Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - It's hard to believe it's already been nearly 11 years since the 2014 NHL Draft that featured a number of players that played prominent roles in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The 2014 draft was touted as a class with a potential generational talent on the blue line to lead the class, followed by a group of forwards with super high-end potential.
With the No. 1 pick, the Florida Panthers went on to select Aaron Ekblad, who had played as an Exceptional Status player at the age of 15 in the Ontario Hockey League with the Barrie Colts. Ekblad was not only highly regarded for his maturity at such a young age, but his overall two-way play made him a tantalizing prospect from the back end for whoever was lucky enough to win the NHL Draft Lottery.
After losing out on the Draft Lottery, the Buffalo Sabres ended up with the No. 2 overall selection, and the opportunity to draft the best forward of the entire draft class between Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart and Leon Draisaitl. Buffalo elected to take the cerebral Reinhart, who was touted for his hockey IQ and playmaking abilities down the middle.
From there, the Edmonton Oilers were able to luck out with Draisaitl with the third overall pick in the draft, while the Calgary Flames had Bennett fall into their laps, although he certainly maybe didn't pan out to be the dynamic, two-way forward many scouts and analysts thought he would turn into at the NHL level.
Nonetheless, all four of the top picks in the 2014 NHL Draft went on to help their team reach the Stanley Cup Final 10 years later, with Ekblad, Reinhart and Bennett coming away victorious with the Panthers over Draisaitl and the Oilers in seven games.
As for the rest of the first round of the 2014 class of prospects, a number of them have been able to develop and turn into nice NHL players. On the flip side, there were also a number of first-round picks that ended up flopping at the next level, or not developing into what they were once thought to be at the age of 17 or 18.
So who were the best-of-the-best from the 2014 NHL Draft? Where would they be selected in Round 1 if teams had a crystal ball to know their future outlooks at the NHL level?
It's time to have some fun with a re-draft of the 2014 NHL Draft:
30.) New Jersey Devils
Original selection: John Quenneville - C - Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Re-draft selection: Victor Olofsson - RW - MODO J20 (J20 SuperElit)
Whenever a team can get the most out of a seventh round pick where they make a substantial impact at the NHL level, the pick is often seen as a smashing success.
In 314 games with the Buffalo Sabres over parts of seven seasons, Olofsson scored 90 goals and added 92 assists for 182 points. Although Olofsson didn't put up dynamic numbers during his time with Buffalo, the fact he was able to overcome his draft status to carve out a regular role in the NHL is still a huge success.
In 35 games with the Golden Knights in his first season in Vegas, Olofsson has 11 goals and nine assists for 20 points.
Overall, Olofsson has been widely regarded as one of the better seventh-round draft picks to make an impact in the NHL since 2010.
* - Olofsson was originally taken with the 181st overall pick in the seventh round by the Buffalo Sabres.
29.) Los Angeles Kings
Original selection: Adrian Kempe - RW - MODO (SEL)
Re-draft selection: Danton Heinen - C - Surrey Eagles (BCHL)
After being a fourth-round pick of the Bruins, it's not likely many people believed Heinen was set to develop into much coming out of the BCHL in his draft year.
However, after two stellar seasons playing college hockey at the University of Denver, it led to an entry-level contract, where Heinen eventually made a significant impact at the NHL level by his second full professional season.
In 542 career NHL games split between the Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks and Vancouver Canucks, Heinen has produced well with 93 goals and 138 assists for 231 points.
While it hasn't been the smoothest of roads for Heinen during his NHL career, he has still carved a nice role as a serviceable bottom-six forward that can provide some needed offense in the lower half of the lineup.
* - Heinen was originally taken with the 116th overall pick in the fourth round by the Boston Bruins.
28.) New York Islanders
Original selection: Joshua Ho-Sang - RW - Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Re-draft selection: Kasperi Kapanen - RW - KalPa (SM-Liiga)
Kapanen was widely seen as a player with the skill and potential to become a pivotal player in the top-half of an NHL lineup. Heck, Kapanen was even ranked as the top European skater by NHL Central Scouting in their final rankings before the draft.
While he has been a decent player during his time in the NHL, Kapanen hasn't fully reached that potential in his 10 seasons playing professionally in North America.
It took a couple of years for the son of longtime NHLer Sami Kapanen to carve out a full-time role with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Kapanen eventually got a chance full-time in 2018. Since then, he has bounced between playing with the Penguins, St. Louis Blues and Edmonton Oilers.
Over the span of 502 games in the NHL, Kapanen has scored 90 goals and 129 assists for 219 points.
Kapanen is now playing a bottom-six depth role with the Oilers, where he has 11 points (6+5) in 31 games played.
* - Kapanen was originally taken with the 22nd overall pick in the first round by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
27.) San Jose Sharks
Original selection: Nikolay Goldobin - RW - Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Re-draft selection: Jakub Vrana - LW - Linköping HC (SEL)
While Vrana's career path has taken quite the turn in recent years, his contributions for the Washington Capitals from the start was quite impressive.
Vrana made his NHL debut during the 2016-17 season, where he played in 21 games for the Capitals, scoring three goals and adding three assists for six points.
His first full NHL season was a memorable one, as Vrana was able to dress in 73 games, scoring 13 goals and adding 14 assists for 27 points as a 21/22-year-old. In the playoffs, Vrana chipped in with three goals and five assists in 23 games, helping Washington as a depth winger to the franchise's first Stanley Cup in team history.
Vrana's best season came during the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season, where he put up 52 points (25+27) in 69 games played as a top-six forward.
