Top-10 North American Centers in the 2020 NHL Draft

Oct 2, 2020

This article originally appeared on AnaheimDucks.com on September 22, 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-ranked skaters by position. We continue with the top-ranked North American centers, in order of final draft rankings per the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau.

Related: Top-10 North American Wingers | Top-10 European Wingers

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.

Visit our Draft Hub for the latest NHL Draft news, rankings and more

1. Quinton Byfield

NHL.com Scouting Report: Powerful skater with breakaway speed. Excellent puck possession player with superior vision, creativity and playmaking ability. Heavy, accurate shot that can overpower goaltenders. Physically ready for the pro game. Works hard all over the ice with relentless play and never gives up on a puck. Plays in all situations and can take over a game at any time.

• Final Rank: 2
• Age: 18 (8/19/02)
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 215
• Birthplace: Newmarket, Ontario
• Shoots: Left

Here's the thing. Much like top-ranked left wing (and projected No. 1 overall pick) Alexis Lafreniere, the likelihood Byfield falls to six is probably very slim. But, as we've seen over the years, all it takes is one (or two, or maybe three) teams to go slightly off the paved path for things to get really interesting (and send your mock draft into the garbage can). As it stands, the first five picks belong to the New York Rangers (1st overall), LA Kings (2nd overall), Ottawa Senators (3rd and 5th overall) and Detroit Red Wings (4th overall). Could there be a surprise before the Ducks stroll up to the virtual podium this year? Only time will tell.

Here's what you need to know about Byfield, who only recently turned 18. He's big. He's strong. He can skate like the wind and torch you in transition. He can make plays, he can finish and he can be a dominating force on the ice. As a 17-year-old last season, Byfield led the Sudbury Wolves and ranked 14th in OHL scoring with 82 points (32g/50a) in 45 games. His 1.82 points per game average ranked tied for fifth among OHL skaters and he was on pace to record 124 points (48g/76a) in 68 games had he not played for Team Canada at the 2020 World Junior Championship over a month-long span. Despite missing time with Sudbury, Byfield was named an OHL Third Team All-Star at the conclusion of the season.

While his world juniors performance wasn't spectacular (one assist in seven games), one has to keep in mind he was one of the youngest players on a deep Team Canada roster that won gold.

As a 16-year-old during the 2018-29 season, Byfield tallied 61 points (29g/32a) in 64 games with the Wolves and was named the CHL & OHL Rookie of the Year.

"Byfield has all the tools to be a big, point-producing No. 1 center. He moves extremely well for a big man. He has outstanding puck protection skills. He has soft hands and a hard shot, and he gets himself and the puck to the net to give himself and his teammates the opportunity to score goals." -- TSN's Bob McKenzie

"His size is such an important element of his game not only from a skill point of view, but from the ability to impact a game in all its areas. When you look at this skill level, it's very, very good. But it's the completeness of the effort. The competitiveness stands out. With his size, his skating and his determination, [he impacts] the game everywhere on the ice. We use the term '200-foot player.' That's where Quinton Byfield really establishes himself. When you look at this projection in the NHL, I seem him clearly as a No. 1 two-way center in the mold of LA Kings star Anze Kopitar." -- TSN's Craig Button

"Byfield had an incredible 17-year-old season in the OHL, as one of the best players in the modern era at that age in that league. He's an exciting and very well-rounded player. He's 6-foot-4, he's a very good skater for such a large player and his hands are right up there with the best in the draft. He can break a shift open with his ability to power past or dangle through defenders. His creativity is great, and his large wingspan combined with his elite hands allows him to stickhandle around defenders with ease. Byfield's playmaking has been an area I've questioned - and some scouts do as well - but this season he's shown high-level vision. It's not the greatest, but it's very good and he'll be able to make NHL caliber plays. His shot is also very good, and he can score from the dots. Byfield is a very competitive player who uses his large frame to power his way to chances and win battles along the walls. He projects as an all-situations center. When the pace increased at the higher levels on the international stage, like the Hlinka Gretzky or the world juniors, he faded a bit, but I remain a huge believer because of his toolkit and his performance with his club team. He looks like a foundational No. 1 center in the NHL." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

