Hockeywiztalks Hockey Blog

The 1994 NHL was a really deep draft that saw the likes of Daniel Alfredsson being picked in the 6th round, as well as Tim Thomas, Evgeni Nabokov, Tomas Vokoun and Steve Sullivan picked in the 9th round. If the 1994 NHL draft were redraft, the landscape of the NHL would be very different. *If you haven't read my previous blogs in the redrafting series, i suggest reading those first* 1. Florida Panthers- (RW) Daniel Alfredsson Original pick: Ed Jovanovski While Ed Jovanovski turned into a great defenseman in the NHL, his career didn't take off until he got to Vancouver. Daniel Alfredsson was an impact player from his first season in the league with the Senators to his last. With Alfredsson now on the Panthers, they have a player they can rely on and build around for the next 10-15 years. 2. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim- (LW) Patrik Elias Original pick: Oleg Tverdovsky Oleg Tverdovsky was a major disappointment as the number 2 pick in the draft. Patrik Elias beca...

Lucas Raymond Frolunda HC SHL 5'10"/ 165 lb RW/LW Size/Strength         Below Average Skating         Excellent Shot/Scoring         Excellent Puckhandling          Excellent Physical Play         Excellent Offensive Play Excellent Defensive Play Excellent Hockey Sense         Excellent Competitiveness      Excellent Strengths 1. explosive winger who is equally dangerous with his shot or pass 2. plays a strong two-way game, intensity and has terrific vision 3. Clutch player, exceptional undre pressure, creative in transition and in offensive zone Cause for Concern 1. lack of production due to lack of opportunity of Frolunda 2. Playing against men in North America 3. Undersized player and isn't a top end skater Skill: Two way Winger, with high end playmaking and scoring skills and a great h...

The 2006-07 Philadelphia Flyers were the Worst team in the in entire NHL during the 2006-07 season only to loose out on the Patrick Kane sweepstakes. The Flyers actually had a pretty decent core at this point but they need to retool the roster a bit to be a contending team. The rebuild starts at the 2007 draft where a few trades are made: Joni Pitkanen is traded traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Ron Hainsey, Gilbert Brule, 1st round pick 2007. The Columbus Blue Jackets get a number 1 defenseman in Joni Pitkanen, while the Flyers get Ron Hainsey, a stable top 4 defenseman, Gilbert Brule, a top prospect and Columbus' 1st round pick 2007, that they can use on an impact player. Philadelphia Flyers trade Simon Gagne to the Boston Bruins for Brad Boyes, Dennis Widemen, 1st round pick 2008. Even though Simon Gagne was a huge part of the Philadelphia Flyers, this trade package is too good to turn down. Brad Boyes was a real good up and coming young scorer in the league...

There were 2 eventual hall of famers and 8 all stars selected in the 1993 NHL Draft but it is infamous for having one of the biggest busts of all time. Alexandre Diagle was selected first overall over eventual hall of famers Chris Pronger and Paul Kariya, if this draft were redrafted, the NHL would look very different. *If you didn't check out my previous redrafts, you should look at them first* 1. Ottawa Senators (D) Chris Pronger Original pick: Alexandre Diagle Alexandre Diagle was a huge bust for the Ottawa Senators so getting Chris Pronger a perrenial all star and Hall of Famer is a massive upgrade. Chris Pronger is a franchise changing player, he would immediately stabilize the blueline for the Senators. Defenseman may take more time to develop but true number 1 defenseman like Chris Pronger are tougher to get, which is why he goes number 1 in the draft. 2. Hartford Whalers (LW) Paul Kariya Original pick: Chris Pronger It will be really tough to replace a p...

Marco Rossi Ottawa 67's OHL C 5'9"/176 Size/Strength        Great (for his size) Skating        Average Shot/Scoring        Excellent Puckhandling         Excellent Physical Play        Great Offensive Play       Excellent Defensive Play      Excellent  Hockey Sense        Excellent Competitiveness     Excellent Strengths 1. highly skilled offensive player that is tough to know off the puck despite being only 5'9" 2. terrific playmaker and scorer with high hockey IQ 3. Great on both sides of the puck Cause for Concern 1. His Size could cause him to fall in the draft despite his immense talent 2. Some Gms fear that Rossi won't be able to sustain his production at the NHL level 3. Has been suspended for dirty plays Skill: Point producting Center, with hi...

