The 1998 NHL draft was loaded with Star Talent but there were quite a lot of star talent taken late in the draft.
If the 1997 draft were redrafted, the landscape of the league would be a whole lot different.
*Be sure to check out other Redrafting NHL drafts on my blog*
1. Tampa Bay Lightning-(C) Pavel Datsyuk
Original pick: Vincent Lecavalier
It is tough for the Lightning to pass up Vincent Lecavalier, but Pavel Datsyuk being one of the "100 Greatest NHL players" is a player that doesn't come around often.
Pavel Datsyuk won 2 stanley cups, 3 selke trophies was one of the most creative and skilled offensive players.
Even though some players have put up more points, you won't find a more complete player in this draft than Pavel Datsyuk.
2. Nashville Predators- (C) Vincent Lecavalier
Original pick: David Legwand
The Nashville Predators needed a star player to help jump start their franchise and Vincent Lecavalier is a franchise caliber player.
Vincent Lecavalier won a Stanley cup in 2004 and won the Rocket Richard trophy in 2007 as the NHL's leading goal scorer.
Lecavalier scored 5 straight 30 goal seasons, including 2 straight 40+ goal seasons and 12 20+ goal seasons in his career.
3. San Jose Sharks-(C) Brad Richards
Original pick: Brad Stuart
It is way too early to be drafting Brad Stuart here, who was a solid defenseman but not a star defenseman.
The Sharks could have use a stud second line center to play behind Patrick Marleau, which would make them a much deeper team.
Adding Brad Richards to a young core that already includes Jeff Friesen, Patrick Marleau, Marco Sturm and Owen Nolan makes them a playoff contender.
4. Vancouver Canucks-(C) Scott Gomez
Original pick: Bryan Allen
The Vancouver Canucks really didn't need to draft a defensive defenseman here when they needed a number 1 center.
Scott Gomez would be the perfect 2nd line center in his rookie year and you could slot him on a line with Markus Naslund.
The Canucks would have one of most deadly offensive lines in the early 2000s with Markus Naslund-Scott-Gomez-Todd Bertuzzi.
5. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim-(D) Andrei Markov
Original pick: Vitaly Vishnevski
The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim were in dire need of defenseman at this point and Andrei Markov was head an shoulders the best defenseman available.
While there were better forwards available in the draft, the Mighty Ducks at some point need to improve their defense.
Andrei Markov should be their top pair defenseman for Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for the next decade.
6. Calgary Flames-(LW) Alex Tanguay
Original pick: Rico Fata
Instead of Picking a bust in Rico Fata, the Calgary Flames select Alex Tanguay.
Alex Tanguay is player that will make an immediate impact on the Calgary Flames
Tanguay would be a great fit on the line with Jarome Iginla, forming a really dynamic first line.
7. New York Rangers-(LW) Simon Gagne
Original pick: Manny Malholtra
Manny Malholtra was not worth a first round pick, so the Rangers should select Simon Gagne instead.
Simon Gagne is a better player than what was reflected in his stats, as injuries really set him back in his career.
At his peak Simon Gagne had back to back 40+ goal seasons, so if you surround him with enough talent he will be an excellent player.
8. Chicago Blackhawks-(C) Mike Ribeiro
Original pick: Mark Bell
Mark Bell was a nice role player for a few seasons with the Blackhawks but he wasn't worth a 1st round pick.
Mike Ribeiro was a highly skilled playermaker who makes other players around him better.
From 2003-2012, Ribeiro had put up 8 straight 50+ point seasons, including 5 60+ points and 3 70+ points seasons.
9. New York Islanders-(D) Brad Stuart
Original pick: Mike Rupp
Mike Rupp was a career 4th liner and was not worth being picked in the 1st round.
The Islanders needed a defenseman to round out their top four and Brad Stuart would be the best pick here.
Brad Stuart would join an Islanders blueline that already features Bryan Berard, Kenny Jonsson, Zdeno Charo.
10. Toronto Maple Leafs-(RW) Brian Gionta
Original pick: Nik Antropov
Nik Antropov was a solid player but he wasn't worth picking this high, so the Leafs select Brian Gionta instead.
Brian Gionta was a tremendous goal scorer, he scored 20 or more goals in 7 straight seasons, including one 48 goal season.