"He's huge, his skating has become enough of a strength that he can really push the pace through the middle of the ice, he's got excellent puck skill for a player his size and he's surprisingly creative for his size. He's also one of the younger players in the draft, so he's got time to figure out the rest. Byfield plays the sport's most coveted position, doesn't turn 18 until the end of August and paced for 124 points across a 68-game OHL season." -- The Athletic's Scott Wheeler

2. Cole Perfetti

NHL.com Scouting Report: Puck skills, vision and execution are on another level. Has incredible hockey IQ and feel for the game. A major threat every time he is on the ice. Just as dangerous as a goal scorer or playmaker. Makes his teammates better.

• Final Rank: 5
• Age: 18 (1/1/02)
• Height: 5-10
• Weight: 177
• Birthplace: Whitby, Ontario
• Shoots: Left

Touted as one of the most creative players in this year's draft, Perfetti comes in as the second-highest ranked center and fifth-highest player overall among North American skaters. The Whitby, Ontario native lit up the Ontario Hockey League last season, finishing second in the league in scoring with 111 points (37g/74a) in 61 games with Saginaw. He became the first Spirit to reach 100 points in a season since Jack Combs in 2007-08 and was named an OHL Second Team All-Star at the conclusion of the 2019-20 campaign. It was an impressive follow-up to his 2018-19 season when he led all OHL rookies in goals (37) and points (74) with Saginaw.

He was lights out at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, registering 12 points (8g/4a) in just five games to help Team Canada earn a silver medal.

"Perfetti is a shade under 5-foot-11 and 177 pounds and doesn't have blinding straight-line, beat-you-to-the-outside speed, but it's a testament to his elite hockey sense, creativity and goal-scoring ability that he still cracked TSN's Top 5. Some scouts ranked Perfetti as high as No. 4 but as low as No. 12 and that type of scatter-shot assessment becomes much more common for the balance of the players in TSN's Top 10. Perfetti moved up three slots from No. 8 on TSN's mid-season list." -- TSN's Bob McKenzie

"Call it hockey sense, call it feel. He has the best IQ of any player in the 2020 NHL Draft. He sees the possibilities in every play, both seen and unseen. Combined with his great imagination, he produces offense at a high rate. When you look at the scoring touch, excellent. Creative ability to make something out of seemingly nothing. He's an elite scoring left-winger in the mold of New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin." -- TSN's Craig Button

"Perfetti burst onto the scene as a U17, scoring the most goals by a player that age since John Tavares, Taylor Hall and Steven Stamkos. Perfetti followed it up with a brilliant U18 season, one of the best in the modern OHL era. He also dominated the Hlinka Gretzky like few others have. Perfetti is incredibly skilled and is one of the best passers in the draft. He is so creative with the puck, finding unique ways to fool defenders, manipulate the puck in tight spaces and make plays through defenders. He can make things happen off the half-wall at an elite level, makes very creative passes frequently, and projects to be a top passer in the NHL due to his vision and his pace. Perfetti isn't the biggest or the quickest forward so some scouts aren't over the moon about him as an undersized forward without NHL speed. I think he skates fine but does lack ability to separate from checks. His compete level is fine, he gets his nose dirty enough and works hard off the puck to get it back. He killed penalties this season and played center for stretches of the season, showing he can be a versatile player, as well." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

