There were many all stars taken in the 2006 NHL draft, such as Jonathan Toews, Nicklas Backstrom, Phil Kessel, Claude Giroux, Brad Marchand
but the Erik Johnson of all people was taken 1st overall by the St.Louis Blues.
If the 2006 draft was redrafted, the landscape of the NHL would be very different.
*Check out previous NHL redrafts on my blog*
1. St.Louis Blues-(C) Jonathan Toews
Original pick: Erik Johnson
Rather than selecting Erik Johnson with the first overall pick, the St.Louis Blues should have selected Jonathan Toews, one of the 100 Greatest NHL players.
Jonathan Toews is a member of the triple gold club and captained the Chicago Blackhawks to 3 stanley cups from 2010-2015.
Toews is also considered one of the best two way centers in the game as well.
With Jonathan Toews on board, the St.Louis Blues make their team much better and their rival Blackhawks much worse.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins-(C) Nicklas Backstrom
Original pick: Jordan Staal
This pick could potentially change the landscape of the NHL because it would put Nicklas Backstrom on his biggest rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Nicklas Backstrom has put up near a point per game in the NHL playing alongside Alex Ovechkin, and doesn't seem to be slowing down.
Drafting Nicklas Backstrom would allow the Penguins to play both Crosby and Malkin together on the same line, which would make the rest of the league shiver in fear.
3. Chicago Blackhawks-(RW) Phil Kessel
Original pick: Jonathan Toews
It would be near impossible to replace what Jonathan Toews brought to the Chicago Blackhawks, but Phil Kessel is a solid consolation.
Phil Kessel was a superstar player in his prime, scoring 20+ goals 11x and 30+ goals 7x in his career;
Drafting Phil Kessel in this draft could change the Blackhawks draft choices moving forward.
4. Washington Capitals-(C/RW) Claude Giroux
Original pick: Nicklas Backstrom
It will be nearly impossible to replace to consistency that Nicklas Backstrom brought to the Washington Capitals but Claude Giroux is a good consolation.
Claude Giroux is a terrific playmaking center, who led the Philadelphia Flyers in Points for 5 seasons and was a league leader in points in 2012, 2014 and 2018.
Claude Giroux would form a terrific dynamic duo along with Alex Ovechkin in the near future.
5. Boston Bruins-(LW) Brad Marchand
Original pick: Phil Kessel
The Boston Bruins still end up selecting Brad Marchand but in the 1st round instead of the 3rd round.
Brad Marchand was a bit of a late bloomer but since the 2015-16 season he has been one of the best players in the league.
Marchand has 646 points in 751 games and 83 points in 105 playoff games.
6. Columbus Blue Jackets-(C) Jordan Staal
Original pick: Derick Brassard
Rather than selecting Derick Brassard, the Columbus Blue Jackets select Jordan Staal, a terrific two way center.
While Jordan Staal doesn't put up prolific offensive numbers, he is a stud two defensive center, is a great penalty killer and is terrific on faceoffs.
Jordan Staal would be a great 2nd line center behind Ryan Getzlaf, who was drafted in 2003.
7. New York Islanders-(D) Erik Johnson
Original pick: Kyle Okposo
The New York Islanders really need a top pair defenseman, so they select highly hyped up Erik Johnson.
Even though Erik Johnson never lived up to his draft hype, he was still a top top pair defenseman for many years.
On a team like the Islanders starved for a franchise defenseman, this is a better than Kyle Okposo.
8. Phoenix Coyotes-(G) Semyon Varlamov
Original pick: Peter Mueller
Peter Mueller was a big bust as a first round pick for the Phoenix Coyotes, so they select Semyon Varlamov instead.
Semyon Varlamov won 20+ games 6 times in his career, including a 41 win season in 2013-14 and was on pace to win 20+ again this year.
The Phoenix Coyotes have a massive need for a number 1 goalie and Varlamov would fill that need.
9. Minnesota Wild-(LW) Milan Lucic
Original pick: James Sheppard
James Sheppard was a big bust as a first round pick for the Minnesota Wild, so they select Milan Lucic, a hulking powerforward instead.
Milan Lucic scored 20+ goals and 50+ points 5x in his career and was an instrumental part of the Bruins Stanley cup team in 2011.
Milan Lucic would be a great 2nd line Left winger on the Minnesota Wild.
