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 player like Chris Pronger but Paul Kariya is a nice consolation prize.
Paul Kariya is that dynamic player that the Hartford Whalers were missing throughout the 90s after trading Ron Francis.
Kariya would really help boost the likes of Andrew Cassels and whomever plays on the right wing.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (C) Saku Koivu
Original pick: Chris Gratton
Chris Gratton was a solid NHL Pro but he was not worth the 3rd pick in the draft, instead the Lightning should select Saku Koivu.
Saku Koivu would be a great leader and a terrific number 1 center the Lightning could build around for years.
The Lightning struggled to find a franchise player for years, now with Saku Koivu on the team, they don't have that problem.
4. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (C) Jason Arnott
Original pick: Paul Kariya
It will be tough to find a player in the draft that is more dynamic than Paul Kariya so the Mighty Ducks go with the best two way player in this draft, Jason Arnott.
Jason Arnott can do it all, he had 417 G along with 938 points in 1,244 games and was a great two way player.
Arnott would strenghten the depth at center the Mighty Ducks which was a weakness for them.
5. Florida Panthers (RW) Todd Bertuzzi
Original pick: Rob Niedermayer
This might be a surpising pick to some people but at his peak, Bertuzzi was considered one of the best powerforwards in the league.
From 1999-2005, Bertuzzi had 5 25+ goal seasons, with 2 of them being 35+ goal season and one of them being a 46 goal campaign.
It is tough to get a well rounded powerforward, and Bertuzzi at his peak was as good as it gets.
6. San Jose Sharks (W) Pavol Demitra
Original pick: Victor Kozlov
Victor Kozlov was a bit of a disappointment as a first round pick, as he never really lived up to the expectations that the Sharks had for him.
Pavol Demitra on the other hand was a late pick and exceeded expectations, he found success on every team he played on.
Demitra put up 768 points in 847 games in the NHL and was a very versitaile player that played both wings and center.
7. Edmonton Oilers (RW) Miroslav Satan
Original pick: Jason Arnott
Jason Arnott was a great player for the Edmonton Oilers before he was traded to the New Jersey Devils, it will be tough to replace his production.
The best offensive player left at this point in the draft is Miroslav Satan, who had 8 20+ goal season, 4 of which were 30+ goals seasons.
Satan would be a great fit on the Wing alongside Michael Nylander in the future.
8. New York Rangers (D) Kenny Jonsson
Original pick: Niklas Sundstrom
While Kenny Jonsson didn't stand on the stat sheet, he was the type of player that made a diffence in big games.
Jonsson was one of the most underrated defenseman in the 90s, he was great positionally and had sound offensive skills as well.
Jonsson would be the perfect fit for a team like the Rangers that was trying to vie for a stanley cup.
9. Dallas Stars (D) Kimmo Timonen
Original pick: Todd Harvey
Kimmo Timonen is the best player available, so he gets selected here even though he won't play in the NHL for a few years.
The Stars aren't in any rush to get Timonen to the NHL as they already have the Defensive core sorted out for the next few years,
however a team can never have enough defensive prospects in the pipeline ready to take an older defenseman's place in the lineup.
10. Quebec Nordiques (LW) Vinny Prospal
Original pick: Jocelyn Thibault
Since the Nordiques drafted Martin Brodeur in 1990, they don't need to draft another goalie in the first round.
The Nordiques really need help on the LW, the best LW at this point in the draft is Vinny Prospal.
Although Brunette never made an all star game, he scored 765 points in 1,108 points, which is a real solid NHL career.
11. Washington Capitals (D) Bryan McCabe
Original pick: Brendan Witt
Brendan Witt never lived up to the expectations of being a 1st round pick, so the Capitals select Bryan McCabe instead.
McCabe is often remembered for scoring on his own goal but he actually had a really solid NHL career.
McCabe put up 528 points in 1,135 games in his career, he would add some firepower to the capitals blueline.
