Re-Drafting Toronto Maple Leafs History: 2013 NHL Entry Draft

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 30: Frederik Gauthier poses with the front office after being selected number twenty one overall in the first round by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center on June 30, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 30: Frederik Gauthier poses with the front office after being selected number twenty one overall in the first round by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center on June 30, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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MONTREAL, QUEBEC – OCTOBER 26: Andreas Johnsson #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Photo by Stephane Dube /Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – OCTOBER 26: Andreas Johnsson #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Photo by Stephane Dube /Getty Images)

#9. Vancouver Canucks

Actual: Bo Horvat

Re-Draft: Rasmus Ristolainen

The Canucks lucked out with drafting their future captain when they originally selected Bo Horvat with this pick, but in a re-draft, defense is the way to go.

The future of the Vancouver Canucks is filled with offensive talent in J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser, and why not compliment the blue-line by selecting Rasmus Ristolainen here?

The Canucks best defenseman for the past decade has been Alex Edler, until this season when Quinn Hughes joined the team.

Edler is a steady defenseman but besides him, the Canucks defensive-core was pretty weak in the 2010s. Linked with bad goaltending, that’s one of the main reasons why the Canucks hadn’t made the playoffs for the past four seasons.

Ristolainen would have provided some stability on the blue-line and helped the Canucks here. He’s steady offensively scoring six goals and 40 points almost every season and is a fine pick in this re-draft.

#10. Dallas Stars

Actual: Valeri Nichushkin

Re-Draft: Andreas Johnsson

Valeri Nichushkin has had an interesting start to his professional career. He had a good rookie season, followed by a dismal sophomore season, went back to Russia and played in the KHL for two seasons and is now an everyday player with the Avalanche.

However, in a re-draft, the Dallas Stars won’t have to worry about Nichushkin, as they’ll be able to select current Toronto Maple Leafs forward, Andreas Johnsson.

With a few players like Elias Lindholm, Andre Burakovsky and Darnell Nurse still on the board, picking Johnsson here is a little bit of a stretch, but let me tell you why.

Over the past two seasons, Johnsson has proved that he’s a dynamic winger and proven winner. Johnsson’s domination of the American Hockey League where he captured the Calder Cup MVP, showed that he’s ready for the next step and going to be a phenomenal NHL talent.

Although he’s only played 125 NHL games, this selection is based off prediction. After scoring 20 goals and 43 points in his rookie season, I don’t think that was a fluke.

Johnsson will continue to be a 20-goal scorer for the next decade and would be a remarkable pick here for Dallas, especially on the power-play with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn.