REDRAFTING 1991 NHL DRAFT

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 defenseman.

2. San Jose Sharks-(C) Eric Lindros
Original pick: Pat Fallon

This is a major upgrade for the San Jose Sharks, replacing a major bust in Pat Fallon with on of the most hyped prospects in Eric Lindros.
You can argue that Peter Forsberg turned out to be a better player than Eric Lindros, but the Sharks needed a box office attraction and Lindros was exactly that.
Now it would be tough for Lindros to sign with team in their second season in the league but if he doesn't, they have a major trade chip on their hands.

3. New Jersey Devils-(C) Peter Forsberg
Original Pick: Scott Niedermayer

The New Jersey Devils miss out on Scott Niedermayer, which is a huge loss, but they do get Peter Forsberg, a player who they can build around for the next decade.
Peter Forsberg stays in Sweden until the 94-95 season, so the Devils will continue to be bad with the loss of Scott Niedermayer and Forsberg not ready to play yet.
The Devils will find success later on in the 90s, led by Peter Forsberg, Patrick Roy and Scott Stevens.

4. New York Islanders-(RW) Alexei Kovalev
Original Pick: Scott Lachance

This is the greatest upgrade in the draft, getting Alexei Kovalev over Scott Lachance, who was a flop as a 4th overall pick.
Alexei Kovalev was one of the most skilled players of time, he didn't really fulfil his potential but he nonetheless was a great player.
Kovalev would form a great dynamic duo along with Pierre Turgeon on Long Island.

5. Winnipeg Jets-(LW) Markus Naslund
Original Pick: Aaron Ward

Markus Naslund is a major upgrade over Aaron Ward, as Ward never played for the Winnipeg Jets.
Naslund was a late bloomer, but that is fine for a team that is rebuilding like the Winnipeg Jets.
Naslund will be that Star forward that the Jets never had in the 90s.

6. Philadelphia Flyers-(LW) Ray Whitney
Original Pick: Peter Forsberg

It is going to be tough to replace Peter Forsberg, who was dealt in a blockbuster trade for Eric Lindros.
The best options at this point are either Ray Whitney or Brian Rolston, i choose Ray Whitney because he was able to stay in the league for a long time.
Ray Whitney put up 1,064 points in 1,330 games, he just quietly puts up points year after year.

7. Vancouver Canucks-(LW/C/RW) Brian Rolston
Original Pick: Alek Stojanov

Alek Stojanov was a huge bust for the Canucks, so anyone would be a huge upgrade over him.
Brian Rolston was a bit of a late bloomer as well but he eventually turns into a perenial 30 goal scorer and great two way player.
Rolston's versatily is an added bonus for the Canucks, as he can play a three forward positions.

8. Minneosta North Stars-(D) Sandis Ozolish
Original Pick: Richard Matvichuck

Richard Matvichuck turned into a solid NHL pro, but at this point in the draft, there are better options.
The North Stars needed to bolter their defense badly and the best defenseman available after Niedermayer was Sandis Ozolish.
Sandis Ozolish would make an immediate impact on the blueline for the North Stars as a puck moving defenseman.

9. Hartford Whalers-Detroit Red Wings-(G) Chris Osgood
Original Pick: Patrick Poulin

Chris Osgood was an underrated part of those Detroit Red Wings Championship teams,
He won 3 stanley cups with the Red Wings while picking up 401 Wins, a 2.49 GAA and .905 SV%.
In the playoffs, Osgood has 74 career wins, which ranks 9th all time and he also had 15 career SO in the playoffs, tied for 4th all time.
Chris Osgood would be that number 1 goalie the Hartford Whalers were searching for all throughout the 90s.

10. Detroit Red Wings-(RW) Zigmund Palffy
Original Pick: Martin Lapointe

When Healthy Zigmund Palffy was one of the best pure scorers in the NHL during the mid the late 90s.
While he was hampered by injuries in the lader half of his career, there is no denying he is a top 10 talent in this draft.
Zigmund Palffy would do a ton of damage on the wing of Steve Yzerman or Sergei Fedorov.

11. New Jersey Devils-(D) Alexei Zhitnik
Original Pick-Brian Rolston

Because the Devils don't have Scott Niedermayer anymore, they need to draft a defenseman now;
luckily for them there is a solid defenseman available in Alexei Zhitnik.
Alexei Zhitnik isn't going to blow anyone away but he played for 18 season in the NHL while putting up 471 points and 1,268 PIM.
Zhitnik along with the acquisition of Scott Stevens will help stabilitze the back-end for the Devils.

12. Edmonton Oilers-(C) Michael Nylander
Original Pick: Tyler Wright

Tyler Wright was a bust as a first round pick for the Edmonton Oilers, so anyone they select would be an upgrade.
Michael Nylander was a real solid center in the league for 17 seasons that is a perrenial 50-60 point scorer.
Nylander would an ideal 2nd line center but he can be a 1st line center if he plays with a star player.

13. Buffalo Sabres-(RW) Glen Murray
Original Pick: Phillippe Boucher

Even though the Buffalo Sabres really needed defenseman, the defenseamn in this draft after Niedermayer, Ozolish, Zhitnik weren't worth picking in the first round.
Glen Murray was a late bloomer but he could eventually be a solid scorer if he plays with a star center.
The Sabres have Dale Hawerchuk and Pat Lafontaine, Murray could fit on the RW of either player.

14. Washington Capitals-(RW) Mike Knuble
Original Pick: Pat Peake

The Washington Capitals really need a RW, the best RW available is Mike Knuble.
Mike Knuble was a late bloomer real but after he got established with the Bruins, he scored 20+ goals in 9 straight seasons.
The Capitals need to be patient with Knuble and not rush him along like they did with some of their early picks in the 90s.

