In life, there are always things that we wish we could redo and have another chance to rethink our decisions. Should I have dropped out of university to travel? Or did I ever over pay on that used car that clunked out after 8 months? Just like us, NHL general managers must look back sometimes at their draft picks and think: “What the hell were we thinking?”
In the 2008 NHL Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs had the 5th overall pick. They selected Luke Schenn who has been a pretty solid stay at home D-man. He can make some big hits and doesn’t give the puck up that often in his own zone. I personally didn’t like the pick as most of friends know. I don’t think you take a stay at home defenceman in the 1st round and should always try and take the guy with the biggest offensive upside that early. I think the Leafs were just worried about screwing up and took a safe pick. Schenn is a Canadian boy and has the size and tools to be a decent NHL player. They didn’t want to take a risk on a flashy player like Nikita Filatov, and as of right now it looks like a good move.
But now looking at the Leafs roster they are pretty solid on the back end and have a lot of holes up front, especially at centre. If you could do that draft again for what the Leafs really need now. Who would you take?
This is how the 2008 Draft unfolded and includes the players stats to date.
Here are some of the players that stand out and make you wonder what they would look like in a Maple Leaf uniform, or if they would be playing more. I’m not saying I would take these young studs over Luke Schenn, but it’s interesting to think if some of these players could be having a bigger impact in the NHL if playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
2008 NHL Draft Forward Studs
2008 NHL Draft Forward Studs
7th Overall Center Colin Wilson Nashville Predators
Has the size and skill to be a great power forward.
HockeysFuture Rating: 8.0B
9th Overall Center Josh Bailey New York Islanders
Starting to put up offensive numbers in theNHL.
HockeysFuture Rating: 7.0C
10th Overall Centre Cody Hodgson Vancouver Canucks
Solid AHL numbers and if he was a Leaf he would be already playing and that sack of shit Grabovski would be gone22nd Overall Centre Jordan Eberle Edmonton Oilers
Hockeysfuture Rating: 8.5C
Google "Jordan Eberle Canada"....Stud
Hockeysfuture Rating: 8.0C
26th Overall Center Tyler Ennis Buffalo Sabres
SolidNHL numbers already
Hockeysfuture Rating: 7.5C
44th Overall Center Luke Adam Buffalo Sabres
Lighting up the AHL big time.
Hockeysfuture Rating: 7.5C
51st Overall Centre Derek Stepan New York Rangers
121st Overall Centre Gustav Nyquist Detroit Red Wings
127th Overall Left Wing Matt Calvert Columbus Blue Jackets
Haven’t seen much from him since his hat trick in his first NHL game. But still a solid offensive prospect.
Hockeysfuture Rating: 8.0B
Some late round sleepers:
Any of these guys you'd rather have than Schenn?
Defencemen and Goalies will be reviewed tomorrow.
I like Schenn
ReplyDeleteBut if the leafs were smart and had 2 first rounders. Like the Flyers did when they got Richards and Carter in the same draft. That is how you change your franchise around. If you are a NON playoff team you sould always be keeping your 1st pick and looking to add others. Just think if we had 2 middle round 1st's that draft and got Tyler Myers and Jordan Eberle.
Cody Hodgson will be a 80pt guy in 3 years
ReplyDeleteshould always go after offence, always
ReplyDeleteLuke Adam is going to be amazing
ReplyDeleteI watched him play in Jr