2020 EHE ENTRY DRAFT REVIEW - Central 2020-12-08 I should have led into the first review article by saying these grades have zero meaning, these are just my opinions. I'm not a pro scout, I haven't even gotten the chance to watch all these guys. I do watch a ton of OHL live, so that's probably my wheel house. If you disagree with something, let me hear it! Thomas Gidlow - Chicago Blackhawks 139. Lean Bergmann C/W 6'2" 205 lbs 153. Damien Giroux C 5'10" 185 lbs 2018: B- 2019: B 2020: B- I like the Bergmann pick, obviously he jumps right to the Chicago Wolves rosters with decent rates. Giroux though I don’t see as an NHL talent. But I’m not a pro scout, so take that with a grain of salt. Decent enough long shots for late picks, but I think there were players with higher ceilings available for his last pick. Kirklan Lycar - Colorado Avalanche 18. John Marino D 6'1" 181 lbs 57. Tyce Thompson C 6'1" 172 lbs 98. Wyatt Kalynuk D 6'1" 181 lbs 2018: B+ 2019: A+ 2020: A I think everyone had their eye on Marino heading into the draft, and his ratings this season show exactly why. I like the spot for him there, why draft a kid who might turn out to be as good. Thompson was passed over in 2017 and again in 2018, he took off last year in the NCAA going well over a PPG. Kalynuk is also turning pro this season, probably good to get away from Wisconsin. Dan Bacon - Dallas Stars 130. Luke Prokop D 6'4" 218 lbs 134. Dylan Garand G 6'1" 172 lbs 2018: D (Bob McGugan) 2019: B 2020: A When drafting large defensive minded defenders these days mobility is a huge asset, and Prokop skates well for a big man. I’m also a fan of Garand, he’s played really well in the WHL and has suited up for Hockey Canada on multiple occasions. Both are excellent prospects to let develop in the system. Good haul with only later picks. Harald Geissler - Minnesota Wild 8. Marat Khusnutdinov C/LW 5'9" 165 lbs 37. Kasper Simontaival RW 5'9" 172 lbs 68. Thimo Nickl D 6'2" 176 lbs 2018: A 2019: B+ 2020: C+ The surprise pick of the draft, and we didn’t have to wait long. Harald had been pimping Rossi years out so we all knew who he had on top of his list. Khusnutdinov is a highly skilled player but would’ve been around later in the draft. Simontaival has tons of skill as well, both he and Marat will suit up for their countries in the WJC. Harald was able to nab the Austrian Nickl as well. Eric Wolf - Nashville Predators 26. Helge Grans D 6'3" 192 lbs 92. Artur Akhtyamov G 6'1" 157 lbs 114. Dmitry Zlodeyev C 5'11" 183 lbs 144. Alexander Pashin C 5'7" 154 lbs 150. Elliot Desnoyers LW 5'11" 172 lbs 2018: A 2019: A 2020: A Love the Grans pick, thought he was a first round talent. Don’t know much about the Russian goalie, but his numbers have looked fantastic and he’s earned some games at the KHL level this year. Desnoyers has been good this year too prior to the QMJHL shutting down. Pashin is one of the more skilled players in the draft, if he was 6’ he would have gone in round 1. Overall a nice haul here Eric. Shaun Stephens - St. Louis Blues 1. Alexis Lafreniere LW 6'2" 180 lbs 43. Roby Jarventie LW 6'3" 190 lbs 85. Calle Clang G 6'2" 176 lbs 2018: B 2019: B 2020: A+ Getting top dog in the draft is nice, and this year there was a consensus number one in Lafreniere. I don’t know much about the goalie Clang, but he’s been lights out on one of the worst teams in the Allsvenskan league. Scouting reports mention his ability to move well in the crease while staying positionally sound. I had Jarventie at the top of my list, really wanted him with my pick. Great pick there Shaun! Joe Tremblay - Winnipeg Jets 14. Seth Jarvis RW 5'10" 172 lbs 22. Jake Neighbours LW 5'11" 201 lbs 40. Mavrik Bourque C 5'11" 185 lbs 79. Jean-Luc Foudy C 6'0" 176 lbs 84. Martin Chromiak RW 6'0" 181 lbs 146. Eamon Powell D 5'11" 170 lbs 2018: B 2019: A 2020: A Hot take time, I’m not sold on Jarvis. That probably means it’s a good pick since I said the same thing about Cozens last year and I’m expecting to eat crow on that one. Anyway, it’s the rest of the draft that I like here that gives Joe an A. Bourque was tremendous value at 40th, he should have been a 1st rounder. I had asked around to move up when I saw him falling but couldn’t get something done. Foudy is another one in contention for best skater in the draft. Powell is looking good early this year with BC.
