Re-Draft: 2006 Edition

With draft week upon us, we wanted to take some time to revisit some of the recent NHL drafts and think about how things could have worked out if teams knew what we know now. This week we will re-draft the first round of some recent drafts to see what could have been.

Today we look at the 2006 NHL draft. This draft featured some of the league's best offensive players. An impressive crop of talent that proves if you draft well you will win a Stanley Cup, at least one. If you do not draft well, you could be sitting at home watching your rival skate with Lord Stanley... three times.

30. New Jersey Devils - Peter Mueller

Mueller is a player who's career started with so much promise, but now has to be considered somewhat of a bust. Originally a top ten pick by the Coyotes, Mueller's career started with a bang. He scored 22 goal's in his rookie campaign. Then battles with injuries and inconsistent play derailed his career. Mueller left the NHL at the start of the 2013 season to play in the Swiss-A league.
Original Pick: Matt Corente
Mueller: Round 1 Pick #8 - Phoenix (Arizona) Coyotes

29. Phoenix (Arizona) Coyotes - Viktor Stalberg

Being a sixth round pick, there were not sky high expectations for Stalberg. However, timing has been good to him. After being traded from Toronto, he put up three solid seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. In 2011-12 he scored 22 goals and in 2012-13 he won a Stanley Cup with Chicago. Since then his career has sputtered. During the 2014-15 season the Nashville Predators sent him to the AHL and bought out his contract at the end of the season.
Original Pick: Chris Summers
Stalberg: Round 6 Pick #161 - Toronto Maple Leafs

28. Ottawa Senators - Jeff Zatkoff

He may be a career back-up goalie, but there is nothing more important to a team than goaltending. This was evident when the Pittsburgh Penguins two all-star caliber goaltenders were injured at the start of the playoffs. Jeff Zatkoff stepped in and won the first game of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, helping steer the Penguins to the Stanley Cup finals. Expect Zatkoff to capitalize on this during 2016 free agency.
Original Pick: Nick Foligno
Zatkoff: Round 3 Pick #74 - LA Kings

27. Dallas Stars - Cal Clutterbuck

Clutterbuck has become one of the best fourth-liners in the league today. The type of player every team wishes they had. He is a menace for the opponent physically, and can chip in on the stat sheet. He has had 10+ goal seasons six times in his NHL career, maxing out at 19 goals in 2010-11. If nothing else, his facial hair alone earns him a spot on this list.
Original Pick: Ivan Vishnevsky
Clutterbuck: Round 3 Pick #72 - Minnesota Wild

26. Calgary Flames - Jiri Tlusty

A terrifyingly up and down career that has been riddled with injuries and trips back to the AHL. Tlusty broke through to the NHL the season after he was drafted, an impressive accomplishment. However, he still has not found solid footing in the best hockey league in the world. Last season he only played 30 games and scored two goals. However, from 2011 to 2015 he was showing the skills that made him a first round pick. In 2012-13 he scored 23 goals in just 48 games.
Original Pick: Leland Irving
Tlusty: Round 1 Pick #13 - Toronto Maple Leafs

25. St. Louis Blues - Chris Stewart

If Stewart could find a way to stay in the lineup he would be a force to be reckoned with. His health has certainly limited his production. He has never played a full season. He looked like a breakout star in 2009-10 when he scored 28 goals and totaled 64 points. However, his production has been limited to goal scoring totals in the teens since then.
Original Pick: Patrik Berglund
Stewart: Round 1 Pick #18 - Colorado Avalanche

24. Buffalo Sabres - Leo Komarov

Komarov's career looked like it may never get to the NHL, but he finally had his breakout season in 2015-16. After many years spent in the KHL, Komarov scored 19 goals and 17 assists in just 67 games this year. He is a strong well-rounded player. Ho offers the ability to play on the powerplay and penalty kill units. He also fits well on any team's second or third line.
Original Pick: Dennis Persson
Komarov: Round 6 Pick #180 - Toronto Maple Leafs

