Interesting to compare our preliminary one from the end of November (found here) with this new one. Antonio Stranges and Jaromir Pytlik are the two big fallers. Stranges goes from 5th to out of the top 10, while Pytlik goes from 8th to receiving only a couple of votes for the top 10. Jack Quinn is the big riser going from outside of the top 10 to 5th (essentially swapping with Stranges). We also have new OHL'ers Jan Mysak and Martin Chromiak (although not in the top 10) making their debuts on the list. It's certainly been exciting to track their progress so far.
At the top, Quinton Byfield is the near unanimous first choice, but the battle for second is even more confusing. Jamie Drysdale Marco Rossi, and Cole Perfetti pretty much shared the votes for the spot behind Byfield and it seems that nearly everyone has a different order/preference of how to rank those three.
As always, it's important to note the contributors, as without them and their terrific insight, this article does not exist. For the midseason list, the following helped out:
Corey
Pronman - NHL Prospects Writer for TheAthletic
(@coreypronman)
Dominic Tiano - Writer for The OHL Writers (@dominictiano)
Dylan Galloway - OHL Scout for Future Considerations (@dylangalloway_)
Mike Morreale - Staff writer for NHL.com (@mikemorrealeNHL)
Ryan Kennedy - Associate Senior Writer for The Hockey News (@THNRyanKennedy)
Dominic Tiano - Writer for The OHL Writers (@dominictiano)
Dylan Galloway - OHL Scout for Future Considerations (@dylangalloway_)
Mike Morreale - Staff writer for NHL.com (@mikemorrealeNHL)
Ryan Kennedy - Associate Senior Writer for The Hockey News (@THNRyanKennedy)
Tony
Ferrari – OHL Scout for Future
Considerations
and
NHL Draft Writer for Dobber
Prospects
(@theTonyFerrari)
Mark
Seidel - Scouting Director for NACS
Hockey (@MarkSeidel)
Chris Peters - NHL Prospects Writer for ESPN (@chrismpeters)
Chris Peters - NHL Prospects Writer for ESPN (@chrismpeters)
Peter
Harling - Editor for Dobber
Prospects
and host of the Dobber
Prospect Radio Podcast
(@pharling)
Here's
the List:
1.
Quinton Byfield – Center/Left Wing – Sudbury Wolves
Total
Votes: 21
Highest
Ranking: 1st (20x)
Lowest
Ranking: 2nd (1x)
Comments:
“This
was a no-brainer the last time I put my list together, and even with
an “underwhelming” World Junior, Byfield is solidly the #2 pick
to me in this year’s draft. He’s big with tremendous skill, a
great shot, and excellent passing vision on the ice. He moves pucks
efficiently up the ice, and to me, his potential is limitless.” -
Will Scouch
“It's
all about the tools and the upside. No, he didn't do anything at the
world juniors and his Top Prospects Game was just fine, but Byfield
has everything you want and he's still growing his game.” - Ryan
Kennedy
“For
me Byfield is a lock at number two overall for this draft. Earlier in
the season he was making a significant bid to supplant Lafreniere for
number one but Lafreniere has really cemented his hold on the top
spot. Byfield brings a total package of skill, smarts and size.
Typically big players at this age need to improve their skating, but
for Byfield that is his best asset in my opinion. He is a very
graceful skater, has a quick first step that lends to separation. He
has tremendous balance and agility allowing him to fend off
forecheckers, lean into players and stand his ground in front of the
goal.” - Peter Harling
“What
is there about Byfield that you can't like about him? He's gigantic,
can skate and is super creative. While he did not make an impact for
Team Canada, his absence certainly illustrated to the Sudbury Wolves
and the OHL how important he is to that team. I feel like we are
getting into a territory where people are trying to pick apart his
game to find flaws rather than recognize everything that he is.” -
Matt Young
“Sudbury
were tanking hard when Byfield left for the World Juniors, but his
return has since stabilized their season. I like the way he’s
played beyond the scoring and he’s clearly a candidate for OHL Most
Valuable Player. He’s been strong on faceoffs and consistent in
covering danger spots near the goal. Byfield needs more credit for
his hockey sense and ability to sniff things out or attack a weakness
before the opposition knows a weakness exists. And it continue to
surprise me how often he catches defensemen flat footed or they
misjudge his speed. There are only a handful of defensemen in the
entire league who can at least attempt to slow him down. That says a
lot considering Byfield’s 17 for another six months.” - Steve
Kournianos
“This
highly talented, big, powerful and fast pivot is lighting up the OHL
offensively in his draft year while still is developing his two-way
game. The one area that I would like to see him work on over the last
couple of months this season is his willingness and efficiency in
using his physical ability to really lean on guys and take over games
that way consistently. His limited ice WJC showing plays little into
most who evaluate him. Projects as a top line center. Top talent
available from the OHL this year hands down.” - Dan Stewart
“Everyone
talks about the tantalizing package of power and skill, as they
should. But he's far from a finished product and I suppose that is
what is most scary. The three areas that I think really need to
tighten up if Byfield wants to play in the NHL next year (which I
think he can) are: a) improving his confidence in his shot, b)
improving his consistency as a physical player, and c) making quicker
decisions with the puck in transition. B) and C) are especially
important. I don't think anyone is asking Byfield to play like Ryan
Reaves, but if he could find a way to increase his physical intensity
level just a little bit more, it would make him that much more
dangerous. With his strength and speed, he could be such a factor on
the forecheck and in forcing turnovers, but he coasts into the zone
too often. Additionally, he seems to get in his own head when the
pace picks up, over analyzing his options and that can result in
turnovers because defenders are closing in on him and taking away his
space before he makes a play. This has been especially apparent in
the neutral zone of late. That said, my contemporaries have done a
terrific job of highlighting his many, many strengths as a player.”
