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Canadian Teams First Round Draft Recap – 2020 NHL Draft

Need a little bit about each player the Canadian teams took. Here’s a brief rundown of every selection by the Canadian teams:

As previously covered, the Ottawa Senators had the third and fifth overall selections in the 2020 NHL Draft taking German star Tim Stützle & US National Team defender, Jake Sanderson. Not long after, the Winnipeg Jets took Cole Perfetti, and just four picks later, the Edmonton Oilers grabbed center/winger Dylan Holloway. Rounding out the rest of the Canadian selections, Toronto picked Rodion Amirov at No. 15, the Montreal Canadiens took Kaiden Guhle at No. 16 and Calgary traded down to No. 24 to grab their guy Connor Zary.

Need a little bit about each player the Canadian teams took. Here’s a brief rundown of every selection by the Canadian teams:

Ottawa Senators: 3rd and 5th – Tim Stützle and Jake Sanderson

Could people be looking back at this draft in a few years time and asking if Tim Stützle was one of the best players? The Senators were happy to get him at No. 3 right behind Quinton Byfield. As an 18-year-old playing in a highly competitive league against grown men, Stützle still managed to score 7 goals and add 27 assists (34) in 41 games. 

Senators GM said of his next pick, “We believe we got the best defenseman in the entire draft.” Sanderson is a mobile defenseman who could be exactly the type of player who will excel in a the “new NHL.”

Winnipeg Jets – 10th – Cole Perfetti

A smart hockey player with a ton of skill, the Jets were elated to see Perfetti fall to them at No. 10. Heading into this year’s NHL Draft, Perfetti posted 37 goals, 71 assists in 61 games with the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. Sam Cosentino described Perfetti as “a magician in the offensive zone with his ability to change pace and find teammates.”

The scouts say this player has perhaps the best hockey sense in this draft and an especially thoughtful player away from the ice, too.

Edmonton Oilers – 14th – Dylan Holloway

From Bragg Creek, Alberta – Dylan Holloway played his minor hockey in Calgary. Last season, Holloway attended the University of Wisconsin and played in the competitive NCAA Big-10 conference. The left-handed center had a good freshman year with the Badgers collecting 7 goals and 8 assists in 33 games.

Fans in Edmonton are mixed on the pick but the consensus is that he will play in the NHL regularly. The baseline is a third-line role with some potential to play in the top six. GM Ken Holland said the Oilers are hoping some of the magic he showed as a 17-year-old will show itself as he learns to be a pro. Holland talked about his character and thinks he’ll be a great leader.

Toronto Maple Leafs – 15th – Rodion Amirov

Last season, Amirov played parts of the season with three different teams in three separate Russian leagues – 21 games with the KHL’s Salavat Yulaev Ufa club, 5 games with Toros Neftekamsk of the VHL, and 17 games with Tolpar Ufa of the MHL. The VHL/MHL are Russian junior leagues meaning Amirov has been gaining experience against top competition within and outside his peer class.

Montreal Canadiens – 16th – Kaiden Guhle

Former 1st overall WHL pick (2017), Kaiden Guhle was the 3rd defender taken in the 2020 NHL draft. At 6’2 D, Guhle is a player that has always been adaptable at the next level of play. He is a player that does everything well – a package type prospect and almost a safe pick to be an NHL regular.

GM Marc Bergevin said that the Canadiens like his size, skating range, and offensive skill. Noting he’s hard to play against “he checks all the boxes for us.”

Calgary Flames – 19th, scratch that, 22nd, no how about – 24th? Connor Zary

The Flames pick up a 3rd round pick from the New York Rangers to move back 3 spots – decent deal for Calgary. Eventually, the Flames select, scratch that:

After picking up another 3rd round pick (VERY smart) the Flames eventually selected Kamloops Blazer, Connor Zary with the 24th overall pick. A versatile player, Zary plays in all situations has good offensive instincts, and is good forechecker. Comparables include Logan Couture and Bo Horvat.

Ottawa Senators – 28: Ridly Greig

Ridly Greig is a highly intelligent center that can be versatile as necessary in both ends of the ice. After a somewhat frustrating start to the 2020 season, Greig maintained a point per game pace with 26 goals and 34 assists (60) in 56 games. Greig comes from pure hockey bloodlines – Mom (Cindy) and Dad (former NHL player, Mark Greig), were both excellent hockey players.

Stay tuned for NHL 2nd round action beginning at 9:30am MST.

NEXT: Rounding Out the Top-10 Overall Selections of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft

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