23. Washington Capitals - Mike Weber

Weber's stats say nothing of the player he is. He has scored one goal in each of the last four seasons. That is not what he is paid to do. He is a physically imposing defensive minded player that works well on a second or third pairing. He is a player you can trust on the blue line, regardless of who he is matched up against.
Original Pick: Semyon Varlamov
Weber: Round 2 Pick #57 - Buffalo Sabres

22. Philadelphia Flyers - Mathieu Perreault

Perreault has established himself as someone who can score at the NHL level. He managed back-to-back 18 goal seasons in 2013 and 2014, with two different teams. Not a great player, but a scorer that can help almost any team. He displays a lot of skill in the offensive zone, but needs to show more defensive responsibility to be a truly valuable player.
Original Pick: Claude Giroux
Perreault: Round 6 Pick #177 - Washington Capitals

21. New York Rangers - Michael Frolik

Frolik's career started just as the Florida Panthers had expected. He scored 21 goals in each of his first two NHL seasons. After that a combination of injuries and a change of scenery sent Frolik spiraling down. He scored just 11 goals with the Blackhawks over three seasons. He has rebounded well, scoring double digit goals in each of the past three seasons.
Original Pick: Bob Sanguinetti
Frolik: Round 1 Pick #10 - Florida Panthers

20. Montreal Canadiens - James Reimer

Reimer is still working toward proving he deserves to be a starter in the NHL. A very large, gifted goaltender, Reimer has lacked opportunity. For years he was stuck in Toronto splitting time with other goalies. Now being traded to San Jose may afford him the opportunity play for a quality team and show his value.
Original Pick: Chris Stewart
Reimer: Round 4 Pick #99 - Toronto Maple Leafs

19. Anaheim Ducks - Patrik Berglund

Berglund has been a very solid winger for the Blues. He has never scored less than 10 goals in a season, even with injuries. Twice he has eclipsed 20 goals in a season, including his rookie year. He is your prototypical Blue. Very solid two-way forward, above average skills with the puck on his stick and very large (6'3" 217 lbs). The Blues got exactly what they bargained for in Berglund.
Original Pick: Mark Mitera
Berglund: Round 1 Pick #25 - St. Louis Blues

18. Colorado Avalanche - Jonathan Bernier

The second Kings goalie to appear on this list, Bernier may be the toughest player to judge. For years he was stuck as the back-up to Jonathan Quick in LA. Finally a trade to Toronto gave him the opportunity to prove himself. Although Toronto is not the best place for a goalie to try and prove himself. Like most players, Bernier has struggled since landing in Toronto. He has proven to be a worthy starting goaltender in this league, and that is valuable.
Original Pick: David Fischer
Bernier: Round 1 Pick #11 - LA Kings

17. Los Angeles Kings - Bryan Little

Possibly the most underrated player in the NHL, due to being stranded in Winnipeg. Little has the ability to be an explosive offensive player. He is gifted enough to be on most team's first line and top powerplay unit. In his first full NHL season he amassed 31 goals. Since then he has three 20+ goal seasons.
Original Pick: Trevor Lewis
Little: Round 1 Pick #12 - Atlanta Thrashers (Winnipeg Jets)

16. San Jose Sharks - Nick Foligno

Foligno is a special all-around player that could play on any NHL team. He brings size, physicality, skill and hockey smarts. In 2014-15 he scored 31 goals, 73 points and was a +16, all of this achieved while playing on a bad Columbus team. He can play a variety of roles for a team. Whether you need a first-line scorer or third-line pest, Foligno can handle whatever the team needs.
Original Pick: Ty Wishart
Foligno: Round 1 Pick #28 - Ottawa Senators

15. Tampa Bay Lightning - Artem Anisimov

Anisimov looks like a monster flying down the wing with the puck. At 6'4" and 200 lbs, he seems unstoppable. He possesses a freakish amount of puck skills to go with his size. With two 20+ goal seasons under his belt now. At the start of the past season Anisimov was pegged to play on the Chicago Blackhawks top line with Patrick Kane. Anisimov was eventually unseated by Artemi Panarin, but still managed to score 20 goals this season.
Original Pick: Riku Helenius
Anisimov: Round 2 Pick #54 - New York Rangers