Gionta would eventually be a great fit on the line with Mats Sundin.
11. Carolina Hurricanes-(LW) Erik Cole
Original pick: Jeff Heerema
Instead of selecting Jeff Heerema, the Carolina Hurricanes draft Erik Cole, a good powerforward.
Erik Cole Scored 20+ goals in 5 NHL seasons and was a huge part of the Hurricanes championship team in 2006.
Erik Cole would make a great second line LW on the Carolina Hurricanes.
12. Colorado Avalanche-(C) Shawn Horcoff
Original pick: Alex Tanguay
Alex Tanguay isn't available anymore, so the Colorado draft Shawn Horcoff, a reliable two way center.
Shawn Horcoff was not the flashiest player nor is he going to put up eye popping stats but he has intanglebles that can't be taught.
Horcoff is a great leader and would be a terrific 2nd or third line center for the Avalanche.
13. Edmonton Oilers-(C) David Legwand
Original pick: Michael Henrich
Instead of selecting Michael Henrich, who was a huge bust, they select David Legwand, a solid two way center.
David Legwand spent most of his career with a bad Nashville Predators team so his stats aren't as good as it could be.
The Edmonton Oilers now add Legwand to their stacked group of Centers that include Michael Nylander, Jason Allison and Yanic Perreault.
14. Phoenix Coyotes-(C) Mike Fisher
Original pick: Patrick DesRochers
Instead of selecting Patrick DesRochers, who was flopped big time as a first round pick for the Coyotes, they select Mike Fisher.
Mike Fisher is a good two way center, that was overshadowed by star talent on a loaded Ottawa Senators team during his prime.
On the Coyotes, Fisher would be a terrific second line center behind Jeremy Roenick.
15. Ottawa Senators-(D) Francois Beauchemin
Original pick: Mathieu Chouinard
The Ottawa Senators need to improve their defense if they want to be a playoff team.
Francois Beauchimen would be a great fit on the team and would be the perfect partner for Chris Pronger.
It would take a while before Beauchimen is NHL ready but it is okay because the Senators don't need him right away.
16. Montreal Canadiens-(RW) Michael Ryder
Original pick: Mathieu Chouinard
Mathieu Chouinard was a huge bust for the Montreal Canadiens, so the Montreal Canadiens select Michael Ryder.
Even though Michael Ryder was evetually picked later in the draft by the Habs, he is one of the better scorers in this draft.
Michael Ryder would be a great fit on the line with Vincent Damphousse.
17. Colorado Avalanche-(RW) Jonathan Cheechoo
Original pick: Martin Skoula
The Avalanche need a Right winger to play on the Top line alongside Joe Sakic and Jonathan Cheechoo is the best fit for that role.
Jonathan Cheechoo led the league in scoring when he played with Joe Thornton so he could flourish on the wing with Joe Sakic.
Cheechoo would start off on the third line with Shawn Horcoff but could work his way up to the top line eventually.
18. Buffalo Sabres-(D) Robyn Regehr
Original pick: Dmitri Kalinin
Buffal Sabres need a defenseman and Robyn Regehr is the best one available at this point in the draft.
Robyn Regehr is a stable defensive defenseman and was a key part of Calgary's D core in the 2000s.
Regehr would be a huge upgrade over Kalinin, who had a couple solid season but flamed out of the NHL in 2009.
19. Colorado Avalanche-(D) Jaroslav Spacek
Original pick: Robyn Regehr
After drafting Shawn Horcoff and Jonathan Cheechoo, the Colorado Avalanche need to start drafting prospect to build up their aging D core.
Jaroslav Spacek is a solid defenseman that can can play in the top 4 as early as the 1999-2000 season and would be a huge boost to their lineup.
Spacek has a big shot and would be the ideal D partner for Adam Foote.
20. Colorado Avalanche-(C) Nik Antropov
Original pick: Scott Parker
With their 4th pick in the fourth round, the Colorado Avalanche still select but a couple slots later
Nik Antropov is a big forward that would fit in nicely on the third line of the Avalanche.
Antropov-Horcoff-Cheechoo would make a great third line in the future and could potentially become their second line.
