The 2020 NHL Entry Draft was the 58th NHL Entry Draft that was held from October 6–7, 2020. It was originally scheduled for June 26–27, 2020 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, but it was postponed on March 25, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event was held in a remote format, with teams convening via videoconferencing, and Commissioner Gary Bettman announcing the selections in the opening round and deputy commissioner Bill Daly in all subsequent rounds from the NHL Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey.
The first three selections were Alexis Lafreniere going to the New York Rangers, Quinton Byfield being selected by the Los Angeles Kings and Tim Stuetzle being picked by the Ottawa Senators.
Eligibility[]
Ice hockey players who were born between January 1, 2000, and September 15, 2002, were eligible for selection in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
Additionally, un-drafted, non-North American players born in 1999 were eligible for the draft; and those players who were drafted in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, but not signed by an NHL team and who were born after June 30, 2000 were also eligible to re-enter the draft.
Draft Lottery[]
First Phase[]
The first three picks overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft were awarded by lottery. Since the 2012–13 NHL season all teams not qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs have a "weighted" chance at winning the first overall selection.
Beginning with the 2014–15 NHL season the NHL changed the weighting system that was used in previous years. Under the new system the odds of winning the draft lottery for the four lowest finishing teams in the league decreased, while the odds for the other non-playoff teams increased.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019–20 regular season was cut short after it was suspended on March 12, 2020. The NHL then implemented a special 24-team format for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs that included an additional Qualifying Round.
The NHL also wanted to hold the draft lottery before the playoffs began on August 1, 2020, while at the same time keeping its 15-team draft lottery system. It was decided that the draft lottery would include the seven teams that did not qualify for the playoffs, and eight placeholders representing the yet-to-be-determined clubs eliminated in the Qualifying Round.
The first phase of the draft lottery was held on June 26, 2020. The first overall pick was won by "Team E", one of the placeholders.
As a result, the NHL conducted a second draft lottery on August 10, 2020, while the Los Angeles Kings moved up two spots and the Ottawa Senators (previously acquired from San Jose) remained at third overall.
In the process, the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators moved down three spots from first and second overall, respectively, while the Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and the Buffalo Sabres each dropped one spot.
Second Phase[]
Because a placeholder team won the initial draft lottery, a second lottery took place on August 10, 2020.
The second phase of the lottery gave all eight teams eliminated in the Qualifying Round of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs an equal chance to win the first overall pick; this guaranteed that a team that made the playoffs would select first overall in draft for the first time since 1983.
Each eliminated team had one lottery ball; the seven teams that did not win the second draft lottery were assigned picks nine through fifteen based on inverse order of points percentage.
The New York Rangers won phase two of the draft lottery and moved up nine spots in the draft order to earn the first selection in the draft.
Top Prospects[]
Ranking | North American goalies | European goalies |
---|---|---|
1 | Nico Daws | Template:Country data Russia Yaroslav Askarov |
2 | Drew Commesso | Jan Bednar |
3 | Samuel Hlavaj | Joel Blomqvist |
Selections by Round[]
Round one[]
# | Player | Nationality | NHL Team | College/Junior/Club Team |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Alexis Lafreniere (LW) | Canada | New York Rangers | Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) |
2 | Quinton Byfield (C) | Canada | Los Angeles Kings | Sudbury Wolves (OHL) |
