For your fantasy hockey needs, the DobberProspects Fantasy Prospect Report and Fantasy Guide are the best sources to get you ahead of the game in your league whether you play in a simple year-to-year league or you’re involved in a decade long keeper league, the DobberProspects’ Fantasy Guides are your one-stop-shop for winning your league! 

 

On episode five of Dobber’s DraftCast, hosts Tony Ferrari and Jokke Nevalainen mocked the top-15 picks in the 2020 draft. Rotating picks, starting with Jokke, the guys made their picks based on what they would do. Before justifying and explaining the pick, the other host gets to react and critique the pick. The picks and some of the reactions from Jokke and Tony are included below.

 

Links to the full podcast on all platforms follow, with the full breakdown of each pick as well as some players that Jokke and Tony think could be picked in the top-15 that they wouldn’t make. They also discuss a couple of players that they could justify reaching on in the top-15 that would surprise some.

 

New York Rangers – 1st Overall
LW Alexis Lafrenière – Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)

Pick: Jokke

“In reality, Lafrenière was the choice that makes sense here. He’s got a ton of skill and he’s got an NHL ready game. I think he steps in next year and makes an immediate impact, especially more immediate than what Kakko did last year. I think Lafrenière has the talent to step into the top-six next year but he’s not going to be needing to with left wingers Krieder and Panarin on the left wing.” – Tony

 

 

 

Los Angeles Kings – 2nd Overall
C Quinton Byfield – Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

Pick: Tony

“Byfield is going to be a number one center in the NHL. An elite player. Kind of like an Evgeny Malkin-type big center who can control the game in all areas but isn’t an Eric Lindros-type physical player – and that’s always going to leave fans wanting more but I would be very happy getting an Evgeny Malkin-type guy on my roster.” -Jokke

 

 

 

 

Ottawa Senators – 3rd Overall
LW/C Tim Stützle – Adler Mannheim (DEL)

Pick: Jokke

“Stützle is a guy I’ve loved all year, he’s one of my favorite players from this draft class. I love how predatory he is offensively at times. When he’s on his game, he’s a blast to watch! …Ottawa is going to have a ton of fun and me, as the Ottawa Senators’ writer for DobberProspects, is going to to have a ton of fun covering my favorite player.” – Tony

 

 

 

 

Detroit Red Wings – 4th Overall
RW Lucas Raymond – Frölunda HC (SHL)

Pick: Tony

“…Raymond is number three on my own list and I think he’s there on yours as well. Definitely makes sense to take him at number four. Just a high-end offensive talent who can also play a pretty decent defensive game. The Red Wings can really build their roster around him.” – Jokke

 

 

 

 

 

Ottawa Senators – 5th Overall
C Marco Rossi – Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

Pick: Jokke

“They double down on centers here with the hope that Stützle works out at center and worst case they have Rossi to fall back on. I don’t thank that’s too bad of a situation. This is probably the exact pick I make in this spot” – Tony

 

 

 

 

 

Anaheim Ducks – 6th Overall
C Anton Lundell – HIFK (Liiga)

Pick: Tony

“The recently named alternate captain for HIFK of the Liiga. He’s a really mature guy both on and off the ice. Plays a very, very mature game. Doesn’t give anything yup defensively and also can contribute offensively. Probably one of the most NHL-ready players in the draft so that’s also a positive thing for him.” – Jokke

 

 

 

 

 

New Jersey Devils – 7th Overall
RHD Jamie Drysdale – Erie Otters (OHL)

Pick: Jokke

“The first defenseman goes outside the top-five for the first time since 2003 and I think that’s realistic this year. I wouldn’t be shocked if he does go in the top-five but I think the 7-8 range is perfect for Drysdale. The Devils get a guy who they could maybe pair with Ty Smith. It;s a good pick because I think Jamie Drysdale is going to be an NHL defenseman and I’ve said it a bunch of times but he has top-pairing upside.” – Tony

 

 

 

Buffalo Sabres – 8th Overall
RW Alexander Holtz – Djurgårdens IF (SHL)