The 2005-2006 St.Louis Blues were the worst team in the NHL that season and ended up with the 1st pick in the draft. If the Blues had a do-over i'm sure that they would have drafted differently as well as make a couple other changes. This rebuild starts at the 2006 draft, where a few trades are made: St.Louis Blues trade Doug Weight to the New York Islanders for 1st round pick 2006. The St.Louis Blues are rebuilding and the Islanders would really want to add a number 2 center to play behind Alexei Yashin. This is a win-win trade for both sides because both teams get what they need. Keith Tkachuk is traded to the Atlanta Thrashers for 1st round pick 2008, 2nd round pick 2006. St.Louis gets out a couple of draft picks, while the Thrashers add a perrenial 20 goal scorer. On top of this St.Louis also gets to get out of the terrible contract Tkachuk has. Lee Stempniak, Dallas Drake are traded to the Detroit Red Wings for Valterri Filppula, 3rd round pick 2008. Dallas D...

The 1991 NHL Draft was loaded with top end talent; it obviously featured Eric Lindros, who was one of the most hyped prospects of time, but also featured players such as Scott Niedermayer, Peter Forsberg, Markus Naslund, Alexei Kovalev, Ray Whitney and Chris Osgood. *Please note that if you haven't read my previous redrafts, please see those first because this redraft is playing off of those other redrafts.* If this draft were to be redrafted, not only would the draft look entirely different, but the league would as well. 1. Quebec Nordiques-(D) Scott Niedermayer Original Pick: Eric Lindros The Reason why I choose to select Scott Niedermayer over Eric Lindros and Peter Forsberg was because of durability. While Lindros and Forsberg were both MVP caliber players at their peaks, Niedermayer was able to sustain his level of player for a longer period of time. The Nordiques also had a need for Defense at the time, so Niedermayer would almost immediately be their top pair...

Jamie Drysdale Erie Otters OHL D 5'11"/170 Size/Strength              Average Skating              Excellent Shot/Scoring              Good Puckhandling               Excellent Physical Play              Good Offensive Play      Excellent Defensive Play      Excellent  Hockey Sense              Excellent Competitiveness          Excellent Strengths 1. All world Skating ability and speed 2. plays in all situations and excels at shutting down oppositions top players 3. elite hockey sense and is a top notch powerplay quarterback Area's For Improvement 1. Can get caught up the ice jumping up in the play 2. Needs to put on more weight to thrive at the next level S...

The 2002-03 New York Rangers were a mess, due to the fact they were stuck with many overpaid and over the hill players. The 2003 offseason would be the best time to try and move some of those overpaid players and transition start a rebuild. The rebuild starts at the 2003 draft, where a few trades are made: New York Rangers trade Eric Lindros to the Washington Capitals for Danius Zubrus, 1st round pick 2003, 2nd round pick 2004. The Washington Capitals get a superstar center that they can pair with Jaromir Jagr, while the Rangers get some picks and Danius Zubrus, a big powerforward. New York Rangers also trade Petr Nedved, Alexei Kovalev, Tom Poti, 1st round pick 2003 to the Buffalo Sabres for Brian Campbell, Maxim Afinoginov, 1st round pick 2003. Buffalo Sabres get three impact players in Petr Nedved, Alexei Kovalev and Tom Poti, that can help the team get to the next level. The New York Rangers get Brian Campbell and Maxim Afinoginov, two young players who can be an imp...

The 1990 NHL draft was filled with talent, 9 of the 21 first round picks played in 1,000 career NHL games, and a couple went onto be perennial all stars and Hall of Famers. If the 1990 NHL Draft is redrafted, the whole landscape of the NHL would be different and 90s as we know it wouldn't be the same. 1. Quebec Nordiques-(G) Martin Brodeur Original Pick: Owen Nolan Although Owen Nolan was a pretty good NHL player, the Nordiques really need starting goalie and not a journeyman. Martin Brodeur is arguably the goaltender of all time, he has set records for Wins, Shutouts and Games played and had 12 straight 30 win seasons. With Martin Brodeur in goal, the Nordiques have their goalie for the next 20 years. 2. Vancouver Canucks-(RW) Jaromir Jagr Original Pick: Petr Nedved Petr Nedved was a good NHL player but i don't think anyone would take him in a redraft over Jaromir Jagr. Jaromir Jagr is considered by many to be the best European born player of all time and s...