During the 2020-21 season, Vrana was traded to the Detroit Red Wings as part of the package for Anthony Mantha. To start, Vrana was excellent with the Red Wings, putting up eight goals and three assists for 11 points in 11 games. However, substance abuse led to Vrana going into the NHL's Player Assistance Program, shortening his time the next season and with the Red Wings considerably going forward.
Vrana was then traded again, this time to the Blues, where he continued to struggle and was eventually waived and sent to the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds for a large portion of the year,
Vrana eventually made his way back home to Washington this season, but is serving in a much different role than before as a depth players. He's only played 25 games this season, scoring seven goals and adding four assists for 11 points.
In 392 career NHL games, Vrana has scored 117 goals and added 103 assists for 220 points.
* - Vrana was originally taken with the 13th overall pick in the first round by the Washington Capitals.
26.) Montreal Canadiens
Original selection: Nikita Scherbak - RW - Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Re-draft selection: Kevin Labanc - RW - Barrie Colts (OHL)
Any time you can develop a sixth-round pick into a solid depth winger at the NHL level is a huge win.
Originally taken as a flyer pick, Labanc ended up exploding on the scene as one of the top scorers in the Ontario Hockey League in his final two seasons with the Barrie Colts. That success in juniors ended up helping Labanc make the jump to the professional level in the 2016-17 season, where he made almost an immediate impact with the Sharks with 55 games played as a rookie.
Labanc ended up playing 478 games with the Sharks over eight seasons, where he netted 82 goals and added 143 assists for 225 points. His calling card at the NHL level has been as a power play specialist, more so as a puck moving asset.
In 30 playoff games with the Sharks, Labanc also chipped in with five goals and nine assists for 14 points.
Labanc has since signed on with the Columbus Blue Jackets, playing as a depth winger with 12 points (2+10) in 34 games played.
* - Labanc was originally taken with the 171st overall pick in the sixth round by the San Jose Sharks.
25.) Boston Bruins
Original selection: David Pastrnak - RW - Sodertalje SK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Re-draft selection: Christian Dvorak - C - London Knights (OHL)
First off, the Bruins took one of the biggest NHL Draft steals in recent history with the selection of Pastrnak at 25th overall. Still puzzling to look back 10 years later and wonder what certain teams didn't see in the Czech winger that made him worthy of going higher.
After falling into the second round of the draft to the Coyotes, Dvorak exploded in production over the next two seasons playing in the OHL with the Knights. In his final two seasons in London, Dvorak put up a whopping 230 points (93+137) in 125 games, while also becoming a leader on a stacked Knights team.
After helping London to an OHL title and a Memorial Cup title in 2016, Dvorak's jump to the NHL was immediate, playing in 78 games as a rookie in the 2016-17 campaign with the Coyotes, where he put up a respectable 33 points (15+18).
From there, Dvorak went on to play four more full seasons in Arizona, where he scored a total of 67 goals and 79 assists for 146 points in 302 games in his five years in the desert.
Then the Canadiens came calling in September of 2021 after losing center Jesperi Kotkaniemi to an offer sheer to the Hurricanes. Montreal paid quite a premium to acquire the two-way center via trade, spending a 2022 first-round pick (Filip Bystedt) and a 2024 second-round pick (Alfons Freij).
Since joining the Canadiens, Dvorak has continued to play admirably as a two-way center down the middle-six of the lineup, when healthy. In 206 games in Montreal, the 29-year-old has scored scored 32 goals and added 55 assists for 87 points.
Dvorak is in the final year of his contract in Montreal, and is hoping to stay healthy enough to rekindle his game, while also setting himself up for his next contract to continue his career.
* - Dvorak was originally taken with the 58th overall pick in the second round by the Arizona Coyotes.
24.) Vancouver Canucks
Original selection: Jared McCann - LW - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Re-draft selection: Travis Sanheim - D - Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
While it may have taken Sanheim a few years to get to this point, he has managed to develop into an impactful top-four defender for the Flyers.
After being drafted in the first round by Philadelphia, Sanheim spent two more seasons continuing his development in the WHL with Calgary, where he led all defensemen in scoring during his 2014-15 campaign with 65 points in 67 games.
Sanheim finally made his NHL debut to start the 2017-18 season, but only played 49 games with the Flyers, while spending another 18 games in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Since then, though, Sanheim has become an integral part of the Flyers' blue line, playing in 554 total games while scoring 52 goals and adding 158 assists for 210 points. His best season came just last year with 44 points (10+34) in 81 games played.
Sanheim is set to be a mainstay in Philadelphia for quite some time after signing a massive eight-year contract extension in October 2022 that will keep him with the Flyers through the 2030-31 season.
* - Sanheim was originally taken with the 17th overall pick in the first round by the Philadelphia Flyers.
23.) Coloardo Avalanche
SELECTION: Conner Bleackley - C - Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Re-draft selection: Marcus Pettersson - D - Skellefteå AIK J20 (J20 SuperElit)
Another solid player that fell down the board in the draft and went early in the second round was Pettersson, who has developed into a very solid two-way defenseman in the NHL with the Ducks, Penguins and now the Canucks.
Over the course of his 495 games in the NHL, the Swedish blue liner has produced 17 goals and 134 assists for 151 points. While not the most productive defenseman on the scoresheet at the top level, Pettersson is a sturdy presence on the back end, especially when paired with the more offensive-type partners like an Erik Karlsson or Kris Letang.
Pettersson allows for whoever his defensive partner is to jump up into the play and be a threat offensively, while he remains the more defensively responsible blue liner to jump back the other way, if necessary.
The 28-year-old was recently traded to Vancouver, where he then signed a new six-year contract extension worth $5.5 million per-year to stick with the Canucks for the long haul.
* - Pettersson was originally taken with the 38th overall pick in the second round by the Anaheim Ducks.
