NHL Entry Draft: Redrafting the 2007 NHL Draft

1st Overall, Chicago Blackhawks – (Originally Patrick Kane) Patrick Kane, RW (1)

Why would the Blackhawks change picks? Patrick Kane has had an MVP season, the first American ever to do so, and has helped lead the Blackhawks to three Cups. That includes a Conn Smythe-worthy postseason. He’s been better than a point-per-game throughout his career. Kane is one of the best Blackhawks of all-time. There’s no other choice here.

2nd Overall, Philadelphia Flyers – (Originally James Van Riemsdyk) Jamie Benn, LW (129)

Originally, Jamie Benn went in the fifth round. He’s turned that fifth round selection into a franchise winger, one capable of producing upwards of 85 points. Two years ago, he won the Art Ross race. He had a better season the next one. He also finished as a Hart finalist last year. And that’s something the Philadelphia Flyers could have very much used at the second pick in the 2007 NHL entry draft. Imagine Claude Giroux and Jamie Benn. Damn.

3rd Overall, Phoenix Coyotes – (Originally Kyle Turris) PK Subban, D (43)

In reality, the Phoenix Coyotes drafted Kyle Turris, then after he didn’t turn out quite the way they had hoped, traded him for cents on the dollar. Instead, what if they took the best defenseman in this NHL entry draft? Well, Oliver Ekman-Larsson would have an actual defensive partner. The Coyotes would be really interesting on defense. And PK Subban continues to donate money to a charity in Phoenix – the team sells better with the face of the NHL. Subban is the type of personality that could grow a market, and he could do a lot for Arizona.

4th Overall, LA Kings – (Originally Thomas Hickey) Max Pacioretty, LW (22)

The Kings went defense in the 2007 NHL entry draft, but Thomas Hickey eventually found his way to the Islanders. Maybe that’s because the Kings also drafted Alec Martinez in this draft and had Drew Doughty on the team. They would also later acquire Jake Muzzin, drafted by the Penguins. Imagine Pittsburgh with Muzzin still.

Max Pacioretty is one of the best goal scorers in the NHL. This would compliment Anze Kopitar‘s passing abilities, and give the Kings a true finisher. It would also have made them more dangerous during their dynasty. Plus, Pacioretty is an American in Montreal right now. Less pressure on him in LA means he might be a better captain than Dustin Brown, who was stripped of his “C”.

5th Overall, Washington Capitals – (Originally Karl Alzner) Ryan McDonagh, D (12)

The Capitals were going to take defense anyway in the NHL entry draft. Why not trade Karl Alzner for number one Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh? McDonagh would give the Capitals a better number one defenseman, plus take away chances of the Capitals giving Brooks Orpik that bad contract. They still might have brought in Matt Niskanen, too.