REDRAFTING 2004 NHL Draft

The 2004 NHL Draft was highlighted by two superstars in Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin but
there plenty of other stars drafted as well, such as Blake Wheeler, Pekka Rinne and Alex Radulov.

If the 2004 NHL Draft was to be redrafted, the landscape of the NHL would be very different.

*Be sure to read my 2003 Redraft before continuing with this one*

1. Washington Capitals-Alex Ovechkin
Original pick: Alex Ovechkin

Washington Capitals still select Alex Ovechkin, as he is still clearly the best player in the draft.
Ovechkin should a first ballot hall of famer, he has won 8 Rocket Richard Trophies, scoring 50 or more goals 7 times.
He is already considered one of the greatest goal scorers of all-time, with 706 career NHL goals.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins-(C) Evgeni Malkin
Original pick: Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin is a superstar player in his own right but his always in the shadow of Sidney Crosby.
With Crosby sidelined, Malkin's had one of the best campaigns in his career putting up 50 G and 109 points,
bringing home the Hart, Art Ross and Ted Lindsay Award in the 2011-12 season.
Malkin, along with Crosby has been a major reason why the Penguins won the Stanley cup in 2009 and back to cups in 2016 and 2017.

3. Chicago Blackhawks-(G) Pekka Rinne
Original Pick: Cam Barker

Cam Barker was a bust as a first round pick of the Blackhawks, so the Blackhawks select their franchise goalie of the future, Pekka Rine instead.
Pekka Rinne is a Vezina Caliber goalie who has put up 8 30+ Win seasons, 3 of which were 40+ win seasons.
From 2014-2019, Rinne had 5 consecutive 30 win seasons, with 2 40 win seasons included.
With Pekka Rinne in goal, the Chicago Blackhawks, have their backstop for the next decade.

4. Carolina Hurricanes-(RW) Blake Wheeler  
Original pick: Andrew Ladd

Although Andrew Ladd turned into a solid pro player, there are better players available at this point in the draft.
Blake Wheeler is a late bloomer because he was underutilized with the Boston Bruins but once he got to Winnipeg, became a legit Star player;
He has 586 points in 639 games with the Winnipeg/Atlanta franchise.
Blake Wheeler would be a perfect complement to Carolina's first round pick in 2003, Patrice Bergeron.

5. Phoenix Coyotes-(RW) Alex Radulov
Original pick: Blake Wheeler

Alex Radulov is the game changer in the draft because of him leaving in his prime to play in the KHL,
however he has averaged around a Point per game in the NHL in his career, so his talent suggest he is a top 5 pick.
For a team like the Phoenix Coytoes in major need of offensive punch, Radulov would make the team much quicker than he did in Nashville.

6. New York Rangers-(D) Mike Green
Original pick: Al Montoya

With Brian Leetch nearing retirement, the Rangers will need someone to make up for the offensive production from the Blueline.
Luckily for them, Mike Green is one of the better offensive defenseman available and is a powerplay specialist.
While Mike Green might now have the offensive production he did in Washington, he could still be a 40-50 point defenseman early in his career.

7. Florida Panthers-(C) David Krejci
Original pick: Rostislav Olesz

Instead of picking a major bust in Rostislav Olesz, the Florida Panthers select David Krejci.
Although David Krejci never made any all star teams, he is just a very good two way player that plays wining hockey.
Krejci has 686 points 911 Games along with 103 points in 132 postseason games.
David Krejci would be the ideal center for Nathan Horton, whom they drafted in 2003.

8. Columbus Blue Jackets-(G) Devan Dubnyk
Original pick: Alexandre Picard

The Columbus Blue Jackets need to get a goalie of the future and Devan Dubnyk is the best one available.
Devan Dubnyk may have been a late bloomer but once he was on the right team, he became a vezina trophy caliber goalie.
After being acquired in the 2014-15 season by the Minnesota Wild, he had a 27-9-2 record with a 1.78 GAA and .936 SV% and 6 SO.
Every season there after with the Wild, Dubnyk had a 30+ win season with a very good GAA and SV%.

9. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim-(D) Mark Streit
Orignial pick: Ladislav Smid

Mark Streit was an elite defenseman in the NHL who was stuck was a late bloomer but had a great NHL career.
Streit was a true offensive defenseman, who would bring some much needed offense to the Anaheim blueline.
Mark Streit put up 10+ goals as a defeneman in 4 straight seasons and 6 seasons with 45+ points.

