2012 NHL Draft Re-Draft
#5 Carolina Hurricanes
Actual Pick: Noah Hanifin
Re-Draft: Thomas Chabot
The Hurricanes were on the right path by drafting a defenseman here, but unfortunately they picked the wrong one.
Chabot eats up minutes, and is proving to be one of the best defenseman in the NHL. For an Ottawa Senators team that has been trading talent away left, right and center, they’ve decided to build the team around Chabot, after recently signing him to an 8-year, $64 million extension.
Hanifin has already been traded from Carolina, so the Hurricanes definitely wish they had this pick back.
#6 New Jersey Devils
Actual Pick: Pavel Zacha
Re-Draft: Ilya Samsonov
Since this draft, and potentially since Martin Brodeur left, the New Jersey Devils have had goaltender issues.
Although Samsonov just made his NHL debut this season, he could have been a huge help to a team that looked destined for a playoff spot. Samsonov holds a 16-6-2 record with the Washington Capitals this year and looks prime to be the starting goaltender over vetran Braden Holtby for years to come.
Pavel Zacha on the other hand has been a decent NHL player, but he was drafted way too high in this draft class. As a 6’3 center from Czech Republic, the Devils unfortunately fell into the trap of drafting based off size and position, which happens to many teams every year.
#7 Philadelphia Flyers
Actual Pick: Ivan Provorov
Re-Draft Pick: Ivan Provorov
The Philadelphia Flyers wanted to pick a defenseman in this spot, and although in the real draft they should have drafted Thomas Chabot, they picked up a great player in Ivan Provorov.
It always seems harder for teams to find a world-class defenseman than offensive talent, so the Flyers were fortunate to grab Provorov with this pick.