10. Florida Panthers-(C/RW) Bryan Little
Original pick: Michael Frolik
Rather than selecting Michael Frolik, the Florida Panthers select Bryan Little, one of the more underrated centers.
Little played on many bad Atlanta/Winnipeg teams but was still able to put up 5 20+ goal seasons, including 1 30+ goal seasons.
Bryan Little would be good 2nd line center for the Florida Panthers.
11. LA Kings-(D) Jeff Petry
Original pick: Jonathan Bernier
Because the LA Kings already have two good goalies in their system in Corey Crawford and Jaroslav Halak, they don't need Jonathan Bernier anymore.
The Biggest need for the LA Kings is on defense and the best defenseman available is Jeff Petry;
Jeff Petry was a late bloomer but once he gets adjusted to the NHL, he will be a prolific offensive defenseman.
Jeff Petry would be a great 2nd pair defenseman on the LA Kings.
12. Atlanta Thrashers-(C) Derick Brassard
Original pick: Bryan Little
Rather than seleting Bryan Little, the Atlanta Thrashers select Derick Brassard, a good two way center.
Derick Brassard is a big time player and is a better player in the postseason than in the regular season;
he has 483 points in 852 games and 60 points in 99 playoff games.
Derick Brassard would be a great second line center for the Atlanta Thrashers.
13. Toronto Maple Leafs-(RW) Kyle Okposo
Original pick: Jiri Tlusty
Instead of selecting Jiri Tlusty, the Toronto Maple Leafs select Kyle Okposo, a great goal scoring winger.
Kyle Okposo was an underutilized and didn't live up to his potential but still managed 20+ goals and 50+ points, 3x in his career.
Kyle Okposo would be a great 2nd line scorer for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
14. Vancouver Canucks-(LW) Nick Folgino
Original pick: Michael Grabner
Instead of selecting Michael Grabner, Vancouver Canucks select Nick Foligno, the current captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Even though Foligno has really had one elite season, he is a safe pick because he plays in all situations and is a good leader.
Nick Foligno would be a good 2nd line Winger on the Vancouver Canucks.
15. Tampa Bay Lightning-(G) Steve Mason
Original pick: Riku Helenius
Instead of selecting Riku Helenius, the Tampa Bay Lightning select Steve Mason, a good starting goalie.
Its surprising but Steve Mason has had 6 20+ win seasons, including 2 30+ win seasons.
With a team like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Steve Mason would very quickly become the number 1 goalie for them.
16. San Jose Sharks-(C) Artem Anisimov
Original pick: Ty Wishart
Instead of selecting Ty Wishart, the San Jose Sharks select Artem Anisimov, a good two way center.
Anisimov didn't reach his potential but he is still a great two way center, that had 4 20+ goal seasons.
Artem Anisimov would be a terrific 2nd line center for the San Jose Sharks.
17. LA Kings-(LW/C) Mathieu Perreault
Original pick: Trevor Lewis
Instead of selecting Trevor Lewis, the LA Kings select Mathieu Perreault, a speedy playmaking forward.
Mathieu Perreault is a versatile forward that can be rather inconsistent but stands out when he on the ice.
Perreault would be a great 2nd line forward for the LA Kings.
18. Colorado Avalanche-(G) Jonathan Bernier
Original pick: Chris Stewart
Instead of selecting Chris Stewart, the Colorado Avalanche select Jonathan Bernier, a solid NHL goalie.
Jonathan Bernier had a few 20+ win seasons under his belt in the NHL however he never had the luxury of playing on a good team.
If he got the opportunity to play on a team like Colorado, his career could have turned out differently.
19. Anaheim Ducks-(G) James Reimer
Original pick: Mark Miltera
Instead of selecting Mark Miltera, the Anaheim Ducks select James Reimer, a solid starting goalie.
James Reimer played for some pretty bad Toronto Maple Leafs teams and really never got the change to be the true number 1 goalie.
James Reimer would form a great tandem along with Jonas Hiller for the Anaheim Ducks.
20. Montreal Canadiens-(RW) Michael Frolik
Original pick: David Fischer
Instead of selecting David Fischer, the Montreal Canadiens select Michael Frolik, a good two way winger.
Michael Frolik was an important role player on the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks championship team.
Frolik would be a terrific 2nd lince winger for the New York Rangers.
21. New York Rangers-(RW) Michael Grabner
Original pick: Bobby Sanguinetti
Instead of selecting Bobby Sanguinetti, the New York Rangers select Michael Grabner, a speedy right winger.
