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Re-Drafting Toronto Maple Leafs History: 2014 NHL Entry Draft

By Stephen Nixon

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 27: William Nylander is selected eighth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at the Wells Fargo Center on June 27, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 27: William Nylander is selected eighth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at the Wells Fargo Center on June 27, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 30: Sam Reinhart #23 of the Buffalo Sabres knocks down a high puck against Justin Holl #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on November 30, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 30: Sam Reinhart #23 of the Buffalo Sabres knocks down a high puck against Justin Holl #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on November 30, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

#9. Winnipeg Jets

Actual: Nikolaj Ehlers

Re-Draft: Sam Reinhart

The Jets just miss out on their original pick of Ehlers in this re-draft, but instead they get to select the original number-two pick in this draft, Sam Reinhart.

Reinhart has been a very steady pick for the Buffalo Sabres, but with being the second-overall selection, I think everyone has expected a little more from him. Although that’s not particularly fair, Reinhart going ninth overall is a better spot for him.

Reinhart has already racked up four seasons of 20-plus goals, and is fifth in goal-scoring for this draft-class.

He’s a solid second-line centre when your number-one centre is Jack Eichel but it’s unsure what to expect from Reinhart moving forward. It doesn’t feel like he’ll have a 35-40 goal season, where players ahead of him like Nylander and Ehlers may have, but a consistent career of 25-30 goals and 65-75 points seems like the career for Reinhart, which isn’t bad at all.

The Jets did a great job with their pick in the original draft and still luck out with another solid selection in this re-draft.

#10. Anaheim Ducks

Actual: Nick Ritchie

Re-Draft: Kevin Fiala

Similar to Viktor Arvidsson, Kevin Fiala may not be a player that would stick out from the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

However, Fiala already has four double-digit goal seasons, including two years where he’s scored 20 or more goals.

After being traded at the Trade Deadline in February 2019 from Nashville to Minnesota, Fiala has been a great scoring help for the Wild, on a team that struggles to score goals.

Fiala led the Wild in scoring this year with 54 points, including 23 goals, which was only second to Zach Parise.

He may not be a recognizable name, but currently playing on Minnesota Wild team that has little offense, Fiala could be the Wild’s NHL All-Star selection for the next few years.

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