2020 NHL Draft Tracker

We are here and ready for everything to do with the Minnesota Wild during the NHL Entry Draft. No need to go anywhere else as we’ll be updating this post as we go through the two-day event.

Follow us on Twitter at @hockeywildernes to keep even more up to date as the picks roll in.

Pre-Draft Reading

Before the draft gets started, get familiar with everything the Wild can potentially do when they’re on the clock — or to make things interesting, before then.

Learn everything about the elite goaltender Yaroslav Askarov a Swedish goalscoring winger in Alexander Holtz, a well-rounded center named Andon Lundell, a high-offence forward from the Ontario Hockey League in Jack Quinn, and two-way American defenceman Jake Sanderson. All five could potentially become the newest member of the Wild tonight.

Wondering what can happen over tonight and tomorrow? Check out this Wild-only seven round mock draft, going through each and every potential pick.

Do you ever wonder what if the Wild had a do-over on drafts in the 2010s? Read the article and dream about the Wild being a consistent contender.

2020 NHL First Round Draft Picks

1. New York Rangers - Alexis Lafrenière

The only predictable thing about about 2020 has finally happened as the Rangers selected the elite winger from the QMJHL.

2. Los Angeles Kings - Quinton Byfield

Kings get a strong, powerful, elitely-talented centerman who dominated for Sudbury of the OHL.

3. Ottawa Senators (from San Jose Sharks) - Tim Stützle

A fantastic scorer and excellent skater - the Sens choice was pretty clear here. Played LW for Adler Mannheim of the DEL but could be moved to center in Ottawa.

4. Detroit Red Wings - Lucas Raymond

Silky mitts and an explosive stride as a winger for Frölunda of the Swedish Hockey League. Red Wings need a lot, so taking Raymond as the best player available makes a lot of sense.

5. Ottawa Senators - Jake Sanderson

The first surprise of the first round as the Sens take the big, strong Sanderson as the first defenseman in this year’s draft. Sanderson is also the first US player selected in 2020, and a player that would have made a lot of sense for the Wild had he been available.

6. Anaheim Ducks - Jamie Drysdale

A mini run on defenders and the Ducks get a gift in Drysdale. A playmaking blueliner with elite upside from the Erie Otters of the OHL.

7. New Jersey Devils - Alexander Holtz

The Devils get one of the best shots in the draft in the winger from Djurgårdens IF of the SHL. Another player who the Wild likely coveted.

8. Buffalo Sabres - Jack Quinn

A great scorer with nice release, Quinn is the first player picked from the Ottawa 67s of the OHL - and he likely won’t be the last.

9. Minnesota Wild - Marco Rossi

The Wild take the gift that was dropped right into their lap. Rossi has elite positional awareness that makes up for his 5-foot-9 frame. You don’t score 120 points in the OHL being bad.

10. Winnipeg Jets - Cole Perfetti

A winger that can create offence like it’s nothing. Perfetti is now the fifth player in the top-10 taken from the OHL.

11. Nashville Predators - Yaroslav Askarov

The elite goaltending prospect that everyone is talking about. The next coming of Carey Price, Marc-Andre Fleury, etc. With Pekka Rinne nearing retirement, this looks like one to stabilize that position.

12. Florida Panthers - Anton Lundell

A strong two-way center out of HIFK of the Liiga, Lundell appears to always be a couple steps ahead of his opposition.

13. Carolina Hurricanes (from Toronto Maple Leafs) - Seth Jarvis

Coming from the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, Jarvis is a pure-offence winger. Always wants to be involved in the play.

14. Edmonton Oilers - Dylan Holloway

A solid power forward from the University of Wisconsin, Holloway can move pucks up the ice well and partner up with his linemates well. A potential permanent winger for McDavid? Maybe.

15. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Pittsburgh Penguins) - Rodion Amirov

The first skater taken out of the KHL, Amirov is a skilled skater that can enter the offensive zone easily with his vision.