"There's this thing that seems to happen with players who are labelled 'smart' where, like those who are labelled as two-way players, their skill level doesn't get the love it deserves. But it doesn't have to be one or the other. Perfetti sees the game differently than everyone else in this class. He sees seams others don't. He recognizes the way opposing defenders are reading the zone before the defenders even recognize what they're seeing in that zone. And the more you watch him, the more so-called concerns of strength or speed begin to fade. He has the indescribable knack for finding pockets of space to get open into (or for giving the puck to a linemate just as he enters into one of them). He's one or two steps ahead of everyone else. Those things shouldn't discount the rest of his tools, though. Because he grades near the top of this draft class as a stickhandler, individual creator and shooter as well. He's also one of the best draft-eligible prospects off the rush that I've seen in recent memory. He doesn't just make everyone else better. He can break open a game too. The reasons for ranking him a few spots lower have always been his skating or his strength. At this point, I'm going to stand by my evaluation." -- The Athletic's Scott Wheeler

3. Marco Rossi

NHL.com Scouting Report: Highly skilled offensive player. An excellent skater that plays at a high pace. High-end goal scoring and playmaking ability. Works hard in all three zones and plays a very determined, aggressive game. A huge asset on both special teams. Game-breaking ability.

• Final Rank: 6
• Age: 18 (9/23/01)
• Height: 5-9
• Weight: 183
• Birthplace: Feldkirch, Austria
• Shoots: Left

Sure, he's undersized by NHL standards. But just because he isn't a giant doesn't mean he can't play like someone much bigger. What Rossi lacks in height he makes up for in strength. Similar in a sense to Boston's Brad Marchand, Rossi has tremendous lower-body strength and a low center of gravity that allows him to shield the puck and fend off opponents. He crushed it in the OHL last season, leading the league and all of the CHL in assists (81) and points (120) in - get this - 56 games with Ottawa. Rossi was named the OHL's Most Outstanding Player of the Year for the 2019-10 season, becoming just the second European import to win the award. As a rookie with the 67's during the 2018-19 season, Rossi registered 65 points (29g/36a) in 53 games - second among OHL rookies.

Rossi will likely become the third Austrian to be selected in the first round, joining Thomas Vanek (No. 5 in 2003) and Michael Grabner (No. 14 in 2006).

"Like Alexis Lafreniere, Rossi has a late 2001 birth year. In fact, he missed being eligible for last year's NHL draft by only eight days. That extra year allowed Rossi to dominate last season, becoming the first European to win the OHL scoring title, with 39 goals and 120 points in 56 games. He remains in the same No. 7 slot [in TSN's final rankings] he was in on the mid-season list. At 5-foot-9, size isn't on Rossi's side, but he doesn't play a small man's game. At 183 pounds, he's a strong, physically mature soon-to-be 19-year-old with a low center of gravity and some power in his game. He doesn't have huge pop in his skating but he's smart and agile. He's an outstanding playmaker and a very good goal-scorer. He's plays a responsible two-way game and exhibits pro-level maturity on everything from how he trains to his overall approach on and off the ice. Some scouts wonder how much more untapped potential there might be versus some of the younger, less physically developed prospects, that Rossi might be more of a what-you-see-is-what-you-get player. That said, nine of 10 scouts ranked Rossi as high as No. 5 and no lower than No. 10 with the exception of one outlier at No. 18." -- TSN's Bob McKenzie

"He's an exceptionally creative offensive playmaking centerman. It's not easy to make plays in high-reward areas, but that's exactly what Marco Rossi does. Whether it be under sticks or through skates, he has a thread-the-needle playmaking ability. When we look at the scouting report, the hockey sense stands out. But the ability to make those plays in the tight areas that creates high-quality scoring chances, if you get open, he's going to find you. He's also so adept at shaking the defense and creating space for himself. Very, very dangerous. He's going to be a No. 1 playmaking center in the National Hockey League in the mold of the Swedish start Nicklas Backstrom." -- TSN's Craig Button