12. Toronto Maple Leafs (LW) Andrew Brunette
Original pick: Kenny Jonsson
Kenny Jonsson was a great NHL player, so it would be tough to find a player that can replace him at this point in the draft.
The Maple Leafs needed a left wingers and Andrew Brunette was the best at this point in the draft.
Brunette put up 733 points in 1,100 regular season games, he was also a great postseason player, as he had 35 points in 49 playoff games.
13. New Jersey Devils (RW) Jamie Langenbrunner
Original pick: Denis Pederson
Jamie Langenbrunner was a two time stanley cup champion and won at every level he played at.
In his career, he had 663 points in 1,109 career NHL games, and he also had 87 points in 146 playoff games.
Langenbrunner will start off as a role player but eventually will develop into a key player for the Devils.
14. Quebec Nordiques (C) Brendan Morrisson
Original pick: Adam Deadmarsh
Brendan Morrisson was a late bloomer but he developed into a geat playmaking center in the early 2000s playing alongside Markus Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi.
From 2001-2004, Morrisson had 3 consecutive seasons where he had put up 20+ goals and 60+ points.
The Quebec Nordiques aren't in any rush for any centers, so this is the perfect team for Morrisson to go to.
15. Winnipeg Jets (G) Jocelyn Thibault
Original pick: Mats Lindgren
Bob Essensa was a solid goalie for the Winnipeg Jets but at the same time its never to late to draft a successor to him.
Another reason for drafting Thibault was because there wasn't any defenseman that were worthy of drafting and the forwards available were a bit of a reach too.
Drafting Thibault also allows the Jets to trade Essensa for a top 4 defenseman, something they really need.
16. Edmonton Oilers (C) Jason Allison
Original pick: Nick Stajduhar
The Edmonton Oilers had to settle for 2nd tier centers in recent drafts but this time around, they get a hidden gem in the draft.
Jason Allison was a highly touted prospected at the time, especially after his WJC performances in 1995.
Allison played in 5 seasons in which he put up 60 or more points, 4 of which were 70+ point seasons.
17. Washington Capitals (LW) Eric Daze
Original pick: Jason Allison
Although Jason Allison turned into a solid NHL player with the Bruins and Kings, he didn't do anything with the Capitals.
The Capitals had a major weakness at the LW, and Eric Daze seems like the best fit for them.
Daze was a good scorer in the league, notching 8 consecutive 20 goal seasons, 4 of which were 30+ goal campaigns.
18. Calgary Flames (LW/RW) Viktor Kozlov
Original pick: Jesper Mattson
Viktor Kozlov may not have lived up to expectations but he still can be a key role player on a Stanley cup contender.
Kozlov had his best years of his career playing alongside Pavel Bure in Florida, he is the type of player that needs to play with Stars.
Luckily for Calgary they have many stars on the team such as Joe Niewendyk, Theo Fleury, Al MacInnis and Gary Suter.
19. Toronto Maple Leafs (C) Chris Gratton
Original pick: Landon Wilson
Chris Gratton is not going to fill up the statsheet but he is a gritty two way center who is great on faceoffs.
Gratton was a solid pro, he was able to play in 1,092 NHL games while putting up 568 points.
At this point in the draft, its a bargain to get a player that plays in over 1,000 NHL games.
20. Vancouver Canucks (D) Janne Niinimaa
Original pick: Mike Wilson
The Vancouver Canucks needed help on defense and the best defenseman left at this point in the draft is Janne Niinimaa.
While there was nothing that particularly stands out about Niinimaa, in the early years of his career, he did put up some points.
Niinimaa could be a short term solution on defense for a while until they draft a better defenseman later on.
21. Montreal Canadiens (G) Tommy Salo
Original pick: Saku Koivu
The Montreal Canadiens don't have Patrick Roy anymore so they need to draft a goalie, the best goalie available at this point is Tommy Salo
The Reason why Salo is picked over Legace and Lalime is because he had more experience as a starter in the NHL.
Salo had 6 20+ win seasons, with 20 of them being 30+ win seasons but unfortuantely he is remembered as a goalie that cant win the big game.