14. Vancouver Canucks - Derick Brassard

Brassard had trouble finding his way in the NHL early in his career. The Blue Jackets were not a very good team and were unsure of how to use him. A trade to the Rangers was exactly what he needed. A combination of coaching from John Torterella and Alain Vigneault has transformed him into a consistent and dynamic player. Brassard notched a career high 27 goals last season. He also has established himself as an excellent defensive center; winning faceoffs and taking space away from the opposing team's top centers.
Original Pick: Michael Grabner
Brassard: Round 1 Pick #6 - Columbus Blue Jackets

13. Toronto Maple Leafs - Semyon Varlamov

If this list was made after the 2013-14 season, Varlamov would most likely be in the top 5. That season he was a Vezina Trophy finalist, winning 41 games and carrying Colorado to first place in the Central Division. Since then Varlamov has returned to being an above average goaltender. He has posted back-to-back 20+ win seasons and lost his starting job towards the end of this past season.
Original Pick: Jiri Tlusty
Varlamov: Round 1 Pick #23 - Washington Capitals

12. Atlanta Thrashers (Winnipeg Jets) - Erik Johnson

The original first overall pick in this draft, Johnson has not lived up to expectations. At the time, he was thought to be the next Rob Blake. Johnson struggled after his first NHL season. A couple injury shortened seasons plagued him and kept him from developing. His play has improved greatly in the past two seasons. He has learned how to use his massive size (6'4" 232 lbs) and reach to stifle smaller wingers. He also provides some scoring from the blue line, 10+ goals in three seasons.
Original Pick: Bryan Little
Johnson: Round 1 Pick #1 - St Louis Blues

11. Los Angeles Kings - Steve Mason

Mason looked like the steal of the draft when he won the Calder Trophy in 2008-09. He has been a dependable starting goaltender ever since. Now with the Philadelphia Flyers, Mason appears to have taken another step forward. He helped push an average Flyers team into the playoffs. At times he was the team's best player and the only one they could rely on. After a poor playoff performance, there are rumors he could be traded this summer. If so, he would be a prize for whichever team lands him.
Original Pick: Jonathan Bernier
Mason: Round 3 Pick #69 - Columbus Blue Jackets

10. Florida Panthers - Michael Grabner

Grabner is a very special player. He might be the fastest player in the NHL. With open ice Grabner is untouchable, and he has a very nice wrist shot to go with it. In his first full season he tallied 34 goals and followed that up with a 20 goal season. The one consistent you'll notice on this list is the crippling effect the Maple Leafs organization has had on talent. That is true of Grabner too. He joined Toronto at the beginning of last season and was only able to total 9 goals and 9 assists.
Original Pick: Michael Frolik
Grabner: Round 1 Pick #14 - Vancouver Canucks

9. Minnesota Wild - Nikolai Kulemin

Kulemin is another very talented winger. He combines his talent with a lot of size, 6'1" 225 lbs. Kulemin broke into the league with Toronto. In his third NHL season he totaled 30 goals. Now he has escaped Toronto and is a better player for it. The knock on Kulemin before was he was a one dimensional player. Now he is a quality player that holds his own in the defensive end. His numbers have dropped off the past few seasons, but he is a more effective player with the Islanders.
Original Pick: James Sheppard
Kulemin: Round 2 Pick #44 - Toronto Maple Leafs

8. Phoenix (Arizona) Coyotes - Brad Marchand

The Boston Bruins had by far the best draft in 2006, three players skated into our top ten. Marchand was their 3rd round pick. Nobody could've seen this small player becoming such a big part of the Bruins Stanley Cup Championship in 2011. Marchand has scored 20+ goals in five of his last six seasons. In 2012-13 he scored 18 goals in just 45 games, just short of six straight seasons. He is a fantastic player. In 2015-16 he recorded career highs in goals (37) and points (60). He is everything Boston sports fans want in their players; an overachieving underdog with a chip on his shoulder.
Original Pick: Peter Mueller
Marchand: Round 3 Pick #71 - Boston Bruins

7. New York Islanders - Kyle Okposo

Okposo is a marvelous hockey player. He is a great combination of speed, skill and toughness. In the Islanders transition from perennial loser to consistent playoff contender, Okposo has been a key piece. Injuries have hampered Okposo, but he has scored 20+ goals in three of the last five seasons.
Original Pick: Kyle Okposo