Pick: Tony

“The best goal scorer in the draft. Putting him next to Jack Eichel is going to be, just wonderful to watch. I think Eichel is a player who can be a playmaker or a goal scorer based on who is on his wing. If you pit a natural goal scorer on his wing, he’s going to be a playmaker in that case. If you can get a 40-goal scorer at eight, it doesn’t look too bad.” – Jokke

 

 

 

 

Minnesota Wild – 9th Overall
C/LW Cole Perfetti – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Pick: Jokke

“That’s a pick that you and I make and the Minnesota Wild don’t. I think Cole Perfetti is a great player and I’ve really grown to like his game. He’s a guy who I was a lot cooler on than I am now, even three or four weeks ago. I did that Deep Dive on DobberProspects on Cole Perfetti’s game and came to appreciate his ability to manipulate the ice and find those areas. ” – Tony

 

 

 

 

Winnipeg Jets – 10th Overall
LHD Jake Sanderson – U.S. NTDP (USHL)

Pick: Tony

“The Jets lost a lot of guys from their blueline in short order so I think filling up that blueline with Jake Sanderson, a guy who has legitimate number-two upside. Probably a guy who is a year away from the NHL, I think that pick makes a lot of sense for them” -Jokke

 

 

 

 

 

Nashville Predators – 11th Overall
G Yaroslav Askarov – SKA-Neva Saint Petersburg (VHL)

Pick: Jokke

“I LOVE it. When I first seen that you put this pick down, I was like ‘really? I thought he was going to make it to Carolina that seems like the perfect fit’  but the more I think about it, the more this pick makes sense. Askarov is a couple of years away, as every player is in this range of the draft. …As much as  I was initially shocked by the pick, it makes so much sense when you think about it.“ – Tony

 

 

 

Florida Panthers – 12th Overall
LW Rodion Amirov – Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)

Pick: Tony

“Not the selection I would make at 12, I’m a bit lower on his than you… He has the upside to live up to this selection. …A realistic worst-case scenario, he’s a third-line winger so it’s not a bad situation.” – Jokke

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carolina Hurricanes (via TOR) – 13th Overall
RW Jack Quinn – Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

Pick: Jokke

“This is the Amirov pick for me, with you. This is a pick that is probably too high for me. …I think he’s a good goal scorer but not the upper echelon that you kind of expect in this range. …The massive jump in production is astronomical and when the jump is that big I have to ask and wonder, how much luck played into this. …If someone takes Jack Quinn here and you ask why and they say ’50 goals’ and you can’t argue with that.” – Tony

 

 

 

Edmonton Oilers – 14th Overall
RW Seth Jarvis – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Pick: Tony

“He definitely has a lot of offensive upside, the question is how much of that translate to the NHL when you get bigger, stronger, and faster players against you. With the way he plays, how well does that work in the NHL? I have some concerns but not major concerns by any means.” – Jokke

 

 

 

 

Pittsburgh Penguins – 15th Overall
RW Noel Gunler – Luleå HF (SHL)

Pick: Jokke

“This was the guy I was curious where he would land on our mock draft because basically from 10-on, I considered him for every pick. I think Gunler has got a ton of skill and when his motor is going he’s a really good player. If he could get his motor going on a more consistent basis, even if its only 75% of the time, you consider him in the top ten but his motor is just so hit-and-miss.” – Tony

 

 

 

 

Be sure to tune into the podcast as well to hear our full thoughts on all of the players we selected as well as players we think might be drafted higher than they should and some players that we may feel like are worth reaching on in the top-15 that may not be the obvious choice!

 

All player photos courtesy of Andrew Armstrong.

 

Follow us on Twitter: @DobberDraftCast, @theTonyFerrari, @JokkeNevalainen.

 

Listen to the podcast on various platforms:

 

Watch a video version of the podcast on Youtube:

 

 

Dobber’s DraftCast is powered by InStat Hockey (@InStatHockey).

 

For your fantasy hockey needs, the DobberProspects Fantasy Prospect Report and Fantasy Guide are the best sources to get you ahead of the game in your league whether you play in a simple year-to-year league or you’re involved in a decade long keeper league, the DobberProspects’ Fantasy Guides are your one-stop-shop for winning your league!