3 | Tim Stuetzle (LW) | Template:Country data Germany Germany | Ottawa Senators (from San Jose)1 | Adler Mannheim (DEL) |
4 | Lucas Raymond (LW) | Sweden | Detroit Red Wings | Frolunda HC (SHL) |
5 | Jake Sanderson (D) | United States | Ottawa Senators | U.S. NTDP (USHL) |
6 | Jamie Drysdale (D) | Canada | Anaheim Ducks | Erie Otters (OHL) |
7 | Alexander Holtz (RW) | Sweden | New Jersey Devils | Djurgardens IF (SHL) |
8 | Jack Quinn (RW) | Canada | Buffalo Sabres | Ottawa 67's (OHL) |
9 | Marco Rossi (C) | Template:Country data Austria Austria | Minnesota Wild | Ottawa 67's (OHL) |
10 | Cole Perfetti (C) | Canada | Winnipeg Jets | Saginaw Spirit (OHL) |
11 | Yaroslav Askarov (G) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Nashville Predators | SKA-Neva (VHL) |
12 | Anton Lundell (C) | Finland | Florida Panthers | HIFK (Liiga) |
13 | Seth Jarvis (C) | Canada | Carolina Hurricanes (from Toronto) | Portland Winterhawks (WHL) |
14 | Dylan Holloway (C) | Canada | Edmonton Oilers | Wisconsin Badgers (Big Ten) |
15 | Rodion Amirov (C) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Toronto Maple Leafs (from Pittsburgh) | Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL) |
16 | Kaiden Guhle (D) | Canada | Montreal Canadiens | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) |
17 | Lukas Reichel (LW) | Template:Country data Germany Germany | Chicago Blackhawks | Eisbaren Berlin (DEL) |
18 | Dawson Mercer (C) | Canada | New Jersey Devils (from Arizona) | Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL) |
19 | Braden Schneider (D) | Canada | New York Rangers (from Calgary) | Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) |
20 | Shakir Mukhamadullin (D) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | New Jersey Devils (from Vancouver via Tampa Bay) | Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL) |
21 | Yegor Chinakhov (RW) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Columbus Blue Jackets | Avangard Omsk (KHL) |
22 | Hendrix Lapierre (C) | Canada | Washington Capitals (from Carolina via NY Rangers and Calgary) | Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL) |
23 | Tyson Foerster (RW) | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers | Barrie Colts (OHL) |
24 | Connor Zary (C) | Canada | Calgary Flames (from Washington) | Kamloops Blazers (WHL) |
25 | Justin Barron (D) | Canada | Colorado Avalanche | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) |
26 | Jake Neighbours (LW) | Canada | St. Louis Blues | Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) |
27 | Jacob Perreault (RW) | Canada | Anaheim Ducks (from Boston) | Sarnia Sting (OHL) |
28 | Ridly Greig (C) | Canada | Ottawa Senators (from NY Islanders) | Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) |
29 | Brendan Brisson (C) | United States | Vegas Golden Knights | Chicago Steel (USHL) |
30 | Mavrik Bourque (C) | Canada | Dallas Stars | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) |
31 | Ozzy Wiesblatt (RW) | Canada | San Jose Sharks (from Tampa Bay) | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) |
Round two[]
# | Player | Nationality | NHL Team | College/Junior/Club Team |
---|---|---|---|---|
32 | William Wallinder (D) | Sweden | Detroit Red Wings | Modo J20 (J20 SuperElit) |
33 | Roby Jarventie (LW) | Finland | Ottawa Senators | KOOVEE (Mestis) |
34 | John-Jason Peterka (LW) | Template:Country data Germany Germany | Buffalo Sabres (from San Jose)1 | EHC Red Bull Munchen (DEL) |
35 | Helge Grans (D) | Sweden | Los Angeles Kings | Malmo Redhawks (SHL) |
36 | Sam Colangelo (RW) | United States | Anaheim Ducks | Chicago Steel (USHL) |
37 | Marat Khusnutdinov (C) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Minnesota Wild (from New Jersey via Nashville) | SKA-1946 (MHL) |
38 | Thomas Bordeleau (C) | United States | San Jose Sharks (from Buffalo)3 | U.S. NTDP (USHL) |
39 | Ryan O'Rourke (D) | Canada | Minnesota Wild | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) |
40 | Daniel Torgersson (LW) | Sweden | Winnipeg Jets | Frolunda J20 (J20 SuperElit) |
41 | Noel Gunler (RW) | Sweden | Carolina Hurricanes (from NY Rangers) | Lulea HF (SHL) |
