Round 1 of the 2020 NHL Draft is officially a wrap but we are just getting started as round 2-7 will be held on Wednesday beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET.
With the No. 4 overall pick in the 1st Round, the Detroit Red Wings selected LW Lucas Raymond out of Frolunda (SHL).
Though the Red Wings had the No. 4 overall pick in the opening round, they will have the No. 1 pick in the 2nd Round.
Here are 3 players Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman should consider. (Scouting reports via The Athletic)
Nation, which of these players would you prefer?
Noel Gunler, RW, Lulea-SHL
Oct. 7, 2001 | 6-foot-2 | 176 pounds
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 55
Physical Game: 55
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Gunler played all season up in the SHL, getting limited minutes for one of the top teams in that league. He excited folks when he scored 27 goals in 31 junior games last season. Gunler is a high-end passer and shooter. He shows great vision and patience, holding pucks and finding teammates through seams. He shows good creativity on his entries with flashes of top-end skill. He has a very hard shot and projects as a legit mid-distance shooter. The combination of his shot and vision makes him a threat inside the offensive zone and on the power play. Off the puck, his game is just OK. He is a physical player who regularly throws his weight around and can win battles versus men, however, scouts criticize his compete level and discipline at times. Gunler’s skating is average as well. His stride looks good but lacks any real power.
Tomas Monten, coach of Sweden’s U20 team, on Gunler: “This year he matured a lot. He plays like a pro. He can put pucks in the net and he can make plays, he has great hockey sense.”
Marat Khusnutdinov, C, SKA-MHL
July 17, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 176 pounds
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey Sense: 60
Khusnutdinov has been a leader for Russia’s 2002 age group for years and was very impressive with his junior club this season, which was the best in MHL. He has high-end skill components to his game. He’s able to make highly creative plays with the puck, improvise in tough situations and be very coordinated in small spaces. He sees the ice very well and can make tough dishes to teammates. He’s a great skater too, using his speed to beat defenders wide and making hard plays to the net. He competes hard, frequently getting to the tough areas in the offensive zone and killing penalties well. Khusnutdinov isn’t special at any one thing and he’s undersized, but it’s the combination of his skill, speed and very high compete level that equals a projected NHL player.
Sergey Golubovich, Russia’s U18 coach, on Khusnutdinov: “He’s a very talented player and has a will to win.”
Jeremie Poirier, D, Saint John-QMJHL
June 2, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 196 pounds
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 45
Hockey Sense: 60
Shot Grade: 60
Poirier had a fantastic season offensively, putting up 20 goals and 50 points, and was one of the leaders in the QMJHL in shots on goal. What makes Poirier exciting is his skill. He has extremely quick hands and ability to beat opponents easily with his skill. Poirier is a good skater, too, and plays with pace. He is often flying around the ice, stick handling through checks and is easy to spot when he’s on the ice. Poirier has very good vision and can make high-end plays inside the zone and on outlets, but a criticism of him is his risk management. He can hurt himself with turnovers trying to do too much. I try not to ding guys too much for that. He has the puck a lot and if you are a skilled player that’s going to happen if you play a lot. But it’s something in the back of my mind, especially for a player who was on the ice for a lot of goals against this season. The biggest criticism of him is his defensive play. He has to work on improving his gaps, not getting caught too much trying to make cute plays in his own end and not giving up on plays. He was one of the most divisive prospects this season in discussions among scouts, with some saying he’s a certain first-round pick and others saying they wouldn’t use a second-round pick on him.
Trevor Georgie, GM of the Saint John Sea Dogs, on Poirier: “His offensive ability and raw talent are undeniable. He can carry the puck and gain the zone with ease. He’s full of confidence and attempts difficult plays. He has excellent hands and can shoot it.”
