Hockeywiztalks Hockey Blog

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...

Cole Perfetti Saginaw Spirit OHL 5'10"/ 177 lb C Size/Strength         Average Skating         Average Shot/Scoring         Excellent Puckhandling          Excellent Physical Play         Average Offensive Play        Excellent Defensive Play Below Average Hockey Sense         Excellent Competitiveness      Great Strengths 1. Highly Skilled player with a high hockey IQ, is an excellent puck handler has a quick release on his shot 2. Elite passer and scorer with exceptional vision 3. very dynamic offensive player and a point producing machine Cause for Concern 1. not a great skater but has improved throughout the season 2. undersized center; could be an issue going up against bigger centers in the NHL 3. Defensive play needs to be improved if he wants be a center in the...

The Toronto Maple Leafs were the worst team in the Northeast Division during the 2007-2008 season; they were an aging team and in need of some fresh young talent. The Rebuild starts at the 2008 draft, where a few trades are made: Toronto Maple Leafs trade Mats Sundin to the Chicago Blackhawks for Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, 1st round pick 2008. The Chicago Blackhawks get Star Center that gets a chance to play for a contending team, while the Maple Leafs get two good young players in Ladd and Byfuglien and a 1st round pick. Bryan McCabe, Nik Antropov, 2nd round pick 2010 are traded to the Dallas Stars for Matt Niskanen, Loui Eriksson. Dallas Stars get Bryan McCabe a top 4 defenseman to round out the defense and Nik Antropov and big forward to play in the top 6. Toronto Maple Leafs get Matt Niskanen, a solid young defenseman and Loui Eriksson, a solid two way forward. Tomas Kaberle, Darcy Tucker are traded to the Buffalo Sabres for 1st round pick 2008, 1st round pick ...

The 1994 NHL was a really deep draft that saw the likes of Daniel Alfredsson being picked in the 6th round, as well as Tim Thomas, Evgeni Nabokov, Tomas Vokoun and Steve Sullivan picked in the 9th round. If the 1994 NHL draft were redraft, the landscape of the NHL would be very different. *If you haven't read my previous blogs in the redrafting series, i suggest reading those first* 1. Florida Panthers- (RW) Daniel Alfredsson Original pick: Ed Jovanovski While Ed Jovanovski turned into a great defenseman in the NHL, his career didn't take off until he got to Vancouver. Daniel Alfredsson was an impact player from his first season in the league with the Senators to his last. With Alfredsson now on the Panthers, they have a player they can rely on and build around for the next 10-15 years. 2. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim- (LW) Patrik Elias Original pick: Oleg Tverdovsky Oleg Tverdovsky was a major disappointment as the number 2 pick in the draft. Patrik Elias beca...

Lucas Raymond Frolunda HC SHL 5'10"/ 165 lb RW/LW Size/Strength         Below Average Skating         Excellent Shot/Scoring         Excellent Puckhandling          Excellent Physical Play         Excellent Offensive Play Excellent Defensive Play Excellent Hockey Sense         Excellent Competitiveness      Excellent Strengths 1. explosive winger who is equally dangerous with his shot or pass 2. plays a strong two-way game, intensity and has terrific vision 3. Clutch player, exceptional undre pressure, creative in transition and in offensive zone Cause for Concern 1. lack of production due to lack of opportunity of Frolunda 2. Playing against men in North America 3. Undersized player and isn't a top end skater Skill: Two way Winger, with high end playmaking and scoring skills and a great h...

The 2006-07 Philadelphia Flyers were the Worst team in the in entire NHL during the 2006-07 season only to loose out on the Patrick Kane sweepstakes. The Flyers actually had a pretty decent core at this point but they need to retool the roster a bit to be a contending team. The rebuild starts at the 2007 draft where a few trades are made: Joni Pitkanen is traded traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Ron Hainsey, Gilbert Brule, 1st round pick 2007. The Columbus Blue Jackets get a number 1 defenseman in Joni Pitkanen, while the Flyers get Ron Hainsey, a stable top 4 defenseman, Gilbert Brule, a top prospect and Columbus' 1st round pick 2007, that they can use on an impact player. Philadelphia Flyers trade Simon Gagne to the Boston Bruins for Brad Boyes, Dennis Widemen, 1st round pick 2008. Even though Simon Gagne was a huge part of the Philadelphia Flyers, this trade package is too good to turn down. Brad Boyes was a real good up and coming young scorer in the league...

There were 2 eventual hall of famers and 8 all stars selected in the 1993 NHL Draft but it is infamous for having one of the biggest busts of all time. Alexandre Diagle was selected first overall over eventual hall of famers Chris Pronger and Paul Kariya, if this draft were redrafted, the NHL would look very different. *If you didn't check out my previous redrafts, you should look at them first* 1. Ottawa Senators (D) Chris Pronger Original pick: Alexandre Diagle Alexandre Diagle was a huge bust for the Ottawa Senators so getting Chris Pronger a perrenial all star and Hall of Famer is a massive upgrade. Chris Pronger is a franchise changing player, he would immediately stabilize the blueline for the Senators. Defenseman may take more time to develop but true number 1 defenseman like Chris Pronger are tougher to get, which is why he goes number 1 in the draft. 2. Hartford Whalers (LW) Paul Kariya Original pick: Chris Pronger It will be really tough to replace a p...