NHL Entry Draft: Re-Selecting First 30 Picks From 2012
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; General view of team executives on the arena floor in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Re-Drafting the 2012 NHL Entry Draft: 4 years later a lot of surprises have been discovered. So how would the first round look with a re-do?
The NHL entry draft is always full of surprises. The first thirty picks are looked at as serious NHL prospects, while most of this is true. It’s not until years later that we really get to see if they matched their ranking or not when we do these for fun re-drafts. Majority of the time, there are more 2nd round picks that end up playing more games than half of the 1st rounders. This is because scouts look at how well players do during their junior careers without playing a numbers game that translates over to the NHL. Thankfully the 2014 season brought aboard the corsi system to help general managers make better decisions on players when it comes to puck possession and point-per-game averages heading into future NHL Entry Drafts.
This re-draft from 2012 is going to be just that, based on numbers. Games played with points accumulated to re-determine where players should be now. Believe it or not, some of these guys remained exactly where they were originally selected, while others went up a few spots and vice versa. Some players were selected as a cornerstone piece, a future starting goaltender, or a grinder.
The Edmonton Oilers won the 1st overall pick in 2012 NHL Entry Draft, which was the same position as the year before. But when they drafted Nail Yakupov, he didn’t quite match 2011’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. And if given a re-do, Edmonton would more than likely choose someone else. Out of the thirty picks selected in the 1st round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, 14 were Canadian, 6 were American, 3 were Russian and the other 7 were from 4 different countries.
So lets take a look at where these players would be now if the 2012 NHL Entry Draft was to be re-done.
Apr 9, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Arizona Coyotes forward Henrik Samuelsson (15) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Schmaltz
D, Green Bay (USHL)
Originally selected by St. Louis 25th overall in the NHL entry draft, Jordan falls to number 30. Schmaltz has yet to play a single NHL game. He made his pro debut during the 2015-16 season with Chicago of the AHL. Where in 71 games he scored 36 points and finished with a -10 rating. He was expected to play for Chicago this season as well but has yet to appear in a game. Jordan’s success came in the NCAA where in 125 career games, Jordan scored 64 points with a career +21 rating. In 2009-10 Jordan won a U-17 World Hockey Championship for the United States. And in 2011-12 he won the Clark Cup, an NCAA Championship. Now, it is harder for defenseman to transition into the NHL than forwards. But hopefully he does in the next couple of years instead of becoming a future draft bust.
Mark Jankowski
C, Stanstead College (Prep School)
Mark Jankowski was selected 21st overall by Calgary in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He falls to number 29 since he’s yet to also play an NHL game. In 2015-16, Jankowski made his pro debut for Stockton of the AHL scoring 6 points in 8 games. Mark split that season with Providence College in the NCAA where in 38 games he tallied 40 points. This year Jankowski is playing for Stockton of the AHL once again. So far in 8 games he has 10 points with a +4 rating. Mark is showing his offensive prowess, so hopefully he can eventually crack the Calgary lineup in the near future and be a force with the Flames.
Henrik Samuelsson
C, Edmonton (WHL)
Although Brady Skjei is proving to be a good player, you’ll see why he’s moved up later in this article. And why Henrik has fallen. Originally selected 27th overall by Arizona in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Henrik’s fallen to 28th overall. He made his pro debut during the 2014-15 season. He played three games with Arizona not scoring a single point and had a minus 2 rating. Henrik would finish off that season with Portland in the AHL playing a total of 68 games scoring 40 points with a +10 rating. In 2015-16, Henrik’s point totals took a significant decrease. In 43 contests he’s tallied up 12 points along with a rating of -20. This year Henrik is back in the AHL where in 5 games he has yet to score and sits with a +1 rating. Henrik has great offensive abilities and with the youth movement taking over Arizona, expect him to crack the lineup next season.
