The 2020 Draft Lottery is scheduled for this Friday, and we are several seasons removed from the 2017 NHL Draft. Thus far in that draft class there’ve been only three players really stand out in Elias Pettersson (VAN 5), Cale Makar (COL 4) and Nico Hischier (NJ 1). Otherwise, that particular group of 1st round picks still has a lot of work to distinguish themselves.
Lias Andersson, New York Rangers
The Rangers used their 1st round pick, 7th overall on Swedish C/W Lias Andersson while the Sabres chose center Casey Mittlestadt one pick later. At the time, many fans and experts alike were surprised by the selection of Andersson with the higher ranked Mittlestadt right there.