"Rossi dominated the OHL this season, scoring more than two points per game as one of the best players in the entire CHL. He was a major reason why the 67's were an elite team. Rossi is an exciting player due to his skill and IQ. He has tremendous stick handling ability in tight areas and can slide off checks. He's a great passer with a high level of offensive creativity who projects to play the half-wall on an NHL power play. Rossi's skating is good, but he's more of a skill player than a speedy player. He's not the quickest small player you'll ever see, but he has a powerful stride and good edge work to elude checks. While Rossi is undersized, he's a very competitive player. He drives the net consistently, he can kill penalties very well and he can be used in tough defensive situations. His great skill and production are very appealing. He doesn't raise to the top tier of the draft due to his size and speed combination, but he projects to be a top-line NHL forward because of how smart, skilled and competitive he is." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

"Rossi isn't far off from my idea of a perfect hockey player. He can break teams down through seams, he can beat defenders one-on-one both off the cycle and the rush. He can score with his release or his hands and footwork. He plays in the middle of the ice but knows when to take the outside lane. And he's the best defensive forward in the draft. Some evaluators point to his height and question whether he'll stick at center. Others question his late birthday and dominant team for the effect they had on his remarkable production. And while the latter has some effect on my evaluation, the former is lazy and doesn't account for how strong he is or the way his low center of gravity in his stance helps him fight off bigger defenders. He's also one of the most determined, focused prospects I've ever interacted with and is probably the most NHL-ready player in the draft after Lafreniere, so the team that selects him is getting an impact player from Day 1." -- The Athletic's Scott Wheeler

4. Dawson Mercer

NHL.com Scouting Report: Smart and skilled forward with a strong desire to make a difference every shift. Uses his speed and quickness to his advantage. Slippery and tough to contain. Plays in all situations - a responsible two-hundred-foot player. Very good hockey sense.

• Final Rank: 10
• Age: 18 (10/27/01)
• Height: 6-0
• Weight: 180
• Birthplace: Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Shoots: Right

You've got to like it when a player is trusted to play in all situations. That's what you get with Mercer, who can deliver in even strength, be a difference maker on the power play and a reliable presence on the penalty kill. Mercer earned 60 points (24g/36a) in 42 games split between Drummondville (26 GP) and Chicoutimi (16 GP) in the QMJHL. He's the second-highest rated player coming out of the QMJHL this year behind only consensus No. 1 pick Alexis Lafreniere.

He's from Carbonear, a town on the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador, roughly 4,400 miles away from Anaheim. He can become the seventh Newfoundland-born player to be selected in the opening round and second in as many years (Alex Newhook: No. 16 in 2019).

"He played for Canada at the World Junior Championship. He didn't have a huge role or huge impact in the tournament, but before going to the world juniors, he had 18 goals in 26 games for the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the Quebec league. The scouts were already really enthused, so very much a solid first-round pick." -- TSN's Bob McKenzie

"There's not one specific skill that Dawson hangs his hat on. There's no area of his game that stands out. The adage 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts' applies to Dawson. He's both versatile and adaptable. When we look at the scouting report, his understanding of the game is so complete. That allows him to move into different roles and situations with ease. When I project him into the NHL, I see him as a top-six, two-way center/right winger. Because of the adaptability, that makes me think of Winnipeg Jets captain and star Blake Wheeler." -- TSN's Craig Button

"Mercer followed up an impressive 17-year-old season with a better 18-year-old one, as a top player in the QMJHL and a member of Canada's U20 team. Mercer is a versatile player. Offensively, he's an exciting player. He has high-end skill with the soft hands and creativity to beat a lot of defenders. He has the quick-twitch in his hands to be unpredictable and make a lot of great plays in tight areas. He's a very smart player who moves the puck well inside the zone, finding seams and looking off defenders like a pro. Mercer can also score from a distance if given space, but I think his playmaking is more impressive. He's a competitive two-way center who can be effective in a lot of situations. He plays in the interior third of the ice a lot and can kill penalties. His main drawbacks are his average feet and lack of NHL caliber explosiveness as well as the minor fact of how he slowed down following a trade to Chicoutimi." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

"Mercer has learned to maximize everything he has. This isn't to say he isn't talented. He is. But I don't see the typical A-level tools you see in a top-15 talent and I still believe he's in that mix, so I wouldn't fault a team for taking him near the top 10. Mercer's effective all over the ice by making a lot of little plays with pace and aggression. He attacks defenders when he has the puck. He attacks opposing carriers when he doesn't. He wins more 50/50 battles than he should by getting underneath his man and keeping his feet moving. And then he has enough skill to escape pressure, beat the first defender and make a play. He's one of the safer bets to become an impactful NHL player. I would have liked to see him dictate play offensively a little more than he did after a trade to Chicoutimi, though, so that contributed to a bit of a fall from where I ranked him at the midseason point." -- The Athletic's Scott Wheeler

5. Seth Jarvis

NHL.com Scouting Report: Smart player that does everything at high speed. Elusive and creative with the puck. Can impact a game in all zones.

• Final Rank: 11
• Age: 18 (2/1/02)
• Height: 5-10
• Weight: 175
• Birthplace: Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Shoots: Right

Ears naturally perk up when the phrase 'plays with pace' are used to describe a player. Granted, speed isn't the be-all and end-all, but when a player can use it to create offense, that's a good thing. Jarvis does his damage with tremendous speed. He ranked second in the WHL in points (98) and third in goals (42) last season with the Portland Winterhawks. His 98 points were nearly 60 more than his 2018-19 total (39 points in 61 GP). Twice last season he had point streaks in the double digits (10 GP and 11 GP).

On the international stage, Jarvis helped Team Canada earn silver at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with four points (2g/2a) in five games. He also led Canada Red with five points (2g/3a) at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

"Very skilled, smart center who uses deception and guile to gain advantages and produce offensively. He has the ability to take advantage of the slightest opportunity. Don't underestimate him." -- TSN's Craig Button

"Jarvis had a fantastic season, as the WHL's second-leading scorer and a major part of why Portland was such a dominant team. Jarvis is a dynamic player who ticks a lot of boxes. He is a highly skilled and intelligent with a lot of quickness. He has the skill to beat defenders 1-on-1, but more importantly, he does so with speed. The high-end pace of his game is what makes him so dangerous and will translate to the higher levels. He has legit NHL speed and very good edges, allowing him to pressure defenders at the highest level with speed and cutbacks. I wouldn't call his hands elite or call him an elite passer, but he has flashes of the highest level with both and both attributes are very good. Jarvis isn't the biggest forward, but he is a very hard working player. He attacks the middle of the ice consistently, he's hard on pucks and wins far more battles than you'd think a 5-foot-10 forward would. His game is very direct and he will be both a coach and fan-favorite due to the way he plays the game. His combination of skill, speed, production and work ethic make him a player that projects to play high in an NHL lineup." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

"I liked Jarvis' game when I watched him last year, but I wondered whether he had the dynamic qualities a player his size typically needs to be more than the kind of player you take in the 20s or 30s in the draft and project into a middle-six role rather than confidently as a top-six one. He looked good, but he never wowed me. And then he just got better and better this season. By the end of the year, he was one of the best players in junior hockey and an unstoppable force who played - and produced - above and beyond his linemates. I don't tend to like to make comparisons to other players but he's a slick playmaker who reminds me a little of a blend between Nick and Ryan Suzuki. He's got the well-roundedness across his toolbox and the three-zone work ethic that Nick possesses, with some of Ryan's knack for the dramatic. And though I saw the former skills a year ago, I either missed some of that flair or it progressed a little later than his peers. He's just flat out good offensively and despite his size is a responsible defensive option." -- The Athletic's Scott Wheeler

6. Dylan Holloway

NHL.com Scouting Report: Power forward who can get to the net effectively. Very hard to contain with and without the puck. Will be physical to gain possession of the puck. High hockey IQ and great competitiveness.

• Final Rank: 12
• Age: 18 (9/23/01)
• Height: 6-0
• Weight: 203
• Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta
• Shoots: Left

After dominating the Alberta Junior Hockey League as a 17-year-old, Holloway took the next step in his hockey career by suiting up for the Wisconsin Badgers last season where he recorded 17 points (8g/9a) in 35 games as a freshman. Two years ago, he was named the AJHL Most Valuable Player after finishing second in goals (40) and points (88) in 53 games for the Okotoks Oilers. Internationally, Holloway won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and Canada West at the 2017 World Junior A Challenge.

"Dylan combines his skill with a physical presence that allows him to impose himself on the game. Determined and finds ways to contribute. Compliments the games of others and is versatile." -- TSN's Craig Button

"Holloway had a fine freshman season, as a top player for Wisconsin, although he didn't put up huge scoring numbers after dominating the AJHL the season prior. Holloway is a good skater who has a lot of energy to his game. When he gets a full head of steam, his frame he can be a handful to stop. He's hard on pucks and isn't afraid to get his nose dirty. His offensive upside is the main point of debate surrounding him when talking to NHL scouts. I think he's very skilled. Holloway inside outs opponents consistently and can make plays through checks in motion. Over the years I've seen flashes of top-end playmaking, but I didn't see that consistently enough this season, with Holloway showing more of a direct style of play than a true driver of offense. Even if he's not a truly dynamic offensive player, there's enough skill in his game to be a quality NHL player." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

"I was really high on Holloway a year ago, believing he had a chance at the top 10 in this draft after he looked too fast and strong for the AJHL as a 17-year-old. Then he didn't grab hold of me in my early viewings with the Badgers. Then I saw him play live at Team Canada's selection camp in December, where he was excellent and followed that up by spending some time with him in Wisconsin and catching another two live viewings at the NCAA level. And when he really impressed me in all of those live sessions and I dug deeper on his season at Wisconsin with more tape in recent weeks, some of the things I'd seen that concerned me out of the gate began to fade. He's a unique athlete in this class, an outstanding skater, a physical presence and a talented scorer and creator. He's not going to be the driver that some of these others will be but I'd expect a breakout season as a sophomore and an impressive NHL career as a second-liner who provides some punch and pace." -- The Athletic's Scott Wheeler

7. Hendrix Lapierre

NHL.com Scouting Report: Great skater with powerful strides. Excellent puck skills and hockey IQ. Able to execute plays at high speed. Creates time and space with his puck skills and has the creativity to make plays. Strong two-way game. A complete player who brings a strong work ethic.

• Final Rank: 13
• Age: 18 (2/9/02)
• Height: 6-0
• Weight: 179
• Birthplace: Gatineau, Quebec
• Shoots: Left

Injuries unfortunately limited Lapierre's 2019-20 season to just 19 games, but over that span he recorded 17 points (2g/15a) with QMJHL Chicoutimi. He had a terrific 2019 Hlinka Gretzky tournament with Team Canada, registering a tournament-best 11 points (3g/8a) in five games. He won the Michel Bergeron Trophy as the QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018-19 after earning 45 points (13g/32a) in 48 games.

"A complete two-way center who can play in every square inch of the ice and be very productive. Outstanding sense and feel for all situations with the ability to process quickly." -- TSN's Craig Button

"Lapierre is an extremely difficult player to slot right now. He was a top player at 16. He had one of the best Hlinka Gretzky tournaments ever. Then the season started and he was good, but not great with only two goals on the season when healthy. He's a highly skilled and intelligent player. He makes a lot of tough plays, projects to run a pro power play due to very high hockey IQ and has the great individual skill to be slippery in open ice. He's a fine skater but his game could use more speed. Some scouts agree with me on the pace of his game, but some like his quickness. Lapierre was initially diagnosed with three concussions in a 10-month span, but Lapierre told The Athletic a specialist diagnosed him with twisted vertebrae in his neck that he thinks caused concussion-like symptoms. Whether it was a head or neck injury, or a combination, NHL teams, even in light of the neck injury diagnosis, are significantly concerned about Lapierre's health and the risk in his projection. His game was just OK off the puck, and he didn't attack the net that much, but it's hard to know whether that's how he plays or whether the injuries caused hesitancy. Toward the end of the season he was able to practice with the team, but his last game was in November." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

"I don't have a lot new to offer here over any of my previous lists because there are no updated viewings on Lapierre, who lost his season due to repeated concussion troubles. Before injuries brought the future of his career into question, Lapierre was a top-15 talent in this draft, maybe even top 10. He's a puck-dominant carrier who can transport the puck up the ice (or across it) with a sharp pass through a seam or his feet and hands. He's the kind of player every team wants running their power play. And when he doesn't have the puck, he'll chase it down to get it back and keep offensive zone sequences aside. The team that takes him will have to do their homework on his health, though, and there will still be a chance he never gets back to being himself. He lost a crucial year in every young player's development. The good news is that the season's cancellation levelled the playing field a little. Hopefully, it gives him enough time to get himself right without having the pressure that comes with getting back on the ice." -- The Athletic's Scott Wheeler

8. Ridly Greig

NHL.com Scouting Report: Excellent skill-set and vision. Highly competitive in all areas of the ice. Very intelligent in all aspects. Has a bite to his game that can agitate the opposition. Plays in all situations. Deceptive in tight quarters with a never give up attitude.

• Final Rank: 14
• Age: 18 (8/8/02)
• Height: 5-11
• Weight: 163
• Birthplace: Lethbridge, Alberta
• Shoots: Left

Greig is the kind of player you love on your team, but absolutely loathe if not. He'll get under your skin. Just because he isn't the biggest or strongest player doesn't mean he'll shy away from contact. He's scrappy, tenacious and will light an opponent up at the right opportunity. He plays with an edge but also possesses a lot of skill and creativity. He ranked third among WHL Brandon skaters last season with 60 points (26g/34a) in 56 games, including a team-leading 1.07 points-per-game average.

He was a member of the silver medal-winning Team Canada squad at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he finished with three points (2g/1a) in five games.

"Ridly is a combination of sense, skill and edge. He has the ability to understand what's needed at any moment in the game and he gets focused on delivering it. Can play in any type of game." -- TSN's Craig Button

"Greig was an all-situations player for Brandon with 26 goals and 60 points in 56 games as an August 2002 birthdate. He's the kind of player who, if your team picks him, you're going to love to watch him and he will drive opposing fans crazy. He's a highly skilled player who shows a ton of confidence with the puck. He can beat defenders clean with consistency. He's not a truly elite passer - although he does pass quite well - but I love his offensive creativity. He tries to make things happen and attempts plays you rarely see. He's got a lot of edge to his game, too. Greig knocks opponents around, he scraps off the puck and gets under people's skin. The only true issue in his game is average skating ability. I think he has a powerful lower body so he has quickness, but the stride in itself is not technically smooth." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

9. Connor Zary

NHL.com Scouting Report: Smart, competitive player. Good on both sides of the puck. Good skill level. Can make plays at speed.

• Final Rank: 15
• Age: 18 (9/25/01)
• Height: 6-0
• Weight: 178
• Birthplace: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Shoots: Left

Zary finished off a strong season with Kamloops, ranking tied for fifth in the WHL with 86 points (38g/48a) in 57 games. He had 28 multi-point games, including 10 three-point performances, and set personal bests across the board in terms of offense from a year prior. Zary represented Canada at the 2019 Under-18 World Championship where he had seven points (4g/3a) in six games.

"Zary was one of the top players in the WHL in his third season in the league and the major reason why Kamloops led the WHL in scoring. Zary is a very entertaining player, as he's one of the most skilled players in the draft. His touches with the puck are very quick, he's extremely creative and he can beat defenders clean consistently. He had numerous moments this past season where he pulled off a highlight real-caliber play. Zary is a very smart offensive player. He can make the seam passes and find teammates very well, but also makes plays happen through unconventional ways. He scored a lot of bad angle goals this season, and he finds teammates in situations where there doesn't seem to be a play. Zary is a highly competitive player. He doesn't just dangle on the perimeter, he attacks the net, he pressures defenders and he is in the face of his opponents constantly. He can kill penalties and run your power play. The major knock on Zary is his skating. Some scouts think it'll be pro average, some think below-average. I lean to the former camp. It's not great, and the stride breaks down at times, but I think the stride is good enough that he'll be able to skate at the NHL pace." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

"Zary plays that middle-lane, tenacious, high-tempo game that every team covets in a center. His feet are always moving, he pushes pace, he's engaged on the forecheck and he has enough skill to create as a playmaker and a passer. His footwork through his crossovers and speed in transition (an improved quality) opens up just enough time and space for him to make those plays - and then when that space closes in on him he's a deft handler who can navigate in and out of traffic. I don't see a star-level player. Zary doesn't have the flair of any of the forwards ahead of him or one dynamic quality that can break down defenders and split open a shift but he's a versatile, well-rounded creator who can drive a line." -- The Athletic's Scott Wheeler

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10. Brendan Brisson

NHL.com Scouting Report: Excellent skater both with and without the puck. Reads the play well and can thread a pass in traffic to the open man. Elite hockey sense that makes him a dynamic playmaker.

• Final Rank: 20
• Age: 18 (10/22/01)
• Height: 5-11
• Weight: 179
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
• Shoots: Left

Brisson had a terrific rookie season with Chicago in the USHL, leading all first-year players and finishing second in the league in scoring with 59 points (24g/35a). Prior to his time in the USHL, Brisson amassed 101 points (42g/59a) in 55 games for Shattuck St. Mary's High School in 2018-19, with notable alumni including Sidney Crosby, Zach Parise and Jonathan Toews. Brisson committed to the University of Michigan for the 2020-21 season. On the international stage, Brisson posted 12 points (5g/7a) in six games with Team USA at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge.

"Plays with a determined approach and his sense for the game, its situations and his skills, allows him to contribute in all areas. He's improved so much in three years and will only get better with time." -- TSN's Craig Button

"Brisson, the son of NHL agent Pat Brisson, was one of the best players in the USHL and had a great World Jr. A Challenge, tying the tournament record for scoring. Brisson is a very skilled player. He has the slick 1-on-1 skill to beat defenders consistently and make plays in small areas. He's an extremely creative playmaker who can make a lot of plays off the perimeter and make plays with pace. He improvises very well, making high-end plays under pressure. Brisson is a great passer, but also a great goal-scorer, who scored numerous goals off his one-timer. That combination makes him very dangerous on the power play. Brisson has limitations in his size and speed, which is why some scouts still question how his game will translate. He does compete well, attacking the middle third of the ice; and he isn't a perimeter player, although I wouldn't call him very physical." -- The Athletic's Corey Pronman

"Consistency is a hard thing to measure but it always comes to mind when I think about Brisson. He's not the kind of player who controls a game with any one skill. He doesn't get hot and produce a five-game stretch where he puts up 15 points and then follows it up by going pointless in his next five games. He's not a volume shooter and thus won't be a volume scorer. But there he was, at the end of his first year in the USHL, second in the league in scoring as arguably the best player on the best team. I suspect his adjustment to the college game may be a little slower than expected given where he's likely to be picked, but he's got a spatial awareness to his game that should help him blossom into a dominant college player in time. He reads and reacts to pressure at one of the highest levels in this draft with the puck on his stick, which helps him navigate in and out of trouble to make the small plays that drive results." -- The Athletic's Scott Wheeler