16. Montreal Canadiens - Kaiden Guhle

The third defenseman taken off the board, is an extremely active player from the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL. All-in on defense while he’s on the ice but still questions surround his offensive game.

17. Chicago Blackhawks - Lukas Reichel

A winger that never gives up on the play, works from the outside towards the net to create scoring chances for his teammates. The second German taken in the first round.

18. New Jersey Devils (from Arizona Coyotes) - Dawson Mercer

A tricky winger from the QMJHL, Mercer can be elusive in his skating to get defenders to misread his movements and create offense.

19. Calgary Flames

TRADE: The Rangers trade up three spots to the 19th overall selection, giving the Flames their 22nd and 72nd pick in return.

19. New York Rangers - Braden Schneider

A very heavy defenseman, he’s physical but doesn’t take needless penalties. Schneider was able to score 42 points in 60 games for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL last season.

20. New Jersey Devils (from Tampa Bay Lightning via Vancouver Canucks) - Shakir Mukhamadullin

The best name in the draft, the defenseman can make the NHL, but that might be it. He has a rocket of a shot and can skate fairly well, but doesn’t exceptionally shine in one area but his 6-foot-4 frame.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets - Yegor Chinakhov

A forward that wasn’t in many mock drafts and was 30th among all European skaters, taken in the first round is a choice by the Blue Jackets here. He has capable puck skills, but with more players available it’s a big question mark.

22. New York Rangers (from Carolina Hurricanes)

22. Calgary Flames

TRADE: After taking the No. 22 pick from the Rangers, the Flames decide to trade down yet again, taking the No. 24 and No. 80 pick from the Capitals.

22. Washington Capitals - Hendrix Lapierre

Marred by injury last season, it was uncertain where Lapierre would fall but the talented two-way center is on his way to Washington. It made sense to trade up to get the potential grand slam pick with the speed and skill he holds.

23. Philadelphia Flyers - Tyson Foerster

A key playmaker for the Barrie Colts of the OHL, Foerster also grades out as an elite shooter. He reportedly has one of the best shots in the draft and has the capability to be responsible defensively.

24. Washington Capitals

24. Calgary Flames - Connor Zary

Described as a smart centerman, Zary is a deceptive shooter. The Saskatoon, Sask. native was able to score 38 goals in 57 games for the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL last season. Can be a real difference maker.

25. Colorado Avalanche - Justin Barron

A puckmoving defenseman from the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL, Barron possesses the ability to work in the right lanes to create offense from the blue line.

26. St. Louis Blues - Jake Neighbours

The Edmonton Oil Kings winger uses his 5-foot-11 frame very well to knock the puck loose. A very physical forward that can impose his game defensively.

27. Anaheim Ducks (from Boston Bruins) - Jacob Perreault

Perreault is a pure sniper and one of the best shooters in the draft. With a quick first touch of the puck and the ability to get his shot off effectively, there could be a future powerplay specialist for the Ducks in the Sarnia Sting winger.

28. Ottawa Senators (from New York Islanders) - Ridly Greig

A tireless winger, Greig is able to use his body well to make his presence known on the ice. An intelligent player in all three zones, the Senators got their third player of the first round.

29. Vegas Golden Knights - Brendan Brisson

The center from the Chicago Steel of the USHL is a force in the offensive zone. He is able to get himself out of any situation and create scoring chances out of thin air. Committed to the University of Michigan next season, the Golden Knights seem to have gotten a steal in the late first.

30. Dallas Stars - Mavrik Bourque

A possession monster, Bourque is able to control play on the ice at a top level. The center scored 71 points in 49 games for the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL last season.

31. San Jose Sharks (from Tampa Bay Lightning) - Ozzy Wiesblatt

The second Prince Albert Raider taken in the first round, Wiesblatt is able to transition the puck through all three zones with ease. A heavy and powerful skater, he never really stops moving.

Notable Trades

That’s it for the first round folks! We’ll be back at 10:30am CT tomorrow for the next six rounds.

Marco Rossi is a member of the Minnesota Wild.