- Brock Otten
2.
Jamie Drysdale – Defense – Erie Otters
Total
Votes: 21
Highest
Ranking: 2nd (12x)
Lowest
Ranking: 4th (4x)
Comments:
“Best
defenseman in the draft by a fairly significant margin for me. His
skating is near elite and his ability to get pucks up the ice are
critical skills that put him ahead of the pack.” - Chris Peters
“He
gets the puck and he moves. There's no hesitation. He can drive the
play and push the pace up ice from the back end. Drysdale is real
intelligent; kind of uses angles to keep guys to the outside and he's
a stick-on-puck guy.” - Mike Morreale
“Head
and shoulders above the class for defense in his draft year. He
commands the play when on the ice, is an excellent skater but what
excites me about Drysdale is his projection. He is so good at the
nuances of the game at his age and has elite hockey IQ for his peer
group that he projects very well moving forward and in the very near
future could be contributing in the OHL in a similar fashion to what
we are seeing in the NHL Calder race right now with Cale Makar and
Quinn Hughes.” - Peter Harling
“He
continues to keep getting better & he showed at the WJC's that he
can play with & against high end players that are 2 years older.
So smooth & dynamic with high hockey IQ.” - Mark Seidel
“I'm
a huge fan of Drysdale's game and he should easily be the top
defender taken in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. At 17 he is logging top
minutes on a veteran Erie Otters defensive group and played for Team
Canada at the World Junior tournament. As much as I love his offence
the thing that impresses me the most about Drysdale is the fact he
seems to play with ice in his veins. I have not seen him get rattled
in any situation and the poise he has shown at 17 is incredible.
While the dinosaur in me wants to scream out "but he's not big
enough to be a defenceman in the NHL" that myth has been all but
shattered at this point. He's going to need to get stronger but the
talent is worth the wait in the long run.” - Matt Young
“Combining
this much IQ, skill and skating ability just isn't fair to Drysdale's
competition. His play reads and decision making are elite and make
him not only far and away the best draft-eligible defender in the
OHL, but the best one period. Whether deciding to skate the puck up
ice himself, or make precise deliberate passing plays through the
neutral zone, Drysdale shows his intelligence with each and every
shift.” - Dylan Galloway
“He
can run your PP, make the 1st pass out of the zone effortlessly and
cover the back end effectively. What impresses me the most is that it
seems almost all of his shots make it through to the goalie. That's
an underrated talent. He also comes across very, very well in
interviews.” - Steve Clark
3.
Marco Rossi – Center – Ottawa 67's
Total
Votes: 21
Highest
Ranking: 1st (1x)
Lowest
Ranking: 4th (5x)
Comments:
“The
size doesn't bother me at all because I think he works and he battles
for pucks and he can win some of those battles with a strong lower
half. And that's just the subtitle to his incredible offensive skill
and feel for creating goals.” - Chris Peters
“I
don’t care what anyone says about his size, he plays bigger,
stronger and harder than many 6’3 guys. The vision and playmaking
ability are serious. The stride is quick and powerful. He’s tight
away from the puck and plays all over the ice. I could see him in the
NHL next fall.” - Cam Robinson
“I’m
still higher on Rossi than most. I personally have him in a 2-5 group
with Lucas Raymond and Tim Stutzle. He’s a dangerous player who can
play both around the perimeter and in tight, he can score and set up
a play, and he’s a two-way force. When he’s on the ice at even
strength, the 67s are scoring over 5 goals per 60 minutes, nearly a
full goal higher than both Byfield and Lafreniere. He also has the
lowest goals against rates of the three. The only knock on him is his
discipline at times and size, but I’m not the type to be afraid of
size. Rossi is a tremendous player and could be a steal should he
slip, but I see that as more and more unlikely over time.” - Will
Scouch
“Of
course, the Ottawa broadcaster will have the Ottawa 67 ranked 1st,
but I don’t think this is just a ‘homer’ rank. Rossi leads the
OHL in scoring, his plus minus, while a flawed stat, could be record
setting this year but beyond the numbers, he is just a phenomenal
hockey player. You name it and Marco Rossi has it; straight line
speed is above average, he is extremely shifty in the corners, his
strength is severely underrated, it is very difficult to knock him
off the puck and he has a chippy side to his game. Defense is just as
good as good as his offense; you won’t see him cheating in the
defensive zone to try and create offense. 67’s GM James Boyd
compared his game to Patrice Bergeron, I see a lot of Pavel Datsyuk
in his game as well. Aside from his size there is zero downside to
Rossi.” - Kenny Walls
“Marco
is a force right now. He’s dominant shift-to-shift in all three
zones and probably the best two-way player in junior hockey. He’s
not just going to stay at centre at the NHL level, he’s going to
excel there. I can’t say enough about the kid — I’m not worried
about his size at all.” - Anonymous
“Elite
offense generator who leads the OHL in scoring due to his creativity,
quickness and persistent work ethic. He controls the play when
possessing the puck and when he doesn’t have it, he works his butt
off to get it back. Stalky build allows him to hold off checkers
while looking for the right play. Shows the drive and grit to go to
high traffic areas. A competitor who works just as hard in his own
zone as he does in the offensive zone. Some NHL teams will have him
very high on their draft board come June.” - Dan Stewart
4.
