Re-Drafting the 2006 NHL Draft

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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Mar 21, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo (21) skates to the bench after scoring during the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Right wing. Des Moines Buccaneers. Kyle Okposo. 7. player. 106.

Original pick: Kyle Okposo

The New York Islanders got it right when they drafted Kyle Okposo. They’re not the first team to get it right in this re-draft, but in this hypothetical universe, their original picks were already off the board, forcing them to find value elsewhere. At seventh overall, the Islanders found great value in Kyle Okposo, and he’s developed well with them throughout the years.

Even though Okposo didn’t play in 2006-07, the Islanders still made the playoffs and won a game against the Presidents Trophy winning Buffalo Sabres. They were a competitive team, but the Okposo pick proved that they kept an eye on the future.

While John Tavares is still very much the centerpiece of the franchise now, Okposo isn’t far behind. Okposo has struggled to stay healthy in various seasons, but he’s shown signs of growth ever since he debuted in the NHL. When he’s healthy, he can score in bunches, and 2013-14 was his breakout year when he posted 27 goals and 42 assists.

It’s easy to chalk up his success to playing on Tavares’ wing, but Okposo’s value is in his great skating and stickhandling. He’s a great player in his own right who would have similar success on any other team.

Next: 8. Phoenix Coyotes

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