6. Columbus Blue Jackets - Milan Lucic

The second of the Bruins picks to make our top ten, Lucic is by far the most intimidating player on the list. At 6'3" 233 lbs nobody wants to skate into a corner with this guy. With four 20+ goal seasons and a Stanley Cup ring, Lucic is one of the most desirable players in the league. That is why the LA Kings offered the Bruins a hefty sum for Lucic this past offseason, which included Stanley Cup breakout star Martin Jones. Lucic plays hockey a lot like you think a bear might. Always snarling, attacking and intimidating the opposing team.
Original Pick: Derick Brassard
Lucic: Round 2 Pick #50 - Boston Bruins

5. Boston Bruins - Jordan Staal

A unique, pterodactyl like player. Jordan Staal is someone every team could use. At 6'4" he has a reach greater than any other player on this list. This helped make Staal a previous Selke Trophy candidate. Not only is he a great defensive forward, but he can also score. A five time 20+ goal scorer, Staal is a feared player in every zone. The most impressive part of his game is the ability to be effective on every line and position. He started his career as a second line winger with Evgeni Malkin and scored 29 goals. Later converted to a third line center and won a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh. Now he is a first line center in Carolina playing on the powerplay and penalty kill.
Original Pick: Phil Kessel
Staal: Round 1 Pick #2 - Pittsburgh Penguins

4. Washington Capitals - Phil Kessel

Easily the best goal scorer on this list. Phil Kessel is so impressive he managed to be a great player in lowly Toronto. A five time 30+ goal scorer, Phil is one of the most feared wingers in the NHL. There is something special about watching Kessel skate down the wing with open space and releasing his wicked wrist shot into the back of the net before the goalie can even react. It is some type of cruel joke or enormous oversight that Kessel was not named to the Team USA roster for this summer's World Cup of Hockey. When Kessel was traded to Pittsburgh the expectation was a 50 goal season. He struggled early, but eventually helped lead the Penguins to a Stanley Cup Championship.
Original Pick: Nicklas Backstrom
Kessel: Round 1 Pick #5 - Boston Bruins

3. Chicago Blackhawks - Nicklas Backstrom

Alex Ovechkin is the best goal scorer in the world, but the best player on his team is Nicklas Backstrom. Few players see the ice as well as Backstrom. One second he appears to be skating to no man's land, the next he has shoveled a pass through a defenders legs to the tape of a linemate and it's in the back of the net. He is a truly complete player. He wins faceoffs, plays great defensively and is the player that makes his linemates better. Most impressive, Backstrom is the only player on this list with a 100 point season.
Original Pick: Jonathan Toews
Backstrom: Round 1 Pick #4 - Washington Capitals

2. Pittsburgh Penguins - Claude Giroux

Giroux has morphed into a star in this league. Once considered too small, inconsistent and not hungry enough to be a top line player, Giroux is now an all-star. Claude Giroux is the Philadelphia Flyers. He plays on the edge with a combination of physicality and finesse that no one else in the NHL can match. He has a bomb of a shot from the top of the right circle, which we often see during the powerplay. He also sees the ice well enough to make similar passes to Nicklas Backstrom. Giroux's most impressive skillset may be his hands. He can stick handle and deke as well as anyone in the NHL, maybe only bested by Patrick Kane.
Original Pick: Jordan Staal
Giroux: Round 1 Pick #22 - Philadelphia Flyers

1. St. Louis Blues - Jonathan Toews

If the 2006 draft was redone unquestionably the first overall pick would be Jonathan Toews. This is especially true if the St Louis Blues had the first pick, if only so they did not have to play against him anymore. You could make a strong argument that Toews is the best player in the NHL today. There is certainly not a more clutch player than Toews, he led all players with five overtime goals last season. Toews trophy case is by far the most impressive of any active NHL player: 3 Stanley Cups, 2 Olympic Gold Medals, a Conn Smythe and Selke trophy. There is absolutely no doubt who is the best player from the 2006 draft.
Original Pick: Erik Johnson
Toews: Round 1 Pick #3 - Chicago Blackhawks