Top-10 North American Wingers in the 2020 NHL Draft

Oct 1, 2020

This article originally appeared on AnaheimDucks.com on September 15, 2020.

By Kyle Shohara/AnaheimDucks.com

As we get closer to the 2020 NHL Draft on Oct. 6-7, AnaheimDucks.com is looking at some of the top skaters by position. We begin with the top-ranked North American wingers, in order of final draft rankings per the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau.

Several references were used when describing each of these prospects, including The Athletic's Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler, and TSN's Craig Button and Bob McKenzie.

The Ducks currently hold two picks in the first round (6th and 27th) and three in the top 36.

1. Alexis Lafreniere, LW

NHL.com Scouting Report: Exceptionally smart player with top-end speed and pull-away gear. Great at carrying the puck and leading rushes. Executes under pressure and has great vision and anticipation - very good quickness with the puck and exceptional ability to change speed. Elite puck skills and vision to create plays in the offensive zone.

• Final Rank: 1
• Age: 18 (10/11/01)
• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 193
• Birthplace: St-Eustache, Quebec
• Shoots: Left

Let's be real here. The chances of Lafreniere falling to sixth overall are probably slimmer than you bending a spoon with your mind. But for the sake of this story, here is the lowdown on the highly touted prospect (and projected No. 1 pick) from Quebec. All he did last season was rack up 112 points (35g/77a) in just 52 games for Rimouski of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, pacing all QMJHL skaters in assists and points. He was named the league's Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row, becoming just the first back-to-back winner of the award since former Rimouski Oceanic player Sidney Crosby. Not a big deal. On the international stage, Lafreniere was named MVP and Best Forward at the 2020 World Junior Championship where he helped Team Canada win gold with 10 points (4g/6a) in five games. The big dogs of the hockey world weighed in on Lafreniere:

"Elite hockey sense. Elite creativity. Elite competitiveness. Just the ability to make plays at a really high level and score goals in an amazing way." -- TSN's Bob McKenzie

"He doesn't rely on one area of the game to be successful. He can make plays, he can score, he can play in traffic and is determined to be in the guts of the action. With his physical maturity, he's more than ready to handle the challenges and rigours of the NHL." -- TSN's Craig Button

"He is a projected impact player though given all his amazing attributes. He is even as a winger someone who can project to become a foundational part of a team's rebuild, a true star and a potential leading scorer in the NHL." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

2. Jack Quinn, RW

NHL.com Scouting Report: Dynamic skater that can fly with the puck on his stick. Lethal shot with an exceptional release. Strong two-way game. Plays in all situations. Sniper with highlight reel goal-scoring ability.

• Final Rank: 7
• Age: 18 (9/19/01)
• Height: 6-0
• Weight: 176
• Birthplace: Ottawa, Ontario
• Shoots: Right

Touted as one of the best - if not the best - pure goal scorers in the upcoming draft, Quinn delivered a staggering 52-goal goal campaign with the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67's. He was just one of two players to score 50 goals in the 2019-20 season, joining Maple Leafs prospect Nick Robertson (55 with Peterborough). Quinn finished the season ranked tied for eighth in the OHL with 89 points (52g/37a) in 62 games, and had three separate hat tricks and a six-point game in his second full season with the 67's.

"Quinn's 52 goals in 62 games qualifies him as one of, if not the best, goal-scorer in the draft. At 6 feet and 176 pounds, he still has some growing to do, but he's been rocketing up the draft charts all season long. He moved up nine spots from TSN's mid-season list. He did not play with [Marco] Rossi on the 67's top line, though they did see power-play time together. Scouts like his natural sniping ability but are also impressed with his high-energy two-way game and project that he could be a top NHL scoring forward who can play on the PP and the PK." -- TSN's Bob McKenzie

"Quinn is the best goal scorer available in this draft. He's capable of gearing up and gearing down with his speed to create space. He reminds me of David Pastrnak in so many ways." -- TSN's Craig Button

"He has very quick twitch hands and the ability to embarrass defenders 1-on-1. He sees the ice at a top-end level even though he didn't have nearly as many assists as goals. It's not just his vision, but his overall creativity and patience. He often saw plays on the ice that I couldn't see materialize. The main reason for his sudden rise in stock was the continued improvement in his skating. It's not a strength of his, it's no longer a weakness, but it will be his main hurdle for the NHL level. Quinn is solid off the puck, playing PK for Ottawa, although I wouldn't call him a physical player." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

3. Jacob Perreault, RW

NHL.com Scouting Report: Strong skater with great balance. Hard accurate shot with a release that jumps quickly off his stick. A dangerous shooter who can score from multiple areas of the ice. An intelligent player that puts himself in good positions to get scoring chances. Natural goal scorer.