22.) Pittsburgh Penguins
SELECTION: Kasperi Kapanen - RW - KalPa (SM-Liiga)
Re-draft selection: Ivan Barbashev - LW - Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
After starting his NHL career as a solid depth winger in a two-way role with the Blues, Barbashev has flourished into a contributing offensive weapon with the Golden Knights for years to come.
Barbashev was a player on the fringe of being a first-round pick in 2014, but just slipped to the second round, where the Blues grabbed him with the third pick of Round 2.
After three seasons bouncing between the Chicago Wolves and St. Louis, Barbashev became a fixture in the Blues' lineup during the 2018-19 season, where he put up 26 points (14+12) in 80 games in the regular season. In the postseason, though, Barbashev led the league with 87 hits, while also putting up six points (3+3) in 25 games, helping the Blues to a Stanley Cup title.
In 410 games in St. Louis, Barbashev scored 78 goals and registered 100 assists for 178 points before being moved as a trade deadline piece to Vegas during the 2022-23 season.
Barbashev went on to wrap the 2022-23 campaign in Vegas with 16 points (6+10) in 23 regular season games, while also posting 18 points (7+11) in 22 playoff games as a top-six winger, helping the Golden Knights hoist the team's first Stanley Cup.
His performance in his brief time with the Golden Knights did help him earn a new five-year, $25 million contract to remain in Vegas for the foreseeable future.
This past season saw Barbashev play his first full 82-game campaign in the league, where he scored 19 goals and added 26 assists for 45 points. This season already has Barbashev with 34 points (15+19) in 46 games with the Golden Knights.
* - Barbashev was originally taken with the 33rd overall pick in the second round by the St. Louis Blues.
21.) St. Louis Blues
SELECTION: Robby Fabbri - C - Guelph Storm (OHL)
Re-draft selection: Gustav Forsling - D - Linköping HC J20 (J20 SuperElit)
Forsling may be the most recent shining example of a late bloomer that is now considered one of the better two-way defenseman in the game today.
After being taken as a flyer in the fifth round by the Canucks, Forsling performed well in his two seasons after the draft in the Swedish Hockey League to earn himself an entry-level contract with the Blackhawks. His rights had been dealt by the Canucks in a trade during the 2014-15 season.
Forsling impressed the Blackhawks enough where he made the opening night roster for the 2016-17 season, but went on to split that year between Chicago and the AHL's Rockford IceHogs. That trend continued for three seasons with the Blackhawks before Forsling was traded to the Hurricanes during the 2019 offseason.
After a full season spent in the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers, the Hurricanes ended up placing Forsling on waivers just ahead of the 2021-22 season. That's when the Panthers came calling, claiming Forsling the next day and immediately slotting him into the defensive group in Florida.
Looking back now, Forsling may be one of the biggest steals for a team on the waiver wire in NHL history.
In his five seasons spent with the Panthers, Forsling has scored 46 goals and added 109 assists for 155 points in 332 games. Forsling also put up 23 goals and 57 assists for 80 points in 161 regular season games between 2022 and 2024, as well as six goals and 15 assists for 21 points in 45 playoff games to help Florida to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, and a title in 2024.
The 28-year-old has become a top-pairing defenseman in Florida alongside Aaron Ekblad (more on him later), and is sticking around through the 2031-32 season after signing a massive eight-year contract extension this past March.
* - Forsling was originally taken with the 126th overall pick in the fifth round by the Vancouver Canucks.
20.) Chicago Blackhawks
SELECTION: Nick Schmaltz - C - Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
Re-draft selection: Alex Tuch - RW - U.S. National Team Development Program
After being drafted out of the U.S. National Team Development Program, Tuch went to college route for a couple of seasons at Boston College before signing his entry-level contract with the Wild.
His tenure in Minnesota lasted all but one season, where he played six games with the Wild and the rest with the AHL's Iowa Wild before being shipped off to the Golden Knights as part of a trade in the Expansion Draft for Vegas to take center Erik Haula.
Tuch made the most of his rookie season in the NHL with the Golden Knights, as he made an immediate impact with 37 points (15+22) in 78 games. He also added 10 points (6+4) in 20 playoff games, helping Vegas to the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season in the league.
In four seasons with the Golden Knights, Tuch was able to produce 61 goals and 78 assists for 139 points in 249 games, while also becoming a fan favorite as a skilled two-way winger.
Then in November of 2021, Tuch was packaged in a deal with the Sabres for Jack Eichel, and the Syracuse native was heading to Buffalo, the very team he grew up rooting for as a kid.
In his four seasons with the Sabres, Tuch has exploded into a top-six winger, producing 89 goals and 130 assists for 219 points in 253 games played. His best season NHL season to date came during his 2022-23 campaign with 79 points (36+43) in 74 games played.
* - Tuch was originally taken with the 18th overall pick in the first round by the Minnesota Wild.
19.) Tampa Bay Lightning
SELECTION: Tony DeAngelo - D - Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Re-draft selection: Nick Schmaltz - C - Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
Perhaps one of the more underrated puck movers and playmakers to come from the 2014 NHL Draft class.
After being drafted out of the USHL, Schmaltz went on to have a couple of successful collegiate seasons at the University of North Dakota, where he ended up winning a NCAA National Title in 2016 under the tutelage of head coach Dave Hakstol.
Following the success of his collegiate career, Schmaltz signed his entry-level contract and joined the Blackhawks for the 2016-17 season. In his first professional season, Schmaltz was able to carve out a spot on the Chicago roster for 61 games, putting up 28 points (6+22) on a Blackhawks team that was still a contender.