Brendan Gaunce
C, Belleville (OHL)
Originally selected 26th overall by Vancouver in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Brendan Gaunce falls back one position to 27th. Gaunce wouldn’t make his pro debut until the 2014-15 season with Utica of the AHL. He would spend that entire season with the club scoring 29 points in 74 games with a -1 rating. The following season Gaunce would split the year between Utica and Vancouver. In 20 games with the Canucks, Gaunce scored only 1 point in 20 games. While with Utica he tallied up 38 in 46 games. This season Brendan’s currently spent all his time with the big club playing all 13 games. However he’s only scored 1 point and is a -3. Gaunce still has 69 games with Vancouver, that’s if he manages to stay with the club and be healthy, but given current production he could end up back in Utica.
Mike Matheson
D, Dubuque (USHL)
Despite falling back 3 spots, and coming into his own this season with Florida. Mike is still behind 25 other players who are doing very, very well. Mike would split the 2014-15 season between Boston College and San Antonio of the AHL. With Boston, Mike scored 25 points in 38 games with a -4 rating. His time with San Antonio that year he played in 5 games tallying 2 points and finished as a +1. His 2015-16 season was split between Florida and Portland. In three games that season with Florida, Matheson didn’t register a single point along with a -1 rating. The rest of that season with Portland he scored 20 points in 54 games and finished as a +14. Those numbers were good enough to give him an extended look this season, where so far he’s scored 4 points in 12 games. Matheson is definitely stepping into his own as a solid defenseman for Florida. But as stated above, 25 other players have done a little more thus far.
Oct 22, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Brady Skjei (76) advances the puck as Washington Capitals center Jay Beagle (83) follows during the first period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Slater Koekkoek
D, Peterborough (OHL)
Slater seemed to be a solid pick at 10th overall during the NHL Entry Draft, but he has yet to live up to that ranking. In this re-draft he falls 16 spots. Slater made his pro debut for the 2014-15 season with Tampa Bay. He only played three games that season for them not registering a single point. He would play the rest of that year with Syracuse of the AHL. Where he would tally 26 points in 72 games with a +7 rating. The next year he would also start with Tampa again this time playing nine games, scoring 1 point as well as being a -1. Koekkoek would than again return to Syracuse where in 60 games he tallied 15 points. This year so far he’s played in 4 games for Tampa with 3 points along with a +2 rating. He has also played 5 games for Syracuse so far putting up 2 points while being a +3. Slater’s career points-per-game average currently sits at 0.25%. The 2017-18 season is looking as a lock for Slater to become a top 6 defenseman for Tampa, if not he could go back to Syracuse, or be traded. Only time will tell.
Brady Skjei
D, US NTDP (USHL)
Brady Skjei was originally selected 28th overall by the New York Rangers. But in this re-draft he’s moving up 4 spots. The reason being is because Brady is becoming a very serious defenseman for the Rangers. If Boston drafted him in this position he would have been a significant piece for their d-core. Brady made his pro debut when he split 2014-15 between the NCAA and Hartford of the AHL. That year Skjei played 33 games and scored 10 points. While with Hartford he didn’t tally a single point in 8 games but finished as a +2. In 2015-16, Skjei would start with Hartford scoring 28 points in 68 games giving him a look for the Rangers. But in 7 games Brady didn’t score a single point. This year however he’s become a mainstay on the blue-line where in 13 games he has 8 points. He’s also a +3 so far on the season. Brady’s points-per-game average currently sits at 0.40%, it’s sure to increase since he’s more than likely to play the entire season with the blue shirts.
Griffin Reinhart
D, Edmonton (WHL)
Probably the biggest differential in this entire re-draft. Griffin was selected 4th overall in 2012 by the New York Islanders. He’s now sitting at number 23 for Florida. Reinhart’s pro debut came during the 2014-15 season. Where in 8 games for the Islanders he would only score 1 point while being a -1 player. He would also spend that year with Bridgeport of the AHL, where in 59 games he’d score 22 points. Griffin was ultimately traded to Edmonton the following year. During his first year with the Oilers, Griffin would manage to stick it out for 29 games. However during those 29 games he only scored 1 point and was a -6 player. Reinhart would see AHL time again, this time with Bakersfield. In 30 games for Bakersfield that year Reinhart put up 10 points. This year he’s back with Bakersfield yet again, and so far in 4 games he hasn’t registered a single point.