42 | Luke Evangelista (RW) | Canada | Nashville Predators | London Knights (OHL) |
43 | Emil Heineman (LW) | Sweden | Florida Panthers | Leksands IF (SHL) |
44 | Tyler Kleven (D) | United States | Ottawa Senators (from Toronto) | U.S. NTDP (USHL) |
45 | Brock Faber (D) | United States | Los Angeles Kings (from Edmonton via Detroit) | U.S. NTDP (USHL) |
46 | Drew Commesso (G) | United States | Chicago Blackhawks (from Pittsburgh via Vegas) | U.S. NTDP (USHL) |
47 | Luke Tuch (LW) | United States | Montreal Canadiens | U.S. NTDP (USHL) |
48 | Jan Mysak (C) | Czech Republic | Montreal Canadiens (from Chicago) | Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) |
Forfeited pick9 | ||||
50 | Yan Kuznetsov (D) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Calgary Flames | UConn Huskies (H-East) |
51 | Theodor Niederbach (C) | Sweden | Detroit Red Wings (from Vancouver via Los Angeles) | Frolunda J20 (J20 SuperElit) |
52 | Joel Blomqvist (G) | Finland | Pittsburgh Penguins (from Columbus via Ottawa) | Oulun Karpat U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga) |
53 | Vasily Ponomarev (C) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Carolina Hurricanes | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) |
54 | Emil Andrae (D) | Sweden | Philadelphia Flyers | HV71 J20 (J20 SuperElit) |
55 | Cross Hanas (LW) | United States | Detroit Red Wings (from Washington) | Portland Winterhawks (WHL) |
56 | Tristen Robins (RW) | Canada | San Jose Sharks (from Colorado via Washington) | Saskatoon Blades (WHL) |
57 | Jack Finley (C) | Canada | Tampa Bay Lightning (from St. Louis via Montreal) | Spokane Chiefs (WHL) |
58 | Mason Lohrei (D) | United States | Boston Bruins | Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) |
59 | Roni Hirvonen (C) | Finland | Toronto Maple Leafs (from NY Islanders via Ottawa) | Assat (Liiga) |
60 | William Cuylle (LW) | Canada | New York Rangers (from Vegas via Los Angeles) | Windsor Spitfires (OHL) |
61 | Egor Sokolov (LW) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Ottawa Senators (from Dallas via Vegas) | Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL) |
62 | Gage Goncalves (C) | Canada | Tampa Bay Lightning | Everett Silvertips (WHL) |
Round three[]
# | Player | Nationality | NHL Team | College/Junior/Club Team |
---|---|---|---|---|
63 | Donovan Sebrango (D) | Canada | Detroit Red Wings | Kitchener Rangers (OHL) |
64 | Topi Niemela (D) | Finland | Toronto Maple Leafs (from Ottawa)1 | Oulun Karpat (Liiga) |
65 | Daemon Hunt (D) | Canada | Minnesota Wild (from San Jose via Detroit)2 | Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) |
66 | Kasper Simontaival (RW) | Finland | Los Angeles Kings | Tappara (Liiga) |
67 | Ian Moore (D) | United States | Anaheim Ducks | St. Mark's Lions (USHS-MA) |
68 | Lukas Cormier (D) | Canada | Vegas Golden Knights (from New Jersey)3 | Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL) |
69 | Alexander Nikishin (D) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Carolina Hurricanes (from Buffalo)4 | HC Spartak Moscow (KHL) |
70 | Eemil Viro (D) | Finland | Detroit Red Wings (from Minnesota via Nashville and Minnesota) | TPS (Liiga) |
71 | Leevi Merilainen (G) | Finland | Ottawa Senators (from Winnipeg) | Oulun Karpat U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga) |
72 | Jeremie Poirier (D) | Canada | Calgary Flames (from NY Rangers) | Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) |
73 | Luke Prokop (D) | Canada | Nashville Predators | Calgary Hitmen (WHL) |
74 | Ty Smilanic (C) | United States | Florida Panthers | U.S. NTDP (USHL) |
75 | Jean-Luc Foudy (C) | Canada | Colorado Avalanche (from Toronto)8 | Windsor Spitfires (OHL) |
76 | Danil Gushchin (LW) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | San Jose Sharks (from Edmonton)9 | Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) |
77 | Calle Clang (G) | Sweden | Pittsburgh Penguins | Kristianstads IK (HockeyAllsvenskan) |
78 | Samuel Knazko (D) | Slovakia | Columbus Blue Jackets (from Montreal)10 | TPS U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga) |
79 | Landon Slaggert (LW) | United States | Chicago Blackhawks | U.S. NTDP (USHL) |
80 | Jake Boltmann (D) | United States | Calgary Flames (from Arizona via Colorado and Washington) | Edina Hornets (Minnesota) |