10. Atlanta Thrashers-(D) Alex Edler
Original pick: Boris Valabik

Boris Valabik was a bust for a the Atlanta Thrashers, so they select Alex Edler instead.
Alex Edler has been a very good defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks, who plays a solid two way game.
Edler would very quickly become a top pair defenseman on the Atlanta Thrashers.

11. LA Kings-(C) Travis Zajac
Original pick: Lauri Tukonen 

The LA Kings didn't fare so well in the 2003 draft despite having three first round picks so they need get an impact player with this pick.
Travis Zajac is a great two way center and is tremenous in the faceoff circle with a career 53.9% FO percentage.
While he isn't known as a point scoring machine but he does have 532 points in 991 games.
Travis Zajac would very be a great second line center for the LA kings for a long time.

12. Minnesota Wild-(LW) Andrew Ladd
Original pick: A.J. Thelen

Instead of pick A.J. Thelen, the Minnesota select Andrew Ladd, a very good powerforward.
Ladd was underutilized with the Carolina Hurriccanes and Chicago Blackhawks but then took his game to the next level with the Winnipeg Jets.
With Winnipeg, he scored 20+ and 50+ points in 4 of the 5 seasons with the Jets.
Andrew Ladd would a great fit on the line with Marian Gaborik.

13. Buffalo Sabres-(D) Alex Goligoski
Original pick: Drew Stafford

The Buffalo Sabres don't need to draft anymore forwards, instead they need to focus on building up their defense.
Alex Goligoski is a good offensive defenseman, who has quietly put up 30+ points in 10 seasons.
With how weak the Sabres defense is, Goligoski would became an important part of their defense sooner than he did with the Penguins.

14. Edmonton Oilers-(G) Cory Schneider
Original pick: Devan Dubnyk

The Reason why Cory Schneider is this low on the redraft was because he spent his best years serving as backup to Roberto Luongo.
In his prime, Cory Schneider was a all star caliber goalie, unfortunately his hip injury has affected his ability to be an NHL caliber goalie.
With the Edmonton Oilers, Schneider would have become the true number 1 goalie a lot sooner than he did.

15. Nashville Predators-(LW/RW) Johan Franzen
Original pick: Alexander Radulov

Alex Radulov never really fit in with the Predators, so they pick Johan Franzen, a gritty goal scoring forward.
Franzen is capable of playing all three forward positions and played a significant role on Detroit's Stanley cup team in 2008.
Though Franzen's career was cut short with injury, when healthy he is still worth of a top 15 pick in the draft.
Johan Franzen would be a great fit on a bruising team like the Nashville Predators.

16. New York Islanders-(C) Brandon Dubinsky
Original pick: Petteri Nokelainen

The New York Islanders need more depth at center, so they pick the best center on the board, Brandon Dubinsky.
Brandon Dubinsky was a good two way center, who was dependable on faceoffs and was a great penalty killer.
In addition, Dubinsky could play the role of playing against opponents' top lines and star players.
More importantly, the Islanders steal Dubinsky away from the Rival Rangers, which make them worse.

17. St.Louis Blues-(RW) Ryan Callahan
Original pick: Marek Schwarz

Rather than selecting Marek Schwarz, the St.Louis Blues select Ryan Callahan.
Callahan is a relentless forchecking forward, a great penalty killer and terrific leader.
Ryan Callahan is a perfect fit on the St.Louis Blues and their style of play.

18. Montreal Canadiens-(LW) David Booth
Original pick: Kyle Chipchura

Rather than drafting Kyle Chipchura, whom was a huge bust, the Montreal Canadiens draft so they pick David Booth instead.
David Booth when he was a part of the Florida Panthers was a good player, he had 3 20+ goal, including one 30 goal season.
Booth could be a short-term solution in the top 6 for the Montreal Canadiens until they draft better players.

19. New York Rangers-(RW/LW) Troy Brouwer
Original pick: Lauri Korpikoski

Instead of selecting a major bust in Lauri Korkiposki, the New York Rangers select Troy Brouwer, a hard nose third line forward.
Troy Brouwer was an important member of the Chicago Blackhawks, when they won the cup in 2010 and an important role player on Washington and St.Louis as well.
He would be a great third line forward for the Rangers.

20. New Jersey Devils-(C) Mikhail Grabovski
Original pick: Travis Zajac

In order to replace Travis Zajac, the Devils draft Mikhail Grabovski, a very talented forward.
When healthy, Grabovski was a very effective player, as he scored 20+ in three seasons.
It is possible that Grabovski gets traded to get an NHL ready player because the Devils are in win now mode.

