2020 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 3

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

62. Detroit Red Wings: Justin Sourdif, C, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
    
    
    Detroit is loaded at center, but Justin Sourdif provides great value here. The 5-11 165 lb Justin Sourdif is the best player on the board at this point providing a huge bargain for the Detroit Red Wings at the top of the third 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 top line. After that, you can bring him up to compete for either a spot on the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL or you can try to mold him into a solid center on the back 6 even though, Detroit's got some first round picks in their system.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Shakir Mukhamadullin, D, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)
    
    
63. Ottawa Senators: William Dufour, RW, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
    
    Ottawa gets a 2018 QMJHL first round pick that went sixth overall before being traded to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. Chicoutimi moved him to Drummondville in the trade that sent first round pick Dawson Mercer to the Sagueneens.
    
    
    
    William Dufour had 28 goals, 27 assists, and 55 points in 2019-2020. He's a second to third round prospect that makes a good addition for the Ottawa Senators here as he was a second line winger on Drummondville.
    
    
    
    
    
64. Detroit Red Wings: Dylan Peterson, RW, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    Detroit 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. Detroit can develop him over time at Boston University. Detroit has their USHL and OHL scout working with GM Steve Yzerman to discuss prospects so I think Detroit will take someone from the USHL at some point.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ty Smilanic, RW, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
65. Los Angeles Kings: Tyler Kleven, D, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    Los Angeles gets Tyler Klevin with this pick as a defenseman to develop for the future. Tyler Klevin entered the season as the top USHL prospect, but Jake Sanderson and Luke Hughes did so well that Klevin got demoted to the second line on USNTDP. Klevin still provides solid value for a team like the Los Angeles Kings here in the third round.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Luke Tuch, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    
    
66. Anaheim Ducks: Zion Nybeck, RW, HV71 (Elitserien)
    
    
    The 5-8 176 lb Zion Nybeck finally made the Elitserien league in the SHL. He is versatile enough to play left wing or right wing with his versatility making him a great addition for the Anaheim Ducks in the third round. If Anaheim is one of these teams that thinks Nybeck is a top 10 International forward in this draft, then he will come off the board here. He was a third line right winger on HV71.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Daniil Gushchin, RW, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
    
    
67. Vegas Golden Knights: Thimo Nicki, D, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
    
    
    The Vegas Golden Knights grab the top defender on the board with New Jersey's pick. The 6-3 187 lb Thimo Nicki only has one year of experience after being a 2019 first round pick in the CHL Import Draft. Nicki is a good developmental player for the Vegas Golden Knights to add here.
    
    
    
    
    
68. Carolina Hurricanes: Marat Khusnutdinov, C, SKA Saint Petersburg (KHL)
    
    
    The Hurricanes get the SKA Saint Petersburg's best skater in this draft here. Marat Khusnutdinov played for Vityaz Podolsk's Under 18-Team in Russia before playing with SKA Saint Petersburg in the MHL.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 165 lb Marat Khusnutdinov had 13 goals, 25 assists, and 38 points in 2019-2020 in the MHL. I've seen him mocked in the late first round so Carolina drafts for value and gets Kuhusnutdinov in the third.
    
    
    
69. Nashville Predators: Daniil Gushchin, RW, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
    
    
    Nashville 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.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Luke Evangelista, LW, London Knights (OHL)
    
    
    
    
70. Ottawa Senators: Antonio Stranges, LW, London Knights (OHL)
    
    
    The 5-10 170 lb Antonio Stranges can play center or left wing with his versatility. He is better on the wing though. He is a playmaker with two consecutive seasons of 21 assists. He improved his goal total from 13 to 19 in 2019-2020, but at the same time his defensive play regressed.
    
    
    
    Antonio Stranges went from having an A grade which is a first round grade back in November to being demoted to the third line. He should still end up being picked in the top seventy, but he's a clear cut third round prospect at this point.
    