81 | Wyatt Kaiser (D) | United States | Chicago Blackhawks (from Calgary) | Andover Huskies (USHS-MN) |
82 | Joni Jurmo (D) | Finland | Vancouver Canucks | Jokerit U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga) |
83 | Alex Laferriere (RW) | United States | Los Angeles Kings (from Columbus via Ottawa and Toronto) | Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) |
84 | Nico Daws (G) | Canada | New Jersey Devils (from Carolina) | Guelph Storm (OHL) |
85 | Maxim Groshev (RW) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Tampa Bay Lightning (from Philadelphia via San Jose) | Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL) |
86 | Dylan Peterson (C) | United States | St. Louis Blues (from Washington via Montreal) | U.S. NTDP (USHL) |
87 | Justin Sourdif (RW) | Canada | Florida Panthers (from Colorado) | Vancouver Giants (WHL) |
88 | Leo Loof (D) | Sweden | St. Louis Blues | Farjestad Jr. (U20 SuperElit) |
89 | Trevor Kuntar (C) | United States | Boston Bruins | Boston College Eagles (H-East) |
90 | Alexander Ljungkrantz (LW) | Sweden | New York Islanders | Brynas Jr. (U20 SuperElit) |
91 | Jackson Hallum (C) | United States | Vegas Golden Knights | St. Thomas Academy Cadets (USHS-MN) |
92 | Oliver Tarnstrom (C) | Sweden | New York Rangers (from Dallas) | AIK Jr. (U20 SuperElit) |
93 | Jack Thompson (D) | Canada | Tampa Bay Lightning | Sudbury Wolves (OHL) |
Round four[]
# | Player | Nationality | NHL Team | College/Junior/Club Team |
---|---|---|---|---|
94 | Zayde Wisdom (RW) | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers (from Detroit via Tampa Bay) | Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) |
95 | Michael Benning (D) | Canada | Florida Panthers (from Ottawa) | Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL) |
96 | Daniil Chechelev (G) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Calgary Flames (from San Jose via Montreal and Buffalo) | Russkiye Vitazi Chekhov (MHL) |
97 | Sam Stange (RW) | United States | Detroit Red Wings (from Los Angeles) | Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) |
98 | Brandon Coe (RW) | Canada | San Jose Sharks (from Anaheim via Montreal) | North Bay Battalion (OHL) |
99 | Jaromir Pytlik (C) | Czech Republic | New Jersey Devils | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) |
100 | Carter Savoie (LW) | Canada | Edmonton Oilers (from Buffalo via San Jose) | Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL) |
101 | Adam Wilsby (D) | Sweden | Nashville Predators (from Minnesota) | Skelleftea AIK (SHL) |
102 | Jack Smith (RW) | United States | Montreal Canadiens (from Winnipeg) | Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) |
103 | Dylan Garand (G) | Canada | New York Rangers | Kamloops Blazers (WHL) |
104 | Thimo Nickl (D) | Template:Country data Austria Austria | Anaheim Ducks (from Nashville via Philadelphia) | Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) |
105 | Zachary Uens (D) | Canada | Florida Panthers | Merrimack Warriors (H-East) |
106 | Artur Akhtyamov (G) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Toronto Maple Leafs | Irbis Kazan (MHL) |
107 | Jan Bednar (G) | Czech Republic | Detroit Red Wings (from Edmonton) | Sokolov (Czech 1.liga) |
108 | Lukas Svejkovsky (C) | United States | Pittsburgh Penguins | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) |
109 | Blake Biondi (C) | United States | Montreal Canadiens | Hermantown Hawks (USHS-MN) |
110 | Michael Krutil (D) | Czech Republic | Chicago Blackhawks | Sparta Jr. (U20 Extraliga) |
111 | Mitchell Miller (D) | United States | Arizona Coyotes | Tri-City Storm (USHL) |
112 | Juho Markkanen (G) | Finland | Los Angeles Kings (from Calgary) | Kettera (Mestis) |
113 | Jackson Kunz (LW) | United States | Vancouver Canucks | Shattuck-St. Mary's Sabres (USHS-MN) |
114 | Mikael Pyyhtia (LW) | Finland | Columbus Blue Jackets | TPS U20 (Jr. A SM-liiga) |
115 | Zion Nybeck (LW) | Sweden | Carolina Hurricanes | HV71 J20 (J20 SuperElit) |
116 | Eamon Powell (D) | United States | Tampa Bay Lightning (from Philadelphia) | U.S. NTDP (USHL) |
117 | Bogdan Trineyev (RW) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Washington Capitals | Dynamo Moscow 2 (MHL) |