15. New York Rangers-(RW) Martin Ruchinsky
Original Pick: Alexei Kovalev

The 1991 draft was loaded with top end talent, but after the first 12 picks, teams are starting to reach a bit.
At this point in the draft, its about addressing team needs and the Rangers are now trying to build a championship caliber roster.
Martin Ruchinsky is the perfect role player on a contending team, he might even be better for this role for Alexei Kovalev,
cause Kovalev needs to be a prominent offensive player.

16. Pittsburgh Penguins-(D) Phillippe Boucher
Original Pick: Markus Naslund

The Pittsburgh Penguins will have more than enough firepower on offense after the addition of Ron Francis in the offseason,
so it makes sense for them to draft a defenseman.
The best defenseman available at this point in the draft is Phillippe Boucher, who is a bit of a late bloomer.
Worst case scenario, Boucher could be used in a trade package to acquire an NHL ready defenseman.

17. Montreal Canadiens-(D) Richard Matvichuk
Original Pick: Brent Bilodeau

At this point in the draft, the Canadiens should draft the player that best fits their need.
The Canadiens really need to upgrade their Defense and there aren't any standout defenseman left, so the Canadiens go with the safest bet, Richard Matvichuk.
There isn't anything flashy that Matvichuk does, in fact, he only scored 178 points in 14 NHL seasons but is the definition of a solid defensive defenseman.

18. Boston Bruins-(C) Josef Stumpel
Original Pick: Glen Murray

The Bruins already lost out on Glen Murray, so the Bruins should secure Josef Stumpel before someone else drafts him.
Josef Stumpel had back to back 70+ point seasons, but then his production dipped to around 50-55 points per season.
Even so, Josef Stumpel could be a good second or third line center for the Bruins.

19. Calgary Flames-(RW) Marius Czerkawski
Original Pick: Niklas Sundblad

Mariusz Czerkawski was a cruical part of the New York Islanders from the 1998 to 2002, when he scored 20 or more goals in 4 straight years.
Czerkawski is another late bloomer, but that is okay for a team like the Calgary Flames, that is loaded with offensive firepower.
When Czerkawski is NHL ready, Sergei Makarov will be dealt, which works perfectly because the flames don't need to scramble and try to find his replacement.

20. Edmonton Oilers-(C) Yanic Perreault
Original Pick: Martin Ruchinsky

Since Martin Ruchinsky is no longer available, the Oilers draft Yanic Perreault, a solid two way center.
After drafting Michael Nylander a couple spots earlier and Bryan Smolinski in 1990, the Oilers have 3 pretty decent prospect centers.
With the addition of Perreault, this would open up the possibility of trading Bryan Smolinski.

21. Washington Capitals-(D) Aaron Ward
Original Pick: Trevor Halverson

There aren't any forwards worthy of taking at this point in the draft, so i decided to draft a defenseman.
Both Sean O'Donnell and Aaron Ward are Physical stay at home defenseman that have been a part of championship teams.
I choose Aaron Ward because he of his leadership and he was important part of 3 stanley cup teams.

22. Chicago Blackhawks-(LW/C) Dean McAmmond
Original Pick: Dean McAmmond

There is no change to this pick because, while the the Blackhawks could use help on defense, there wasn't anyone worth drafting.
The other player up for consideration was Martin Lapointe, but i choose McAmmond because he can play center and wing.
Dean McAmmond won't be an impact player in the league but he can be a great role player in the NHL.

Winners:

Quebec Nordiques

Adding Scott Niedermayer is the final piece to assembling a core that could be championship contender for the next decade;
this core includes also Martin Brodeur, Joe Sakic, Mats Sundin and Adam Foote.

San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks get a generation talent and a franchise cornerstone in Eric Lindros, something that they never had.
If the Sharks can convince Lindros to sign with the Sharks will be the biggest winner in this draft.
Even if he doesn't want to sign with the Sharks, they can trade him for a monster of a package, which is better than draft Pat Fallon.

New York Islanders

New York Islanders get Alexei Kovalev, a very talented and skilled player to pair with Pierre Turgeon.
This is the second greatest upgrade in the draft, as Kovalev was a much better player than Scott Lachance.

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets get a future star player and franchise cornerstone in Markus Naslund;
this is a major upgrade over Aaron Ward, who never played a game for the Jets.

Hartford Whalers

The Hartford Whalers finally get their number 1 goalie in Chris Osgood;
this might be the biggest win of the entire draft because now the Whalers have their goalie for the next decade.

Losers:

Philadelphia Flyers

It will be next to impossible to replace Peter Forsberg, who was an important part of the Eric Lindros trade.
If they don't have Forsberg, they won't be able to acquire Lindros.
Even though Ray Whitney ends up being a great NHL player, he is no Peter Forsberg or Eric Lindros.

Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals had two picks in the first round of the 1991 draft;
although they ended up with two solid players in Mike Knuble and Aaron Ward, it doesn't make them much better.

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are major losers in the redraft, Martin Ruchinsky is no Alexei Kovalev;
although Ruchinsky can fill a role for the Rangers when they are in the pursuit of a cup, Kovalev is the better player in the long term.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins originally drafted Markus Naslund in the first round and trade him to Vancouver for Alek Stojanov.
Phillippe Boucher will not likely stick with the Penguins, he more than likely is going to get traded for a veteran defenseman.

Montreal Canadiens

Richard Matvichuk was a solid defensive defenseman but if the Canadiens were to select a stay at home defenseman, they could have waited til the 2nd round.
The reason why they didn't is because this draft wasn't that deep and Matvichuk is the type of defenseman that doesn't need to put up points to succeed.
By selecting Matvichuk, the Canadiens passed up on players such as Josef Stumpel, Marius Czerkawski and Yanic Perreault.