Schmaltz went on to play parts of two more seasons in Chicago, where he put up a total 91 points (29+62) in 162 games before being shipped off to the Coyotes early in the 2018-19 season as part of a trade for Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini.
In parts of his six seasons with the Coyotes, Schmaltz has been the second-best offensive producer with 269 points (93+176) in 344 games. His best season in the desert came this past season, where the 28-year-old scored 22 goals and put up a career-best 39 assists for 61 points in 79 games.
Schmaltz will continue to be looked upon to generate offense as he and his teammates are now property of the Utah Hockey Club this upcoming season. He remains under contract in Utah through the next two seasons, where he'd then be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.
* - Schmaltz was originally taken with the 20th overall pick in the first round by the Chicago Blackhawks.
18.) Minnesota Wild
SELECTION: Alex Tuch - RW - U.S. National Team Development Program
Re-draft selection: Devon Toews - D - Quinnipiac University (NCAA)
Toews has become one of the best two-way defenders in the NHL on the Avalanche blue line, and the reliable piece alongside superstar Cale Makar to let him flourish.
Drafted out of Quinnipiac University as an overager, Toews was able to get a couple of quality seasons to continue his development at the collegiate level before signing his entry-level contract with the New York Islanders for the 2016-17 season.
After finally making the Islanders' roster full-time and taking a leap in his play with 28 points (6+22) in 68 games, plus 10 points (2+8) in 22 playoff games in the COVID bubble, the Avalanche took advantage of salary cap constraints with the Islanders and made a big swing on Toews in a trade.
Toews has made the most of his opportunity with the Colorado Avalanche, mostly playing alongside Makar and excelling with 47 goals and 168 assists for 215 points in 334 games. This also includes great success in the playoffs with 36 points (8+28) in 47 games, and a Stanley Cup title to boot with the Avalanche in 2022.
The good news for the Avalanche and Makar now is Toews will be sticking around for the long-term after signing a huge seven-year contract extension just before the 2023-24 season began in Colorado.
* - Toews was originally taken with the 108th overall pick in the fourth round by the New York Islanders.
17.) Philadelphia Flyers
SELECTION: Travis Sanheim - D - Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Re-draft selection: Thatcher Demko - G - Boston College (NCAA)
Our first goalie of the re-draft!
Demko was widely seen as a top goalie prospect of this class, and some even considered him a potential first-round pick to a team in need of a goaltender. However, he ended up falling to the second round and into the Canucks' laps as the second goalie taken behind Mason McDonald, who went to the Calgary Flames and never made it to the NHL.
After a stellar Freshman season at Boston College during his draft year, Demko followed that with two more even better seasons with the Eagles. His Sophomore season saw Demko post a 2.19 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage, while his Junior season impressed further with a 1.88 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage to go along with a 27-8-4 record.
After earning Hockey East Player of the Year honors, the Mike Richter Award as college hockey's best goaltender, and being a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's Player of the Year, Demko went on to sign his entry-level contract with the Canucks.
While it took a few more seasons of development and time split between the NHL and AHL, Demko finally made it full-time to the NHL during the 2019-20 season, but struggled just a bit to put up some consistent performances.
However, each season since has been a positive step in the right direction for Demko, who has now established himself as one of the top goaltenders in the NHL. In 236 career games in Vancouver, Demko has posted a 122-87-20 record, a 2.80 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage and nine shutouts.
This past season was Demko's best, to date, in the NHL with a 35-14-2 record in 51 games played, a 2.45 goals-against average, a.918 save percentage and five shutouts. It was good enough to help Demko earn a second place finish in voting for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's Goaltender of the Year.
Demko was a key part in helping the Canucks turn the tide and get back to the playoffs, but he was lost early in the postseason due to an untimely injury in Round 1.
As long as injury problems don't become a problem with Demko, it appears he is the long-term solution for the Canucks in goal.
* - Demko was originally taken with the 36th overall pick in the second round by the Vancouver Canucks.
16.) Columbus Blue Jackets
SELECTION: Sonny Milano - LW - U.S. National Team Development Program
Re-draft selection: Jared McCann - LW - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
McCann was, perhaps, a case of a player that definitely showcases plenty of skill with his playmaking capabilities, but was thrown into the NHL a bit earlier than he should have.
After a stellar 81-point campaign with the Greyhounds during his 2014-15 season in the OHL, McCann ended up earning a full-time roster spot in the NHL with the Canucks for his rookie 2015-16 season. There, he was able to score nine goals and add nine assists for 18 points in 69 games.
However, with general manager Jim Benning wanting to get a bit more physical with his lineup, he chose to package McCann as part of a deal that sent him to the Panthers for defenseman Erik Gudbranson.
McCann's first season in Florida was a rough one, where he only produced seven points (1+6) in 29 games played. He spent more time in the AHL that season trying to round out his game better, before finally rebounding the next season with a 28-point campaign (9+19) in 68 games with the Panthers as a bottom-six player in the lineup.
Then before the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline, McCann was on the move again, this time going to Pittsburgh, where he started to come more into his own over parts of three seasons with the Penguins. In 141 games in Pittsburgh, McCann was able to net 39 goals and add 45 assists for 84 points as a middle-six forward.
After being traded once more to the Maple Leafs during the 2021 offseason, McCann ended up never playing a single game in Toronto, as he was taken by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 Expansion Draft.
In Seattle, McCann has thrived as a top-six forward with 224 points (110+114) in 290 games with the Kraken. His 2022-23 campaign was a stellar one with 40 goals and 30 assists for 70 points in 79 games, helping Seattle to its first postseason berth in franchise history.
McCann is hopeful to continue building upon his success in Seattle going forward, as he remains under contract with the Kraken for another three years.