Stefan Matteau
C, US NTDP (USHL)
Following his draft year, Stefan would debut in the pros for the Albany Devils. That year he would play in 67 games scoring 26 points as well as being a +6. His first time in the NHL would come the following season, however he would only play 7 games and score once for the Devils. He’d also spend that year with Albany once again, this time doing much better in a lesser game total. In 61 games, Stefan would tally up 27 points. He would than again split the following year between the NHL and AHL. In 2015-16 Matteau would play 20 games for the Devils only scoring once. While with Albany he only played one game not scoring a point before being traded to Montreal. When he arrived to Montreal, Matteau would appear in 12 games registering just one point. He’d finish that year as a -4 with Montreal and a -9 with New Jersey. This year he’s with Montreal’s AHL affiliate in St. Johns. Through 10 games Stefan has scored 7 times and is a +2. He’s definitely showing promise. Now if he’s able to continue his upward progression, expect him to finish this year in the Canadiens lineup.
Derrick Pouliot
D, Portland (WHL)
Derrick Pouliot would have been a perfect pick for the Flames. If he wasn’t taken earlier in the draft. Pouliot was originally selected 8th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pouliot wouldn’t make his pro debut until the 2014-15 season. In 34 games for Pittsburgh, Derrick scored 7 points and finished with a -11 rating. He would also spend that season with Wilkes-Barre in the AHL. During 31 games with the Scranton Penguins, Pouliot would tally up 24 points with a +2 rating. In 2015-16 Derrick would start with Wilkes-Barre appearing in 37 contests. He would score 23 points with a +15 rating. Derrick eventually got called back up to Pittsburgh, where in 22 games he notched 7 points as well as being a +4. Derrick would win a Stanley Cup that season as well. This year he’s only played one game for the Pens before getting injured. Theirs a reason why he’s number 21 on this re-draft. 20 other players have played more games and have scored more points.
Oct 20, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Teuvo Teravainen (86) during the face off against Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Radek Faksa
C, Kitchener (OHL)
Radek falls from 13th overall to 20th. During the 2012-13 season with Kitchener of the OHL, Radek would appear in 2 games for the Texas Stars. In those 2 games, Radek would only score 1 point. In 2013-14 the same scenario played out for Radek as he would split the season between Kitchener, Sudbury and Texas. However that season he would play 4 more games than last years for a total of 6. In those 6 games Faksa scored 3 points with a -2 rating. In 2014-15 Radek would go on to spend the entire season with Texas, where in 32 games played he scored 10 points and was a -13. He would finally get time with Dallas in 2015-16 where he would suit up for 45 games scoring 12 times and a respectable +/- of +9. He’d also spend that year with Texas yet again. This time however he was almost a point-per-game player scoring 26 in 28 games. This year he’s with Dallas again, where in 12 games he’s scored 2 points and currently sits even in the +/- category. If Radek can translate his AHL success over to the NHL on a regular basis, he’s gonna be a serious player.
Scott Laughton
C, Oshawa (OHL)
Originally selected 20th overall, Scott Laughton is moving up one position in this re-draft. Cause well, this re-draft is based on points along with games played professionally. Scott made his professional debut in the 2012-13 season when he split the year between Oshawa, Philadelphia and Adirondack of the AHL. In 5 games that year with Philly, Scott didn’t score a single point. However in 6 games with Adirondack he scored 3 points and was a +2. Scott spent the whole 2013-14 season with Oshawa scoring 87 points in 54 games. Which would somewhat translate to pro hockey for the 2014-15 season. He would start the year with Philadelphia scoring 6 points in 31 games. However in 39 games with Adirondack he tallied 27 points despite being a -16 player. In 2015-16 Scott would spend the entire year in Philadelphia playing a total of 71 contests. Unfortunately he only managed 21 points and was a minus 2. This year he has yet to play a single game with the Flyers, but in 2 games with Lehigh Valley of the AHL he’s scored 2 points.
Teuvo Teravainen
RW, Jokerit (SM Liiga)
Teravainen was originally selected 18th overall by Chicago in 2012, and he ends up in the same position in the re-draft. Teuvo made his pro transition during the 2013-14 season while splitting it between Jokerit, Rockford and Chicago. In 5 games for the Blackhawks that year he didn’t manage a single point. However in 5 games with Rockford he did manage 2. In 2014-15, Teravainen played 39 games with Rockford scoring 25 points while being a -6. In Chicago however in 34 games he notched 9 points and had a +4 rating. His best season would come in 2015-16 where he would appear in 78 games for Chicago scoring 35 points. During the 2016 off-season, Teuvo was traded to Carolina, so far this year with the Hurricanes he has 3 points in 11 games with a -7 rating.
