2020 NHL Draft: American Prospects

Tyler Kleven (left) and goalie Drew Commesso are two of the top American prospects eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft. (Getty Images)

With the Hlinka Gretzky Cup starting this week, the scouting season for the 2020 NHL Draft has officially kicked off.

Many NHL scouts have made the trek to Bratislava, Slovakia, to watch many of the top '02s compete against each other. USA Hockey elects to send a group to this tournament that doesn't include players on its NTDP U-18 team. With an exception of injured players or a few who might have been attending the World Junior Summer Showcase, Canada, Finland, Sweden and Russia send their best players.

Shortly following the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, NHL Central Scouting will unveil its initial watch list for the 2020 NHL Draft.

New England Hockey Journal's initial watch list for the 2020 NHL Draft focuses solely on first-year eligible, American prospects, including a few dual citizens. Like NHL Central Scouting, "A" players are potential first-rounders. "B" players are projected as potential second- or third-round picks. "C" players are are those who could be considered for drafting in rounds 4 through 7. Within grades, players are listed in alphabetical order.