* - McCann was originally taken with the 24th overall pick in the first round by the Vancouver Canucks.
15.) Detroit Red Wings
SELECTION: Dylan Larkin - C - U.S. National Team Development Program
Re-draft selection: Brandon Montour - D - Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
Montour's path to the NHL was certainly unique one as a smooth skating, puck-moving, offensive defenseman from the right side of the blue line.
After being drafted out of Waterloo as an overager in the second round, Montour went to the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass), where he ended up producing 20 points (3+17) in just 21 games after beginning his 2014-15 campaign back at Waterloo.
After his one season in college, Montour ended up signing his entry-level contract, where he got a jump start to his professional career to close out the 2014-15 season with the Norfolk Admirals in the AHL.
After another full season in the AHL, Montour was finally able to make his NHL debut in the 2016-17 season with the Ducks, appearing in 27 games and registering six points (2+4). After a strong finish to the year, Montour ended up becoming a staple of the defense, appearing in 17 playoff games and recording seven assists.
In 169 games with the Ducks, Montour produced 16 goals and 47 assists for 63 points before he was traded to the Sabres ahead of the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline.
While Montour appeared to be what the Sabres needed on the blue line under head coach Phil Housley, his style of play was not a fit under head coach Ralph Krueger, and his role on the team ended up fading quick.
Montour ended up playing just parts of three seasons in Buffalo, scoring 13 goals and adding 29 assists for 42 points in 112 games. At the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline, Montour was moved again, this time to the Panthers.
In Florida, Montour was able to get back to his style of game that allowed him to thrive on the blue line. In parts of four seasons with the Panthers, Montour was able to register 147 points (37+110) in 239 games, helping Florida to a pretty successful run in that span.
Montour's best season came during his 2022-23 campaign, where he produced a career-best 73 points (16+57) in 80 regular season games. In the playoffs, Montour was a force to be reckoned with eight goals and five assists for 13 points in 21 games.
After coming up short of a Stanley Cup in 2023, Montour helped the Panthers back to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024, where his 11 points (3+8) in 24 games helped Florida capture the franchise's first Stanley Cup title.
With his successful run in Florida, it helped Montour earn a large seven-year contract in free agency this past summer with the Seattle Kraken worth $50 million. So far through 56 games with the Kraken, Montour has scored 10 goals and added 17 assists for 27 points from the blue line.
* - Montour was originally taken with the 55th overall pick in the second round by the Anaheim Ducks.
14.) Dallas Stars
SELECTION: Julius Honka - D - Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
Re-draft selection: Viktor Arvidsson - LW - Skelleftea AIK (SEL)
Another success story with a team taking a flyer on an overage player and reaping the benefits.
Despite being a bit undersized at 5-foot-10, Arvidsson was still able to produce 40 points (16+24) in 50 games in the Swedish Hockey League during his draft year. That got the attention of the Predators, who drafted Arvidsson and then get him to play in North America right away.
Arvidsson's success in Sweden would carry over to the AHL in Milwaukee, where he produced 22 goals and 33 assists for 55 points in 70 games played. His first North American season even saw Arvidsson make a brief appearance in Nashville for a handful of games to close the season.
From there, Arvidsson became a staple of the Predators' lineup over the course of the next six years, where he scored 127 goals and added 112 points for 239 points in 385 games. The Swedish winger became a beloved figure in the Nashville lineup as a middle-six forward, and even contributed greatly in both the 2016 and 2017 playoffs.
After parts of seven seasons in Nashville, the Predators moved Arvidsson to the Kings, where the winger spent three seasons and continued to succeed in a middle-six role. In 161 games in Los Angeles, Arvidsson produced 123 points (52+71) despite dealing with some injury problems in that stretch.
Despite being limited to just 18 games during the 2023-24 season due to a back injury, Arvidsson was able to find a home relatively quickly this offseason as a free agent, signing a two-year contract with the Oilers.
In 40 games in Edmonton this season, Arvidsson has managed to produce seven goals and add 11 assists for 18 points.
* - Arvidsson was originally taken with the 112th overall pick in the fourth round by the Nashville Predators.
13.) Washington Capitals
SELECTION: Jakub Vrana - LW - Linköping HC (SEL)
Re-draft selection: Sam Bennett - C - Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
For some time, Bennett was being considered by some to potentially go off the board as the top forward in the 2014 NHL Draft. However, the forward ended up slipping down the board a bit and going fourth overall to the Flames.
After making his NHL debut in the 2014-15 season, Bennett was called upon to contribute in the 2015 playoffs, where he scored three goals and added an assist in 11 games for Calgary.
From there, Bennett went on to play parts of seven seasons with the Flames, scoring 67 goals and adding 73 assists for 140 points in 402 games played. It certainly was not the fit that many thought Bennet was going to be for Calgary, especially with many tending to liken him with Hall-of-Famer Doug Gilmour.
Then during the 2020-21 COVID season, the Flames moved on from Bennett, shipping him to the Panthers and only getting a prospect and a second-round pick in return.
In Florida, Bennett was able to find a gear to his game he couldn't get to in Calgary, producing 88 goals and 92 assists for 180 points in 268 games played. In the playoffs, Bennett has contributed with 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points in 54 games.
Although many would likely consider Bennett to be more so a bust, especially with where he was drafted and the hype surrounding him heading into his draft year, the forward certainly has found more success to his game as he matures overall.
The 28-year-old is looking to finish off his 2024-25 season on a high note, especially since he's entering a contract year and set to become an unrestricted free agent come the summer of 2025.
* - Bennett was originally taken with the fourth overall pick in the first round by the Calgary Flames.
