2020 NHL Draft Primer: Centres

Using NHL Central Scouting's rankings of North American and European skaters, here are some of the centres expected to be taken early in October's NHL Draft.

Quinton Byfield
Ranked second among North American skaters, the 6'4", 215-pound Byfield led the OHL's Sudbury Wolves in scoring with 82 points (32 goals) in 45 games in 2019-20. It was a campaign that included a gold medal with Canada at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.
The product of Newmarket, Ontario was the OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year in 2018-19 with 61 points in 64 games.
NHL Central Scouting Report: A powerful skater with breakaway speed. Excellent puck possession player with superior vision, creativity, and playmaking ability.

Anton Lundell
The top-ranked centre on the European skater list (third ranked skater overall), Anton Lundell spent the entire 2019-20 season with HIFK of the Finnish Elite League recording 10 goals and 28 points in 44 games.
It was his second full pro season in Finland, a country that he's helped to success on the international stage as well. At the 2019 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, Lundell assisted on Kaapo Kakko's game-winning goal in the gold medal game. One year earlier, at the 2018 Under-18 World Championship, Lundell had six points in seven games - leading to another gold for Finland.
NHL Central Scouting Report:A mature two-way centre with a very good understanding of the game. A playmaker who is reliable in all three zones and is trusted by coaches.

Cole Perfetti
The 18-year-old Perfetti recorded 111 points this season with the OHL's Saginaw Spirit, becoming the first Saginaw player to reach the 100-point plateau in a season since 2007-08. In addition to playing in the Top Prospects Game, Perfetti was also named the OHL and CHL Scholastic Player of the Year.
While Byfield took home the OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year awards in 2018-19, Perfetti wasn't far behind, leading OHL rookies in goals with 37 and points (74) during that season.
Internationally, Perfetti led all skaters at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with 12 points in five games to help Canada earn the silver medal.
NHL Central Scouting Report:Puck skills, vision, and execution are on another level. He has incredible hockey IQ and feel for the game - a major threat every time he's on the ice.

Marco Rossi
The third OHL centre in the top six of the North American Skater rankings is looking to become just the third Austrian national to be selected in the first round of the NHL Draft.
Rossi was named the OHL's Most Outstanding Player of the Year (just the second European player to win the award) after a 2019-20 that saw him score 39 goals and 120 points in 56 games. His 120 points and 81 assists were tops among all players in the Canadian Hockey League.
The 5'9", 183-pound centre for the Ottawa 67s was named an OHL First Team All-Star at the conclusion of the season.
NHL Central Scouting Report:Highly skilled offensive player. An excellent skater that plays at a high pace. High-end goal scoring and playmaking ability. Works hard in all three zones.

Dawson Mercer
The 6'0", 180-pound Mercer made some history in 2019-20, as he was the first player from Newfoundland to win gold at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship since John Slaney in 1991.
His QMJHL season was split between the Drummondville Voltigeurs, the team that drafted him eighth overall in 2017, and the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. Overall, Mercer had 24 goals and 60 points in 42 games in 2019-20.
After making history at the World Juniors, he could also add his name to another special list after October's draft. He's looking to become the seventh Newfoundland-born player to be selected in the first round and second in as many years (Alex Newhook, No. 16 in 2019).
NHL Central Scouting Report:Smart and skilled forward with a strong desire to make a difference every shift. He uses his speed and quickness to gain an advantage. He plays in all situations - a responsible 200-foot player.

Seth Jarvis
The Winnipeg-born product ranked second in the Western Hockey League in points and third in goals in 2019-20, thanks to lighting the lamp 42 times and racking up 98 points in 58 games with the Portland Winterhawks.
His 98 points were one point shy of a 60-point improvement over his 2018-19 campaign. He was named to the WHL (West) First All-Star Team and was recognized as the WHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player.
NHL Central Scouting Report:Smart player that does everything at high speed. Elusive and creative with the puck, he can impact a game in all three zones.