We return to the 2005 draft, which was a particularly deep one, with great players selected in every round. It’s hard to avoid this draft just for the names selected in it, like Crosby, Tuukka Rask, Jack Johnson, and Carey Price, but it was a draft where every pick had the potential to become something. And this was needed after a season long lock-out unlike anything seen before or after (yes the 2012 lockout comes close, but we got 48 games. 2004 got none). Take a look at these names and where they were selected:
2nd round: James Neal (LW) (33), Marc-Edouard Vlasic (D) (35), Ondrej Pavelec (G) (41), Justin Abdelkader (LW) (42), Paul Stastny (C) (44)
3rd Round: Kris Letang (D) (62), Kris Russell (D) (67), Jonathon Quick (G) (72), Cody Franson (D) (79), Ben Bishop (G) (85)
4th Round: Keith Yandle (D) (105), Niklas Hjalmarsson (D) (108)
5th Round: Darren Helm (C) (132), Ryan Reaves (RW) (156)
7th Round: Anton Stralman (D) (216), Patric Hornqvist (RW) (230)
The only round that didn’t produce a good-great-phenomenal player was the 6th.
But where there was many diamond-in-the-rough selections, there was also a lot of busts. Names included in the first round include:
Benoit Pouliot (4th – Wild), Gilbert Brule (6th – Blue Jackets), Jack Skille (7 – Blackhawks), Devin Setoguchi (8 – Sharks), Brian Lee (9 – Senators), Luc Bourdon (10 – Canucks).
There were many more, but for the purpose of this what if, we’ll be focusing on the top 10 picks.
This was also a first round with Anze Kopitar (C) (11), Martin Hanzal (C) (17), Tuukka Rask (G) (21), TJ Oshie (C) (24), Andrew Cogliano (C) (25), and Matt Niskanen (D) (28).
Which brings us to the purpose of this what if – What if the Scouting in this draft was better? What if those diamond in the rough selections were better scouted, and the GMs knew what they would become?
For the purpose of this draft, we will stick with what position was drafted where – so if the Blackhawks drafted a forward, they will still draft a forward. But this time, they’ll be able to draft someone at 7 that will do better than fourth liner on the Colorado Avalanche. This means, though, that Ondrej Pavelec will still be drafted before Quick and Bishop, at least for the purposes of this article, however much that is unfortunate for the Jets – imagine their current roster with Bishop or Quick in net.
The reason for keeping this the same is that most GMs do not draft simply based on best player available, but rather most pressing need. For instance, if the next Carey Price fell to the Blackhawks in their next first round selection, they may not take him, because there is no need for him currently with Corey Crawford the starting net minder for the near future. However, on the Winnipeg Jets, they would instantly select him. This article will take the selection of position heavily into account, however, it can also be ignored at times – RW may become C or LW for instance, but never D or G.
The actual Top Ten of 2005:
1. Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins (this one will be staying the same)
2. Bobby Ryan, RW, Anaheim Ducks
3. Jack Johnson, D, Carolina Hurricanes
4. Benoit Pouliot, LW, Minnesota Wild
5. Carey Price, G, Montreal Canadiens (this one will also remain the same)
6. Gilbert Brule, C, Columbus Blue Jackets
7. Jack Skille, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
8. Devin Setoguchi, RW, San Jose Sharks
9. Brian Lee, D, Ottawa Senators
10. Luc Bourdon, D, Vancouver Canucks
The corrected top 10:
1. Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Bobby Ryan, RW, Anaheim Ducks
3. Matt Niskanen, D, Carolina Hurricanes
4. Anze Kopitar, C, Minnesota Wild
5. Carey Price, G, Montreal Canadiens
6. TJ Oshie, C, Columbus Blue Jackets
7. James Neal, LW, Chicago Blackhawks
8. Patric Hornqvist, RW, San Jose Sharks
9. Kris Letang, D, Ottawa Senators
10. Niklas Hjalmarsson, D, Vancouver Canucks
So this majorly changes how the league is constructed. Let’s break it down.
Pick 1:
Sidney Crosby remains a Penguin, but Patric Hornqvist likely never becomes one. A lot of the picks in this draft eventually wind up with the Penguins, but this is unlikely to happen if their true value is realized much sooner by GMs across the league. The Penguins probably still win a Cup in 08-09, but the second is less likely without Hornqvist, but the Capitals are also less likely to be the Penguins’ biggest obstacle.
Pick 2:
Bobby Ryan was at his best with the Ducks. They likely still draft him as a compliment to Perry and Getzlaf, and that likely still works out well. I don’t think Anaheim regrets drafting him as much as they do with letting him go, or as much as their original name the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
Pick 3:
Niskanen was valued as a first round pick coming in, which is the only reason I have him above Letang here. The Hurricanes, instead of letting him go the route Jack Johnson eventually did, keep Niskanen, and the combo of Niskanen and Faulk will be one of the best combinations in the league, but not the best. That will develop as a part of this draft, but not here.
Pick 4:
The Wild, in need of a top center now, get it much earlier by drafting one of the best two-way centers in the league in Kopitar. They become the true challenger to the Blackhawks dynasty in the West, and the usual thumping of the Wild by the Blackhawks becomes much less predictable. Because Kopitar played a vital role in both of the Kings cup wins, I don’t think either now comes to fruition, but instead the Wild get at least one, and more fans let go of the North Stars – after all, the Wild now have at least as many cups as Dallas had. This assumes the Wild are able to build around Kopitar, and Parise has a center he can rely upon.