• Final Rank: 17
• Age: 18 (4/15/02)
• Height: 5-11
• Weight: 192
• Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec
• Shoots: Right

Son of longtime NHL center Yanic Perreault, Jacob ranked second on the OHL's Sarnia Sting in scoring with 70 points (39g/31a) in 57 games - a 15-point improvement over his 2018-19 rookie season (30g/25a). He was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team in 2018-19 after becoming just the fifth 16-year-old rookie in the league since 2009-10 to reach the 30-goal mark.

Various mock drafts have Perreault going somewhere in the 20s, so we'll see if he's still on the board when the Ducks pick at 27.

"Hungry and determined scorer who has intensity in and around the net and in scoring areas. He knows how to finish, and with a playmaking centre he will do it at the next level." -- TSN's Craig Button

"Perreault is a dynamic player. He makes elite plays and has one of the best shots in this draft. He can be so dangerous on a power play with his shot and pick corners from a distance, but he's also a tremendous passer who makes unique plays. His hands are top of the line, and he shows a ton of confidence with the puck, attacking defenders consistently with his skill and looking to make things happen. Inside the offensive zone there are no questions about what he can do." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

4. Ozzy Wiesblatt, RW

NHL.com Scouting Report: Displays good acceleration and speed. High-end vision. Highly competitive - plays bigger than his size. Quick release. Threat on both offensive and defensive side of the puck.

• Final Rank: 19
• Age: 18 (3/9/02)
• Height: 5-10
• Weight: 183
• Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta
• Shoots: Right

First of all, you don't see too many 'Ozzy's these days. Great name. Wiesblatt ranked second on the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders with 70 points (25g/45a) in 64 games. As a rookie in 2018-19, the Calgary native helped Prince Albert capture the WHL Championship with 10 points (5g/5a) in 23 playoff appearances. He also represented Canada at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (silver medal), earning one assist in five games.

His upbringing is one worth knowing. He, along with his three brothers and one sister, were raised by their mother, Kim, who is deaf. They communicate with one another using American Sign Language.

The four Wiesblatt brothers all played high-level hockey this past season: Ozzy (Prince Albert, WHL), Ocean (Portage, MJHL), Orca (Calgary, WHL) and Oasiz (Calgary Buffaloes AAA, AMHL).

"Wiesblatt checks a lot of boxes. He's very quick and skilled. He makes skilled plays at full speed and is a handful for defenders to stop when he comes barreling down on the rush. His hands stand out, with extremely quick twitch touches and ability to inside out defenders. He can attack in a direct style, but also has great vision and can pull up to make a tough play. He was on the flank for Prince Albert's power play and looked like a pro in the type of plays he made in that role. He's barely 5-10 so that is the major knock on him, but he is competitive and doesn't mind the physical engagements." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

5. Tyson Foerster, RW

NHL.com Scouting Report: A gifted offensive player who displays excellent vision and playmaking ability. High hockey IQ. Excellent puck protection ability. Has a lethal shot with a quick release and the ability to score from multiple angles.

• Final Rank: 21
• Age: 18 (1/18/02)
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 194
• Birthplace: Alliston, Ontario
• Shoots: Right

Far and away the scoring leader on the Barrie Colts last season, Foerster racked up 80 points (36g/44a) in 62 games - nearly double the amount of his closest teammate (47 points). His 36 goals placed him fifth among first-year draft-eligibles in the Ontario Hockey League, while his 62 points had him tied for 16th among all OHL skaters in a breakthrough sophomore campaign. Foerster had two separate 13-game point streaks last season, and recorded three points (2g/1a) at the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game where he was named Player of the Game for Team White.