Cole Perfetti – Left Wing/Center – Saginaw Spirit
Total
Votes: 21
Highest
Ranking: 2nd (3x)
Lowest
Ranking: 4th (12x)
Comments:
“Tagged
as Goal Perfetti after busting on the scene with 37 goals as a rookie
last year and then scoring another eight at the Hlinka-Gretzky this
fall. Perfetti then started the year off showing off his playmaking
skills showing that he is not a one trick pony. Goal scoring is a
pretty neat trick though. At the time this was penned Perfetti has 37
goals and 84 points in 47 games. He can dominate games offensively
and has arguably the most offensive upside of any player not named
Lafreniere in his draft class.” - Peter Harling
“His
vision and playmaking are so high-end. Had some bad puck-luck to
start the year, so it's even more edifying to see him battle Rossi
for the scoring crown now.” - Ryan Kennedy
“Much
like Byfield, the talk about Perfetti focuses too much on the goals
and assists. He’s such a smart player on or off the puck, and he’s
one of the most versatile goal scorers you’ll find. Perfetti’s
used in all situations and is leaned on for all the tough
assignments. His processing time in conjunction with his hands make
him reliable to handle pressure or physical play no matter the
circumstances. His skating from a straight-line speed is a slight
drawback but Perfetti’s very elusive and well balanced protecting
the puck down low or along the boards.” - Steve Kournianos
“I
think that everyone expected him to score 60 this year after last
years debut, but he has actually become more well rounded as his
assists have gone from 37 to 57 and the goals are on pace with last
year. He also suffered by not being picked to Team Canada like
Byfield and Drysdale were. He's a guy I want to see in the playoffs
this year with a strong Saginaw team. He had a very good playoff last
year (16-8-6-14), so I want to see him go next level this year with
Ryan Suzuki.” - Steve Clark
“Intelligence,
quick hands and ability to create offensive chances have NHL teams
hoping he falls outside of the top five picks in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Not big but sturdy and balanced. Has a good shot that he stealthily
chances angles on and is a top-level playmaker drawing defenders in
before setting up teammates for more than a few tap-in opportunities.
He has been on an offensive tear since being cut from Team Canada’s
WJC camp roster in December and now sits third in league scoring.
Improving his skating and rounding out his overall game are needed.”
- Dan Stewart
“Uses
his smarts all over the ice to evade pressure and checks. He has this
ability to suck guys in and, when he does, he gets opposing players
kind of puck-staring and then has an ability to find a teammate
sneaking in back-door.” - Mike Morreale
5.
Jack Quinn – Right Wing – Ottawa 67's
Total
Votes: 21
Highest
Ranking: 5th (14x)
Lowest
Ranking: 9th (1x)
Comments:
“Tough
to argue with the numbers and I think he doesn't just have a good
shot, but a feel for how to score -- what he needs to do, where to
be, how to get there, that translates.” - Chris Peters
“Quinn
is an interesting player for the 2020 NHL Draft. Only 4 days removed
from being eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft, he is one of the oldest
players available for this draft, which does provide him with a bit
of an advantage, in addition to being on a deep 67’s team. That
being said, Quinn plays a smart well-rounded game. Quinn’s
intelligence shines through in his ability to read and track the play
and effectively possess the puck and create space for his teammates.
In addition, the way Quinn keeps his feet moving and utilizes his
vision to find skating lanes allows him to be very mobile and hard to
pin down in the offensive zone. Overall, I like his tools and think
he can be an effective player at the next level, I’m just a bit
worried that he might be overachieving a bit based on his current
level of competition. I see him as a middle 6 two-way forward at the
next level.” - Dylan Galloway
“Still
has not made a believer out of everyone in the scouting community,
even some of my contemporaries in the OHL. And I just don't
understand why at this point. I don't care if he's a late birth date.
