The 2011 NHL Draft was quite strange because the 1st round was faily underwelming and there were still some great star talent in the draft
like Nikita Kucherov, Johnny Gaudreau, Jonathan Huberdeau, Gabriel Landeskog, Mark Scheifele, Mika Zibanejad, Dougie Hamilton.
*Check out my previous blogs for other Redrafs*
1. Edmonton Oilers-(RW) Nikita Kucherov
Original pick: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
The Best player in this draft is Nikita Kucherov, there isn't another player in this draft that has even come close to hitting the 100 point mark,
and Kucherov has done in twice and in back to back years.
On top of his regular season accolades, Kucherov also has 29 goals and 61 points in 65 playoff games.
The Edmonton Oilers will soon have one of the best powerplays in the league that features Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Seguin and Logan Couture.
2. Colorado Avalanche-(LW) Johnny Gaudreau
Original pick: Gabriel Landeskog
As great as Gabriel Landeskog has been for the Colorado Avalanche, its hard for them to pass up on Johnny Gaudreau.
Johnny Hockey has been nothing short of amazing since joining the NHL and has scored 20+ and 60+ points every year in the league,
except in 2016-17 when he had 18 goals and in 2019-20 when he had 18 goals and 58 points.
Johnny Gaudreau can do it all offensively, is a powerplay wizard and is capable of making other players around him better.
It won't be long before Gaudreau is forming a dynamic duo along with Ryan O'Reilly in Colorado.
3. Florida Panthers-(C) Mark Scheifele
Original pick: Jonathan Huberdeau
Although Jonathan Huberdeau was a terrific player for the Florida Panthers, he wasn't as dependable and productive as Mark Scheifele.
Since the 2015-16 season, Mark Scheifele has scored at least 25 goals and 60+ points, except in 2017-18, when he had 23 goals;
this also included 16 goals and 26 points in 27 playoff games with the Winnipeg Jets.
Mark Scheifele gives the Florida Panthers a top line center that is reliable and a big time clutch performer.
4. New Jersey Devils-(D) Dougie Hamilton
Original pick: Adam Larsson
Even though Adam Larsson ended up landing the Devils Taylor Hall, Dougie Hamilton is by far the best defenseman in this draft, its not even close.
Since the 2014-15 season, Dougie Hamilton has had at least 10 goals and 40 points in every season except in 18-19 when he had 39 points.
The New Jersey Devils add a true number 1 defenseman, something they haven't had since Scott Niedermayer left.
5. New York Islanders-(LW) Jonathan Huberdeau
Original pick: Ryan Strome
The New York Islanders have John Tavares, but he needs some offensive help, so they add Jonathan Huberdeau, a dynamic playmaking winger.
Jonathan Huberdeau is turning into the premier offensive players in the league;
after a down year in 2016-17, Huberdeau has put up 69, 92 and 78 points in consecutive seasons.
The great thing about adding Huberdeau is that he doesn't have to rely on Tavares, so they can put him on a seperate line and spread out the offense.
6. Ottawa Senators-(LW) Gabriel Landeskog
Original pick: Mika Zibanejad
Mika Zibanejad didn't quite meet the Ottawa Senators expectations for him, so they select Gabriel Landeskog instead.
Gabriel Landeskog is everything you want in hockey player, he is skilled, plays hard, has tremendous hockey sense and is a good leader.
The Ottawa Senators are getting a player that can make an immediate impact on the team and will be the captain in the near future.
7. Winnipeg Jets-(G) John Gibson
Original pick: Mark Scheifele
It will be near impossible to replace Mark Scheifele, who has been nothing short of spectacular for Winnipeg since joining the NHL.
However John Gibson would be a great consolation prize considering he is an elite goalie that will be playing behind a stacked defense,
that features the likes of Erik Karlsson, Oliver Ekman Larsson, Alex Edler.
The Winnipeg Jets could be Stanley cup favorites once John Gibson is ready to take the reigns as the number 1 goalie.
8. Philadelphia Flyers-(C) Sean Couturier
Original pick: Sean Couturier
The Philadelphia Flyers still select Sean Couturier because they need center especially cause Claude Giroux was drafted by the Washington Capitals.
Sean Couturier was a prospect that was once considered to be the best player in the draft but he fell because of his world junior showing.
Now that Couturier doesn't have much competition for the Number 1 center spot, he would have become an elite center way earlier than he did.
9. Boston Bruins-(C) Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Original pick: Dougie Hamilton
Dougie Hamilton isn't available anymore, so the Boston Bruins will draft the safest player in the draft Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
There is nothing flashy or that stands out about Nugent-Hopkins but you know you are getting a great two way center that will get you 50-60 points a season.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would have flourished on a team like the Boston Bruins and might have turned into a Patrice Bergeron type player.
10. Minnesota Wild-(C) Mika Zibanejad
Original pick: Jonas Brodin
Jonas Brodin was a pretty solid player, but it was way too early to draft a defensive defenseman, so the Minnesota Wild select Mika Zibanejad instead.
