NHL Mock Draft 2020: Anaheim Ducks select Jan Mysak with No. 27 pick

The real first round happens tonight, but we’re wrapping up our SB Nation Mock Draft today, as we try to guess what our general managers might be thinking heading into the first round.

Here’s a look at the draft board so far:

1. New York Rangers — Alexis Lafreniere
2. Los Angeles Kings — Quinton Byfield
3. Ottawa Senators (from SJS) — Lucas Raymond
4. Detroit Red Wings — Tim Stützle
5. Ottawa Senators — Marco Rossi
6. Anaheim Ducks — Jamie Drysdale
7. New Jersey Devils — Cole Perfetti
8. Buffalo Sabres — Anton Lundell
9. Minnesota Wild — Alexander Holtz
10. Winnipeg Jets — Seth Jarvis
11. Nashville Predators — Dawson Mercer
12. Florida Panthers — Jack Quinn
13. Carolina Hurricanes (from TOR) — Yaroslav Askarov
14. Edmonton Oilers — Jake Sanderson
15. Toronto Maple Leafs (from PIT) — William Wallinder
16. Montreal Canadiens — Mavrik Bourque
17. Chicago Blackhawks — Connor Zary
18. New Jersey Devils (from ARI) — Rodion Amirov
19. Calgary Flames — Jeremie Porier
20. New Jersey Devils (from VAN-TBL) — Jacob Perreault
21. Columbus Blue Jackets — Kaiden Guhle
22. New York Rangers (from CAR) — Hendrix Lapierre
23. Philadelphia Flyers — Dylan Holloway
24. Washington Capitals — Marat Khusnutdinov
25. Colorado Avalanche — Noel Gunler
26. St. Louis Blues — Brendan Brisson

On behalf of the Anaheim Ducks, Anaheim Calling is proud to select forward Jan Mysak, out of the Hamilton Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League.

Who is Jan Mysak?

Jan Mysak has flown a little bit under the radar, quickly and quietly becoming one of the top defensive-forward prospects in the upcoming draft.

Playing at both center and wing, the Czech forward has been representing his country internationally since the 2017-18 season when he isn’t playing with HC Litvinov in the Czech league. In 2019, he made the jump across the pond, suiting up for 22 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL and putting up 15 goals and 10 assists.

Mysak is a strong and smart forechecker and his experience at both center and winger makes him a versatile forward option as the Ducks continue to rebuild. His experience i the Czech league saw him playing against adult men, meaning he might be ready to jump to the big club sooner than some of the other late first-round picks.

Why not Mysak?

As far as his ceiling goes, it’s entirely possible the Mysak’s upside is middle-six. He’s not a true boom or bust prospect, but there’s reason to believe he might even fall to early in the second round — where the Ducks are picking at 36th overall.

Here’s where Mysak is ranked by various scouts:

• Elite Prospects — 32
• Future Considerations — 16
• ISS Hockey — 25
• Craig Button, TSN — 26
• McKeen’s Hockey — 27
• NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters) — 28
• Bob McKenzie, TSN — 34

Taking Mysak at 27th overall isn’t too far off where Mysak is projected, but it also depends on how the draft plays out and how teams value a defensive forward prospect.

And some teams feel they just haven’t seen enough of Mysak. Just 22 OHL games isn’t a large sample size when it comes to the North American game.

Why Mysak?

The only other prospect on my radar for this pick is German center Jason-John Peterka, whose draft rankings are similar to Mysak.

Mysak has already been playing with adults and he looks more than comfortable doing so. His OHL experience will make the eventual jump across the pond easier. I see Mysak as a more complete player at this moment, something that has to be appealing to the Ducks organization right now.