21. Colorado Avalanche-(G) Thomas Greiss
Original pick: Wojtek Wolski

The Colorado Avalanche need to get a number 1 goalie soon and while Thomas Greiss isn't bonifide number 1 goalie, he could be a part of a tandem.
Thomas Greiss is a late bloomer but that is mostly due to the fact he was drafted by the San Jose Sharks, who always had a stud number 1 goalie.
Now with the Colorado Avalanche, Thomas Greiss would certainly get the opportunity to contend for the starting position a lot sooner.

22. San Jose Sharks-(D) Andrej Meszaros
Original pick: Lukas Kaspar

The San Jose Sharks need to improve on defense, so they pick Andrej Meszaros, a solid puck moving defenseman.
Meszaros started his career off really well with the Ottawa Senators but after being traded to Tampa Bay, he wasn't as effective.
Meszaros would revive his career with the Philadelphia Flyers only to be misused in Boston and Buffalo.
With San Jose, he would very quickly emerge as an impact defenseman and remain on the team past the 2007-08 season.

23. Ottawa Senators-(RW) Drew Stafford
Original pick: Andrej Meszaros

Andrej Meszaros isn't available anymore, so the Ottawa Senators select Drew Stafford, a goal scoring Right Winger.
Drew Stafford was a solid scorer on the Buffalo Sabres from 2008-2012 but became less efficient after signing his big contract in 2011.
With the Rangers headed towards a rebuild, Stafford could find a spot on the third line very soon.

24. Calgary Flames-(D) Andrej Sekera
Original pick: Kris Chucko

The Calgary Flames were in need impact defense at the time, to they snag the best defenseman on the board, Andrej Sekera.
Sekera was a late bloomer but he eventually develops into a nice offensive defenseman.
Sekera is a solid defenseman who can play in the top 4 in Calgary until they find better defenseman.

25. Edmonton Oilers-(RW/LW) Kris Versteeg
Original pick: Rob Schremp

Rob Schremp was a major dissappointment as a first round pick for the Edmonton Oilers, so the Oilers pick the best player on the board, Kris Versteeg.
Kris Versteeg would be a nice third line player on a playoff team like the Edmonton Oilers.
Versteeg is a flashy player that can have some hot streaks, which makes his a great role player on a team like the Oilers.

26. Vancouver Canucks-(C) Carl Soderberg
Original pick: Cory Schneider

Cory Schneider isn't available anymore, Carl Soderberg, a solid playmaking center.
Soderberg was a late arrival to the NHL, as he choose to play in the SEL until the 2012-13 season.
Carl Soderberg would be good trade bait for the Canucks when they want to acquire players at the deadline.

27. Washington Capitals-(LW) Wojtek Wolski
Original pick: Jeff Schultz

Jeff Schultz wasn't anything special for the Washington Capitals, so they select Wojtek Wolski instead.
Wolski would have a fine role player on a team like the Washington Capitals;
he has great skill and is capable of scoring 15-20 goals if playing with the right players.

28. Dallas Stars-(RW/LW) Blake Comeau
Original pick: Mark Fistic

Instead of picking Mark Fistric, the Dallas Stars select Blake Comeau, a grinding third line forward instead.
The Dallas Stars are a legit contender right now, so they need players that can fit a role and Comeau is a fits the mold of a versitaile role player.

29. Washington Capitals-(D) Alexei Emelin
Original pick: Mike Green

Mike Green isn't available anymore, so the Capitals select Alexei Emelin, physical defensive defenseman instead.
Emelin will be needed to shutdown opposing agitate and irritate opponents' top players.

30. Tampa Bay Lightning-(C) Dave Bolland
Original pick: Andy Rodgers

The Defenseman in this draft aren't very good, so the Lightning select Dave Bolland, a good defensive center instead.
Even though Bolland isn't going to put up eye popping stats, he is a great fit on a championship caliber team like Tampa Bay.
Bolland is a winner at every level and would be an ideal 3rd or 4th line center for the Lightning.

Winners:

Chicago Blackhawks

Picked Pekka Rinne over Cam Barker

St.Louis Blues

Picked Ryan Callahan over Marek Schwarz

Minnesota Wild

Picked Andrew Ladd over A.J. Thelen

Atlanta Thrashers

Picked Alex Edler over Boris Valabik

Losers:

Vancouver Canucks

Lost Cory Schneider, Alex Edler and Drafted Carl Soderberg

New York Rangers

Lost Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan and Drafted Troy Brouwer

New Jersey Devils

Lost Travis Zajac and Drafted Mihkail Grabovski

Ottawa Senators

Lost Andrej Meszaros and Drafted Drew Stafford