He has been one of the most improved players in the entire CHL this
year and his work ethic, on and off the ice, will really make him a
consummate professional. Some point to how his production should be
de-valued because of the strength of the team he plays on. But the
67's are only this strong BECAUSE of Quinn's huge step forward. With
the injuries they've had this year, Quinn has been a saving grace on
a team that thought they were in trouble after losing Graeme Clarke
to a shoulder injury. I think Quinn plays a game tailored to success
at the NHL level. His shot is elite, but he scores in so many
different ways and is just as effective with the puck as he is
without it. And his skating continues to improve. It is so easy to
see his game translating well.” - Brock Otten
“In
his first year and a half Quinn showed flashes of brilliance while
playing mostly 4th line minutes. His highlight reel goals
earned him the nickname ‘Showtime’, but he has evolved over the
course of this season to become so much more consistent, not only in
his goal scoring but his overall game. The talent has always been
there, he’s been given the opportunity and run with it. From where
he has come, not playing AAA hockey until his minor midget season to
CCHL rookie of the year and now a top prospect is a testament to the
development curve that he is on. Physically he has the tools, his
compete level is off the charts and he’s willing to go to the dirty
areas to score goals.” - Kenny Walls
“A
puck hungry winger who forchecks hard, hounds the puck carrier and
causes turnovers due to his work ethic and physical play. He is a
goal scorer who has improved his skating, strength and has become
more aggressive this season. Deciding that going to high traffic
areas, flashing his puck skills and driving the net, instead of
staying to the outside, will allow him to utilize his strong wrist
shot more effectively. And it shows as he is on fire scoring at close
to a goal a game pace. His play this season has him skyrocketing from
an afterthought on my preliminary OHL draft list to a sure first
rounder. Don’t be surprised if an NHL team likes him in their top
ten come June.” - Dan Stewart
6.
Tyson Foerster – Right Wing – Barrie Colts
Total
Votes: 18
Highest
Ranking: 6th (5x)
Lowest
Ranking: Outside of the Top 10 (3x)
Comments:
“My
8-10 on this list are honestly interchangeable. Foerster is an
offensively talented player with a great sense of positioning in the
offensive zone. His shot is great, but his ability to make a play
isn’t far behind. I question his even strength potential, as his
scoring rates are a bit low relative to other top-level players.
Similar to Quinn, in the 2nd round, I’d start pushing to pick him
up, but there are many players I feel could be more dynamic and
flexible around your lineup, but if you want a smart offensive
trigger man, Foerster is a good bet. This is a strong group of 10 to
me, and Foerster is no slouch.” - Will Scouch
“The
CHL Top Prospects Game was a great stage for Foerster, who can score
like nobody's business. Scouts love him and don't seem to buy the
skating knock.” - Ryan Kennedy
“Everyone
says that he can't skate well enough but he gets there. Everyone said
he'd drop off after Suzuki left but he keeps scoring. Everyone said
he was a borderline selection for the Top Prospects game so he went
and got the MVP. Kid is a player.” - Mark Seidel
“Foerster
has been rising my personal OHL rankings with each viewing. While the
skating is still fairly raw, it's not really that bad and can be
worked on. I've seen some flashes of good transition speed from
Foerster, though he struggles at beating defenders one on one in pure
foot races. Foerster's shot is the skill that stands out the most for
me and behind Perfetti, he has one of the better shots in the OHL for
this draft class. While you can never truly predict a player's growth
potential, Foerster seems to me to be one of those cases where, with
the proper developmental system, he could outperform his drafted
position.” - Dylan Galloway
“In
the first poll I had Foerster at #10, noting that his explosive start
was enough to catch my attention, but needed to see how sustainable
it was. About 50 games now into the season, we can confidently
conclude that Foerster's production is no fluke. His shot is the real
deal, and the fact he's recorded a point in every game for Barrie
since the trade deadline (18PTS in 11GP at the time of writing) shows
how much of an offensive driver he really is. Despite overhauling the
roster at the deadline, if the goaltending stays hot, the Colts might
still have a serious team that's very much in the mix for the
division title. Now being the #1 offensive option on his team,
Foerster has a great opportunity to show everything he's capable of,
and how much of a factor he can make the Colts come March.” -
Victor Findlay
7.