Pick 5:
Carey Price is the greatest goaltender currently in the League, and may finish well ahead of even that. Montreal takes him with the understanding that he will be their biggest piece for the next (probably) two decades, but their biggest change is probably getting better management for Price and sooner.
Pick 6:
The Blue Jackets select someone who will make Foligno and Johansen look better, who makes their offense much more capable, especially in the shootout. They become the “true American” franchise, with Oshie and Johansen, and as their offense becomes more lethal, they likely don’t sink to the depths that they do without Oshie. Johansen never leaves the team, instead Oshie and Johansen become a true offensive pairing.
Pick 7:
The Blackhawks get the long term companion to Toews and Kane, years before they’ve assembled those two. Even thought the Blackhawks become dirtier, with a good LW to perhaps permanently play with Toews, the Blackhawks likely overcome the now-challenging Wild at least one more time on their way to one more Cup – they probably get three in a row, as Neal scores the OT GWG in Game 7 in 2014, sending the Blackhawks to play the Rangers. Instead of having to play Shaw at the first line, the Blackhawks don’t stumble upon the same problems as Neal becomes the core LW.
Pick 8:
Hornqvist probably turns the tides for the Sharks in the series against Pittsburgh, and the series goes to at least seven, maybe the Sharks come away with it. The true problem was that the Penguins were faster than anyone else – the Sharks were stacked offensively, and their true problem was their third pairing on defense. Hornqvist adds speed to the Sharks offense, and Hertl plays second line, adding depth to the Sharks, as Hornqvist accompanies the Joe Show. Pavelski and Hornqvist together are able to get more goals past Murray.
Pick 9:
Kris Letang is the best defenseman in this draft, and while he was not a sure thing – why he became a third round selection – the scouts of Senators lead them to believe he’s worth the chance – he is. Letang and Karlsson become the singular best pairing in the National Hockey League, and both become perennial Norris contenders. The Senators, finding themselves with more fans because of this potent offensive defense, rid themselves of the internal cap, and are able to get free agents to play with their two all-pros on offense. The Senators are now a threat deep in the Eastern playoffs, and their defense is reminiscent of that of the Lightning.
Pick 10:
With Chris Tanev, the Canucks find the solution to the offensive defense of the Senators with Tanev and Hjalmarsson. They become the best defensive d pairing in the league, and they are known for completely shutting down offenses. Ryan Miller becomes a happier chap in Vancouver, getting to play behind these two, his work becomes easier. As the Kings fizzle out quickly, the Canucks take their place in the Pacific, as the twins try to get one more run at it. Also, Sbisa never becomes a defenseman for the Canucks – so, there’s also that, Vancouver fans. A top three of Hjalmarsson, Tanev, and Hamhuis isn’t half bad.
So how does this affect the rest of the draft, well, ignoring it for the rest of the article, let’s quickly look at the complete first round with better scouting on everyone.
11. Before: Anze Kopitar, C
Now: Paul Stastny, C, Los Angeles Kings
12. Before: Marc Staal, D
Now: Anton Stalman, D, New York Rangers
13. Before: Marek Zagrapan, C
Now: Martin Hanzal, C, Buffalo Sabres
14. Before: Sasha Pokulok, D
Now: Marc-Edouard Vlasic, D, Washington Capitals
15. Before: Ryan O’Marra, C
Now: Darren Helm, C, New York Islanders
16. Before: Alex Bourret, RW
Now: Justin Abdelkader, LW, Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets
17. Before: Martin Hanzal, C
Now: Andrew Cogliano, C, Phoenix Coyotes
18. Before: Ryan Parent, D
Now: Keith Yandle, D, Nashville Predators
19. Before: Jakub Kindl, D
Now: Kris Russell, D, Detroit Red Wings
20. Before: Kenndal McArdle, LW
Now: Ryan Reaves, RW, Florida Panthers
21. Before: Tuukka Rask, G
Now: Tuukka Rask, G, Toronto Maple Leafs
22. Before: Matt Lashoff, D
Now: Marc Staal, D, Boston Bruins
23. Before: Niclas Bergfors, RW
Now: Teddy Purcell, RW, New Jersey Devils
24. Before: TJ Oshie, C
Now: Tyler Bozak, C, St. Louis Blues
25. Before: Andrew Cogliano, C
Now: Andrew Desjardins, C, Edmonton Oilers
26. Before: Matt Pelech, D
Now: Cody Franson, D, Calgary Flames
27. Before: Joe Finley, D
Now: Jakub Kindl, D, Washington Capitals
28. Before: Matt Niskanen, D
Now: David Schlemko, D, Dallas Stars
29. Before: Steve Downie, RW
Now: Steve Downie, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
30. Before: Vladimir Mihalik, D
Now: Taylor Chorney, D, Tampa Bay Lightning
Drafted in later rounds:
Nate Prosser, D
Adam McQuaid, D
Mark Fayne, D
David Desharnais, C
Jared Boll, RW
Jay Beagle, C
Nathan Gerbe, C
Ryan Garbutt, LW
Brandon Bollig, LW
Mason Raymond, LW
Rich Clune, LW