Michael Grabner scored 20+ goals 4x in his career and is a great penalty killer with breakaway speed.
The New York Rangers would benifit from having a player with breakaway speed like Michael Grabner in the lineup.
22. Philadelphia Flyers-(C) Patrik Berglund
Original pick: Claude Giroux
Since Claude Giroux isn't available anymore, the Philadelphia Flyers select Patrik Berglund, a a sound two way forward.
Berglund had a 22 goal and 52 point season in 2010-11 but then his goals and point totals declined from that point on.
Patrik Berglund could be a solid 2nd or 3rd line forward on the Philadelphia Flyers.
23. Washington Capitals-(LW/RW) Nikolai Kulemin
Original pick: Semyon Varlamov
Since Semyon Varlamov isn't available anymore, the Washington Capitals select Nikolai Kulemin, a highly skilled winger.
Kulemin quickly emerged as a top 6 player with the Toronto Maple Leafs but then his production mysteriously dropped off a cliff in the 2011-12 season.
With the Buffalo Sabres, Kulemin would get all the opportunities to play top 6 minutes and it would end up in higher point totals.
24. Buffalo Sabres-(D) Andrew MacDonald
Original pick: Dennis Persson
Instead of selecting Dennis Persson, the Buffalo Sabres select Andrew MacDonald, a solid defensive defenseman.
Andrew MacDonald was actually a good defenseman with the New York Islanders but will misused with the Philadelphia Flyers.
With the Buffalo Sabres, Andrew MacDonald could be a solid top 4 defenseman.
25. St.Louis Blues-(RW) Chris Stewart
Original pick: Patrik Berglund
Since Patrik Berglund isn't available, the St.Louis Blues select Chris Stewart, a goal scoring powerforward instead.
Chris Stewart had one good year with the Colorado Avalanche before fizzling out to be a 3rd line scorer;
He could still be a great 3rd line winger on a team like the St.Louis Blues.
26. Calgary Flames-(G) Michal Neuvirth
Original pick: Leland Irving
Instead of picking Leland Irving, the Calgary Flames select Michal Neuvirth, a solid NHL goalie.
Michal Neuvirth had an up and down NHL career in the league spent with mainly with the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers.
Now that he is with the Calgary Flames, he will get the opportunity to be the successor to Mikka Kiprusoff
27. Dallas Stars-(LW/RW) Leo Komarov
Original pick: Ivan Vishnevskiy
Instead of Selecting Ivan Vishevskiy, the Dallas Stars select Leo Komarov, a hard hitting winger instead.
Leo Komarov isn't going to putting up high point totals but you can expect him to be a hit machine and set the tone with his physical presence.
28. Ottawa Senators-(RW) Cal Clutterbuck
Original pick: Nick Foligno
It will be hard to replace Nick Foligno at the point in the draft, so the Senators select Cal Clutterbuck, a gritty right winger instead.
While Clutterbuck doesn't put up many points, he is a terrific penalty killer, plays physical and has leadership intangibles.
29. Phoenix Coyotes-(LW) Jiri Tlusty
Original pick: Chris Summers
Chris Summers was a bust for the Phoenix Coyotes, so the Coyotes select Juri Tlusty, a solid scoring winger with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Jiri Tlusty is one of the lost names in the 2006 draft but he actually had a pretty decent career in the NHL;
he would be a solid 3rd line winger for the Phoenix Coyotes.
30. New Jersey Devils-(C/RW) Trevor Lewis
Original pick: Matt Corrente
Trevor Lewis is a two time Stanley cup champion with the LA Kings and was a major role player on those championship teams.
Although he is not an impact player, he is at least a solid nhl player, which is better than Matthew Corrente, their original 1st round pick.
Winners:
St.Louis Blues
Added Jonathan Toews Lost Erik Johnson
Pittsburgh Penguins
Added Nicklas Backstrom Lost Jordan Staal
Minnesota Wild
Added Milan Lucic Lost James Sheppard
Tampa Bay Lightning
Added Steve Mason Lost Riku Helenius
Losers:
Boston Bruins
Lost Phil Kessel, Milan Lucic Added Brad Marchand
Philadelpia Flyers
Lost Claude Giroux Added Patrik Berglund
Washington Capitals
Lost Semyon Varlamov Added Nikolai Kulemin
Ottawa Senators
Lost Nick Foligno Added Cal Clutterbuck
Comments
Post a Comment