Jacob Perreault – Right Wing – Sarnia Sting
Total
Votes: 17
Highest
Ranking: 5th (2x)
Lowest
Ranking: Outside of the Top 10 (4x)
Comments:
“I'm
going to need to see more consistency and effort from Perreault, but
I think this class doesn't have a ton of players that have as good of
skill. I think decisionmaking is only OK, but he can make plays
happen with his skill level.” - Chris Peters
“Offers
a tremendous shot and is a better skater than most think. He finished
second in the on-ice testing at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, and
plays a smart heads-up game as wing. Of course, he can take the
occasional face-off if needed; an area of the game he learned from
his father and former NHL center Yanic Perreault.” - Mike Morreale
“His
performance during the on ice testing of the Top Prospect's Game
caught me by surprise. I knew his skating ability was good, but I
didn't think it was THAT good. Would have never imagined him beating
JL Foudy. I think part of that is Perreault has not yet realized how
to utilize that speed consistently in the OHL. He really needs to
clean up his play in the neutral zone, as he can stop moving his feet
and makes too many telegraphed passes that result in turnovers. Would
love to see him use that speed more to gain entry into the offensive
zone and push through the NZ, rather than look to dish off. Is that a
hockey sense thing or a confidence/conditioning thing? But he can
really fire the puck and I think he anticipates the play well without
the puck, getting himself in position to score. His game is very raw,
but the offensive potential is alluring.” - Brock Otten
“For
starters, what I really like about Perreault is that he didn't come
into this season as a secret. Last year's impressive 30 goal output
might've caught some teams off guard, but this year everybody knew he
was going to be a player to watch, but he hasn't taken any steps
backwards offensively. That's a plus, just like his shot which
already rivals Arthur Kaliyev's as the best in the league. However,
I've seen a handful of games where Perreault hasn't seemed to play
much of a factor. Games where he looked like more of a passenger than
a driver. But on the other hand, I've also seen games that he's
completely taken control of. If that inconsistency irons itself out
over time, Perreault could come out of this draft class as one of the
best goal-scorers. But I think he needs to be a dynamic player that
doesn't just rely on his shot every night to realize his full
potential.” - Victor Findlay
“I’ve
seen too many successful one-on-one executions by Perreault to label
him a product of Jamieson Rees. The duo work so well together, but a
critical part of their chemistry is Perreault’s ability to break
away from a battle and get into shooting position. His shot is elite
and puts him in the running for the best in the entire draft, which
says something considering all the snipers ranked ahead of him.” -
Steve Kournianos
8.
Jan Mysak – Center/Left Wing – Hamilton Bulldogs
Total
Votes: 14
Highest
Ranking: 5th (4x)
Lowest
Ranking: Outside of the Top 10 (7x)
Comments:
“A
polarizing prospect. He isn’t your traditional ‘athlete’, but
he gets things done. An elite brain. He’s been stirring the drink
early with Hamilton. Would love to see the stride cleaned up.” -
Cam Robinson
“The
new kid on the block has put himself right into the conversation of
being among the best draft eligibles in the OHL. He’s been over a
point-per-game in the OHL and has been a goal-scoring terror for
opposing teams. He has scored in a variety of ways and has been doing
it often. The fact that so many scouts were sleeping on Mysak is a
shame because the kid has massive talent.” - Tony Ferrari
“A
new face in the OHL, Mysak has been making his presence known
league-wide. Though I've only got 1 live view of Mysak at this point
I feel confident in placing him at 5 in the OHL already due to his
smarts and speed. His above-average speed allows him to explode
across the blueline and burn defenders wide to get to the slot and
get some high danger scoring chances. While the consistency isn't
there on the defensive side of the puck, he's certainly got the
ability to play a smart defensive game, closing up gaps, stick
checking and helping regain possession.” - Dylan Galloway
“Have
been extremely impressed by Mysak so far with Hamilton. Plays with a
lot of power and his skating is better than I thought it was going to
be. A few things really stick out. First is how good he is working
the top of the PK, getting his stick in passing lanes, blocking
shots/passes, and using his size to disrupt defenders trying to keep
pucks in. Second is how he uses his size in the offensive end. Drives
the net, has the skill to turn defenders inside out, is physical on
the forecheck and does not allow others to push him around. Third is
the obvious love he has for the game, with his enthusiasm being
contagious on a younger Hamilton team. Seems like every time he
scores a goal, it's like it is his first. Just love seeing how
intense he is. There is a lot of Rickard Rakell to his game, as I
think back to how the Ducks forward looked in his days with
Plymouth.” - Brock Otten
“Joined
the Bulldogs as a top line offensive point producer just last month
and has looked like a premier draft prospect from his first shift.
Only seen one game of his to date in Hamilton but he looks like an
impressive skater with high end speed and agility, quick and creative
hands, and a howitzer of a shot make him dangerous each time he is on
the ice. Plays with an endless motor and is seeing time on both
special teams showing his versatility. As he continues to build his
resume in North America, he could see a significant boost in his
draft stock come June.” - Dan Stewart
9.
Ryan O'Rourke – Defense – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Total
Votes: 12
Highest
Ranking: 6th (1x)
Lowest
Ranking: Outside of the Top 10 (9x)
Comments:
“Plays
an old-school type approach when it comes to his shutdown defensive
style. He rarely allows opponents- by him in the defense zone but can
still put up points. He plays with an edge.” - Mike Morreale
“Quietly
goes about his business & keeps getting better. I thought he was
outstanding at the CHL Top Prospects game with his awareness, ability
to exit the zone & overall efficiency. Not a sexy pick but will
have a long productive NHL career.” - Mark Seidel
“If
you look up flashy or spectacular in the dictionary there is a good
chance that O'Rourke's photo won't show up. Having said that,
O'Rourke has been tremendous in a down year for the Greyhounds. If
you still buy into the old school plus/minus mentality you will
definitely appreciate O'Rourke given his outstanding numbers this
year. If you are into the intangibles it says a lot that he was named
Captain of the team in his draft year as a defenceman given the
challenges defenceman face in the OHL in their first two years. I'm a
big fan of the kid and the offence will come as he gets older.” -
Matt Young
“Offensively
nothing stands out as elite but what you have is alot of above
average qualities. He isn't an elite PP QB but he can get the job
done. Has a very good shot, very good mobility and sees the ice well.
