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

By Simon Vacca

HAMILTON, ON - JANUARY 16: Alexis Lafreniere #11 of Team White and Quinton Byfield #55 of Team Red talk following the final whistle of the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at FirstOntario Centre on January 16, 2020 in Hamilton, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
HAMILTON, ON - JANUARY 16: Alexis Lafreniere #11 of Team White and Quinton Byfield #55 of Team Red talk following the final whistle of the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at FirstOntario Centre on January 16, 2020 in Hamilton, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ON – MARCH 09: Cole Perfetti #91 of the Saginaw Spirit celebrates his second goal of the game in the third period during OHL game action against the London Knights at Budweiser Gardens on March 9, 2019 in London, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
LONDON, ON – MARCH 09: Cole Perfetti #91 of the Saginaw Spirit celebrates his second goal of the game in the third period during OHL game action against the London Knights at Budweiser Gardens on March 9, 2019 in London, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Hockey Prospects 10-6

10. Jake Sanderson, D, USNTDP — USHL (6-foot-1, 185 pounds)

Sanderson is a great defenseman who plays as well in his own end as just about any other player in this draft. The 17-year-old is smart, skates well and moves the puck with a high degree of success. If a team is willing to bet on its ability to add another layer to Sanderson’s offensive game, he may be selected prior to the tenth spot.

9. Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgårdens IF — SHL (6-foot-0, 183 pounds)

The finest natural goal scorer of this year’s draft. Holtz’s shot is of the phenomenal variety and his passing game is top-notch. Some scouts question Holtz’s shoot-first mentality, but elite scoring promises to pay at the professional level.

8. Yaroslav Askarov, G, SKA St. Petersburg — KHL (6-foot-3, 176 pounds)

As the top netminding prospect of the past while, Askarov is a sure lock to be selected in the first round. He performed poorly at the World Juniors, but his long history of previous achievement speaks for itself. The 17-year-old’s ceiling is that of a potential dynamic-altering goaltender of the future, so it will be intriguing to see which NHL club opts to roll the dice on a player of this variety.

7. Lucas Raymond, RW/LW, Frölunda HC — SHL (5-foot-10, 165 pounds)

A tricky forward to play against who combines a high-end hockey IQ with elite vision. Raymond plays steadily in his own end and offers NHL clubs admirable offensive prowess, serving as perhaps the most intelligent forward of the 2020 class.

6. Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw Spirit — OHL (5-foot-10, 185 pounds)

Perfetti is one of the top creative talents of the draft, boasting a strong shot and passing that is nothing short of phenomenal. The 18-year-old plays fairly intelligent hockey, with game-changing potential on a recurring basis.

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