"I was particularly impressed by his second half when, after the Colts dealt the bulk of their core, he continued to produce. He was also impressive at the CHL Top Prospects Game, where he made a trio of superb plays off the rush. He's an excellent shooter, particularly in catch-and-release scenarios in motion. After the Colts traded Ryan Suzuki on Jan. 10, Foerster went on a 13-game point streak to close out the season with 33 points in his final 25 games. I worry his skating and pace of play may not be high-end enough to reach his true potential, but if he can make some progress there, he's got the rest." -- The Athletic's Scott Wheeler

"Foerster's shot is the first thing scouts bring up. He has an absolute cannon. He can one-time from the circles and beat goalies clean, which is a highly desirable skill. Foerster is also a high-end passer who can find seams consistently, which combined with his shot, makes him very dangerous on the power play. The main issue with Foerster is his skating. His stride is awkward, he hunches over, it breaks down often and prevents him from being dangerous on entries." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

6. Justin Sourdif, RW

NHL.com Scouting Report: Highly skilled offensive player with game breaking talent. A proven scorer that plays with a bit of an edge.

• Final Rank: 23
• Age: 18 (3/24/02)
• Height: 5-11
• Weight: 173
• Birthplace: Richmond, British Columbia
• Shoots: Right

Sourdif averaged nearly a point per game last season with the Vancouver Giants, recording 54 points (26g/28a) in 57 games. Of his 26 goals (second-most on the team), six were game winners (team high). He also had a team-best +30 rating. Internationally, the Richmond, BC native helped Team Canada earn a silver medal at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he earned five points (1g/4a) in five games.

"He has the soft hands to beat defenders clean, and he makes high-end offensive plays. The skill isn't consistent, but it's there, and he gets his points. He scores a lot, not because he has a great shot, but because of how hard he works to get to the hard areas and making things happen around the crease. Sourdif is tenacious on pucks in the offensive zone, winning a lot of battles even at 5-foot-11. His main flaw is his average quickness. He lacks the ability to pressure defenders with speed, although with his compete level he looks a little quicker than his stride suggests." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

"With enviable speed, he can make plays off the rush and is noticeable when he's on the ice because he plays fast and loose. On a Giants team that lacked talent up front, Sourdif was a go-to player and relied-upon creator. In his best games, he was dominant and controlled shifts by coming at teams in waves. But he'll need to get stronger to reach his ceiling as there were games where teams swarmed him and he was neutralized, even though he's up to the physical challenge and has some snarl to his game." -- The Athletic's Scott Wheeler

7. Jake Neighbours, LW

NHL.com Scouting Report: A strong competitor who competes hard in all three zones. Quick acceleration, especially through the neutral zone. Uncanny vision to find teammates in the open. Hard to knock off the puck. Wants the puck on his stick in crucial situations.

• Final Rank: 26
• Age: 18 (3/29/02)
• Height: 6-0
• Weight: 195
• Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta
• Shoots: Left

Reading the scouting reports on Neighbours from various sources reveals several qualities of importance. High hockey IQ. Check. Great shot. Check. Strong competitor. Check. Willingness to get into the dirty areas. Check. Already rocking a solid frame at the age of 18, Neighbours ranked second among Edmonton Oil Kings skaters with 70 points (23g/47a) in 64 games last season. His 70 points placed him fourth amongst draft-eligible players in the Western Hockey League. He obliterated his season totals from the year prior when he had 24 points (11g/13a) in 47 games during the 2018-19 campaign.

Neighbours was named the Oil Kings' Most Improved Player and their Scholastic Player of the Year. According to the club, the Most Improved Player Award is "bestowed upon the [Oil King] who proves his work ethic, dedication and constant determination to get better."

"Jake plays in a direct and forceful manner. He is competitive and invested in the hard and demanding areas of the game. Makes plays and carves out space that create opportunities." -- TSN's Craig Button

"Neighbours was an important part of Edmonton's team, scoring more than a point per game and being a leading shot generator in the WHL. He's a very smart player. He played the flank on Edmonton's PP1 and showed the ability to make NHL caliber plays in all situations. Neighbours has a bullet of a shot and scored several goals this past season that goalies had little to no chance on. He competes hard. He doesn't shy from physical engagement and is a solid penalty killer. I could see him become a quality bottom-six forward in the NHL and, if he gains a step, I could see him become more than that." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

8. Martin Chromiak, RW

NHL.com Scouting Report: Powerful skater with a great stride. Processes the game very quickly. Creative with the puck on his stick and shows strong playmaking ability. Heavy shot with a great release. A threat to score every time he is on the ice.

• Final Rank: 30
• Age: 18 (8/20/02)
• Height: 6-0
• Weight: 187
• Birthplace: Ilava, Slovakia
• Shoots: Right

The Slovakia-born winger had a strong showing with the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs after the joining the club midseason. Chromiak recorded 33 points (11g/22a) in 28 games with the Fronts, including a multi-point performance (1g/1a) in his OHL debut. Chromiak began the season with Trencin in Slovakia's top league where he earned six points (5g/1a) in 32 games. Representing Slovakia, Chromiak won the Slovakian Junior League Championship with Trencin in 2018-19 and helped the club win an under-18 title in 2017-18.