Defensively is where he stands out to me. He loves to play physical
and won't back down. Has great gap control and has stepped up to
anchor the teams defence at a young age. Shows very well when playing
internationally against his age group.” - Peter Kneulman
“A
two-way workhorse on the back end who blends highly physical
territorial play in his own zone with an improving offensive game
where he is seen jumping up into the play more than ever. He was
trusted with the team captaincy earlier this year and has the respect
of his teammates and coaches. Defensively he is smart, reads the
play, is in strong position 100% of the time and makes a strong
breakout pass under pressure. Also has a strong point shot. But I am
not totally convinced of his offensive upside at the NHL level, but
at worse case he should make a safe and steady defender when paired
with a puck mover.” - Dan Stewart
10.
Jean Luc Foudy – Right Wing/Center – Windsor Spitfires
Total
Votes: 12
Highest
Ranking: 7th (4x)
Lowest
Ranking: Outside of the Top 10 (9x)
Comments:
“He's
a more skilled version of his brother for me. He has the skating but
can make plays. He's been inconsistent and frustrating too, not
unlike his brother during his OHL years.” - Anonymous
“Elite
speed matters and I think he's smarter and a little more skilled than
he often gets credit for. The way he can back defenders down and also
be a weapon on the PK is hard to come by. That's a good foundation to
start with.” - Chris Peters
“I
was cool on Foudy until I started tracking him. He is a zone
exit/entry beast, and he’s constantly trying to move pucks to
dangerous areas. He might not have the point production of other
top-level players, but I cannot help but thing that should he be able
to remain healthy, he has tremendous potential as a quarterback-style
centre. His skating is excellent, and with some linemates with a bit
more speed and finesse down the line, he could be a real player.” -
Will Scouch
“He
has shown a tendency to stay on the perimater at times but he skates
incredibly well. His brother had the same criticism & Columbus is
awfully happy in their investment this far. Jean-Luc generates a lot
off the rush & can find quiet areas in the offensive end.” -
Mark Seidel
“Before
the season, I would have said Foudy had a chance to break into the
top-5 of this group of OHL draft eligibles but his game just hasn’t
taken the step I was hoping to see. He still plays on the perimeter
too much but looks very good when he does attack the middle of the
offensive zone. His vision and playmaking are still very high-end
tools and his skating and speed are among the top of the class. There
is a boatload of potential in Foudy but it remains to be seen how
much of it he will realize.” - Tony Ferrari
“Windsor
has been on the outs lately, but I like the fact that Foudy is a
minute eater who is even double shifted at times. I love the way he
can enter the zone with speed or delay with awareness — both
examples of his hockey sense and anticipation. Foudy was in a pretty
deep slump when he hurt his shoulder earlier in the month, but his
overall effort and decision making was sound in the face of some bad
puck luck.” - Steve Kournianos
Honorable
Mentions
Will
Cuylle – Left Wing – Windsor Spitfires
Total
Votes: 8
Highest
Ranking: 7th (2x)
Comments:
“So
much to love on this file, he is smart, responsible defensively, owns
a lethal shot and plays with an edge. Not likely going to be a first
round pick, but could be a hit with fans wherever he ends up. Look
for a real breakout offensively to follow in his D+1 season as he
plays a bigger role.” - Peter Harling
“I
really liked him as a 16-year-old in the league and am moderately
concerned that his offence has not taken off like the majority of the
group. Having said that he is also the biggest guy in the group and
big guys can sometimes take longer to develop. You can't teach size
and anyone watching Cuylle is very likely looking at him in part
because of his size. Cuylle also has a pro-shot but I'd love to see
him use it a bit more than he has this year. Overall though I can't
help but watch Cuylle when he is on the ice and I think the offence
will develop to a greater degree as he gets older.” - Matt Young
“Cuylle’s
game isn’t flashy, it’s booming. Booming shot, booming hits. He
plays the power forward role quite well, embracing his sturdy frame
and strong body. He still has a big shot but he hasn’t been using
it as often this season as in the past. Cuylle doesn’t have the
first-line upside others have but he does have a solid two-way game
and should translate to the NHL fairly quickly. Projects as a
second-line winger who plays on the powerplay and possibly the
penalty kill. He has a very underrated defensive game, especially
through the neutral zone.” - Tony Ferrari
“Has
pushed his way back up my draft rankings in the last few months. I
think he's finally learned how to use his size consistently to be a
factor each and every game. We use to see flashes of that power
