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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 24: Michal Neuvirth
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 24: Michal Neuvirth /

Michal Neuvirth. 26. player. 112. . Goalie. Sparta Prague

Original pick: Leland Irving

The Calgary Flames during this time were a team that could be counted on to make the playoffs. Ever since they were a Martin Gelinas goal away from winning the Stanley Cup, they made the playoffs four straight times after that but never got out of the first round.

The decision to go for a backup goalie was a wise one since Miikka Kipprusoff had to shoulder much of the load for them. In 2006-07, he played in 74 games while his backup Jamie “Noodles” McLennan played all of nine. However, they swung and missed with Leland Irving who only has 13 NHL games to his name. If anything, it just put more pressure on Kipprusoff.

A goalie that could’ve helped take the pressure off of Kipper and send him into the playoffs well rested and focused is Michal Neuvirth. He has been a backup most of his career, often getting called on when the starter gets hurt. However, when he won back to back Calder Cups with Hershey, he supplanted Semyon Varlamov as the starter, resulting in Varlamov getting traded to Colorado. But it didn’t take long for Braden Holtby to make a name for himself when he filled in for Neuvirth during the 2012 playoffs.

Kipprusoff has proved to be one of the most durable goalies in the NHL, which is why he’s able to start more than 70 games each year, but Neuvirth would’ve at least given him the day off on back-to-backs. He’s had experience as both a back-up and starter to be able to take on either role without any pressure.

Perhaps with Neuvirth, the Flames would’ve been in better shape heading into the playoffs and would have at least one series win between 2006 to 2009.

Next: 27. Dallas Stars

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