FanSided’s 2020 NHL Entry Draft Rankings: Top 30 prospects

With the entire sports world on pause for the foreseeable future, let’s take a closer look at our top 30 prospects for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

The 2020 NHL Entry Draft shall allow players born between Jan. 1, 2000, and Sept. 15, 2002, to be selected by professional organizations to enter into the depths of hockey’s finest competition.

Despite being one of the sport’s most exciting events, the winds of doubt have recently been set into motion, as the NHL continues to grapple with the challenges imposed upon its selection process by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At this time, official word from the league has been limited. A March 25 statement from NHL Public Relations on the draft’s postponement continues to form the basis of public commentary on the matter:

"The National Hockey League today announced the postponements of the 2020 NHL Scouting Combine, the 2020 Bridgestone NHL Awards, and the 2020 NHL Draft, which were originally scheduled for June 1-6 in Buffalo, N.Y., June 18 in Las Vegas, and June 26-27 in Montreal, respectively, due to the ongoing uncertainty resulting from the coronavirus. The location, timing and format of the 2020 NHL Draft (and Draft Lottery) will be announced when details are finalized."

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at FanSided’s top 30 prospects at the outset of the month of April.

Hockey Prospects 30-26

30. Thomas Bordeleau, C, USNTDP — USHL (5-foot-9, 179 pounds)

An extremely dangerous offensive threat on the power play who offers prospective NHL clubs a reasonable measure of consistency. Bordeleau has experience in most — if not all — in-game situations and has worked incredibly hard to make the most of his size over the course of the past year-plus.

29. Hendrix Lapierre, C, Chicoutimi Saguenéens — QMJHL (6-foot-0, 181 pounds)

A steady two-way player whose hockey IQ is certainly something to write home about, Lapierre is one of this draft’s top playmakers. Nonetheless, the risk-reward factor remains difficult to gauge, as health concerns continue to run rampant. If the 18-year-old falls, he may turn out to be one heck of a steal.

28. John-Jason Peterka, LW, EHC München — DEL (5-foot-11, 192 pounds)

He has done nothing but climb the ranks of scouting vision throughout the past year — a fine quality to boast when the NHL Entry Draft is just around the corner. Peterka is a nifty forward whose crafty hands and hockey sense reflects the high-end variety, even if his nightly consistency needs further work.

27. Jan Mysak, C/LW, Hamilton Bulldogs — OHL (6-foot-0, 176 pounds)

An intelligent player whose impressive shot and in-game IQ promises to wow NHL clubs. Mysak played good hockey upon entering the Bulldogs organization — despite some questionable sets of play beforehand — and it remains probable that he will only continue to improve going forward.

26. Jacob Perreault, C/RW, Sarnia Sting — OHL (5-foot-11, 198 pounds)

Perreault’s raw talent is nothing short of fantastic, as the 17-year-old boasts one of the most deadly shots of the current draft class. While his two-way game remains an area for growth, the forward’s offensive capacities will almost certainly benefit his future professional team. This is a strong player to bet on, as Perreault’s ability to produce on the power play and fill the nets of opponents with pucks should earn him good money at the NHL level.