forward game, but it's on display nearly every shift now as he's
throwing his body around and a lot more engaged without the puck. And
that's allowing him to be more involved offensively. While smaller,
skilled players are taking over the game, there will always be a
place for guys like Cuylle who can create space, put pressure on
opposing defenses, and score. Really curious to see how he finishes
out the year and would selfishly love to see him at the U18's (at the
expense of Windsor's playoff push).” - Brock Otten
Antonio
Stranges – Left Wing – London Knights
Total
Votes: 6
Highest
Ranking: 5th (1x)
Comments:
“Everyone
raves but Stranges skating and it's what catches your eye
immediately. He's immensely talented but also plays on a deep London
team so he's not necessarily getting the prime ice that others on
this list receive from their teams. You could be concerned that he is
not averaging a point per game but his skating ability really helps
elevate him on this list because the game is only going to get faster
it seems. I'd love to see more offence like the others on this list
but that will come in time.” - Matt Young
“Stranges
is a difficult player to evaluate. He has a ton of tools but hasn’t
been able to consistently put them together. His 10-2 (mohawk)
skating is fun and I think that he does it better than anyone that’s
recently used it regularly but it’s still mostly just fun. He has a
good shot and solid vision as a playmaker but his best skill might be
his stick handling. He can dangle with the best of them but how far
will that get him at the next level? Big time boom-or-bust potential
here.” - Tony Ferrari
“I
have been dropping Stranges down my board slightly as the season goes
on. The skating talent is unquestionable at this level, has some of,
if not the best edges in the 2020 draft class. The offensive is often
there as well, though a touch less consistently. The one thing
missing is the defensive side of his game. Many players figure this
out later in their careers, but in such a deep draft class this is
the one thing that has been causing Stranges to slightly fall down my
board as other players prove to be more consistent and capable in all
200ft of the ice.” - Dylan Galloway
“Stranges
can frustrate and he plays on the perimeter a little too much (though
there are players who can make the outside of the ice they’re own
and he’s got the tools to be one of them) but the puck skill and
edge work are natural gifts. He’s not a first rounder anymore but I
like his ability to make plays and create havoc. He can draw
defenders in and make them look silly.” - Anonymous
Martin
Chromiak – Left Wing – Kingston Frontenacs
Total
Votes: 6
Highest
Ranking: 7th (3x)
Comments:
“Similar
to Mysak, he’s in the OHL with Kingston, and he’s off to a
roaring start. 12 points in 10 games, 38%INV, doubling goal
differential relative to Kingston while on the ice before he showed
up, and just getting more opportunity than he did with Trenčín.
He’s got great hands, a great mind for making a play, and he’s
making a name for himself when he probably should’ve done so at the
World Juniors for Slovakia.” - Will Scouch
“Much
like Mysak, Chromiak was destined to be a 2nd round NHL pick but his
decision to jump to the OHL has really helped his cause. He makes
plays in tight & his chemistry with Shane Wright has been
unbelievable.” - Mark Seidel
“I
have been high on this kid since last years U18’s and not sure why
the industry is projecting him in the middle rounds of the draft. Now
a top twenty talent might be a bit of a stretch, but I think
somewhere at the end of round one or the beginning of round two makes
sense, but I do love many of his skills and intangibles. His speed,
his willingness to play physical and use his frame to his advantage,
his firecracker shot, his ability to control the puck though traffic,
his outstanding vision and playmaking ability, and his overall
versatility all make me think he has a bright NHL future.” - Dan
Stewart
Brandon
Coe – Right Wing – North Bay Battalion
Total
Votes: 2
Highest
Ranking: 7th (1x)
Comments:
“He
has an elite toolkit. Really good skater and hands for his size.
Production is a concern and I'd like him to show up more
consistently but when you talk about tools that can translate he
has all of them.” - Anonymous
“He's
another guy who is the best player on a really, really bad team and
to me that shows character. He's another big guy who skates awfully
well and is working hard on a team going nowhere. He's in his 3rd
year in the league and is coming into his own.” - Steve Clark
Jaromir
Pytlik – Right Wing/Center – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Total
Votes: 2
Highest
Ranking: 8th (1x)
Comments:
“Fantastic
release. Pytlik is very powerful and has the ability to take over a
shift with his strength on the puck. I worry about his production as
he is a late birthday and isn't the top scorer on a young Greyhounds
team. Part of that could be a continued adjustment to North America.
