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NHL Draft 2020: 3 biggest steals of round one

By Mike Zawisza

(Photo by Mathieu Belanger/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mathieu Belanger/Getty Images) /
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Hendrix Lapierre
QUEBEC CITY, QC – OCTOBER 11: Hendrix Lapierre #92 of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens skates with the puck against the Quebec Remparts during their QMJHL hockey game at the Videotron Center on October 11, 2019 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Mathieu Belanger/Getty Images) /

2. Hendrix Lapierre (C) — Washington Capitals

In a decade or so, NHL fans and analysts may look back at the 2020 draft and shake their heads in disbelief that the Washington Capitals were able to draft Hendrix Lapierre at 22nd overall.

Lapierre didn’t drop out of the top five or 10 due to a lack of talent. He’s a ferocious competitor with an innate ability to put up offense in bunches. With 35 goals and 124 points in 104 games in the QMJHL, there’s no question that when he’s on the ice, Lapierre is the best player.

But therein lies the issue. Lapierre had three head and/or neck injuries in a span of one year and was limited to just 20 games in the last two seasons. Head injuries are no joke. From Eric Lindros to Marc Savard, we’ve seen careers prematurely come to a close due to concussions and related injuries. That’s a big risk for a team to take — with no fault to the players in question.

However, he’s been given a clean bill of health and at 22, the Capitals saw an opportunity to draft one of the most electric scorers available. If Lapierre — a noted Alexander Ovechkin fan — can stay healthy and make it to the league, look out. There are few things more dangerous than a skilled player with a big chip on their shoulder.

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