12.) Arizona Coyotes
SELECTION: Brendan Perlini - LW - Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Re-draft selection: Adrian Kempe - RW - MODO (SEL)
After showing flashes of potential in the Swedish Elite League as one of, if not, the youngest players in his draft class, the Kings drafted Kempe near the end of the first round of the draft with the hopes he can continue to develop and grow into a stellar hockey player.
Kempe spent the year after his draft season playing in Sweden before making the jump to North America, where he continued his development over the next two seasons within the Kings organization.
While making the NHL has a full-time player in the 2017-18 season, it wasn't until the 2021-22 campaign where we saw Kempe blossom into a top-six contributing forward in Los Angeles. In 290 games played between 2022 and 2025, Kempe has scored 129 goals and added 113 assists for 242 points in 290 games played.
His 2023-24 season with the Kings nearly saw him put up a point per-game with 75 points (28+47) in 77 games played.
The 28-year-old still has another year left on his contract after this season, which may make for an interesting offseason ahead for his future. However, all signs point to the Kings being more than satisfied with his role and production, potentially leading to a future contract extension for Kempe to remain in Southern California for the future.
* - Kempe was originally taken with the 29th overall pick in the first round by the Los Angeles Kings.
11.) Nashville Predators
SELECTION: Kevin Fiala - LW - HV71 (SEL)
Re-draft selection: Ilya Sorokin - G - Metallurg Novokuznetsk (KHL)
The Islanders managed to land a home run pick in the third round, finding the future of the organization in goal.
While it took a while for Sorokin to make his way to North America, spending an extra six seasons in the KHL and earning honors as KHL Goalie of the Year, KHL Playoffs MVP, a Gagarin Cup Champion and an Olympic Gold Medal in 2018, the goaltender finally made the jump to North America and made his debut during the 2020-21 COVID season.
In his five seasons to date in the NHL, Sorokin has complied a record of 115-81-34 record in 232 games played, while averaging a 2.56 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
Sorokin's season with the Islanders came in the 2022-23 campaign, where he put up a 31-22-7 record in 62 games played with a 2.34 goals-against average, a .924 save percentage, and a league-best six shutouts. It earned Sorokin a second-place finish in voting for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's Goaltender of the Year.
It was that season which helped earn Sorokin a new eight-year, $66 million contract extension to make him the No. 1 goalie of the long-term future on Long Island.
* - Sorokin was originally taken with the 78th overall pick in the third round by the New York Islanders.
10.) Anaheim Ducks
SELECTION: Nick Ritchie - LW - Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Re-draft selection: Kevin Fiala - LW - HV71 (SEL)
The Swiss-born winger showed a ton of promise playing in Sweden during his draft season, leading to him going 11th overall to the Predators. After spending part of the next season in Sweden with HV71, Fiala would make his jump to North America and professional hockey.
Then for the better part of two seasons, Fiala bounced back-and-forth between the NHL and the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals, before eventually getting a shot in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs as a depth piece to the lineup. However, a broken femur ended his postseason run before the Predators ended up making an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final against the Penguins.
After producing 97 points (45+52) in 204 games with Nashville, the Predators ended up moving Fiala to the Wild just before the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline in a deal for forward Mikael Granlund.
Fiala continued to develop and find success as a middle-six winger in Minnesota, producing 79 goals and 107 assists for 186 points in 215 games played. This included a career-year in the 2022-23 campaign with 85 points (33+52) in 82 games played.
However, with Minnesota facing some salary cap constraints and Fiala entering the offseason as a restricted free agent, the Kings came calling, and gave up defenseman Brock Faber and a 2022 first-round pick in order to acquire the Swiss winger's services.
The Kings also paid handsomely for Fiala's services long-term, inking a seven-year million contract worth $55.125 million.
So far through nearly three seasons and 203 games played in Los Angeles, Fiala continues to serve as a top-six forward, producing 180 points (73+107) in the process.
* - Fiala was originally taken with the 11th overall pick in the first round by the Nashville Predators.
9.) Winnipeg Jets
SELECTION: Nikolaj Ehlers - LW - Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Re-draft selection: Nikolaj Ehlers - LW - Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
A pick nailed right on the head!
After playing some stellar junior hockey in Switzerland, and even some professional hockey as a 16- and 17-year-old, Ehlers ended up making the jump to North America to play his draft season in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, and taking the CHL by storm. In his draft year, Ehlers produces 104 points (49+55) playing alongside Jonathan Drouin.
After one more season in the QMJHL that saw him put up a second-consecutive 100-point campaign, Ehlers made the jump to the NHL immediately, and becoming a staple of the Jets lineup for the next 10 seasons.
in 652 games in Winnipeg, the Danish-born winger has scored 218 goals and added 287 assists for 505 points. Ehlers' best statistical season came early in his second season, where he scored a career-best 64 points (25+39) in 82 games played.
While the winger has proven to be a capable producer at the NHL level, the Jets have yet to commit to Ehlers for the long-term, which leaves his future in Winnipeg in serious doubt beyond the 2024-25 season.
Ehlers is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason as a 29-year-old, and could be one of the more attractive pieces for a team to add, whether it is in free agency or even at the NHL Trade Deadline, depending on how the Jets want to proceed with the winger going forward.
8.) Toronto Maple Leafs
SELECTION: William Nylander - RW - MODO (SEL)
Re-draft selection: Aaron Ekblad - D - Barrie Colts (OHL)
While Ekblad maybe hasn't become the generational defenseman that many were touting him to be at the time of his drafting, the right-shot defenseman still become a key cog in the Panthers organization over the last decade.
In his 725 games in the NHL, all in Florida, Ekblad has produced 118 goals and 255 assists for 373 points. While not all world statistics over the years, Ekblad is a very solid two-way defensive presence and a leader for the Panthers.