"After a two-point debut, he became Kingston's second-most dangerous offensive threat behind rookie sensation Shane Wright. He's a dangerous, multi-dimensional threat from the blue line in and showed he could create both in an instant and through the cycle. When he keeps his feet moving and plays to the inside, he's a ton of fun to watch." -- The Athletic's Scott Wheeler

"Chromiak started the season in Slovakia's pro league and didn't get much opportunity. He came to the OHL for the second half and sat at around a point per game with Kingston. Chromiak is a very talented player. He has high-end skill and shows a lot of confidence with the puck, trying to make plays through defenders or to his teammates. Chromiak also has a plus shot and can score from the dots. On the power play and inside the offensive zone he's very dangerous. He lacks NHL quickness though, and off the puck he's just OK, with a tendency to be a perimeter player who doesn't win many puck battles. I like the talent and what he's done versus his peer group internationally and in the OHL, but I understand why among NHL scouts he's a divisive player." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

9. Sam Colangelo, RW

NHL.com Scouting Report: Powerful skater who is elusive with the puck. Possesses an excellent shot with a quick release. Pure goal scorer who is a threat from anywhere in the attacking zone.

• Final Rank: 31
• Age: 18 (12/26/01)
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 205
• Birthplace: Stoneham, Massachusetts
• Shoots: Right

Already built like a tank, imagine what Colangelo is going to look like a few years from now. Blessed with a power forward's build, the Stoneham, Massachusetts native finished third in the USHL last season with 58 points (28g/30a) in 44 games with the Chicago Steel. To go along with his scoring output was a league-best +32 rating in his first full season in the USHL. Colangelo has international experience as well, helping Team USA to a bronze medal at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge and representing the U.S. at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Colangelo has committed to Northeastern University for the 2020-21 season.

"Colangelo was one of the leading goal and point producers in the USHL despite the fact he didn't get prime power play minutes for stretches of the season. He is a very talented player. Colangelo is 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, has great skill and is a high-end goal scorer. He can pick corners from bad angles and is a mid-distance shooting threat. He passes the puck very well, finding seams and setting up chances consistently. His skill level doesn't pop often, but he has very good hands and can make plays through defenders. Colangelo's knocks historically have been his skating and compete level. His compete level looked better this season, playing inside well and using his frame; although for a player with his toolkit at the USHL level there were nights I think he should have been doing more." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

10. William Cuylle, LW

NHL.com Scouting Report: Powerful skater with good speed. Scoring threat with a heavy shot and quick release. Heavy on the body and on pursuit of pucks. Very strong puck protection and wall play. Excellent net front presence.

• Final Rank: 34
• Age: 18 (2/5/02)
• Height: 6-3
• Weight: 204
• Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario
• Shoots: Left

At 6-3, Cuylle is the tallest of the group and will likely fill out his frame as time goes on. He posted similar numbers with Windsor last season (42 points - 22g/20a) as he did two years ago as a rookie (41 points - 26g/15a), and also represented Team Canada at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he earned three points (2g/1a) in a silver medal run. Not one to shy away from throwing his weight (or hands) around, Cuylle had a game-high seven penalty minutes (including a five-minute major for fighting) at the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Hamilton, Ontario back in January.

"After scoring 26 goals as a 16-year-old in the OHL, Cuylle entered the season with a fair bit of hype. He didn't have a great statistical season, mostly repeating his numbers from his underage season, but he did generate a lot of shots with 200 on goal in 62 games. Cuylle is appealing because he's a 6-foot-3 winger who plays a powerful style and has a bullet of a shot. He will be able to score from the dots in the NHL because of how hard and accurate his shot is. He surprisingly didn't have that high a shooting percentage this season, but also scored several very high quality goals, lending to the theory he may have been a little unlucky. He's not reckless with his physicality, but he does throw his weight around and can create chances around the net. I debated between a 55 and a 60 for Cuylle's hands. I saw flashes of 60 grade but not consistently enough. He's a true playmaker and he's not that quick, so I saw a lot of nights where it didn't seem like he did much. He has a strong track record even if his point totals this season weren't great. He has a lot of the tools you look for outside the skating and hockey IQ, and I think it's enough to make it." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman