2020 PHN Mock NHL Entry Draft, 16-31

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PHILADELPHIA, Pa – With the top 15 picks in the books, here is a look at picks 16-31 is part two of PHN’s Mock draft for 2020.

  1. Montreal – Dawson Mercer, C, Chicoutimi: The Habs continue to draft players at the center position, but Mercer can also play wing. Montreal only has one center prospect (Jake Evans) who is ranked in their top ten.
  2. Chicago – Dylan Holloway, C, Wisconsin: Once considered to be a top 10 prospect at the beginning of the season, but Holloway’s stock has fallen since. Still, he has the kind of first round talent teams won’t have a good reason to pass on him. Five of their top 6 prospects are defensemen. Chicago won’t pass on offense this year.
  3. New Jersey (from ARI) – Jeremie Poirier, D, Saint John: The Devils use their second first round pick on defense. Poirier has the kind of skating ability that makes scouts drool but plays a high-risk/high-reward game. He was a -25 in plus minus but had 20 goals in and 53 points in 64 games. His plus/minus rating should scare teams away from him and it will allow him to drop down to the Devils at 18.
  1. Calgary – William Wallinder, D, Modo Jr.: The Flames can go a few different ways here considering the teams prospect pool. Defense will probably get top priority considering other than top prospect Juuso Valimaki, no other defensive prospect makes their list.
  2. New Jersey (from VAN via TBL) – Anton Lundell, C, HIFK: The third pick for the Devils has them going after Lundell who another quality is forward out of Finland. New Jersey will be happy to see him fall all the way down to them.
  3. Columbus – Connor Zary, C, Kamloops: The Blue Jackets don’t have one major need but offense is a top priority. Zary had 38 goals in 57 games last season. Enough said.
  4. NY Rangers (from CAR) – Justin Barron, D, Halifax: After taking Lafreniere first overall, the Rangers go for defense at #22. Barron is an outstanding puck-moving defenseman, perfect for what the Rangers need on the blueline.
  5. Philadelphia – Jacob Perreault, RW, Sarnia: The Flyers need goal scorers. Perreault Sarnia with 39 goals and 15 power-play goals in 57 games last season. Enough said.
  6. Washington – Rodion Amirov, LW, Ufa: The Capitals have never shied away from going overseas for talent. Amirov’s patterns hist style of play after Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov. Not bad.
  7. Colorado – Noel Gunler, RW, Lulea: The Avs are already loaded at forward. One more stud on right wing wouldn’t hurt the cause. Colorado should go after a left winger but Gunler’s talent should be too much for them to pass up.
  8. St. Louis – Lukas Reichel, LW, Eisbaren: The Blues have no left-wing prospects in the organization. Enough said.
  9. Anaheim (from BOS) – Ryan O’Rourke, D, Sault St. Marie: Ducks go for defense despite some quality still available on offense.
  10. Ottawa (from NYI) – Topi Niemela, D, Karpat: After selecting forwards with their first two picks, the Senators and defense. The Finnish native should help provide stability on the blueline.
  11. Vegas – Shakir Mukhamadullin, D, Ufa: The Golden Knights need help on defense. Vegas goes to Russia and add a 6’ 4” rock solid player who is already playing among men in the KHL.
  12. Dallas – Tyson Foerster, RW, Barrie: The Stars need offense badly. Foerster is just the type of natural goal-scorer they need.
  13. San Jose (from TBL) – Daniel Torgersson, LW, Frolunda: The Sharks haven’t selected a forward in the first round since Josh Norris with the 19th pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. Torgersson’s size and scoring ability is the perfect fit in San Jose.

Brian Jennings covers the Philadelphia Flyers for prohockeynews.com and can be found on twitter at @Flyersfan22.