Ekblad's best season in the NHL came during his 2021-22 campaign, where despite dealing with some injuries, he managed to total 15 goals and a career-best 42 assists for 57 points in 61 games played.
Injuries have been an issue for Ekblad over the years, but he managed to stay healthy enough over the last two years to help the Panthers to back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Final.
Last year, Ekblad contributed with six points (1+5), while also registering 48 blocked shots, 71 hits and 33 shots on goal in 22:33 of average ice-time. It was good enough to help the Panthers to their first Stanley Cup title over the Oilers.
This year is the final year of Ekblad's seven-year contract that he signed after his three-year rookie contract. It'll be interesting to see what's in the cards for Ekblad after the 2024-25 campaign, as the Panthers look to continue building a team that contends in the Eastern Conference for years to come.
* - Ekblad was originally taken with the first overall pick in the first round by the Florida Panthers.
7.) Carolina Hurricanes
SELECTION: Haydn Fleury - D - Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Re-draft selection: Dylan Larkin - C - U.S. National Team Development Program
Larkin has turned into quite an electrifying player at the top level of hockey.
Since entering the NHL during the 2015-16 season out of the University of Michigan, Larkin has scored 235 goals and added 321 assists for 556 points in 707 games played.
The Red Wings captain as put up some of his best production over the last four seasons with 119 goals and 148 assists for 267 points in 274 games played. His best NHL season also came in this stretch with a 79-point campaign (32+47) in 80 games during the 2022-23 season.
Larkin is set to be a long-term fixture in his home state of Michigan, as the Waterford native is in the second year of his eight-year contract signed in March of 2023.
* - Larkin was originally taken with the 15th overall pick in the first round by the Detroit Red Wings.
6.) Vancouver Canucks
SELECTION: Jake Virtanen - RW - Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Re-draft selection: Igor Shesterkin - G - MHK Spartak Moskva (MHL)
Many can argue that Shesterkin might be the best Day 2 find of the 2014 NHL Draft.
Like his fellow countryman Sorokin, Shesterkin took his time playing in Russia to develop his game and flourish with SKA St. Petersburg. In three seasons before making the jump to North America, Shesterkin's production was off the charts with a 71-12-10 record in 95 games played. He managed to win a Gagarin Cup in 2017, and was also an Olympic Gold Medalist with Sorokin in 2018.
After immediately excelling in the AHL during the 2019-20 season, Shesterkin didn't have to wait long to get the call to the Rangers, where he started 12 games for New York before COVID-19 shut the regular season down.
Over the last five seasons, Shesterkin has been the unquestioned No. 1 goalie in New York, going 143-76-19 in 240 games played with an average 2.49 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and 18 total shutouts.
Shesterkin's best season came during his 2021-22 campaign, where he boasted a league-best numbers with a 2.07 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage, and also registering six shutouts. Those numbers in the regular season were good enough to earn him honors as the Vezina Trophy winner as Goaltender of the Year, and also a third place finish in Hart Trophy voting as the league's MVP.
In the playoffs, Shesterkin went 10-9 with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage, but the Rangers failed to get past the Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final.
The 29-year-old is going to be a fixture in the New York net for years to come, as earlier this year, Shesterkin agreed to a massive eight-year contract extension that will make him the highest paid goaltender in the NHL with an $11.5 million average annual value.
* - Shesterkin was originally taken with the 118th overall pick in the fourth round by the New York Rangers.
5.) New York Islanders
SELECTION: Michael Dal Colle - LW - New York Islanders
Re-draft selection: William Nylander - RW - MODO (SEL)
Not a bad turnout for the player ranked the second-best European skater in the 2014 NHL Draft behind Kapanen.
It didn't take long for Nylander to get the attention of many in Toronto, as the Swedish playmaking forward managed to find his way to North America midway through the 2014-15 season. He eventually made it to the NHL for parts of the 2016-17 campaign in Toronto, where he scored six goals and added seven assists for 13 points in 22 games.
Since becoming a full-time NHLer in the 2017-18 season, Nylander has produced 570 points (244+326) in 636 games played. He's become an integral part of the Maple Leafs' success, and the future of that organization as well.
Over his last three seasons, the best stretch of his career, Nylander has scored 114 goals and added 151 assists for 265 points in 245 games in Toronto.
The only thing that evades Nylander, and the rest of the Maple Leafs for that matter, is playoff success. In 54 games played in the postseason, Nylander has 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points, but Toronto has only managed to win one playoff series since his arrival in the league.
Once again, Nylander is on a point per-game pace for the 2024-25 season, where he's only in Year 1 of his eight-year contract inked in January of 2024, that also sees him getting paid $11.5 million per-year.
* - Nylander was originally taken with the eighth overall pick in the first round by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
4.) Calgary Flames
SELECTION: Sam Bennett - C - Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
Re-draft selection: Sam Reinhart - C - Kootenay Ice (WHL)
While an exceptional playmaker with great vision and hockey IQ, Reinhart has actually become one of the best goal scorers in the NHL over the last few years in Florida.
After getting a brief taste of the NHL right after being drafted by the Sabres, Reinhart returned to the junior ranks, where he tore up the WHL for another season before making the jump to the NHL full-time to start the 2015-16 season.
In his seven seasons in Buffalo, Reinhart produced admirably with 134 goals and 161 assists for 295 points in 454 points. However, the team around him struggled throughout his time with the Sabres, and eventually, he would be moved to the Panthers at the 2021 NHL Draft.
In parts of four seasons in South Florida, Reinhart has thrived with 152 goals and 153 assists for 305 points in 299 games. Just in the last three seasons alone, Reinhart's 119 goals is the sixth-best rate in the NHL. Spoiler alert: Three of the five players ahead of him are still to come in this mock draft.