I don't think he is a 1st round talent, but he has an intriguing mix
that if it comes together. He could be an above average 2nd liner at
the next level.” - Peter Kneulman
“Pytlik
is a very intelligent player and one of the most complete players in
his draft class. His attention to detail on defence is as important
to him as offence. The coaching staff can trust him with big
defensive responsibilities and is usually the first player over the
boards in the last minute whether down a goal or up a goal. He can
kill penalties and is a threat offensively on the PK. Pytlik can play
both center and wing, which is something NHL scouts covet, but he'll
need to put some work in on the dot. On the wing I would like him to
add another gear to his speed. It's also an area he has shown some
improvement on over a year ago and there is nothing to suggest he
won't continue to put in the necessary work. Fans
either like him because of his physical, power game or don’t
because he isn’t a flashy bring them out of their seats kind of
player. But scouts do because of his all-around complete game. The
tool box is full but some of the tools need some sharpening. My money
is on him eventually putting it all together.” - Dominic Tiano
Ty
Tullio – Right Wing – Oshawa Generals
Total
Votes: 2
Highest
Ranking: 10th (2x)
Comments:
“Quickly
becoming one of my favourite prospects from the O this year. Slight,
slippery, and willing to fight for every inch of ice. His game should
age well with added strength.” - Cam Robinson
“Tullio
has been one of my favourite players in the draft class for a while
and his play this season has done nothing to change that. He is
always in on the forecheck, hunts down pucks and creates chances off
of plays that seem dead. Tullio has the chance to be a very gifted
offensive player because he pairs an elite work ethic with high-end
puck skills. His shot is good and his passing is precise. He should
only continue to grow offensively now that he’s playing with
Tomasino regularly. “ - Tony Ferrari
Nico
Daws – Goaltender – Guelph Storm
Total
Votes: 1
Highest
Ranking: 8th (1x)
Comments:
“Daws'
last 2 months or so (WJC included) have not been his best body of
work by any stretch. But with a North American draft eligible goalie
class lacking a phenom, he's still got a case to be the first goalie
taken after Yaroslav Askarov in the draft. In an OHL season where
offence is up and there are only 8 starting goalies with a SV% above
.900 (there were 13 last year), Daws leads the pack as the
centrepiece of a Guelph team that has swung above their weight
class all season. Daws was hampered by an minor injury recently that
held him out of the CHL top prospects game. World juniors included,
Guelph has gone 5-8-1 without Daws since Dec. 10th, which honestly
isn't that bad. But on their recent 10 game losing skid, it was clear
they could've benefited from a healthy Daws stealing them a game or
two. Every year somebody steps up to take a goalie early in the 2nd
round of the draft, then the dominoes really begin to fall. I imagine
Daws will be one of the first dominoes to drop.” - Victor Findlay
Zayde
Wisdom – Right Wing – Kingston Frontenacs
Total
Votes: 1
Highest
Ranking: 9th (1x)
Comments:
“I
don’t think Wisdom will make too many of these rankings because he
may not be the most talented, I do believe that I have left off more
skilled players but they don’t own the compete and complete package
that Wisdom is able to bring. While not the most skilled guy, Zayde
has the ability to play with talented players and raise the level of
their game by doing a lot of the dirty work. You won’t see Wisdom
back down from anyone as was shown in his rookie year fighting Kevin
Bahl. I think he is the type of guy that every NHL team dreams of
drafting, as he can play up and down a line up, contribute on any
line by bringing physicality and enough skill to allow more skilled
players to elevate their game.” - Kenny Walls
Oliver
Suni – Right Wing – Oshawa Generals
Total
Votes: 1
Highest
Ranking: 10th (1x)
Lowest
Ranking:
Comments:
“I
think Suni is one of the more underrated wingers in this draft. He’s
already checked multiple blocks in both league and international
play, plus his skill set is incredibly diverse. He’s big with a
nice reach; strong on the puck along the boards; quick and
agile in open ice; owns a very hard wrist shot, plus he has sharp
vision and playmaking ability. Suni’s been a little rusty since
coming back from an upper-body injury that forced him to miss a
month, but he’s still standing out on a loaded roster.” - Steve
Kournianos
Nick
Malik – Goaltender – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Total
Votes: 1
Highest
Ranking: 10th (1x)
Comments:
“Have
only seen Malik live in person once and it was a 5-2 loss to the 67’s
but he was so impressive in the performance that I had to have him on
this list. He made some incredible saves throughout that game but
more importantly to me, it was his anticipation that stood out. He
knew where the puck was going before the players did and made what
should have or could have been easy goals into routine saves. Hockey
IQ is often referred to for skaters but not often for goalies and
from what I’ve seen Malik is one of the smartest goalies in the OHL
right now. The numbers aren’t kind to Malik at this point but I
think you need to look past the pure numbers to how he plays in net
and he passes the eye test for me.” - Kenny Walls
Luke
Evangelista – Right Wing – London Knights
Total
Votes: 1
Highest
Ranking: 10th (1x)
Comments:
“Luke
is a player that is just scratching the surface. A player who can
play in any situation and excel. His strong penalty kill play is
attributed to his work ethic and his high hockey IQ where he reads
the play well before it happens and is strong positionally. He plays
the half wall on the power play where his passing skills are often on
display. Goes to the net and can score in tight. He does need to get
stronger to fend off bigger defenders. Look for him, along with
Knights teammate Antonio Stranges, to really take off next year in
his D+1 season as others graduate to the next level.” - Levi Hill
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