NHL

Predicting the Top Five Picks in the 2020 NHL Draft

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PETERBOROUGH, ON - MARCH 16: Quinton Byfield #55 of the Sudbury Wolves skates against the Peterborough Petes during an OHL game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on March 16, 2019 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. The Wolves defeated the Petes 3-1.

With the 2020 NHL Draft coming up, let�s take a look at a Mock Draft of the Top 5 picks.

No. 1 – Alexis Lafreni�re, Detroit Red Wings

VICTORIA , BC - DECEMBER 19: Alexis Lafreni�re #22 of Team Canada high fives with fans prior to a game versus Team Switzerland at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 19, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Canada defeated Switzerland 5-3.
Kevin Light/Getty Images

After a stellar World Junior Hockey Championship for Canada back in January, Alexis Lafreni�re solidified his status as the No. 1 pick in this year�s upcoming NHL draft. The 6�1� Center for the Rimouski Oc�anic has a combination of elite passing, scoring ability, and has a physical edge. Whoever ends up getting the first overall pick would be making a huge mistake if they select anyone other than the Quebec, Ontario native.

No. 2 – Quinton Byfield, Ottawa Senators

PETERBOROUGH, ON - MARCH 16: Quinton Byfield #55 of the Sudbury Wolves skates against the Peterborough Petes during an OHL game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on March 16, 2019 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. The Wolves defeated the Petes 3-1.
Claus Andersen/Getty Images

Also repping the red and white for Team Canada at the 2020 World Junior Hockey Championship, Quinton Byfield is a player that any team would love to have. Byfield has an unfair combination of size and skating ability, and has drawn comparisons to Pittsburgh Penguins� superstar Evgeni Malkin. Byfield is only 17 years old and will be tearing up the league for years to come.

No. 3 – Jamie Drysdale, Ottawa Senators

HAMILTON, ON - JANUARY 16: Jamie Drysdale #4 of Team Red skates during the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game against Team White at FirstOntario Centre on January 16, 2020 in Hamilton, Canada.
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Coming in as the best defenceman in the draft, Jamie Drysdale is an elite puck-moving defenceman with a lethal slapshot from the blueline. Drysdale was a key piece in Canada�s Gold Medal winning team at the 2020 WJHC, and whichever team drafts the Toronto native is set to get a stellar defenceman with incredible hockey IQ.

No. 4 – Tim St�tzle, Los Angeles Kings

A native of Viersen, Germany, Tim St�tzle is an elite scoring forward. St�tzle is set to become only the 10th player currently playing in the NHL born in Germany. With the Los Angeles Kings projected to get this pick, St�tzle is exactly the kind of player that team needs — a young forward who knows how to put the puck in the net. St�tzle would really help the Kings with their rebuild.

No. 5 – Lucas Raymond, Anaheim Ducks

OSTRAVA, CZECH REPUBLIC - JANUARY 2, 2020: The Czech Republics Adam Raska (L) and Swedens Lucas Raymond in their 2020 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championship quarter-final match at Ostravar Arena.
Peter Kovalev\TASS via Getty Images

Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, Lucas Raymond has played the last several years in the Swedish Hockey League. Raymond is a speedy winger with a lethal shot and terrific skating ability. Lucas Raymond would be a great, young addition to the aging Ducks roster.

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