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2020 NHL Draft: Interview with Zack Travis

by Chad DeDominicis - 0

As the NHL inches closer to solidifying having the 2020 NHL Draft take place in early June, we continue on with draft week. In this interview, I’m joined by Zack Travis. He’s a fan of the Buffalo Sabres but has extensive knowledge of the draft prospects.

We focus on North American prospects, but also spend some time on European players. Let’s get to the action.

Chad DeDominicis: Let’s start with Marco Rossi. He’s one of my favorite players in the draft. What do you think of him?

Zack Travis: I think he’s one of those guys that could fall to the Sabres. I know people don’t like comparisons but a more talented Marchand is what I’ve heard a lot of. Where he just doesn’t have any negatives in his game except height and those the guys that used to fall in drafts.

I think now finally people are smart enough to see that not drafting a guy because the size doesn’t work out anymore. I mean when [Quinn] Hughes fell again because he’s a defenseman he’s 5’10” and he puts up 56 points in 73 games in his first year. So, I think finally people are getting away from that but I have Rossi tied for a tie for third in my ranking. He’s the guy I’m hoping drops to the Sabres because they’ve screwed up a couple eight overalls recently so I think to get someone like him would be huge in our top six.


I like the path that he can take, he can play in the AHL next year. That’s an advantage, I know a lot of people are saying he might go over to Europe but who knows with what’s going on right now.

I think he could jump right into the NHL just given he’s just physically ready. He’s smart, he’s got the IQ he’s a good skater, and he’s good defensively. His vision is maybe tops behind Lafreniere.

Look what he did with Jack Quinn on the power play. I know Quinn has risen up a lot of people’s boards and they didn’t play on the same line together but obviously they were the same power play unit so that’s another thing, put him on our power play. I mean that’s what they’re missing. That one player on the power play because for whatever reason Eichel, Dahlin, Olofsson, and Reinhart work. Those four guys are great, it’s just that next piece and I think you get someone like Rossi I think he’s on that PP unit right away.

CD: The next guy on the list is a center in Cole Perfetti. He’s another forward that is ranked around where the Sabres will pick in the draft.

ZT: He’s kind of on there as a center/left wing but I know he plays center in the OHL. Everyone has a knock on them and his is his skating. I’ve watched him a bunch this year and he’s a better skater than Reinhart and Reinhart still manages to get around and be in the right spot. For some guys it doesn’t matter and I think he’s one of those players where speed doesn’t affect him.

Any other draft for Perfetti, what 111 points in 61 games? I want to say that production, I mean that’s almost up there with Marner, Strome, and all those guys in their draft year, so normally that means slam dunk top pick. That’s what’s nice about this draft is someone like Perfetti gonna fall to the Sabres.

Again, he’s either gonna be a really really really good 2C or the best 3C in the league. With Cozens too, I could see them having Perfetti move to the wing. If that’s the case, whoever is kind of more suited for the role. I know other tournaments he’s played a little wing so I know he can do it all.

Another reason I really like Perfetti is unlike Rossi who feasts on weaker opponents, numbers are little off, but Rossi is like 2.4 points per game against bad teams and 1.5 points per game against good teams. Where Perfetti actually scores against the good teams which means he elevates in important games which is something the Sabes lack.

CD: Let’s do a fun question. You’re the general manager of the Sabres and on the board at seven overall. Lafreniere, Byfield, Stutzle, Drysdale, Rossi, and Holtz are off the board. Who are you taking?

ZT: In that situation, I would take Raymond, but I have Raymond three. I think Raymond in the OHL does what Perfetti and Rossi are doing. It’s because those guys in Europe don’t get the minutes so you can’t just look at their numbers. You know 10 points in 30 games doesn’t jump off the board. I think that’s where you need to rely on analytics and look at their time on ice and what they do there 5 on 5 play.

I know that all those guys Raymond, Holtz, and even Gunler did a really good job when they were on the ice. Raymond just has that elite skating that Perfetti doesn’t have so that’s what separates those two for me.

CD: A guy who is interesting for me because of some differing opinions is Anton Lundell. Where do you see him in all of this?

ZT: I have him around nine or 10, to me, he’s kind of the safe pick. He’s kind of a poor man’s Barkov, I think it is a good example. In no way would I be bummed if he was the Sabres pick at seven. What he did was impressive and he got a big role on a pro team. He is a little older, he’s got size, and again he’s just not exciting, he doesn’t make the highlight-reel plays.

I mean he’s probably a type of guy that can win a Selke, that’s how good his defensive zone play is and those types of players win Stanley Cups. They got rid of O’Reilly and I think Lundell is that type of player with more natural ability than O’Reilly had.

I like Lundell and again his bad rap I feel comes from North American scouts that just prefer their players and they’re gonna fight for their guy over the European guys. When I’ve seen the videos of him playing he’s just an all-around good player and at 18 he was one of the best players in the pro league. There’s a reason behind that and the fact that a coach trusts him to put him out 17 minutes a game shows you that those guys can trust them.

I like the path of the Europeans and obviously Botterill does too. I don’t think it matters in this case just because those guys you want in the NHL as quickly as possible you’re not worried about their development for the next three years. Lundell’s a guy that probably plays one more year in Liiga and then comes over and goes right to the AHL. He’s a little older but he’s one of the guys in the top that has a little bit of size. Lundell was one of those guys and he’s a true center.

CD: Unfortunately, I have to ask you about Jake Sanderson for a reason that I don’t think people want me to share at this point. What’s your take on him?

ZT: Sanderson’s the tools guy. You know good skating, hard shot, plays good defense. The big thing he is good with is his spacing. You know kind of things we’ve heard that we’ve been tricked into liking before. Potential, he’s gonna take off, but prospect wise he just doesn’t score with elite guys in that position. I know he picked it up at the end of the year. I mean like I said if they take him I’m gonna try to talk myself into liking him but it’s gonna be one of those things if they take him I’m not gonna be thrilled.

Out of all the published rankings, the highest he’s ranked is 10th, so those are all guys that are professional scouts. Even those guys who are more inclined to like a particular type of guy have him as high as 10. I think they should be safe from him.

I kind of feel bad putting him down. I just don’t think guys don’t score points and then figure it out. I don’t think in the top ten you take a defenseman that doesn’t have that. I think you need an all-around defenseman to go top 10. I don’t think Sanderson has that all-around ability.

CD: Last question. Everyone has their “guy” in the draft. Who’s your guy that you think is a sleeper or you’re excited about?

ZT: So, here’s who I’m gonna pick and I don’t think he’s gonna fall out of the first round, but if he does I want them to be all over and that’s a [Jan] Mysak. Just because of the way he’s coming from the Czech league and playing in the pros over there and not getting any attention over there. He went under the radar but all along all the European guys knew and watching him play that he has that elite skating, he’s got good vision, and he’s got a good shot. For some reason some scouts don’t seem to like him, so it’s always a guy like that that’s gonna fall to the second round.

Brendon Brisson from the Chicago Steel, I think he’s a guy that could fall into the second round who’s like a Shane Pinto or Bobby Brink type of guy.

The one guy I don’t want to pick is someone like Kaiden Guhle. I think you’re just gonna repeat what we saw. I think Guhle’s a poor man’s Sanderson. He’s a great skater, toolzy, but for some reason, I don’t think the Guhle’s have it in the IQ department.

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