{"id":12890,"date":"2017-07-11T16:19:16","date_gmt":"2017-07-11T20:19:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=12890"},"modified":"2017-07-11T16:19:16","modified_gmt":"2017-07-11T20:19:16","slug":"re-drafting-the-first-round-of-the-2006-nhl-entry-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2017\/07\/11\/re-drafting-the-first-round-of-the-2006-nhl-entry-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Re-Drafting the First Round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the 2017 NHL Entry Draft Now Over, We Reflect on Draft\u2019s of Year\u2019s Past and Give Them a Re-Do. First Up the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Where Nicklas Backstrom<\/a> Ends Up in a New Spot.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The 2006 NHL draft was definitely an odd one with a lot of players being taken in the first few rounds who didn\u2019t quite live up to expectations, while the superstars we know of today were taken in later rounds. This actually happens more often than not and we don\u2019t get to see it until years and years later.<\/p>\n

There were also quite a few trades that happened during the draft. The Florida Panthers moved Roberto Luongo<\/a><\/strong>, Lukas Krajicek<\/a><\/strong> and their 163rd overall pick (Sergei Shirokov<\/a><\/strong>) to Vancouver in exchange for Todd Bertuzzi<\/a><\/strong>, Alex Auld<\/a><\/strong>, and Bryan Allen<\/a><\/strong>. Next, the Atlanta Thrashers moved Patrik Stefan<\/a><\/strong> and Jaroslav Modry<\/a><\/strong> to Dallas for Niko Kapanen<\/a> <\/strong>and the 210th pick (Will O\u2019Neill<\/strong>). Colorado moved Alex Tanguay<\/a> <\/strong>to Calgary for Jordan Leopold<\/a><\/strong> and the 59th pick (Codey Burki<\/strong>) as well as a conditional pick in either 2007 or 2008.<\/p>\n

Montreal also made a move when they sent their 16th overall pick (Ty Wishart<\/a><\/strong>) to San Jose for their 20th pick (David Fischer<\/strong>) and their 53rd pick (Mathieu Carle<\/a><\/strong>). Los Angeles joined the fun when they sent Pavol Demitra<\/a><\/strong> to Minnesota for Patrick O\u2019Sullivan and their 17th overall pick (Trevor Lewis<\/a>)<\/strong>. And finally one of the worst deals at the draft saw Toronto trade prospect Tuukka Rask<\/a><\/strong> to Boston for Andrew Raycroft<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In this re-draft players will be determined by team needs (for the 2017-18 season) and points per game averages, if there is a\u00a0tie accomplishments will be used to break it. For goaltenders career wins will be used to determine the rankings of said goalies, if two or more goalies have the same amount of wins, accomplishments will be used to break the tie\u2019s as well.<\/p>\n

Re-Drafting the First Round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft<\/h3>\n
30th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 New Jersey from Carolina via St. Louis
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Matt Corrente<\/strong> \u2013 D
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> – Shawn Matthias<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 C<\/h5>\n

The first draft bust of 2006, Matt Corrente didn\u2019t accomplish much in the NHL or AHL for that matter. So what would have been a solid choice for the Devils? Shawn Matthias, as he would have provided the team with a solid third or fourth line center behind Travis Zajac<\/a><\/strong>, Adam Henrique<\/a><\/strong>, and Nico Hischier<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

29th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Phoenix Coyotes via Detroit
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Chris Summers<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 D
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Jhonas Enroth<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 G<\/h5>\n

In this re-draft, Phoenix\u2019s first pick was spent on goaltender Semyon Varlamov<\/a><\/strong>. Now if they had selected backup Jhonas Enroth to help him that would have been a solid combo for the team. Instead, they chose Chris Summers, another guy who didn\u2019t quite amount to much.<\/p>\n

28th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Ottawa Senators
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Nick Foligno<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 LW
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Cal Clutterbuck<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 RW<\/h5>\n

With Nick Foligno now gone in the re-draft, the Ottawa Senators need to look elsewhere for that additional scoring and tenacity. And Cal Clutterbuck would have been a solid choice to make since he can provide both anywhere from the top line to the fourth.<\/p>\n

27th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Dallas Stars
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Ivan Vishnevskiy<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 D
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Andrew MacDonald<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 D<\/h5>\n

Ivan Vishnevskiy played a few games in the NHL, but nothing really made him stand out. Andrew MacDonald, on the other hand, has taken some time to grow but has become a top four defenseman, something the Stars really need at this moment in time.<\/p>\n

26th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Calgary Flames
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Leland Irving<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 G
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Michael Grabner<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 RW<\/h5>\n

As stated above there were quite a bit of first round busts in 06\u2019 and Leland Irving is another guy who is on that list. If the Calgary Flames drafted Michael Grabner and stayed the course, he would be playing alongside Sam Bennett<\/a><\/strong> and Troy Brouwer<\/a><\/strong> which is a pretty solid second line.<\/p>\n

25th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 St. Louis Blues via New Jersey
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Patrik Berglund<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 C
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Michal Neuvirth<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 G<\/h5>\n

Now Patrik Berglund has grown into a solid center but due to the re-draft, he\u2019s already gone. So who would have been a solid selection for the Blues at 25? Michal Neuvirth since the team is currently sporting Carter Hutton<\/a><\/strong> as a backup.<\/p>\n

24th Overall<\/strong> – Buffalo Sabres
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Dennis Persson<\/strong> \u2013 D
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Nikolai Kulemin<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 LW<\/h5>\n

Dennis Persson is yet another player who didn\u2019t make anything out of his chances. And the Sabres have needed depth scoring for quite some time now. If they had chosen Nikolai Kulemin instead, he would have easily filled a role anywhere in the bottom nine.<\/p>\n

23rd Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Washington Capitals via Nashville
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Semyon Varlamov \u2013 G
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Jeff Petry<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 D<\/h5>\n

Washington\u2019s selection of Varlamov was a great one, but no one got to see how great he was until he left Washington. But since he\u2019s already been selected this leaves Washington with a solid defensive choice in Jeff Petry who could still be playing on the Caps d-core today.<\/p>\n

22nd Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Philadelphia Flyers
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Claude Giroux<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 C\/RW
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Chad Johnson<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 G<\/h5>\n

Looking back it\u2019s a mystery how Claude Giroux slipped to 22nd but it could always be worse. The Flyers have needed goaltending help and they went out and acquired Steve Mason<\/strong><\/a> to provide that, but he left for Winnipeg, now the team has Brian Elliott<\/a>.<\/strong> If Chad Johnson was selected he would have definitely helped the club with a solid backup in times of need.<\/p>\n

21st Overall<\/strong> \u2013 New York Rangers
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Bobby Sanguinetti<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 D
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Michael Frolik<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 RW<\/h5>\n

Bobby Sanguinetti was scouted to be a top tier defenseman which is why he was chosen where he was. But he never lived up to expectations and is now bouncing between the AHL and different European leagues. But today the Rangers do have a solid defense, but what they don\u2019t have is a lot of depth scoring throughout all four lines, Michael Frolik could have provided that.<\/p>\n

20th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Montreal Canadiens via San Jose
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 David Fischer<\/strong> \u2013 D
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Mathieu Perreault<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 C<\/h5>\n

Yet another 2006 first round bust, David Fischer never made it to the NHL. So as stated before if a re-do was allowed,\u00a0Mathieu Perreault would have been a solid selection he could have filled a third or fourth line role with the club. And who knows he would probably still be with the Canadiens today.<\/p>\n

19th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Anaheim Ducks
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Mark Mitera<\/strong> \u2013 D
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Chris Stewart<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 RW<\/h5>\n

Mark Mitera is another first round bust from 2006, and what the Ducks need is help on the wings since they have some solid centers in Ryan Getzlaf<\/a><\/strong>, Ryan Kesler<\/a><\/strong>, and occasionally Rickard Rakell<\/a><\/strong>. Now, if the team had chosen Chris Stewart, he would have brought some second to third line scoring for a team that is thin on the right side after Corey Perry<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

18th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Colorado Avalanche
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Chris Stewart \u2013 RW
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 \u00a0Artem Anisimov <\/a><\/b>– C\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>\n

Chris Stewart was a decent player for Colorado but wasn\u2019t there long before he was on the move. If the team had selected Artem Anisimov in the first round instead they would have a solid number three center behind Nathan MacKinnon<\/a><\/strong> and Matt Duchene<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

17th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Los Angeles Kings from Edmonton via Minnesota
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Trevor Lewis<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 C
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Nick Foligno<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 LW<\/h5>\n

Trevor Lewis is still playing with the Kings so that says something right there. But with first pick Brad Marchand<\/a><\/strong> and now Nick Foligno playing alongside Anze Kopitar<\/a><\/strong>, imagine the scoring the Kings would have right now.<\/p>\n

16th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 San Jose Sharks via Montreal
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Ty Wishart \u2013 D
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Patrik Berglund<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 C<\/h5>\n

Another player who didn\u2019t amount to much in the NHL was defenseman Ty Wishart. The Sharks have a solid center in Joe Thornton<\/a><\/strong> and they had one in Patrick Marleau<\/a><\/strong> who was moved to the right side before leaving for Toronto. So the selection of Patrik Berglund would have been perfect for a team who really needed a bonafide number two center.<\/p>\n

15th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Tampa Bay Lightning
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Riku Helenius<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 G
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Derick Brassard<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 C<\/h5>\n

Riku Helenius hasn\u2019t done anything in the NHL so it\u2019s safe to say he\u2019s a first round bust. But in a re-do, the solid choice for the Lightning would be Derick Brassard who would most likely still be playing with the Lightning behind superstar Steven Stamkos<\/a><\/strong> to provide a shutdown line.<\/p>\n

14th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Vancouver Canucks
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Michael Grabner<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 RW
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 James Reimer<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 G<\/h5>\n

Another team who needed goaltending help was the Vancouver Canucks, they acquired Roberto Luongo from Florida during the draft but they still needed a solid backup. James Reimer could have been that guy, and what do you know, now Reimer is in Florida.<\/p>\n

13th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Toronto Maple Leafs
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Jiri Tlusty<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 LW
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Bryan Little<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 C<\/h5>\n

Jiri Tlusty is another player who didn\u2019t quite live up to draft expectations, that is until he left Toronto. But during that time, the Leafs really needed help down the middle and with the other picks in place, Little would have been their best option.<\/p>\n

12th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Atlanta Thrashers
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Bryan Little \u2013 C
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Jonathan Bernier<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 G<\/h5>\n

With Atlanta\/Winnipeg\u2019s current goaltending issues if a re-do was allowed Jonathan Bernier might have been a solid selection for the team. Bryan Little has been good but with Mark Scheifele<\/a><\/strong> now playing those top line minutes Little has fallen as to where the Thrashers\/Jets have always needed a solid goalie.<\/p>\n

11th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Los Angeles Kings
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Jonathan Bernier<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 G
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Brad Marchand \u2013 LW<\/h5>\n

Now while Jonathan Bernier has won a Stanley Cup with the Kings as a backup goalie due to the emergence of Jonathan Quick<\/a><\/strong>. He\u2019s still an alright netminder, but if the team chose Brad Marchand instead, he and Anze Kopitar would be a solid unit for the Kings every single year.<\/p>\n

10th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Florida Panthers
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Michael Frolik \u2013 RW
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Erik Johnson<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 D<\/h5>\n

Michael Frolik has been an okay scorer in the NHL despite bouncing around. But what the Panthers have needed help on for quite some time is the blue line and if they had chosen Erik Johnson he would have helped right away. But who knows he could have been traded from there as well.<\/p>\n

9th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Minnesota Wild
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 James Sheppard<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 C\/LW
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Kyle Okposo<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 RW<\/h5>\n

As stated below, Okposo is a solid goal scorer and would provide a ton of help to the Minnesota Wild, a lot more help than what James Sheppard ever did.<\/p>\n

8th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Phoenix Coyotes
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Peter Mueller<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 C
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Semyon Varlamov \u2013 G<\/h5>\n

Phoenix\/Arizona is another team that has been hurting in net for quite some time. Now, Varlamov didn\u2019t really grow in Washington which seen him move to Colorado where he finally got comfortable and has been quite solid. With the Yotes rebuilding, if they selected Varlamov in the first round, they wouldn\u2019t have to worry about what they need to do in goal.<\/p>\n

7th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 New York Islanders
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Kyle Okposo \u2013 RW
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Steve Mason \u2013 G<\/h5>\n

It\u2019s no question the Islanders have goaltending issues, and it\u2019s no question that Kyle Okposo has grown into quite the goal scorer. But due to team needs the smart selection if a re-do was allowed would be to select goaltender Steve Mason.<\/p>\n

6th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Columbus Blue Jackets
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Derick Brassard \u2013 C
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Jordan Staal<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 C<\/h5>\n

Derick Brassard has grown into a solid shutdown center for the Blue Jackets, Rangers, and Senators. But due to the re-draft Jordan Staal takes his place and that\u2019s a solid playmaking center who would be putting up serious numbers alongside Cam Atkinson<\/a> <\/strong>and Nick Foligno.<\/p>\n

5th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Boston Bruins
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Phil Kessel<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 RW
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Milan Lucic<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 LW<\/h5>\n

Kessel was supposed to be a top tier scorer for Boston but ultimately lost him to Toronto before he could really flourish. And while Boston selected Milan Lucic in the second round of this draft, he moves into the first round taking the fifth overall selection.<\/p>\n

4th Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Washington Capitals
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Nicklas Backstrom<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 C
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> – Claude Giroux \u2013 C\/RW<\/h5>\n

Now there is nothing wrong with the selection of Nicklas Backstrom for Washington obviously, him and Alex Ovechkin<\/a><\/strong> have been a dynamic duo for years. But due to the rules outlined for this re-draft Claude Giroux would be taking his place and that\u2019s still a top tier center to play alongside Ovechkin.<\/p>\n

3rd Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Chicago Blackhawks
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Jonathan Toews<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 C
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Jonathan Toews \u2013 C<\/h5>\n

Jonathan Toews is the only player to end back up where he was initially drafted. He\u2019s been one of the best players in the league and along with Patrick Kane<\/a><\/strong>, they have helped Chicago reach Stanley Cup glory.<\/p>\n

2nd Overall<\/strong> \u2013 Pittsburgh Penguins
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Jordan Staal \u2013 C
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Phil Kessel \u2013 RW<\/h5>\n

Jordan Staal is a solid center but due to Evgeni Malkin<\/a> <\/strong>and Sidney Crosby<\/a><\/strong> he never really got a chance to shine it Pittsburgh. Now with the Carolina Hurricanes, Staal has been solid playing top line minutes. Now if Pittsburgh had drafted Phil Kessel in the first round instead of acquiring him years later through trade, they probably would have won at least one more Stanley Cup.<\/p>\n

1st Overall<\/strong> \u2013 St. Louis Blues
\nOriginal Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Erik Johnson \u2013 D
\nRe-Draft Pick<\/strong> \u2013 Nicklas Backstrom \u2013 C<\/h5>\n

Erik Johnson was supposed to fix all of the defensive issues in St. Louis but he never really lived up to expectations and was shipped to Colorado. Now if the team had selected Nicklas Backstrom and everything still went its course, he and Vladimir Tarasenko<\/a><\/strong> would be a deadly combo for the team.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n