The road to the 2020 NHL Draft is well under way with the 2019 Hlinka-Gretzky tournament in the books.

And while the first edition of Craig Button's Craig's List player ranking will be released early next month, TSN's Director of Scouting already has a few notes on next year's prospects, as shared Monday on Twitter:

 

On the Class of 2020:

It's a wide open field for top of the NHL 2020 NHL Draft. 6 players who are legitimate candidates for 1st overall. Alexis Lafreniere, Hendrix Lapierre, Quinton Byfield, Cole Perfetti, Lucas Raymond & Yaroslav Askarov.

 
 
Forward Alexis Lafreniere:  
 
An elite scoring & play making winger. He may be in the mold of @HockeyHallFame Michel Goulet. CHL player of the year in 2019. @oceanicrimouski #2020NHLDraft 

 

Forward Hendrix Lapierre:

Call him Bergeron or Barkov. He’s an outstanding player who plays the game with great intelligence, skill & passion. @SagueneensLHJMQ #2020NHLDraft

 

Forward Quinton Byfield:

The Evgeni Malkin clone has the great combination of skill, size & power and continues to push his game to higher levels. He has so much high end potential. @Sudbury_Wolves #2020NHLDraft

 

Forward Cole Perfetti:

An elite offensive player who is an outstanding scorer but also an excellent playmaker. Sense & feel that is a 6/5! Can play centre or LW. We had Goal Caufield and now we have Goal Perfetti! @SpiritHockey #2020NHLDraft

 

Goaltender Yaroslav Askarov:

Definitely in mix for 1st overall. Best goalie I've seen entering a draft since Carey Price in 2005. Skill, technique & IQ++ Last 12 months medal count: 2 gold (Hlinka '19 & U17) 2 silver (WJAC & U18) 1️ bronze (Hlinka '18) @russiahockey_en #2020NHLDraft

 

Forward Lucas Raymond:

Solved Askarov with a hat trick in Gold Medal game at U18 Championships in April 2019, including the golden goal in OT. An exceptional offensive talent with creativity that reminds of Mitch Marner. @frolunda_hc
 #2020NHLDraft