The 2008 NHL draft had plenty of star talent in it including Steven Stamkos, Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, Erik Karlsson, John Carlson, Roman Josi and Braden Holtby.
If there were a redraft of the 2008 draft, the landscape of the league sure would be very different.
*Check out my previous blogs for my other Redrafts*
1. Tampa Bay Lightning-(C) Steven Stamkos
Original pick: Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos is still clearly the best player in the 2008 draft because after struggling his rookie year, he turned into one of the elite scorers in the league.
Stamkos has scored 25+ goals in every season except his rookie year and in 2016-17 when he suffered a season ending injury;
Stamkos had 5 40+ goal seasons, including 2 50+ goal seasons in which he won the Rocket Richard Trophy.
It might be surprising to hear this but Steven Stamkos has scored the most points of any player born in the 1990s.
2. LA Kings-(D) Drew Doughty
Original pick: Drew Doughty
The LA Kings still select Drew Doughty because he was the second best player in the draft after Steven Stamkos.
Although Karlsson had better offensive numbers, Drew Doughty is clearly the better defender and has two stanley cups on his resume.
Drew Doughty is well on his to a hall of fame career.
3. Atlanta Thrashers-(D) Erik Karlsson
Original pick: Zach Bogosian
Erik Karlsson is one of the premier offensive defenseman of this decade, he has put at least 40 points in all but 2 seasons in the league.
Karlsson had 5 15+ goals and 65+ point campaigns and his best season came in 2015-16 when he averaged a point per game
The Atlanta Thrashers now have a franchise defenseman of the future and a player to build around after they trade Kovalchuk.
4. St.Louis Blues-(D) Alex Pietrangelo
Original pick: Alex Pietrangelo
The St.Louis Blues still select Alex Pietrangelo because even though Roman Josi is the better offensive defenseman, Pietrangelo is better defensively.
Not only that but Pietrangelo would be NHL ready a lot sooner than Josi which is important because the Blues were in dire need of a game changing defenseman.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs-(D) Roman Josi
Original pick: Luke Schenn
Rather than selecting Luke Schenn, the Toronto Maple Leafs select Roman Josi, an elite offensive defenseman.
Roman Josi has played 10 seasons in the league and has put up at least 10 goals and 40 points in 8 straight seasons.
Roman Josi would be that Franchise defenseman that the Maple Leafs had be searching for since Borje Salming.
6. Columbus Blue Jackets-(D) John Carlson
Original pick: Nikita Filatov
Instead of selecting Nikita Filatov, the Columbus Blue Jackets select John Carlson, a star defenseman who is seemingly getting better.
John Carlson really started to hit his stride as an elite offensive defenseman in 2017-18, when he had 15 goals and 68 points;
he followed that season up by putting up back to back 70+ point seasons.
John Carlson would be the franchise defenseman the Blue Jackets were looking for since they joined the league.
7. Nashville Predators-(G) Braden Holtby
Original pick: Colin Wilson
Since the Predators don't have Tomas Vokoun or Pekka Rinne in the system anymore, the Preds really need to draft a new number 1 goalie for the future.
Luckily for them, Braden Holtby is available; he has put 8 20+ win seasons including 5 straight 30+ win seasons and 3 straight 40+ win seasons.
Braden Holtby gives the Nashville Predators a new franchise goalie for the next decade.
8. Phoenix Coyotes-(RW) Jordan Eberle
Original pick: Mikkel Boedker
Rather than selecting Mikkel Boedker, the Phoenix Coyotes select Jordan Eberle, a creative goal scoring winger.
Jordan Eberle have a lot hype surrounding him early in his career and would go on to put up 6 straight 20+ goal seasons.
Eberle would instantly give the Phoenix Coyotes a perrenial 20 goal scorer, something they were really missing.
9. New York Islanders-(RW) Cam Atkinson
Original pick: Josh Bailey
If the Islanders were going to wait so long for a player to develop, they should have taken Cam Atkinson rather than Josh Bailey because he had more high end skill.
Cam Atkinson had 6 straight 20+ goal seasons including a 35 goal campaign in 2016-17 and a 41 goal campaign in 2018-19.
Cam Atkinson would be a part of the Islanders core for a long time.
10. Vancouver Canucks-(C) Adam Henrique
Original pick: Cody Hodgson
Rather than drafting Cody Hodgson, who was a massive bust, the Vancouver Canucks select Adam Henrique, a fantastic goal scoring center.
Adam Henrique burst on to the scene in his rookie year and scored the game winning goal that sent the New Jersey Devils to the Stanley Cup finals in 2012.