    
    
71. New York Rangers: Joni Jurmo, D, Jokerit (KHL)
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    
    
72. Nashville Predators: Luke Prokop, D, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
    
    
    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: Alex Cotton, D, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
    
    
    Florida grabs the best player on the board. The 6-2 183 lb Alex Cotton finally put together a signature season. Alex Cotton had 20 goals, 47 assists, 67 points, and a +15 +/- ratio. Cotton is great on the power play, but struggles with penalty killing. He got promoted from the third to second line. Alex Cotton has potential to develop into a first line defender, but it may take him 2-5 years to reach that ceiling.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Jack Thompson, D, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
    
    
    
    
74. Colorado Avalanche: Calle Clang, G, Rogle BK (Elitserien)
    
    
    Colorado's goalie Philipp Grubauer got injured in the 2020 NHL Stadium Series and then got re-injured in the second round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs agains tthe Dallas Stars. Philipp Grubauer and their backup Pavel Francouz are both returning for the 2020-2021 NHL Season. I'm mocking them another goalie to develop for the future here since Michael Hutchinson is a Free Agent after this season, and it's worth noting that Hutchinson started game 7 against the Dallas Stars.
    
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
75. Edmonton Oilers: Evgeni Oxentyuk, RW, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
    
    
    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, Edmonton gets former Oiler Nail Yakupov. Best case scenario you get another version of Kailer Yamamoto who Edmonton took in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
76. Pittsburgh Penguins: Jean-Luc Foudy, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
    
    
    The Pittsburgh Penguins 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 on Wilkes Barre Scranton. Best case scenario, you get a good third line center who compliments Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in Pittsburgh down the road.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Carter Savoie, LW, Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)
    
    
77. Montreal Canadiens: William Cuylle, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
    
    
    Montreal gets another winger for depth here. Williams Cuylle is a great value pick for the Montreal Canadiens. Cuylle only had 42 points in 2019-2020 after going from 26 goals in 2018-2019 to 22 goals in 2019-2020 so Montreal can take their time with this winger despite him having an A grade from NHL Central Scouting, because he's a third line left winger with the celing to develop into a first line winger. Montreal already loaded up at wing in the first two rounds, so they can use him as a third line left winger at some point without overworking him.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ben McCartney, LW, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
    
    
    
    
78. Chicago Blackhawks: Carson Bantle, LW, Madison Capitols (USHL)
    
    
    Carson Bantle is a 6-4 201 lb left wing prospect. Carson Bantle only had 10 goals, 10 assists, and 20 points last season. This season in 32 games, Carson Bantle has 12 goals, 20 assists, and 32 points. Carson Bantle is averaging a point per game and has a second to third round grade on most NHL draft boards. Chicago can draft Madison's top prospect in the USHL and stash him for the future while he takes the NCAA route.
    
    
    
79. Washington Capitals: Maxim Groshev, RW, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL)
    
    
    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. Washington loves to draft players from Russia so this is an ideal pick for the Capitals here.
    
    
    
    
    
80. Chicago Blackhawks: Wyatt Kaiser, D, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
    
    
    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: Ethan Bowen, C, Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
    
    
    Vancouver grabs a local here since the BCHL is in British Columbia, the province where Vancouver is located. The 6-2 170 lb Ethan Bowen has a third round grade despite regressing going from 39 points to 31 points. He has another year of eligibility in the BCHL and can go the NCAA route.
    
    
    
    
    
82. Los Angeles Kings: Samuel Knazko, D, TPS (SM Liiga)
    
    
    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 Kings take a flyer on Samuel Knazko and hope its not a disaster.
    
    
    
83. New Jersey Devils: Blake Biondi, LW, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
    
    
    Blake Biondi is a 6-0 181 lb left winger. Blake Biondi is the best prospect on the Sioux City Musketeers in the 2020 NHL Draft despite playing a majority of his season at Hermantown HS where he had 37 goals, 39 assists, and 76 points in 2019-2020. Biondi only had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points on the Musketeers.
    
