6th Overall, Edmonton Oilers – (Originally Sam Gagner) Jakub Voracek, RW (7)
Jakub Voracek was actually taken around here, except the Oilers wanted to go center in the 2007 NHL entry draft. They took a guy in Sam Gagner who was part of the “Patrick Kane + any talent = amazing” equation. And the Oilers fell for that trap. I’m not saying that Gagner is a bad player. Just not top-10 pick worthy. Voracek, on the other hand, is. He’s had four 20+ goal seasons, was an all-star two years ago and has had 5 50+ point seasons.
7th Overall, Columbus Blue Jackets – (Originally Jakub Voracek) Logan Couture, C (9)
Man. The Blue Jackets had something special and lost it. That seems to be a running theme in the 2007 NHL entry draft. Voracek found his way to the Philadelphia Flyers. I don’t think Logan Couture goes the same way. I believe that having a center like Couture means the Blue Jackets have a piece to build around. One that could have meant great things for the Jackets.
8th Overall, Boston Bruins – (Originally Zach Hamill) Jake Muzzin, D (141)
A late round choice, Jake Muzzin developed into a top-2 defenseman on a two-time Cup winning team. He plays only behind Drew Doughty on the LA Kings and can play serious minutes. Sound like anything the Boston Bruins may have needed this postseason? Muzzin would compliment Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara or Charlie McAvoy going forward. He could be Boston’s lockdown guy while Krug runs the offense. And he would make defensively stout Patrice Bergeron even better.
9th Overall, San Jose Sharks – (Originally Logan Couture) Kevin Shattenkirk, D (14)
Does this mean the Sharks get both Brent Burns and Kevin Shattenkirk? Yes. Does this mean they have the best offensive defense? Also yes. While the Sharks lose out on Logan Couture, they’re able to compliment their defense with another weapon. Shattenkirk’s playing about as far from his East Coast home as possible, but he makes the Sharks a more dynamic team from the point.
10th Overall, Florida Panthers – (Originally Keaton Ellerby) James Van Riemsdyk, LW (2)
James Van Riemsdyk arrived in Philadelphia only to be traded to Toronto. That doesn’t happen in Florida, so desperate for a star that they continue to sign Jaromir Jagr. The Panthers are able to make Van Riemsdyk the leader of their soon-to-be great young squad. Keaton Ellerby busted, but Van Riemsdyk didn’t, and he went higher in reality. Van Riemsdyk has put up 2 60 point seasons and has been a bright spot in dark times for the Leafs.