Alexis Lafreniere remains the clear top prospect in hockey, but a strong showing at the World Juniors has helped propel German winger Tim Stutzle into a tie for second with Sudbury Wolves centre Quinton Byfield in the January edition of Craig’s List ahead of the 2020 NHL Draft in Montreal.

Stutzle, an 18-year-old left winger who has five goals and 18 assists in 26 games this season for Adler Mannheim in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, turned heads with a dynamic performance for his country over the holidays. He jumps five spots on this ranking after sitting at No. 7 in November.

“He’s the type of player who makes you believe something exciting is going to happen every time he’s on the ice,” said TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button. “He’s got elite skill and his game is full of dynamic qualities.”

Button believes that the 6-foot-1, 187-pound Stutzle, who had five assists in five games at the World Juniors, is a natural centre at the next level.

“He’s got lightning-quick feet and hands,” Button said. “His offensive game reminds me of Patrick Kane.”

Byfield struggled to make an impact at the World Juniors in a limited role for Team Canada, but Button said that shouldn’t hurt the 6-foot-4 ¼, 215-pound centre’s draft stock. Byfield, 17, has 25 goals and 63 points in 33 games for the Wolves this season.

“Quinton is going to be a very good player who will only get better as he matures,” Button said. “The big centre is always coveted and it should be no different with Quinton. He has the attributes to be a productive NHL player for a long time.”

Saginaw Spirit sniper Cole Perfetti (23 goals and 69 points in 40 OHL games this season) sits at No. 4 on the list, while 18-year-old Austrian centre Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s has jumped six spots from No. 11 in November  to land at No. 5.

Rossi, who stands 5-foot-8 ¼ and weighs 170 pounds, has 26 goals and 48 assists in 32 games for Ottawa this season.

“Rossi plays with a quiet drive,” Button said. “He pushes the play and doesn’t get deterred by any challenge. He’s highly skilled and very creative.”

Jamie Drysdale of the Erie Otters is the top blueliner on Button’s board, coming in at No. 6. The 5-foot-11, 172-pound defenceman has seven goals and 35 points in 31 OHL games this season.

“He’s the best defenceman available in this draft,” Button said of the 17 year old. “He’s learned how to be an impact player in all three zones. That evolution has been quite impressive for a player who was always a dynamic offensive defenceman.”

Russian goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, 17, drops three spots from Button’s November rankings to sit at No. 7 after looking overwhelmed during the World Juniors.

“Askarov is still the best goalie I’ve seen entering a draft since Carey Price,” Button said. “He wasn’t at his best at the World Juniors, but his skill level and attributes are undeniable. It’s just one tournament. The previous six international tournaments he played in ended with Askarov helping his team win a medal.”

The rest of Button’s top 10 includes Frolunda right winger Lucas Raymond (No. 8), Chicoutimi Sagueneens centre Hendrix Lapierre (No. 9) and Kamloops Blazers centre Connor Zary (No. 10).

For stats and more, go to TSN.ca.

 

1              Alexis Lafreniere

2              Tim Stützle

2              Quinton Byfield

4              Cole Perfetti

5              Marco Rossi

6              Jamie Drysdale

7              Yaroslav Askarov

8              Lucas Raymond

9              Hendrix Lapierre

10           Connor Zary

11           Alexander Holtz

12           William Wallinder

13           Dylan Holloway

14           Anton Lundell

15           Dawson Mercer

16           Braden Schneider

17           Brendan Brisson

18           Jeremie Poirier

19           Justin Barron

20           Jack Quinn

21           Noel Gunler

22           Yan Kuznetsov

23           Rodion Amirov

24           Mavrik Bourque

25           Tyson Foerster

26           Eemil Viro

27           Shakir Mukhamadullin

28           Jake Neighbours

29           John-Jason Paterka

30           Ozzy Wiesblatt

31           Kaiden Guhle

 

32           Thomas Bordeleau

33           Jake Sanderson

34           Sam Colangelo

35           Nico Daws

36           Justin Sourdif

37           Lukas Reichel

38           Topi Niemelä

39           Daniel Torgersson

40           Alexander Pashin

41           Vasili Ponomaryov

42           Lukas Cormier

43           Daniil Gushchin

44           Ridly Greig

45           Roni Hirvonen

46           Seth Jarvis

47           Carter Savoie

48           Ryan O'Rourke

49           Jean-Luc Foudy

50           Jacob Perreault

51           Marat Khusnutdinov

52           Sean Farrell

53           Theodor Niederbach

54           Tyler Tullio

55           Zion Nybeck

56           Helge Grans

57           Jacob Truscott

58           Emil Andrae

59           Ty Smilanic

60           Samuel Hlavaj

61           Jan Mysak

62           Jack Finley

 

63           Pavel Tyutnev

64           Christoffer Sedoff

65           Dmitri Zlodeyev

66           Will Cuyle

67           Luke Evangelista

68           Luke Tuch

69           Daemon Hunt

70           Oliver Suni

71           Jaromir Pytlik

72           Donovan Sebrango

73           Jack Thompson

74           Joonas Oden

75           Leo Loof

76           Trevor Kuntar

77           Tyler Kleven

78           Connor Mcclennon

79           Gunnarwolfe Fontaine

80           Ryan Francis

81           Brett Berard

82           Isaak Phillips

83           Ruben Rafkin

84           Charlie Desroches

85           William Villeneuve

86           Antonio Stranges

87           Ivan Didkovsky

88           Ryder Rolston

89           Simon Knak

90           Oliver Okuliar

91           Brock Faber

92           Joel Maatta

93           Chase Yoder