    
    
    Blake Biondi is a two-way forward. He can play left wing, center, or right wing with his versatility. When I first scouted him, I thought he was a pure left winger. New Jersey takes Biondi here and stashes him as a future prospect to develop.
    
    
    
    
    
84. Tampa Bay Lightning: Pavel Novak, RW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
    
    
    Tampa Bay needs a third line right winger at some point in the future and Pavel Novak may fit the bill here. Novak was the third line right winger on the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 170 lb Pavel Novak can play right wing or left wing with his versatility. Pavel Novak was drafted thirteenth overall in the 2019 CHL Import Draft.
    
    
    
    He has the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, passing, skating, and stick handling you want a winger to have. His wrist shot is one of the most precise in this draft class as his wrist shot power and wrist shot accuracy is there. Novak still needs to develop his slap shot.
    
    
    
    Pavel Novak had 25 goals, 33 assists, 58 points, and a +10 +/- ratio. Pavel Novak has a lot of qualities that you want a winger to have at the NHL level. One thing he needs to show me is that he can develop a quality slap shot without relying so much on his wrist shot.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Thomas Bordeleau, C, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
85. Florida Panthers: Mitchell Miller, D, Tri-City Storm (USHL)
    
    
    Mitchell Miller got traded from the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders to the Tri-City Storm. He's a top 50 player on some big boards, so I'm sure the Panthers would love to add Miller here as they continue to stockpile their team with future prospects.
    
    
    
    
    
86. St. Louis Bluess: Simon Kubicek, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
    
    
    The 6-2 205 lb Simon Kubicek dominated as a rookie. He regressed in 2019-2020. St. Louis can stash him as a prospect to develop for the future.
    
    
    
    
    
87. St. Louis Blues: Yan Kuznetsov, D, Connecticut
    
    
    St. Louis grabs the best player on my board. The 6-3 207 lb Yan Kuznetsov is the top defenseman in the NCAA. He's a solid developmental propspect for the St. Louis Blues.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Jack Finley, C, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
    
    
88. Boston Bruins: Oliver Suni, RW, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
    
    
    The Boston Bruins get the best player on the board. The 6-2 187 lb Oliver Suni was drafted forty fourth overall in the first round of the 2019 CHL Import Draft by the Oshawa Generals after playing hockey for most of his youth in Finland.
    
    
    
    Oliver Suni had 12 goals, 20 assists, and 32 points in 2019-2020. Oliver Suni needs to improve defensively, but he also needs more experience as a player in the OHL as he continues to develop. He is a line 2 right winger on the Oshawa Generals. He's someone who could be a line 2 right winger on Boston in five years if he develops and fixes his flaws on tape.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ian Moore, D, St. Mark's HS (MA)
    
    
    
    
89. New York Islanders: Leo Loof, D, Farjestads BK (Elitserien)
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
90. Vegas Golden Knights: Jeremie Poirier, D, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
    
    
    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 Vegas in the late third round of this mock, so Vegas takes him as a project hoping to get lucky since they need bodies on the second and third line of their blue line.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Michael Benning, D, Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)
    
    
    
    
91. New York Rangers: Cross Hanas, LW, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
    
    
    New York grabs a left winger to wrap up the third round. The 6-1 165 lb Cross Hanas only had 22 points as a rookie in 2018-2019. Cross Hanas had 22 goals, 27 assists, 49 points, and a +20 +/- ratio in 2019-2020 on the WHL's best team. Hanas fell from the top fifty to the end of the third round because he's a fourth line left winger on the Portland Winterhawks. The upside to be a second line player and top 6 forward is there. He's very raw though and needs a lot of development.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Eamon Powell, D, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
92. Tampa Bay Lightning: Brock Faber, D, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    Tampa Bay drafts Brock Faber here. Some have him graded higher than Eamon Powell. Faber was in NHL Central Scouting's top 50 and Faber wasn't even though Faber played more games in the USHL than Faber. Tampa Bay grabs Faber for upside to wrap up the third round of an incredibly deep 2020 NHL Draft.