Mikhail Grigorenko
C, Quebec (QMJHL)
Originally selected 12th overall, Mikhail falls to 17th. Mikhail’s pro debut would come the year following the draft. In 2012-13 he would split the year between Quebec of the QMJHL and the Sabres. During his time with Quebec that year, Mikhail scored 54 points in 33 games. Which gave him instant respect from Buffalo. But unfortunately he only scored 5 points in 25 games while being a -1. In 2014-15 Mikhail would split the year between Rochester and Buffalo having himself a respectable season. In his 43 games with Rochester he would net 35 points. However while with Buffalo he would only play another 25 games, this time scoring 6 points while being a -10 on the year. But in June of 2015, Mikhail was traded to Colorado, where that year he played a 74 game season scoring 27 points with a +2 rating. This year he’s played in 12 games for the Aves, tallying 4 points while being a -2.
Tanner Pearson
LW, Barrie (OHL)
Tanner Pearson has really developed himself as a serious player for the Kings. And since he was taken 30th overall, he was available for Washington at number 16. Tanner’s first pro season came in 2012-13 when he split the year between Los Angeles and Manchester of the AHL. He didn’t play a single game with the Kings that year. However he did play 64 games for Manchester scoring 47 points with a fantastic +17 rating. And in 2013-14, Pearson finally debuted for Los Angeles appearing in 25 games scoring 7 points with a rating of +2. He would also play 41 games with Manchester scoring 32 points with another respectable +11. Over the next two seasons, Tanner would play 121 games scoring 52 points with a rating of +25. This year he’s playing with the Kings again and through 10 games he has 7 points and is a +3. Easy to say Tanner would have helped Washington with their playoff woes.
Oct 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta (3) skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals during the first period at the PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mathew Dumba
D, Red Deer (WHL)
While not as big as Cody Ceci, Dumba is a better offensive defenseman which would have complimented Erik Karlsson nicely. Originally selected 7th overall by Minnesota, Dumba falls to 15th. Dumba has played a total of 163 career NHL games. In those 163 games Dumba has scored 48 points with a career +12. He would also spend 2 years in the AHL playing a total of 23 games scoring 14 points. This year Dumba has appeared in 11 games for Minnesota tallying 4 points. He’s expected to increase his overall point production. That’s if he can stay healthy again and play a full season.
Ryan Murray
D, Everett (WHL)
Murray drops 12 spots in this re-draft. He was selected 2nd overall by Columbus in 2012. However due to games played as well as point production he’s seen a significant drop in the draft. In 165 career NHL games, all with Columbus. Murray has tallied 49 points as well as being a career -6. In 2011-12 Murray won a Bronze medal for the U-12 World Junior Championships. And in 2015-16 he would also win a Gold Medal in the World Championships for Team Canada. Murray has been a mainstay on Columbus’ blue line since being drafted. And this year he’s expected to follow that trend again. If he can manage to stay healthy.
Malcolm Subban
G, Belleville (OHL)
Malcolm Subban suffered a significant injury that stalled his career for a season and ultimately his growth. However Subban is currently bouncing back in the AHL. Which is why he’s being moved up from 24th overall to 13th. Subban has only played in 2 NHL games. However in the AHL he has played a total of 101 games. And he’s only won 45 of them. So far this season with Providence he has a 2.46 goals-against-average with a .911 save percentage. Subban is finally showing his potential and it’s only a matter of time before he pushes Anton Khudobin out of the net. And in Dallas they could have used a solid goalie prospect since Niemi is close to retirement.
Olli Maatta
D, London (OHL)
Olli Maatta is jumping 10 spots in this re-draft. Now imagine how Buffalo’s blue-line would look with Ristolainen and Maatta together? That’s an amazing combo and due to Olli’s play the last 3 season’s is why he’s moving up. Maatta is an amazing puck moving defenseman. And so far in 178 career NHL games, Olli has tallied up 58 points as well as being a career +42. Olli also has 1 Bronze Medal in the Olympic Games in 2014., 1 Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2 OHL Championships in 2012 and 2013. Maatta is a serious player. But so are the next 11.
