Fansided

Re-Drafting the 2006 NHL Draft

By David Rouben

VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 24: (L-R) Second overall pick Jordan Staal of the Pittsburgh Penguins, first overall pick Erik Johnson of the St. Louis Blues, and third overall pick Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks pose for a portrait together backstage during the 2006 NHL Draft held at General Motors Place on June 24, 2006 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images for NHL)
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 24: (L-R) Second overall pick Jordan Staal of the Pittsburgh Penguins, first overall pick Erik Johnson of the St. Louis Blues, and third overall pick Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks pose for a portrait together backstage during the 2006 NHL Draft held at General Motors Place on June 24, 2006 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images for NHL) /
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May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center Patrik Berglund (21) in action against the San Jose Sharks during the first period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won the game 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center Patrik Berglund (21) in action against the San Jose Sharks during the first period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won the game 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 120. . Center. VIK Vasteras HK. Patrik Berglund. 16

Original pick: Ty Wishart

The San Jose Sharks have never had a problem when it comes to centers. Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, and Patrick Marleau have been around the team ever since the 2006 Draft, and have grown into elite players in their own right. They can afford to put one of those three on the wing for fun, but if a dependable third line guy is who they were looking for, Patrik Berglund fulfills that role.

Back in 2006-07, that player was Mark Bell who had a very underwhelming return of 11 goals and 10 assists. Granted, Berglund has never put up impressive offensive numbers, but that’s not what he’s known for. He’s known for his excellent two-way game, and being able to adapt on the fly.

In his rookie year, he was paired with TJ Oshie and David Perron which led to a 47-point season. Nowadays, he balances out the scoring threat of Alex Steen and David Backes by shutting down the opposing team’s top threat while remaining incredibly disciplined – he finished 2014-15, his last full season, with just 26 penalty minutes.

While San Jose’s high powered offense is usually enough for them to dominate the regular season, you also need role players, and Berglund is the type of player you need to go far. In playoff games, when the intensity level is heightened, he’s the one who remains cool under pressure.

While he’s not the sexiest name on the draft board, he’s certainly a much better option than Ty Washout, and if the Sharks had Berglund, he would’ve been a fan favorite.

Next: 17. Los Angeles Kings

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