Who do the top prospects eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft compare to in the NHL?

NHL Central Scouting is producing its final rankings of the top North American skaters and goaltenders for the 2020 draft via video conferencing, which is being led by NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr beginning this weekend. Goran Stubb, director of NHL European Scouting Services, will provide rankings of the top International skaters and goalies.

The concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic forced the NHL to pause its season March 12. Additionally, the remainder of the regular season and playoffs in the Canadian Hockey League (Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League), the NCAA and European leagues were cancelled.

A few scouts from Central Scouting took time to offer NHL comparables for the top five North American skaters from the midterm rankings, as well as the No. 1 skater and goalie on the International midterm lists.

Prospects for the 2020 draft are listed in order of Central Scouting's midterm ranking in January.

NORTH AMERICA SKATERS

1. Alexis Lafreniere (6-foot-1, 196 pounds), LW, Rimouski (QMJHL)

2019-20: 52 games, 35-77-112, 40 power-play points, 50 PIM, plus-41 rating, 261 shots on goal

Best assets: Playmaking, skating, compete

Possible NHL comparable: Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers forward

NHL Central Scouting analysis: "Exceptionally smart player with top-end speed and a pull-away gear. He's great at carrying the puck and leading rushes and executes under pressure, has great vision and anticipation. Lafreniere offers high-end puck skills and vision to create plays, has an impressive compete level every time he's on the ice, and elevates his game in pressure situations while demonstrating leadership skills."

2. Quinton Byfield (6-4, 215), C, Sudbury (OHL)

2019-20: 45 games, 32-50-82, 22 power-play points, 44 PIM, plus-26 rating, 148 shots on goal

Best assets: Skating, shot, hockey sense

Possible NHL comparable: Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins forward

NHL Central Scouting analysis: "It's funny how some guys easily remind you of another player. I see Malkin when I watch Byfield. I saw Malkin at the same age that Byfield is now; that tall, lanky frame combined with great hands and hockey IQ is similar. He also has that quiet competitiveness like Malkin. You see a player that has the potential to be a big, top-line center in the NHL. He shows leadership and character. He's the kind of player any team would love to have."

3. Jamie Drysdale (5-11, 175), D, Erie (OHL)

2019-20: 49 games, 9-38-47, 22 power-play points, 24 PIM, plus-9 rating, 136 shots on goal

Best assets: Skating, hockey sense, competitiveness

Possible NHL comparable: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche defenseman

NHL Central Scouting analysis: "Jamie is an excellent skater who can drive the play and push the pace from the back end. He's an excellent transition player, can make tape-to-tape passes on the fly and presents a high-end offensive game and playmaking ability that make him dangerous every time he touches the puck. He makes good use of head and body fakes to evade pressure and shows the ability to lead the play up ice and gain offensive zone time for his team. He works the offensive blue line so well and his mobility puts himself in positions to get his quick-release shot off toward the net or in joining the attack as the late guy, making him a threat off the rush."

4. Cole Perfetti (5-10, 177), C, Saginaw (OHL)

2019-20: 61 games, 37-74-111, 30 power-play points, 16 PIM, plus-49 rating, 244 shots on goal

Best assets: Hockey sense, playmaking, scoring ability

Possible NHL comparable: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers forward

NHL Central Scouting analysis: "Excellent puck handler and puck skills, vision and execution are on another level. He's elusive and can turn on a dime, evading checks and giving himself time and space to utilize his offensive arsenal. He has incredible hockey IQ and a feel for the game, can slow the play down to his pace, draw the attention of every defender and finds a pass no one else in the arena sees coming. Perfetti is a major threat every time he's on the ice and is just as dangerous as a playmaker as he is a scorer."

5. Marco Rossi (5-9, 183), C, Ottawa (OHL)

2019-20: 56 games, 39-81-120, 38 power-play points, 40 PIM, plus-69 rating, 193 shots on goal

Best assets: Playmaking, competitiveness, face-offs

Possible NHL comparable: Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers forward

NHL Central Scouting analysis: "He's a highly skilled offensive player who is equally dangerous creating plays and finishing scoring chances. Rossi is an excellent skater, solid on his skates and difficult to knock off the puck, and he can make plays off the rush or in tight areas. He demonstrates a strong cycle game, can extend plays in the offensive zone and can beat defenders with speed or with an impressive set of moves. He offers excellent puck control whether moving at high speed or in traffic, has a hard, accurate shot with a quick release, works hard in all three zones and plays a physical, aggressive game."

INTERNATIONAL SKATER

1. Tim Stuetzle (6-1, 187), LW, Mannheim (GER)

2019-20: 41 games, 7-27-34, 12 PIM, plus-4 rating, 132 shots on goal

Best assets: Skating, stick-handling, passing

Possible NHL comparable: Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders forward

NHL Central Scouting analysis: "His speed is impressive ... he can fly. Stuetzle's puck handling and vision are also excellent. He's got a good attitude, works hard on every shift, and is so confident with the puck. He's also a little bit cocky on the ice, but in a positive way."

INTERNATIONAL GOALIE

1. Yaroslav Askarov (6-3, 176), Neva St. Petersburg (RUS-2)

2019-20: 18 games, 12-3, 2.45 goals-against average, .920 save percentage, one shutout

Best assets: Speed, awareness, mental makeup

Possible NHL comparable: Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators goalie

NHL Central Scouting analysis: "A technically sound goaltender with good instincts capable of reading the game well. He's good at communicating, can react quickly and offers a very quick (right) glove hand. He's a solid pro prospect."

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