118 | Colby Ambrosio (C) | Canada | Colorado Avalanche | Tri-City Storm (USHL) |
119 | Tanner Dickinson (C) | United States | St. Louis Blues | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) |
120 | Ethan Edwards (D) | Canada | New Jersey Devils (from Boston) | Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) |
121 | Alex Jefferies (LW) | United States | New York Islanders | Gunnery Highlanders (USHS-CT) |
122 | William Villeneuve (D) | Canada | Toronto Maple Leafs (from Vegas) | Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) |
123 | Antonio Stranges (LW) | United States | Dallas Stars | London Knights (OHL) |
124 | Sean Farrell (C) | United States | Montreal Canadiens (from Tampa Bay) | Chicago Steel (USHL) |
Round five[]
# | Player | Nationality | NHL Team | College/Junior/Club Team |
---|---|---|---|---|
125 | Jesper Vikman (G) | Sweden | Vegas Golden Knights (from Detroit) | AIK Jr. (U20 SuperElit) |
126 | Tyler Tullio (RW) | Canada | Edmonton Oilers (from Ottawa via San Jose) | Oshawa Generals (OHL) |
127 | Evan Vierling (C) | Canada | New York Rangers (from San Jose) | Barrie Colts (OHL) |
128 | Martin Chromiak (RW) | Slovakia | Los Angeles Kings | Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) |
129 | Artyom Galimov (C) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Anaheim Ducks | Ak Bars Kazan (KHL) |
130 | Artem Shlaine (C) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | New Jersey Devils | Shattuck-St. Mary's Sabres (USHS-MN) |
131 | Matteo Costantini (C) | Canada | Buffalo Sabres | Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL) |
132 | Alex Cotton (D) | Canada | Detroit Red Wings (from Minnesota) | Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) |
133 | Anton Johannesson (D) | Sweden | Winnipeg Jets | HV71 J20 (U20 SuperElit) |
134 | Brett Berard (LW) | United States | New York Rangers | U.S. NTDP (USHL) |
135 | Elliot Desnoyers (LW) | Canada | Philadelphia Flyers (from Nashville) | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) |
136 | Jakub Dobes (G) | Czech Republic | Montreal Canadiens (from Florida) | Omaha Lancers (USHL) |
137 | Dmitry Ovchinnikov (C) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Toronto Maple Leafs (from Toronto via Florida) | Novosibirsk 2 (MHL) |
138 | Maksim Berezkin (LW) | Template:Country data Russia Russia | Edmonton Oilers | Yaroslavl 2 (MHL) |
139 | Ryder Rolston (RW) | United States | Colorado Avalanche (from Pittsburgh) | Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) |
140 | Ben Meehan (D) | United States | Los Angeles Kings (from Montreal via Carolina) | UMass Lowell River Hawks (H-East) |
141 | Isaak Phillips (D) | Canada | Chicago Blackhawks | Sudbury Wolves (OHL) |
142 | Carson Bantle (LW) | United States | Arizona Coyotes | Madison Capitols (USHL) |
143 | Ryan Francis (RW) | Canada | Calgary Flames | Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL) |
144 | Jacob Truscott (D) | United States | Vancouver Canucks | U.S. NTDP (USHL) |
145 | Ole Julian Bjorgvik-Holm (D) | Template:Country data Norway Norway | Columbus Blue Jackets | Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) |
146 | Pavel Novak (RW) | Czech Republic | Minnesota Wild (from Carolina via St. Louis) | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) |
147 | Jaydon Dureau (LW) | Canada | Tampa Bay Lightning (from Philadelphia) | Portland Winterhawks (WHL) |
148 | Bear Hughes (D) | United States | Washington Capitals | Spokane Chiefs (WHL) |
149 | Raivis Ansons (RW) | Template:Country data Latvia Latvia | Pittsburgh Penguins (from Colorado) | Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) |
150 | Matthew Kessel (D) | United States | St. Louis Blues | UMass Minutemen (Hockey East) |
151 | Mason Langenbrunner (D) | United States | Boston Bruins | Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) |
152 | William Dufour (RW) | Canada | New York Islanders | Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) |
153 | Kasper Puutio (D) | Finland | Florida Panthers (from Vegas via Toronto) | Everett Silvertips (WHL) |
154 | Daniel Ljungman (C) | Sweden | Dallas Stars | Linkoping J20 (J20 SuperElit) |
155 | Eric Engstrand (LW) | Sweden | Ottawa Senators (from Tampa Bay) | Malmo Redhawks (SHL) |