The 2020 NHL Draft’s first spherical has now come and gone.
Just a few months later than common, it nonetheless had all the thrill and intrigue that usually comes on Day 1.
There was the anticipated — from No. 1 to No. 3 — with Alexis Lafreniere, Quinton Byfield and Tim Stutzle going with the primary three picks. There have been just a few trades (the Rangers traded as much as get Braden Schneider and the Capitals moved up just a few slots for Hendrix Lapierre). And there have been just a few picks that accomplished earlier offers, akin to Stutzle being chosen with a choose acquired from the Sharks within the Erik Karlsson commerce again in 2018.
NHL Draft picks 2020: Full listing of alternatives for Rounds 1-7
It’s going to be some time earlier than anybody is aware of whether or not these new prospects will pan out. However, till then, listed here are the most important winners and losers after Day 1 of the 2020 NHL Draft:
NHL Draft 2020 winners, losers
Winner: New York Rangers followers
Look, it is easy to say the Rangers have been winners on Tuesday night time. However the true winners have been the Madison Sq. Backyard devoted.
It has been lower than every week faraway from after they needed to say goodbye to “The King” Henrik Lundqvist, when the staff purchased out his contract. He exits stage left, and Lafreniere enters stage proper.
Who’s Alexis Lafreniere? Taking a look at Rangers’ No. 1 general choose in 2020 NHL Draft
Winner: Nashville Predators
The Predators chosen extremely touted Russian netminder Yaroslav Askarov with the 11th general choose. How extremely touted is he? Former Flames GM and present TSN analyst Craig Button stated of Askarov: “Finest goalie I’ve seen coming into the draft since Carey Worth.”
Predators assistant GM Jeff Kealty likened Askarov to Jonathan Fast and long-time Predators backstop Pekka Rinne. Among the many trio of Fast, Rinne and Worth, there is a pair of Vezinas, a pair of Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe, a Hart and a bunch of William M. Jennings Trophies. Not a nasty group to be in comparison with.
#Preds AGM Jeff Kealty says the staff believes Askarov is on a sooner monitor so far as his growth, nevertheless it’s not at all times who performs first, it is who performs the longest and the most effective. Predators imagine Askarov will probably be a really profitable NHL goaltender.
— Brooks Bratten (@brooksbratten) October 7, 2020
Additionally of word: In three video games this season with SKA within the Kontinental Hockey League, Askarov has two wins, a 0.74 goals-against common, a .974 save proportion and a shutout — as an 18-year-old.
Winner: Ozzy Wiesblatt and Doug Wilson Jr.
It might have been the final choose of the primary spherical, nevertheless it was by far the best, most feel-good second of the complete night time.
Doug Wilson, Jr. introduced the collection of Ozzy Wiesblatt by first signing the correct winger’s identify. Weisblatt’s mother is deaf.
“Which means a ton particularly to my mother and the deaf group generally,” stated Wiesblatt on a name with reporters. “It is a very good gesture for him to do, and my mother will always remember that.”
Winner: Particular company
There was Alex Trebek saying the Senators third general choose, Tim Stutzle, who has by no means even watched “Jeopardy!”
“I assumed the Alex Trebek factor was one of many highlights for me in on a regular basis watching drafts,” stated Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas on a name with reporters. “It is the best present within the historical past of tv, ‘Jeopardy!’ So, to have him make the choose, that was nice by Ottawa and I assumed that was superior. … One of the memorable issues that I’ve seen in that regard.”
Then there was additionally Dale Hawerchuk’s widow, Crystal, who introduced the Winnipeg Jets’ 10th general choose — Cole Perfetti.
After which there have been just a few former (Lanny McDonald) and present (Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly) gamers chipping in to assist out as effectively.
Winner: Historical past made
First, there’s Emilie Castonguay, Alexis Lafreniere’s agent, who turned the primary girl to characterize the NHL’s No. 1 general choose as an NHLPA-certified agent.
Fewer than 5 minutes later, one other historic second: Quinton Byfield was chosen second general by the Los Angeles Kings and have become the highest-selected Black participant in NHL historical past. (Seth Jones in 2013 and Evander Kane 2009 each went fourth general.)
“That undoubtedly means quite a bit to me, and that is one thing particular,” Byfield informed reporters. “Being within the document books for something is unquestionably tremendous particular, however that particularly. My dad and mother did not play hockey or did not have an excessive amount of information about that. Type of simply rising the sport collectively. I feel it simply reveals that there is numerous alternative for everybody on the planet and that you could play each sport and achieve success in it.”
MORE: Kings’ Quinton Byfield on NHL Draft milestone for Black gamers: ‘One thing particular’
Winner: Bloodlines
| PLAYER | DRAFTED BY (PICK) | NHL BLOODLINE |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Sanderson | Senators (5) | Father Geoff scored 700 factors in 1,104 profession video games with eight NHL groups. |
| Dylan Holloway | Oilers (14) | Father Bruce drafted by Canucks in 1981 and performed two NHL video games with the staff. |
| Kaiden Guhle | Canadiens (16) | Brother Brendan is Geese prospect. |
| Lukas Reichel | Blackhawks (17) | Father Martin drafted by Oilers in 1992; uncle Robert performed 830 NHL video games with 4 NHL groups |
| Yegor Chinakhov | Blue Jackets (21) | Father Vitali drafted by Rangers in 1991. |
| Justin Barron | Avalanche (25) | Hassle Morgan drafted by Rangers in 2017 |
| Jacob Perreault | Geese (27) | Father Yanic recorded 516 factors in 859 profession NHL video games with six NHL groups. |
| Ridly Greig | Senators (28) | Father Mark drafted by Whalers in 1990 and performed for our NHL groups. |
| Brendan Brisson | Golden Knights (29) | Father Pat is agent (incl. Sidney Crosby, John Tavares and Nathan MacKinnon). |
Loser: Commerce-hungry followers
Sorry, everybody. The one offers that occurred on Day 1 have been the Flames buying and selling down twice — or the Rangers and Capitals buying and selling up, relying on the way you need to have a look at it. Ultimately, everybody received the man they needed (Flames: Connor Zary; Rangers: Braden Schneider; Capitals: Hendrix Lapierre) and Calgary walked away with two extra picks within the third spherical.
I am only a boy, standing in entrance of 31 NHL GMs, asking for a commerce
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) October 7, 2020
Positive the Canadians and Blue Jackets made a swap, nevertheless it was earlier within the day so looks like an afterthought at this level.
Day 2 could also be a totally completely different story as groups look to make some headway with a flat cap.
NHL Draft commerce tracker 2020: Full particulars on each deal to maneuver up, down in Rounds 1-7
Loser: Craig Button
No disrespect to the previous Flames GM and present TSN analyst who was on the NBCSN telecast — however, to place it mildly, he was yelling … quite a bit.
WHY IS CRAIG BUTTON YELLING AT ME
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) October 7, 2020
Loser: Kinda creepy bulletins
Whereas the household reactions have been every little thing on Day 1, the moments proper earlier than have been typically a bit off.
The Maple Leafs did not get their choose in on time however have been nonetheless capable of make their announcement (GM Kyle Dubas stated they have been weighing many commerce choices), together with a lurking Morgan Rielly.
And Geese assistant GM Martin Madden’s bodyguards.
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