21. LA Kings-(LW/RW) Alexei Ponikarovsky
Original pick: Mathieu Biron
The LA Kings did need defenseman but the defenseman left weren't worth drafting, so they opt to select Alexei Ponikarovsky.
Alexei Ponikarovsky was a big forward, that would start off as a role player on the Kings but could work his way into the top 6.
Ponikarovsky would be a great fit on the Checking line of the LA kings.
22. Philadelphia Flyers-(G) Andrew Raycroft
Original pick: Simon Gagne
It will be really hard to replace Simon Gagne's offensive production, so the Flyers look to add their goalie of the future in Andrew Raycroft.
Raycroft isn't as bad as he was made out to be, he was essentially the whipping boy for a god awful Maple Leafs team.
The only the the Flyers were missing was a true number 1 goalie and Raycroft could have been that if they build a solid defense in front of him.
23. Pittsburgh Penguins-(RW) Ales Kotalik
Original pick: Milan Kraft
Milan Kraft was a massive bust for the Pittsburgh Penguins and so the Pittsburgh Penguins decide to draft Ales Kotalik.
Ales Kotalik had an up and down career but he still managed to have 3 20+ goal seasons in his career.
Ales Kotalik needs to surrounded by star talent so when their Superstar talent leaves, he should get moved.
24. St.Louis Blues-(D) Karlis Skrastins
Original pick: Christian Backman
The St.Louis Blues really needed to bolter their defense, so they select Karlis Skrastins, a defenseman who can play heavy minutes.
Skratins was not a difference maker by any means but he would be an effective NHL defenseman for a decade.
With the Stud defenseman playing in Dallas, all they really need is to get a reliable defenseman that is durable.
25. Detroit Red Wings-(RW) Chris Neil
Original pick: Jiri Fischer
In 1998, the Detroit Red Wings were in the midst of their rivalry with the Colorado Avalanche.
For that reason, they need to get an encorcer to ensure that their Star players don't get taken advantage of.
Chris Neil is the best fit for that role, he put up over 2,500 penalty minutes in a little over 1,000 NHL games.
26. Dallas Stars-(RW) Mikael Samuelsson
Original pick: Mike Van Ryn
Mike Van Ryn was a huge bust, so the Dallas Stars select Mikael Samuelsson, a versitaile third line player and powerplay specialist.
Samuelsson was a latebloomer and didn't make a real impact in the league until the 2005-2006 season, however he is a great fit for Dalls.
Dallas has a knack of making average role players in offensive studs and Samuelsson would flourish with the Stars.
27. New Jersey Devils-(C) Manny Malholtra
Original pick: Scott Gomez
It will be hard to replace to offensive production that Scott Gomez brings at this point in the draft, so the Devils will draft for fit.
Manny Malholtra is a good two way center, who is also a solid penalty killer and is good on faceoffs.
Don't expect Malholtra to put up eye popping numbers, but i'm sure the Devils will find a way to utilize Malholtra effectively.
Winners:
Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators are the biggest winners in this scenario;
Vincent Lecavalier is a legit superstar and a major upgrade over David Legwand.
San Jose Sharks
Even though Brad Stuart was a good player, Brad Richards was an all star caliber player and would make the Sharks a legit stanley cup contender.
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Cancuks are also major winners in this scenariol
Scott Gomez is a big upgrade over Bryan Allen, who was a major disappointment for the Canucks.
New York Rangers
Not only did the Rangers get get Simon Gagne, who is a major upgrade over Manny Malholtra,
they stole him from their rival Philadelphia Flyers, a double win for them.
Losers:
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers originally walked away with one of the hidden gems at the end of the first round in Simon Gagne;
they aren't as lucky in they redraft as they end up drafting a goalie who had a few good seasons but not a franchise goalie.
New Jersey Devils
Manny Malholtra, while he is a good defensive center and penalty killer is not in the same class as Scott Gomez.
The loss of Scott Gomez will be felt in the coming years.
Detroit Red Wings
Even though Chris Neil can be relied on for his physical play and leadership, at the end of the day he is an enforcer
and picking an enforcer in the first round is a bit of a stretch.
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche had 4 first round picks in the 1998 draft but they didn't walk away with one star player.
They drafted Shawn Horcoff, Jonathan Cheechoo, Jaroslav Spacek and Nik Antropov but none of these players are legit star players.
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