Where Reinhart has particularly thrived is in the postseason, where he has 21 goals to go along with 12 assists for 33 points in 55 games for the Panthers. In the playoffs in 2024, Reinhart chipped in with 10 goals and six assists for 16 points in 24 games, helping Florida to its first Stanley Cup title in franchise history.
Reinhart will be a part of the long-term solution in Florida, as he's locked up for the next seven years after this one, following an eight-year contract extension with the Panthers signed this past summer.
* - Reinhart was originally taken with the second overall pick in the first round by the Buffalo Sabres.
3.) Edmonton Oilers
SELECTION: Leon Draisaitl - C - Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Re-draft selection: Brayden Point - C - Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
For a guy that not many teams thought much of come draft time, the Lightning sure hit a grand slam with Point, who is an integral piece of the roster in Tampa Bay.
Despite scoring 91 points (36+55) during his draft year with the Warriors in the WHL, Point fell to the third round of the draft due to size and a fear he wasn't strong enough to make it at the NHL level.
After two more very consistent seasons in the WHL with Moose Jaw, Point was able to make the immediate jump to the NHL to start the 2016-17 season, where he produced 40 points (18+22) in 68 games played.
Since his rookie season, Point ascension as one of the better playmaking centers in the league is astounding. In 562 games since the 2017-18 season, point has scored 277 goals and added 294 assists for 571 points in 562 games.
In the playoffs, Point was a key piece to Tampa Bay's success in 2020 and 2021, where he combined to put up 56 points (28+28) in 46 games played. That production went a long way toward the Lightning capturing two-straight Stanley Cup titles.
Over the last three seasons, Point's 128 goals is the fourth-best mark in the league, while his 243 points in the 11th-best rate amongst all players in the league.
The Lightning have committed to Point for the long-term, inking him to an eight-year extension in the summer of 2021 after Point won his second-straight Stanley Cup.
* - Point was originally taken with the 79th overall pick in the third round by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
2.) Buffalo Sabres
SELECTION: Sam Reinhart - C - Kootenay Ice (WHL)
Re-draft selection: David Pastrnak - RW - Sodertalje SK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Not only has Pastrnak become one of the best goal scorers in the NHL over the last decade-plus, but he's also become one of the more loveable figures in all of hockey.
After (somehow) falling to the Bruins with the 25th pick in the first round, Pastrnak ended up making the jump from Sweden to North America, where he managed to crack the roster in Boston a total of 46 times as a rookie, where he put up 27 points (10+17) in that span. Then after a 2015-16 campaign that saw Pastrnak play 51 games in the NHL and just three in the AHL, it was all but up from there for the Czech winger.
Over his 731 games with the Bruins, Pastrnak has scored 376 goals, while adding 419 assists for 795 points. Since entering the league, only three others have managed to put the puck in the back of the net more in the NHL. Meanwhile, his 795 points in that same timeframe is eighth-best overall in the league.
In the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season, Pastrnak won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's leading goal scorer with 48 in 70 games played.
Three years later, Pastrnak put up his best NHL season to date with a ridiculous 61-goal campaign and 113 points in 82 games. While it was good enough to earn him a First-Team All NHL honor for the season, he finished second in Hart Trophy voting behind Oilers superstar Connor McDavid.
Pastrnak followed his 2022-23 campaign with a 110-point season (47+63) last year in 82 games.
While Pastrnak has not seen the playoff success, in terms of championships, he has produced well with 87 points (39+48) in 90 postseason games.
If the Bruins have it their way, Pastrnak will remain in Boston for the rest of his career, becoming one of the best players to ever play in their rich hockey history.
* - Pastrnak was originally taken with the 25th overall pick in the first round by the Boston Bruins.
1.) Florida Panthers
SELECTION: Aaron Ekblad - D - Barrie Colts (OHL)
Re-draft selection: Leon Draisaitl - C - Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
What more can you say? Draisaitl's production speaks for itself over the last 10-plus years in Edmonton.
While it was not the smoothest of starts for Draisaitl at the NHL level, the German-born forward eventually found his footing during his second full season in the league, and it's only gotten exponentially better.
Since the start of the 2017-18 season, Draisaitl has scored 366 goals and added a whopping 507 assists for 873 points in 665 games played.
Only one other player has eclipsed Draisaitl in that same timeframe, and it happens to be his teammate in Edmonton wearing No. 97. His 337 goals is also only behind one other player in the league, and it happens to be Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.
Perhaps Draisaitl's best season in the NHL came in the COVID-shortened year when he scored 43 goals and put up league-best numbers in assists (67) and points (110) in just 71 games played. Not only did Draisaitl come away with the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer, but he also won the Ted Lindsay Award as the league's Most Outstanding Player, but also the Hart Trophy as the league's Most Valuable Player.
Draisaitl's most productive season game in the 2022-23 campaign with 128 points (52+76) in 80 games for the Oilers.
So far this season, Draisaitl leads the league with 40 goals in 55 games, and sits second in points only behind Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon.
All that's really left for Draisaitl to cap off an already electrifying NHL career is a championship, which he came close to last year. In 74 playoff games in Edmonton, Draisaitl has 41 goals and 67 assists for 108 points. His 31 points (10+21) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last year was almost good enough to get past the Oilers, but the Panthers avoided the reverse sweep in seven games.
Draisaitl isn't going anywhere anytime soon, though, as he recently inked a massive eight-year extension with the Oilers that kicks in next year, making him the highest paid player in NHL history at $14 million per-year.
* - Draisaitl was originally taken with the third overall pick in the first round by the Edmonton Oilers.
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