21st Overall, Edmonton Oilers – (Originally Riley Nash) Tyler Bozak, C (Undrafted)
The Oilers needed offense, which is why they drafted Riley Nash. Except unlike his brother, Nash wasn’t able to become productive in the NHL. Tyler Bozak went undrafted but has become a productive playmaker in the NHL, and for a time was the number one center for the Toronto Maple Leafs. And they were still able to grab Auston Matthews. Which means the Oilers might be able to get McDavid. Or they get a greater trio out of this NHL entry draft in Bozak, Voracek, and Alzner. That would be a great addition to the Oilers.
22nd Overall, Montreal Canadiens – (Originally Max Pacioretty) Alex Killorn, C (77)
Alex Killorn is smart and has become a reliable player for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He’s put up 35 points in each of the last four seasons. And he can be versatile, playing on any line in Tampa.
He’s likely to go to Vegas, but that’s because of a bad contract. I’d like to see Killorn and Simmonds on a line, and with smarter drafting from Montreal, that happens. Man, the productivity Killorn and Simmonds could have had, though.
23rd Overall, Nashville Predators – (Originally Jonathan Blum) Yannick Weber, D (73)
Originally drafted by Montreal, Yannick Weber has become a great puck mover for Nashville. As part of their third-pairing, he and Matt Irwin make it seem like they aren’t the third pairing. I doubt they would be anywhere that doesn’t have PK Subban, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm, and Ryan Ellis. Now, Weber gets a jump start on his potential with the Predators. They don’t risk losing him after one season. And the Predators defense starts out with two Webers.
24th Overall, Calgary Flames – (Originally Mikael Backlund) Scott Darling, G (153)
The Calgary Flames have needed a permanent goaltender since Miikka Kiprusoff retired. They haven’t found it in Brian Elliott, or Jonas Hiller, or Reto Berra, or Karri Ramo, or Curtis McElhinney, well, you get the picture.
Scott Darling has had a rough path to the NHL. Once he got here, though, he’s been astounding. This year, he posted top 10 stats in the NHL. He was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes presumably to be their starter. And if he was in Calgary, man. That’s a dynamic young team.
25th Overall, Vancouver Canucks – (Originally Patrick White) David Perron, LW (26)
White never played in the NHL. Perron has put up six 40+ point seasons, including his most recent. David Perron is more valuable to the Vancouver Canucks, and he was taken a selection later. The Canucks can solve a winger problem they have now by never having it. Drafting David Perron in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft accomplishes that.