He built upon his rookie year and has put up 5 20+ goal seasons in his career.
Adam Henrique would be a great 2nd line center behind Henrik Sedin for the Vancouver Canucks.
11. Chicago Blackhawks-(C) Derek Stepan
Original pick: Kyle Beach
Instead of picking Kyle Beach, the Blackhawks select Derek Stepan, a good two way center instead.
Derek Stepan had 4 straight seasons with 50+ points also put up 49 points in 97 postseason games, while a member of the New York Rangers.
Derek Stepan would be great fit on a line with Patrick Kane.
12. Buffalo Sabres-(RW) Josh Bailey
Original pick: Tyler Myers
Instead of selecting Tyler Myers, the Buffalo Sabres select Josh Bailey, a good playmaking Winger.
Josh Bailey was once considered a bust but he was just a late bloomer as he had his best seasons 9 seasons after being drafted.
Bailey went from putting up around 30-40 points a season to putting up 56 points in 2016-17 and he would have 3 straight 50+ points seasons.
Josh Bailey would be a good top 6 forward for the Buffalo sabres with how weak their depth was at right wing.
13. LA Kings-(D) Jake Gardiner
Original pick: Colton Teubert
Colton Teubert was a major bust the LA Kings, so they should select Jake Gardiner, a good puck moving defenseman instead.
Jake Gardiner put up at least 30 points in every season except for the 3 seasons.
Jake Gardiner and Drew Doughty will spearhead a rebuilt LA Kings D core and they'll both be a big part of the team's future.
14. Carolina Hurricanes-(RW/LW) Gustav Nyquist
Original pick: Zach Boychuk
Instead of picking a major bust in Zach Boychuk, the Carolina Hurricanes select Gustav Nyquist, a talented and skilled winger.
Gustav Nyquist had 3 20+ goal seasons with the Red Wings and normally ends up with around 45-50 points a season.
While Nyquist will never be a reliable go to scorer, he can be a great source of secondary scoring on a team like the Hurricanes.
15. Ottawa Senators-(D) TJ Brodie
Original pick: Erik Karlsson
It will be impossible to replace Erik Karlsson, so the Ottawa Senators can only select the best defenseman available, which is TJ Brodie.
TJ Brodie put up decent numbers with the Calgary Flames, but its his ability to play in all situations and against other team's top players which is the reason for this pick.
Even though the Ottawa Senators lose Erik Karlsson, they get a very good two way defenseman in TJ Brodie.
16. Boston Bruins-(D) Tyler Myers
Original pick: Joe Colborne
Rather than selecting Joe Colborne, the Boston Bruins select the hulking 6'8' defenseman, Tyler Myers.
Tyler Myers was a great defenseman early in his career and showed much promise his first two seasons with the Sabres,
but they failed to turn him into that star defenseman that he was capable of being.
With the Boston Bruins, Myers could have learned under Zdeno Chara and formed a scary shutdown tandem.
17. Anaheim Ducks-(D) Jared Spurgeon
Original pick: Jake Gardiner
Jared Spurgeon is a very underrated defenseman that has quietly put up double digit goals in 4 different seasons.
Although Spurgeon is only 5'6" he is a big threat when he is on the ice because of his shot and playmaking abilities.
Spurgeon would only help to improve a good Anaheim Ducks defensive core and would be a better pick than Jake Gardiner, who never played a game for them.
18. Nashville Predators-(D) Travis Hamonic
Original pick: Chet Pickard
After selecting Braden Holtby earlier in the draft, the Nashville Predators select Travis Hamonic with their next selection.
Travis Hamonic isn't a defenseman who will put up a ton of points but he a great defensive defenseman and a shot blocking machine.
Hamonic will greatly improve the defensive core for the Predators and sort of makes up for the loss of Roman Josi.
19. Philadelphia Flyers-(LW/RW) Colin Wilson
Original pick: Luca Sbisa
Instead of selecting Luca Sbisa, the Philadelphia Flyers select Colin Wilson, a talend winger with playoff pedigree.
Colin Wilson only has 286 points in 632 regular season games but raises his level of play in the playoffs 33 points in 65 playoffs
Wilson would be a good role player on the Philadelphia Flyers.
20. New York Rangers-(D) Justin Schultz
Original pick: Michael Del Zotto
Rather than selecting Michael Del Zotto, the New York Rangers select Justin Schultz, a highly talented offensive defenseman.
Schultz has been somewhat disappointing in his career but he can still turn his career around because he is 29 and plays with good players on the Penguins.
With the New York Rangers, Schultz could instantly help the Rangers upon his debut because he is a powerplay specialist, which is a weakness of the Rangers.
