Every NHL draft is a gamble, with teams hoping their selections will blossom into franchise-altering stars. But what if we could travel back in time, armed with the knowledge of how each player’s career would unfold?
Recently, the popular Instagram page Puck Empire dared to answer that question, reimagining the 2020 NHL Draft order based on today’s performances and career trajectories. The results are nothing short of fascinating—and, for some fans, a little heartbreaking.
Imagine your favorite team getting a second shot at the draft board, making choices not based on projections, but on proven results.
Surprises abound in this re-draft, with some names soaring up the rankings, while others tumble far below their original selections. For Montreal Canadiens fans in particular, there’s a twist that will spark plenty of debate and perhaps even a bit of wishful thinking.
Which rising star would now wear the bleu-blanc-rouge? Who has fallen from grace, and who has exceeded all expectations?
This exercise not only reshuffles the fate of franchises but also invites us to reflect on the unpredictable nature of player development in the NHL.
Curious to see how it all unfolds? Read on for the full reimagined draft order and what it could mean for the Canadiens and the league as a whole.
Photo credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
The excellent Instagram page Puck Empire just published a very interesting exercise for Montreal Canadiens fans regarding the draft.
They redid the 2020 draft order, using the information we have today. In other words, they determined what the 2020 draft order would look like if it were held today.
The result is quite fascinating.
Dawson Mercer Sent to the Montreal Canadiens in This 2020 Draft Re-Do
Here are the results:
1st overall pick:Â Jake Sanderson, to the New York Rangers.
He replaces Alexis Lafrenière.
2nd overall pick: Tim Stützle, to the Los Angeles Kings.
He replaces Quinton Byfield.
3rd overall pick:Â Lucas Raymond, to the Ottawa Senators.
He replaces Tim Stützle.
4th overall pick:Â Seth Jarvis, to the Detroit Red Wings.
He replaces Lucas Raymond.
5th overall pick:Â Brock Faber, to the Ottawa Senators.
He replaces Jake Sanderson.
6th overall pick: Quinton Byfield, to the Anaheim Ducks.
He replaces Jamie Drysdale.
7th overall pick:Â Anton Lundell, to the New Jersey Devils.
He replaces Alex Holtz.
8th overall pick:Â Cole Perfetti, to the Buffalo Sabres.
He replaces Jack Quinn.
9th overall pick: JJ Peterka, to the Minnesota Wild.
He replaces Marco Rossi.
10th overall pick: Marco Rossi, to the Winnipeg Jets.
He replaces Cole Perfetti.
That completes the top 10, but it continues for the Montreal Canadiens.
12th overall pick:Â Kaiden Guhle, to the Florida Panthers.
He replaces Anton Lundell.
13th overall pick: Alexis Lafrenière, to the Carolina Hurricanes.
He replaces Seth Jarvis.
16th overall pick: Dawson Mercer, to the Montreal Canadiens.
He replaces Kaiden Guhle.
It’s definitely a very interesting exercise. What’s your opinion on this ranking?
It’s interesting (and unfortunate) to see how far Alexis Lafrenière has fallen, going from 1st overall to 13th.
It’s also interesting to see Kaiden Guhle’s rise, now landing in the top 12 of this re-draft.
Check out the full ranking:
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Dawson Mercer, 23 years old, is a 6-foot, 180-pound center who has recorded 167 points in 328 games – including 36 points last season with the Devils.
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