Mika Zibanejad is starting to become one of the elite centers in the league and he's going to a Minnesota team that is need of an elite offensive center.
Zibanejad gives Minnesota, an elite offensive player and a core piece for the future.
11. Colorado Avalanche-(D) Oscar Klefbom
Original pick: Duncan Siemens
At this point the Colorado Avalanche really need to draft a defenseman since Tyson Barrie was stolen in the last draft.
Oscar Klefbom is a good puck moving defenseman that plays in all situations and can log tons of minutes.
Oscar Klefbom would get every opportunity to be the number 1 defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche, a team in desperate need of defensive help.
12. Carolina Hurricanes-(LW/RW) Brandon Saad
Original pick: Ryan Murphy
Instead of selecting Ryan Murphy, the Carolina Hurricanes select Brandon Saad.
Brandon Saad was an important part of 2 stanley cup teams with the Chicago Blackhawks;
he also had 5 20+ goal seasons in his career, with his best season coming in 2015-16, when he had 31 Goals and 53 points as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Carolina Hurricanes are added a steady and reliable winger in Brandon Saad, that that excels in pressure situations and playing with Star talent.
13. Calgary Flames-(LW/RW) Rickard Rakell
Original pick: Sven Baertschi
After losing Johnny Gaudreau, the Calgary Flames need to get a dynamic offensive player like Rickard Rakell.
Even though Rakell might not put up the same point totals are Gaudreau, he is a highly gifted offensive player and can be both a scorer and playmaker.
Rickard Rakell will be one of the key pieces for the Calgary Flames moving forward.
14. Dallas Stars-(LW/RW/C) JT Miller
Original pick: Jamie Oleksiak
Jamie Oleksiak didn't live up to the expectations of being a first round pick, so the Dallas Stars select JT Miller instead.
JT Miller just had a breakout season with the Vancouver Canucks putting up 27 goals and 72 points,
but before that he had 3 20+ goal seasons with the split between the Rangers and Lightning.
The Dallas Stars are getting a forward in JT miller, who plays all three forward positions, that also plays in all situations.
15. New York Rangers-(C) Vincent Trocheck
Original pick: JT Miller
JT Miller isn't available anymore, so the New York Rangers select Vincent Trocheck, a great two way center.
Vincent Trocheck had a great 3 year run where he put up 20+ goals and 50+ points;
his best season was in 2017-18 when he put up 31 goals and 75 points.
With the New York Rangers, Trocheck would find himself being the number 1 center because they don't have great centers on the team.
16. Buffalo Sabres-(G) Jordan Binnington
Original pick: Joel Armia
Jordan Binnington was a late bloomer but it is okay because the Buffalo Sabres had Ryan Miller at the time so they wouldn't be in need of a number 1 goalie right away.
Ryan Miller was traded in the 2013-14 season, so the Sabres would have to just find a short term solution for 2 seasons until Binnington takes the reigns in 2017-18.
With Binnington in goal, the Sabres would have solved their goaltending issues for at least the next 10 years.
17. Montreal Canadiens-(LW) Ondrej Palat
Original pick: Nathan Beaulieu
Ondrej Palat has been an important part of the Tampa Bay Lightning core and is and incredibly underrated player.
Palat has scored 328 points in 496 games as well as 21 G and 42 points in 67 playoff games.
The Montreal Canadiens are getting a player that could excel not matter where you play him in the lineup.
18. Chicago Blackhawks-(C) William Karlsson
Original pick: Mark McNeil
Mark McNeil was a bust for the Chicago Blackhawks, so they select William Karlsson instead.
William Karlsson is a late bloomer who had career high 43 goals and 78 points in 2017-18;
while he might not be a 70+ point scorer, you can still expect him to 20+ Goals 55+ points a season
William Karlsson is the perfect center to play with Patrick Kane because he doesn't have to do the heavy lifting, he can just worry about scoring goals.
19. Edmonton Oilers-(D) Adam Larsson
Original pick: Oscar Klefbom
Since Oscar Klefbom isn't available anymore, the Edmonton Oilers select Adam Larsson.
Adam Larsson is a sound two way defenseman, who logs heavy minutes and is a good penalty killer.
By drafting Adam Larsson, the Edmonton Oilers get a top pair shutdown defenseman that will log 20+ minutes a game
20. Phoenix Coyotes-(D) Jonas Brodin
Original pick: Connor Murphy
Instead of selecting Connor Murphy, the Phoenix Coyotes select Jonas Brodin.
The Coyotes really needed a left defenseman and Jonas Brodin was the 2nd best Left defense in the draft behind Oscar Klefbom.
Brodin and Subban would form a very suitable shutdown pair for the Phoenix Coyotes.
21. Ottawa Senators-(C) Philip Danault
Original pick: Stefan Noesen
After selecting Gabriel Landeskog with their first selection, the Ottawa Senators select Philip Danault.