22. Detroit Red Wings (G) Manny Legace
Original pick: Anders Eriksson
The Red Wings need another goalie in the pipeline since Chris Osgood was taken in the 1991 draft by another team.
Manny Legace is a better fit on the Red Wings than Patrick Lalime because he has a better win-loss ratio and a better GAA and SV%
Since the Red Wings don't have the luxury of having Chris Osgood anymore, Legace might have to come into action a lot sooner.
23. New York Islanders (RW) David Vyborny
Original pick: Todd Bertuzzi
Although Todd Bertuzzi never truly found his game with the Islanders, it will be tough to find a player that is on his level.
This could come as a shock to some people but David Vyborny is the best player left in terms of production.
Vyborny put up 3 straight 20 goal seasons with the Blue Jackets, which is impressive considering he didn't have much to work with.
24. Chicago Blackhawks (C) Adam Deadmarsh
Original pick: Eric Lecompte
Adam Deadmarsh had concussion issues but when healthy he was a very good player.
Deadmarsh was a big game player, putting up 66 points in 105 games.
Being a playoff contender, Deadmarsh would fit in well with the Chicago Blackhawks
25. Boston Bruins (LW) Darcy Tucker
Original pick: Kevyn Adams
Its hard to imagine Darcy Tucker as a Boston Bruin, but he really does fit in with their system.
Tucker plays on the edge and has a reputation of playing dirty which is perfect for the Bruins.
As big an agitator as Tucker wasm he was able to notch 4 20+ goal seasons.
26. Pittsburgh Penguins (G) Patrick Lalime
Original pick: Stefan Bergkvist
There were several players that were considered but i decided to choose Patrick Lalime because the Penguins needed a successor for Tom Barasso.
Lalime would be ready to take the reigns from Barasso at the beginning of the 1999-2000 season, which is when the Penguins needed a new a number 1 to take over.
As it turns out, the first season as a starter for Lalime was the 1999-2000 season, which works out perfectly.
Winners:
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are the biggest winners of this scenario, they replace the biggest bust in the draft with the biggest star in the draft.
Chris Pronger was the best player in the draft by far and would be staple on the Senators blueline for years to come.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Saku Koivu is a major upgrade over Chris Gratton as the 3rd overall pick, he would be the team's Captain and leading point scorer in no time.
The Lightning now actually have a core player to build their franchise around.
San Jose Sharks
Pavel Demitra is the type of player that excelled with every team he played for because he is extremely versataile.
He is much more useful than Viktor Kozlov, whom the Sharks originally selected in the draft.
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals walked away from the 1993 with Bryan McCabe and Eric Daze, a major upgrade over Brendan Witt and Jason Allison.
Both McCabe and Daze will play a major role on the Capitals moving forward.
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques drafted Vinny Prospal and Brendan Morrisson in the 1993 draft, adding to their already stacked roster.
Both Prospal and Morrison could be subject to trade bait as the Nordiques may use them to acquire veteran players in a stanley cup run.
Losers:
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are the Biggest losers in the scenario, not only do they not get Saku Koivu,
having Tommy Salo in goal instead of Patrick Roy will ensure the Canadiens won't make the playoffs for a while.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs had two first round picks but just walked away with no star players.
Andrew Brunette and Chris Gratton were both solid NHL players but they were not star players.
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins decided to pick Darcy Tucker because they though it would be a fit for the system,
however, was it worth passing up a player like Rob Niedermayer to pick Darcy Tucker?
New York Rangers
Kenny Jonsson was a great defenseman for a while but he retired at 29, he didn't have as long of an NHL career as defenseman like Timonen or McCabe.
The Rangers would feel the absence of his departure after the 2004 season, which is around the same time Brian Leetch left.
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim drafted Jason Arnott to replace Paul Kariya, whom was drafted by the Hartford Whalers.
Even though Arnott was a great NHL player, he was not difference maker Kariya was.
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