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Re-Drafting Toronto Maple Leafs History: 2011 NHL Entry Draft

By Stephen Nixon

ST PAUL, MN - JUNE 24: 22nd overall pick Tyler Biggs of the Toronto Maple Leafs poses for a portrait during day one of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft at Xcel Energy Center on June 24, 2011 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MN - JUNE 24: 22nd overall pick Tyler Biggs of the Toronto Maple Leafs poses for a portrait during day one of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft at Xcel Energy Center on June 24, 2011 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 23: Top draft prospects (back row L-R) Adam Larsson. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 23: Top draft prospects (back row L-R) Adam Larsson. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /

#5. New York Islanders

Actual: Ryan Strome

Re-Draft: John Gibson

The first goaltender off the board in this draft goes to the New York Islanders and John Gibson.

In the early half of the 2010s, the Islanders goaltending was mediocre at best, led by Evgeni Nabokov. It wasn’t until the tandem of Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss came in where the Islanders had steady goaltending.

Although Strome has had a nice year with the New York Rangers, he hasn’t turned into the type of player that the Islanders were expecting with the fifth overall pick.

With an 106 point season heading into his draft year, his stock definitely rose, as the Islanders thought Strome would turn into the same play-maker in the NHL, that he was with the Niagara Ice Dogs.

Although he’s clearly an NHL caliber player, in hindsight, the team would have been better off with the best goaltender in this draft class.

With a career 2.53 GAA and 0.918 SV % in 287 career NHL games, Gibson has been reliable for the Anaheim Ducks and could have been the goalie of the future for the New York Islanders had they had the ability to re-draft.

#6. Ottawa Senators

Actual: Mika Zibanejad

Re-Draft: Dougie Hamilton

Although he’s currently on his third team in eight years, Hamilton is an exceptional defenseman.

With a career Corsi For percentage of 55.6%, the advanced stats guru’s love Hamilton’s game.

Not only are his advanced stats good, but he’s also able to contribute offensively, as he just had his sixth consecutive season of scoring 10-plus goals.

Defensemen take longer to develop and Hamilton has turned into the player that everyone expected him to become at 27-years-old.

Injuries plagued his 2019-20 season, but in a full healthy 82-game season, Hamilton was on-pace for 24 goals and 70 points, which would have put him in Norris Trophy conversation.

If Hamilton is able to stay healthy for the next few years, I’d expect a lot from him moving forward and it wouldn’t be surprising if he is indeed a Norris Trophy candidate a few times before his career is over.

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