Philip Danault is the most underrated player in this draft because his stats don't actually relect his value to his team.
Danault has been the Canadiens top line center since 2016-17 and has been their most dependable center in all situations.
While Danault might not be putting eye popping stats, he is a terrific two way player and a great faceoff man.
Danault will be a great 1st line center for the Ottawa Senators, which is an absolute steal at this point in the draft.
22. Toronto Maple Leafs-(C) Ryan Strome
Original pick: Tyler Biggs
Tyler Biggs was a massive bust for the Toronto Maple Leafs, so they select Ryan Strome instead.
Ryan Strome just had a breakout season this season with the New York Rangers putting up 41 Assists and 59 points;
although he hasn't meet his draft expectations, he is still a good player if he plays for the right team.
Ryan Strome would be a good 2nd line center for the Toronto Maple Leafs if he plays with another star player.
23. Pittsburgh Penguins-(C) JG Pageau
Original pick: Joe Morrow
Joe Morrow was a disappointing first round pick for the Pittsburgh Penguins, so they select JG Pageau instead.
JG Pageau is a terrific two way center who just had a career high 26 goals this season and might continue get better at the age of 27.
The Penguins could really use a sound two way center like JG Pageau as their third line center.
24. Ottawa Senators-(C) Boone Jenner
Original pick: Matt Puempel
After selecting Gabriel Landeskog, Philip Danault with the Ottawa Senators select Boone Jenner.
Boone Jenner isn't going to get a ton of goals or points, but he is a reliable two way forward that plays in all situations.
The Ottawa Senators are getting a heart an soul type player in Boone Jenner, who is reliable and a coach favorite.
25. Toronto Maple Leafs-(D) Josh Manson
Original pick: Stuart Percy
Stuart Percy was a major bust for the Toronto Maple Leafs, so they select Josh Manson instead.
Josh Manson is a physical defenseman that plays a hard nosed game and is a good penalty killer and leader.
The Toronto Maple Leafs get a major upgrade on defense by adding a stable defensive defenseman in Josh Manson.
26. Chicago Blackhawks-(LW/RW) Ryan Dzingel
Original pick: Philip Danault
After selecting William Karlsson with their first selection, the Chicago Blackhawks select Ryan Dzingel.
Ryan Dzingel is a solid 3rd line scorer in the NHL; he has scored 20 goals twice with the Ottawa Senators.
Dzingel would be a nice role player on the Blackhawks as they try to build a contending team.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning-(C) Victor Rask
Original pick: Vladislav Namestnikov
Rather than selecting Vladislav Namestnikov, the Tampa Bay Lightning select Victor Rask.
Victor Rask was a pretty solid player until he suffered a hand injury in the 2018 offseason;
his best season was in 2015-16 when he put up 21 Goals and 48 points.
Victor Rask would be a solid 3rd line center if given the opportunity to play for a team like the Tampa Bay Lightning.
28. Minnesota Wild-(LW/C) Blake Coleman
Original pick: Zack Phillips
Rather than selecting Zack Phillips, the Minnesota Wild select Blake Coleman.
Blake Coleman is a hard worker and gritty forward that is speedy and plays in all situations.
The Minnesota Wild are getting a very versatile, heart and soul type player like Blake Coleman.
29. Vancouver Canucks-(LW/RW) Vladislav Namestnikov
Original pick: Nicklas Jensen
Instead of selecting Nicklas Jensen, the Vancouver Canucks select Vladislav Namestnikov.
Vladislav Namestnikov is a very talented forward but he is incredibly streaky but he should be a fine fit on a very skilled Vancouver team.
Namestnikov should be a solid 2nd or 3rd line forward for the Canucks.
30. Anaheim Ducks-(D) Joel Edmundson
Original pick: Rickard Rakell
Since Josh Manson isn't available anymore, the Anaheim Ducks select Joel Edmundson, a solid defensive defenseman.
Joel Edmundson was a crucial part of the Blues Defense when they won the cup in the 2019.
Edmundson is a great defenseman to pair with a good puck moving defenseman.
Winners:
Ottawa Senators
Added: Gabriel Landeskog, Philip Danault, Boone Jenner Lost: Mika Zibanejad, Stefan Noesen, Matt Puempel
New York Islanders
Added: Jonathan Huberdeau Lost: Ryan Strome
Carolina Hurricanes
Added: Brandon Saad Lost: Ryan Murphy
Buffalo Sabres
Added: Jordan Binnington Lost: Joel Armia
Losers:
Tampa Bay Lightning
Lost: Nikita Kucherov, Ondrej Palat, Vladislav Namestnikov Added: Victor Rask
Anaheim Ducks
Lost: John Gibson, Rickard Rakell, Josh Manson Added: Joel Edmundson
Calgary Flames
Lost Johnny Gaudreau, Sven Baertschi Added: Rickard Rakell
Florida Panthers
Lost: Jonathan Huberdeau, Vincent Trocheck Added: Mark Scheifele
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