2020 NHL Entry Draft: First round recap
By Mike Zawisza
16. Montreal Canadiens – D Kaiden Guhle, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Coming off a surprise playoff run in which they upset the Pittsburgh Penguins before falling to the Philadelphia Flyers in six games, the Montreal Canadiens went with Guhle to add to their defensive crop. They already have high-end talent upfront in Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nick Suzuki, so this pick address needs elsewhere in the organization, especially with Shea Weber in decline.
17. Chicago Blackhawks – LW Lukas Reichel, Eisbaren (DEL)
Linemate of Tim Stutzle and J.J. Peterka in the World Junior Championships, Reichel is a player who can provide scoring punch around the net and finish chances. Reichel might not have the skill or ceiling that Stutzle does, but he should pan out to be a nice supplement to the Hawks — a team that always seems to be able to score in bunches, and is getting younger.
18. New Jersey Devils (from Arizona) C/RW Dawson Mercer, Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
Mercer is another “gamer.” He’s a high-character player that can shift from center to wing and vice-versa. He looks up to Patrice Bergeron and sets the team before himself. Never afraid to take a hit to make a play, the Devils got a good role player. Considering all of the skills they’re accumulating, a glue guy to help hold the room together makes a good deal of sense.
19. New York Rangers (via Calgary) – D Braden Schneider, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
The Rangers moved up a few picks to take Schneider so clearly, they liked what they saw. He’s not the most skilled defenseman, but he’s gritty, physical and tough to play against. The Rangers got a high-skill player with their first overall pick, so taking a sure-footed defensive-defenseman adds a layer of reliability to their draft.
20. New Jersey Devils (from Tampa Bay via Vancouver) – D Shakir Mukhamadullin, Tolpar UFA (KHL)
The Devils third selection of the night was what you would call a “reach.” Mukhamadullin is a large individual — standing 6’3” — who plays a rangey game over in Russia. He’s shown a booming slapshot but needs to add a great deal of muscle to his tall frame. Some had him pegged for the second round, but considering how the Devils did on their first two picks, they had some leeway to go way off the board at 20.