LA Kings: How the Pacific Division drafted on Day 1
The LA Kings took Quinton Byfield with the second overall pick. How did the rest of the Pacific Division shake out on Day 1 of the NHL Draft?
Day 1 of the NHL Draft is over. The LA Kings got their guy in Quinton Byfield after months of speculation. General Manager Rob Blake was quick to temper the expectations for the Kings’ newest member, saying that he wouldn’t be playing a full-time role at the NHL level next year.
Blake then talked about not forcing Byfield into the lineup. In code, politely suggesting people need to pump the brakes. Byfield won't play a full-time role for the Kings in 2020-21.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) October 7, 2020
That said, Byfield will get a look in training camp.
Blake says Byfield physically has the ability to play in the NHL. Yet, there's too much uncertainty because of the WJC, OHL, schedule, etc. Hinted he'll get a look coming out of camp.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) October 7, 2020
Let’s see how the rest of the Pacific Division drafted on Day 1.
LA Kings
2nd overall: Quinton Byfield, C
Byfield gives the Kings another center. He could end up being the best player from this draft class in a few years, especially after he continues to physically mature. With the Sudbury Wolves over the last two years, Byfield scored 61 goals with 82 assists in 109 games.
He spoke with the LA media after being drafted, and described himself as a “big, speedy center.” The 18-year-old indicated that he’s a pass-first center and that he utilizes his speed to beat defenders and his size to work his way towards the net.
The Black & White looks good on you Quinton Byfield 😎@GEICO | #GoKingsGo | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/K9EId7xTsZ
— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 6, 2020
Vegas Golden Knights
29th overall: Brendan Brisson, C
Brisson will play collegiate hockey at Michigan next year after scoring 24 goals with 35 assists for 59 points in 45 games for the Chicago Steel of the USHL last season. The 18-year-old Manhattan Beach, California native stands at 6-foot-0, 185 pounds. Interestingly enough, he started out playing for the LA Jr. Kings 13U team. Now he’s headed off to Las Vegas with the potential to see the NHL later in the 2020-2021 season.
“The gears are always turning. Brisson skates into pressure to deploy a gravitational pull on the opposition and has the good sense to either quickly dispatch of the puck to a teammate in space or processes his way through it one defender at a time. He’s the best problem-solving forward in the draft not named Alexis Lafrienière.” – EliteProspects
Edmonton Oilers
14th overall: Dylan Holloway
Holloway played with Kings’ fifth overall pick in 2019 Alex Turcotte at the University of Wisconsin. The 19-year-old forward is a left-handed shot and adds to a talented forward group in Edmonton. At Wisconsin, he scored 8 goals with 9 assists in what was generally a disappointing year for the Badgers. Before that he tallied 40 goals with 48 assists in 53 games for the Okotoks Oilers of the AJHL.
“Holloway consistently applies pressure on the backcheck, pickpockets puck-carriers, makes timely hits, wields a disruptive stick — you name it. He never flees the zone early and is a capable east-west attacker who shields the puck from opposing defenders really well.” – EliteProspects 2020 Draft Guide
"I was super excited. My phone blew up. They (@EdmontonOilers )have a lot of history. Growing up I did cheer for @NHLFlames fans but I'm not and my family aren't cheering for them anymore" Dylan Holloway on being chosen 14th
— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) October 7, 2020
Calgary Flames
24th overall: Connor Zary, C
The Flames and Rangers hooked up for the first trade of the 2020 NHL Draft, with the latter moving up. Calgary then moved down again two spots with the Capitals moving up to 22. With the 24th overall pick, the Flames took center Connor Zary out of the WHL.
He just turned 19 and stands at 6-foot-0, 181 pounds. Zary is a left-handed shot, who scored 38 goals with 48 assists in 57 games last season. In the year prior, he scored 4 goals with 3 assists for the Canada U18 team in the World Juniors.
It’s Zary’s shot that leads the way. He’s a deceptive triggerman, one with excellent shot placement, a deceptive release, and the ability to fire two-touch missiles on a moment’s notice. His ability to collect difficult passes is a real difference-maker. He doesn’t often break stride to receive passes either, maintaining the pace of his team’s attack. – EP
Arizona Coyotes
No pick
Anaheim Ducks
6th overall: Jamie Drysdale, D
I thought for sure that Ottawa was going to take a defenseman with the 5th overall pick. They did, but the Senators went with Jake Sanderson from the USNTDP. That left Jamie Drysdale to fall into the waiting arms of the Ducks. The 18-year-old’s ability to quarterback the power play was paramount for the Erie Otters.
Over the past two years, he scored 5 goals on the man advantage but his ability to find teammates is uncanny. In all, Drysdale tallied 16 goals with 71 assists in 112 games while wearing a letter for Erie last year.
27th overall: Jacob Perreault, RW
As one of the most underrated players in this draft, Jacob Perrault is a great pick for the Ducks. He stands at 5-foot-11, 198 pounds and is a right-handed shot. Perreault quietly put up 39 goals with 31 assists in 57 games with the Sarnia Sting of the OHL last year. He’s been excellent on the power play, tallying 22 goals over the last two years while averaging an 18.7 shot percentage.
“Perrault is a pure sniper with one of the best shots in this draft class. It’s accurate, hard, and he can score from anywhere. His ability to catch and shoot pucks in stride when the passes aren’t in the wheelhouse is a transferable skill that will serve him well.” – EP
San Jose Sharks
31st overall: Ozzy Wiesblatt, RW
The Sharks ended Day 1 of the 2020 NHL Draft, taking the 18-year-old Calgary native. He spent the past two seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders, scoring a combined 40 goals with 69 assists in 128 games.
“Wiesblatt is a human cheat code in transition. His decision-making is so refined, and he’s not afraid to attack layers. Everything starts for Wiesblatt with a crossover-heavy skating stride, one which affords him three-step separation from defenders in space. He works from a constant base of activity and never lets his foot off the gas.” – EP