Filip Forsberg
RW, Leksands IF (Allsvenskan)
Filip Forsberg remains in the same position in this re-draft. Despite being a career -1. Forsberg has managed two 60+ point seasons in his career. During his 5 year NHL career, Forsberg has a total of 141 points in 194 games. He also has 1 U-20 World Junior Championship Gold medal, 2 World Junior Championship U-18 Silver medals and 2 World Junior Championship U-20 Silver medals. Now if only Washington had kept him instead of trading him for two players that didn’t amount too much for the Capitals. Ovechkin–Backstrom–Forsberg. That would probably be one of the best lines in the NHL today.
Oct 28, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Cody Ceci (5) skates against Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Jacob Trouba
D, US NTDP (USHL)
If Trouba wasn’t taken 9th overall he would have been the best choice for Tampa Bay at number 10. Unfortunately he was, but in the re-draft he has fallen one position landing right in Tampa’s lap. Jacob has already shown he’s the better defenseman and is already years ahead of Slater. Trouba has played in 211 career NHL games. And in those 211 games, he has tallied 72 points with a career +16. Jacob has yet to appear for Winnipeg this season due to contract negotiations. But he’s expected to debut within the next week now that he’s signed a new 2 year deal. In 2010-11 Jacob brought home a U-17 World Hockey Championship Silver medal and a U-18 World Junior Championship Gold medal. He would win another World Junior Championship Gold in 2011-12 for the U-18 squad. In 2012-13 he would also bring home a U-20 World Junior Championship Gold medal along with a World Championship Bronze medal. Trouba is one stud of a defenseman. And in years to come he will soon become an all-star for the league.
Tomas Hertl
C, Slavia Prague (EHL)
Originally selected 17th, Hertl is moving up 8 positions. Despite breaking 45+ points only once in his 4 year career. He’s managed to appear in 213 career games for the Sharks. And has totalled 110 points with a +22 rating. He possess everything you need to succeed in the NHL, the only downside is his skating ability is only average. So far this year Hertl has played 13 games for San Jose. Hertl would have come in right away and helped Winnipeg’s top six. In 2009-10 Hertl was a U-18 Champion for the Czech Republic. And in 2012-13 he’d get a Bronze medal for the Czech’s as well.
Zemgus Girgensons
C, Dubuque (USHL)
Girgensons was available at number 8 so how he slipped to 14, is a mystery. If Pittsburgh took him he would have helped their Centre position. Cause they have had to constantly re-adjust it every two seasons. Zemgus has appeared in 214 career games so far for Buffalo, only scoring 74 points. Now imagine his point total if he was to play the same amount in Pittsburgh. In 2010-11, Zemgus won a Clark Cup Championship in the USHL, a year before Jordan Schmaltz did it. He was also elected to participate in the 2014-15 NHL All-Star game. So far this season through 12 games, Girgensons has only scored 4 points and is a -2. To bad Pittsburgh didn’t take him with their 8th overall pick.
Andrei Vasilevskiy
G, Tolpar Ufa (MHL)
With Vasilevskiy ready to take the helm in Tampa Bay. He would have been a great choice for Minnesota since he wasn’t taken by Tampa until number 19. During the next season Minnesota would be bouncing goalies around with, Josh Harding, Ilya Bryzgalov and Niklas Backstrom. Vasilevskiy would have come in and been a solid backup from the start. Thus solving Minnesota’s goalie issues. To date Andrei has played 40 career games winning 18 contests. And to go with those 18 wins, he has a career 2.60 goals-against-average with a .913 save percentage. This is easily Ben Bishop’s last year with the Lightning, meaning the net will soon belong to Vasilevskiy.
