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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EDMONTON, AB – FEBRUARY 13: Bryan Little
EDMONTON, AB – FEBRUARY 13: Bryan Little /

121. . Center. Barrie Colts. Bryan Little. 8. player

Original pick: Peter Mueller

Peter Mueller was ranked as the sixth best North American prospect by Central Scouting, while having the numbers to back it up. There wasn’t a single season in junior where he didn’t have less than a point per game, and guided his team to deep playoff runs.

After a promising start to his NHL career, Mueller was slowed down by concussions, and after that, he dealt with post-concussion syndrome as well as groin injuries. There’s no way the Coyotes could’ve seen his career panning out like that, and if there’s any team that deserves a redo in the 2006 Draft, it’s them.

Luckily, Bryan Little is still on the draft board and has fallen right into their lap. Centers are the most valuable part of a team, and the position teams tend to build around. Little has proven to be a great center who puts up consistent numbers, and is a leader for his team. Now that Andrew Ladd has left the team, Little would be a great choice for the next Jets captain.

He would’ve been a great fit for the Coyotes, given that their best center at the time was Yanic Perreault. His faceoff rate is historically good, but that’s not the only thing you need to have to be a top line center. Little would’ve given the Coyotes a good scoring touch given that their 216 goals that season was among the worst in the league.

While the Coyotes’ support isn’t much better than Atlanta’s, he wouldn’t have had to suffer through the ordeal of having a franchise fold and relocated to another city. With a lot of greybeards like Jeremy Roenick and Cujo still on the squad, he certainly would’ve been a breath of fresh air who could make the team more competitive, and would’ve been a player the Coyotes could build around.

Next: 9. Minnesota Wild

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