaders blue line by being the first line defenseman that anchors that blue line. My final argument for moving Benning from the third to second round is simple. He won the AJHL defenseman of the year award in 2019-2020 when the Sherwood Park Crusaders were regular season champions.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Jeremie Poirier, D, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
    
    
    
    
52. Carolina Hurricanes: Thomas Bordeleau, C, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    Carolina grabs the best player on the board. The 5-9 179 lb Thomas Bordeleau finally put together a signature season. Thomas Bordeleau had 16 goals, 30 assists, and 46 points in 47 games with the USNTDP Under 18 Team. He was the center on that team with Luke Tuch and Ty Smilanic as his wingers on their first line. Bordleau had 7 goals, 11 assists, and 18 points in the USHL.
    
    
    
    He entered the preseason with a B grade from NHL Central Scouting while his teammates had A grades. Despite this, some scouts have Bordeleau being the first of the forwards on USNTDP to be drafted. Those scouts believe Bordeleau has a better shot to crack the first round than Tuch or Smilanic.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Alex Cotton, D, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
    
    
53. Philadelphia Flyers: Eamon Powell, D, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    The 5-11 165 lb Eamon Powell is a guy who played on all three lines of this blue line on Team USA throughout the season with the third line, second line, and first line. Powell will be enrolling into Boston College. Powell can continue to develop his game at Boston College.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Zayde Wisdom, RW, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
    
    
    
    
54. San Jose Sharks: Jaromir Pytlik, C, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
    
    San Jose grabs the 6-3 201 lb Jaromir Pytlik here in the second round. He's the first line center on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds which is why I moved him up from the fourth round to the late second round.
    
    
    
    Jaromir Pytlik had 22 goals, 28 assists, and 50 points in 2019-2020 in 56 games. That's not bad for a fourth round prospect who you are hoping to develop into a third line center in the NHL.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Yan Kuznetsov, D, Connecticut
    
    
55. Detroit Red Wings: Sam Colangelo, RW, Chicago Steel (USHL)
    
    
    The Detroit Red Wings grab a winger to add to their system. The 6-2 205 lb Sam Colangelo was a line 2 right winger and line mate with line 2 center Sean Farrell.
    
    
    
    Sam Colangelo can skate anywhere on the ice at forward. He's versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing with his versatility. Being a second line right winger that plays like a power forward seems to be his strength. His superb vision, skating, and hockey IQ is why most other mocks have him going ahead of teammate Mathieu De St. Phalle. Despite playing on the second line with the Chicago Steel, he seems like someone with the upside to be a first line winger in the NHL.
    
    
    
    Sam Colangelo had 28 goals, 30 assists, 58 points, and a +32 +/- ratio in his only season with the Chicago Steel. Sam Colangelo accepted a scholarship to Northeastern.
    
    
    
    
    
56. Montreal Canadiens: Ben McCartney, LW, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
    
    
    The Montreal Canadiens use this pick from the St. Louis Blues to get the best player on the board. Ben McCartney was the line 1 left winger ahead of first round pick Ridly Greig on the Brandon Wheat Kings despite the fact that Greig was younger and the line 1 left winger on the Wheat Kings power play. Montreal grabs Ben McCartney here at 56. Ben McCartney is the final first line skater in this draft so Montreal gets him here with their final second round pick.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Oliver Suni, RW, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
    
    
57. Boston Bruins: Topi Niemala, D, Oulun Karpat (SM Liiga)
    
    
    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.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Donovan Sebrango, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
    
    
    
    
58. Ottawa Senators: Kasper Simontaival, LW, Tappara (SM Liiga)
    
    
    Ottawa 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 Ottawa another forward for depth. He can easily develop into a third line winger that Ottawa will need at some point down the road making him a great pick for Ottawa here.
    
    
    
59. Los Angeles Kings: William Wallinder, D, Modo Hockey (Elitserien)
    
    
    The 6-4 192 William Wallander has the playmaking, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, speed, skating, agility, stick handling, ability to play on the power play, and ability kill penalties that you want a defender to have. He's gritty, hits hard, and gets in your face showcasing his toughness without being too domineering about it like a schoolyard bully. This defenseman from Sweden plays hard, but also carries a very calm level-headed demeanor that you want your defenseman to have. He received an A+ grade in skating despite being big and physical.
    
    
    
    The drawback is he has the worst shot of any defender in this years draft in terms of both shooting power and shooting accuracy. Being the fourth best defender on Modo Hockey also doesn't help. One Youtuber, called him a four year project.
    
    
    
    He has the upside to be a first line defender in the NHL when Drew Doughty retires if you remain patient with him. Los Angeles may have to wait five more years to get that kind of impact from William Wallinder because in order for Wallinder to succeed, you're gonna have to get him a really good shooting coach since this is a boom or bust prospect.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Jean-Luc Foudy, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
    
    
    
    
60. Ottawa Senators: Eemil Vero, D, TPS (SM Liiga)
    
    
    Ottawa 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.
    
    
    Previous Pick: William Cuylle, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
    
    
61. Tampa Bay Lightning: Sean Farrell, C, Chicago Steel (USHL)
    
    
    Tampa Bay drafts Chicago Steel's line 2 center Sean Farrell here. Sean Farrell had 9 goals, 21 assists, and 30 points when I recoded the Chicago Steel webpage. This was before I knew about all the prospects the Steel had. Farrell finished the year with 15 goals, 41 assists, 56 points, and a +19 +/- ratio in 44 games.
    
    
    
    Sean Farrell also accepted a scholarship to Harvard. We will get to see Farrell face his former Chicago Steel teammate Sam Colangelo in a future Beanpot tournament assuming the Beanpot comes back from the Corona Virus in 2021.