Cody Ceci
D, Ottawa (OHL)
Cody Ceci is quickly establishing himself as a star defensive defenseman for Ottawa. Which is why he’s moving up 9 spots. Cody has become a top 4 d-man for the Sens playing in 217 games. In those 217 games, Ceci has 58 points along with a career plus minus of -6. Ceci’s best offensive season came in 2011-12 with the Ottawa 67’s. In 64 games Cody scored 60 points. Also during last years World Hockey Championships, Cody bring home a Gold medal. He would place that beside his 2009-10 U-17 World Hockey Championship Silver medal. Cody is just a few years away from becoming an all-star for the Senators.
Oct 24, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Alex Galchenyuk (27) warms up before the first period against Philadelphia Flyers at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Hampus Lindholm
D, Rogle BK (Allsvenskan)
Another future all-star defenseman, Hampus Lindholm was originally selected 6th overall. Like Trouba, he also held out on contract negotiations to start the season. And has also yet to appear in a game. So far through his 236 game career, Lindholm has 92 points. He also has a career +61 rating. Which would have helped Toronto big time on their blue line. Let’s not forget about his size, he’s 6’2, 216 pounds. In 2011-12, Lindholm won a U-18 World Junior Championship Silver medal. Now Morgan Rielly is also a future superstar defenseman, but you’ll see why he was moved up in this re-draft.
Tom Wilson
RW, Plymouth (OHL)
Tom Wilson is another winger who is starting to establish his grinding dominance in the NHL. He’s also a very durable player as well. So far playing two full 82 game seasons during his 5 years as a pro. Originally selected 16th overall, Wilson moves up to number 4. So far through his 243 game career, Wilson has scored 51 points. He’s also a career +7. He’s a winger the Islanders could have used very badly in the bottom 6. In 2010-11 Wilson won a U-17 World Hockey Championship Gold medal. And he also appeared in the 2011-12 CHL Top Prospects game.
Morgan Rielly
D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Morgan is on the cusp of breaking the 250 game mark at only 22 years of age. Originally selected 5th overall by the Maple Leafs. Morgan moves up to 3rd. Rielly has played 249 career games to date. In those 249 games, Morgan has scored 98 points despite being a career -49 player. Morgan has a U-17 World Hockey Championship Bronze medal, a 2011-12 Ivan Hlinka Gold medal. And a 2015-16 World Hockey Championship Gold medal that he won with number 14’s Ryan Murray. Morgan is very well on his way to becoming a top 5 defenseman in the NHL. And a possible future captain for the Maple Leafs.
Nail Yakupov
RW, Sarnia (OHL)
Even though Nail has yet to live up to expectations of being drafted first overall, he has played 263 career NHL games. In those 263 games, Nail has scored 115 points. And is also a career -87. During the start of the 2016-17 season, Yakupov was traded to St. Louis for a fresh start. Where in 11 games so far he has 4 points and is a +1. Maybe that’s all he needed was a fresh start. He has the potential and the talent. But Edmonton didn’t seem to be the right fit. In 2010-11 Nail won CHL Rookie of the Year along with a U-18 World Junior Championship Bronze medal. The following year he won a U-20 World Junior Championship Silver medal. And in 2012-13 he’d win a U-20 World Junior Championship Bronze medal. Yakupov has all the tools to be an elite scorer in the NHL. He just needs to get his game on track. And than he could very well be one of the best turn around players of all time, rather than 1st round draft busts of all time.
Alex Galchenyuk
C, Sarnia (OHL)
Easily the best player in the entire 2012 NHL Entry Draft. It’s no surprise that Galchenyuk is now going first overall. This season he’s taken complete control of the Canadiens. Where in 13 games he has 13 points. And is also a +9. If Edmonton had chosen him instead of his teammate, their Centre core would look very, very good. Galchenyuk, McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins and Draisaitl. That is just outstanding. Unfortunately they didn’t but in this re-draft, they did. Alex has played 288 career games so far with a career total of 173 points. He’s also a career +11. In 2012-13 Galchenyuk brought home two medals, 1 Gold in the U-20 World Junior Championships. And the other being a Bronze in the World Hockey Championships.
That’s the joy with re-drafts, they show us where players should have been selected once enough time has passed. In the next 4 years, this list could very well change again. So let us know what you think of this re-draft and where you would place these first round players. Expect many more re-drafts to come. If a certain one should be done, feel free to let us know which year.
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