21. Washington Capitals-(LW) Tyler Ennis
Original pick: Anton Gustafsson
Instead of selecting Anton Gustafsson, who was a massive bust, the Washington Capitals select Tyler Ennis.
Tyler Ennis had 3 20+ goal seasons with the Buffalo Sabres then his production took a massive dip
22. Edmonton Oilers-(G) Jake Allen
Original pick: Jordan Eberle
It will be very hard to replace Jordan Eberle's offensive production at this point in the draft, so the Edmonton Oilers draft thier goalie of the future in Jake Allen.
Jake Allen had 4 consecutive 20+ win seasons including a 33 win season in 2016-17 with the St.Louis Blues.
Jake Allen might not have as great numbers with the Oilers but he would definitely be the number 1 goalie with the Oilers.
23. Minnesota Wild-(D) Jason Demers
Original pick: Tyler Cuma
Since Jared Spurgeon was selected earlier in the draft, they need a defenseman to replace him and the best defenseman available would be Jason Demers.
Jason Demers is a solid two way defenseman, that was actually quietly productive early in his career with the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars.
Demers could be an important part of the Minnesota Wild defensive core now that they don't have Jared Spurgeon.
24. New Jersey Devils-(G) Jacob Markstrom
Original pick: Mattias Tedenby
The New Jersey Devils need to draft successor for Martin Brodeur and luckily for them, Jacob Markstrom is available.
Jacob Markstrom had 3 consecutive 20+ win seasons with the Vancouver Canucks after the Florida Panthers almost screwed up his development.
Jacob Markstrom will take a few years to develop but it would be fine because the Devils aren't in need of a new starter for another 4 years.
25. Calgary Flames-(LW/RW) Mikkel Boedker
Original pick: Greg Nemisz
Instead of picking Greg Nemisz, the Calgary Flames select Mikkel Boedker a highly talented winger.
Mikkel Boedker never really managed to translate his talent into production but he was still a solid NHL pro;
perhaps playing on the Calgary Flames would have helped his development a lot more.
26. Buffalo Sabres-(D) Zach Bogosian
Original pick: Tyler Ennis
Since Tyler Ennis isn't available anymore, the Buffalo Sabres select Zach Bogosian, who was a highly hyped defenseman in the 2008 draft.
The injuries early in his career really hindered his development and never reach his draft potential, but he still had a solid career.
27. Washington Capitals-(D) Michael Del Zotto
Original pick: John Carlson
It will be nearly impossible to replace John Carlson but if Michael Del Zotto played on the Washington Capitals, he would have a few good seasons.
Del Zotto could be a very good offensive defenseman with the Capitals but he's would be way worse than John Carlson defensively.
28. Phoenix Coyotes-(D) Luke Schenn
Original pick: Viktor Tikhonov
After picking Jordan Eberle to bolter the offense earlier in the draft, the Phoenix Coyotes draft Luke Schenn, a physical defensive defenseman.
Luke Schenn's development was destroyed in Toronto, he might have been better off starting off on a defensive oriented team like Phoenix.
29. Atlanta Thrashers-(D) Marco Scandella
Original pick: Daultan Leveille
The Atlanta Thrashers already picked Erik Karlsson earlier in the draft, so they draft a defensively responsible defenseman to pair with him in Marco Scandella.
Marco Scandella isn't flashy but he gets the job done and is a solid defensive defenseman, which you need to be when being paired with Erik Karlsson.
30. Detroit Red Wings-(C) Zack Smith
Original pick: Tom McCollum
Although Zach Smith isn't exactly an impact player, he could be a pretty good role player on a team like the Detroit Red Wings.
Zack Smith can play in all situations and is great on faceoffs; he is a great penalty killer and can play both center and on the Wing.
Winners:
Atlanta Thrashers
Added: Erik Karlsson, Marco Scandella Lost: Zach Bogosian, Daulan Leveille
Toronto Maple Leafs
Added: Roman Josi Lost: Luke Schenn
Chicago Blackhawks
Added: Derek Stepan Lost: Kris Beach
Columbus Blue Jackets
Added: John Carlson Lost: Nikita Filatov
Losers:
Ottawa Senators
Lost: Erik Karlsson Added: TJ Brodie
Washington Capitals
Lost: John Carlson, Anton Gustafsson Added: Tyler Ennis, Michael Del Zotto
Minnesota Wild
Lost: Jared Spurgeon, Tyler Cuma Added: Jason Demers
Calgary Flames
Lost: TJ Brodie, Greg Nemisz Added: Mikkel Boedker
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