Toronto Maple Leafs: Re-Drafting the Top 10 in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft

After the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated from the 2017 playoffs, what awaited them as well as other teams who were either eliminated from the playoffs or didn’t qualify at all was the 2017 draft.

Headlined by the Hischier/Patrick battle of which one of them would go first overall, it was deemed to be a pretty weak draft class by some. In that draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs went on to select Timothy Liljegren with the 17th overall selection.

Not a bad pick, but it’s still too bad they didn’t take Jason Robertson (39th) or even Rob Thomas (20).

This was also the season where the Colorado Avalanche were at the bottom of the entire NHL with a whopping 48 points.

On top of that, they would “lose” the draft lottery by earning the fourth overall pick.

The guy they selected, not a big name whatsoever just a Norris winner, Stanley Cup Champion, and arguably the best defensemen in the league, was Cale Makar.

Safe to say, the Avs didn’t lose after all.

But how is everyone else doing in the draft? Well with the 2023 NHL draft coming up, let’s re-draft the top ten picks of the 2017 draft.

Re-Drafting the 2017 NHL Entry Draft

#1: New Jersey Devils – Cale Makar

Original Pick: Nico Hischier

This one is pretty obvious. A superstar defensemen in the league dropped to fourth overall in this years draft, the Devils and three other teams opted to not draft Makar in the top three. The 24-year-old would do wonders on the Devils blue-line already filled with great players such as Dougie Hamilton, and John Marino, Makar would add so much more offense to New Jersey that they may have been able to make the playoffs in years past.

Selecting Hischier first overall is understandable. At the time, scouts had him pegged at the top two-way center in the draft, and picking the Swiss player was certainly not a bad selection whatsoever with him being their captain, but seeing the superstar Makar has become, the Devils might want to go back on their selection.

#2: Philadelphia Flyers – Elias Pettersson

Original Pick: Nolan Patrick

This one hurts Flyers fans, you had the chance to select any top player in this years draft and they ended up selecting Nolan Patrick, who sadly did not pan out for Philly. With no fault of his own Patrick’s issues have come from injuries. I was a big fan of the pick for Philadelphia, but in hindsight, Elias Pettersson was the right choice who slipped to five.

Pettersson has developed into a top center in the league and if his was in a Flyers jersey, I don’t think Philly would be too upset. In 325 games thus far, the Swedish sensation has 323 points. This season Pettersson passed the 100 point mark for the first time in his career with his previous career high in points being 68.

#3: Dallas Stars -Jason Robertson

Original Pick- Miro Heiskanen

It is absolutely insane with how well the Stars did in this years draft. Not only did they select Jason Robertson later on but managed to get both Miro Heiskanen and Jake Oettinger as well.

Robertson has blossomed into a fantastic player for Dallas, scoring 40 plus goals in each of the last two seasons and cracking 109 points this past season. Robertson is the future of this team and has already proven to be a steal in this years draft.

#4: Colorado Avalanche – Miro Heiskanen

Original Pick- Cale Makar

Next, I have the Avs taking Miro Heiskanen. Heiskanen has proven to be a steady defensemen in this league for the Stars and would still help the Avs. Do they go on to win a cup, maybe not, but the 23-year-old is a great two-way defender and is a great consolation prize for the Avalanche.

#5: Vancouver Canucks – Nico Hischier

Original Pick- Elias Pettersson

I have the first overall pick dropping a few slots, which shows how good this draft has become.

Over the years, Hischier has continued to improve and this season he tallied a career-high 80 points in 81 games this season. Hischier is considered to be one of the best two-way forwards in the league per head coach of the Devils, Lindy Ruff. Although the Canucks may not have Pettersson in this re-draft, a Selke finalist is still something to be proud with.

#6: Vegas Golden Knights – Nick Suzuki 

Original Pick – Cody Glass

Although Suzuki was originally drafted by Vegas 13th overall, I have him going seven spots higher in this re-draft. With how well Vegas is doing this year, imagine how good they would be with Nick Suzuki down the middle.

The Knights got some great seasons out of Max Pacioretty, but traded him for basically nothing last year. Suzuki has went on to become the captain of the Montreal Canadiens notching 66 points this season in 82 games played.

#7: New York Rangers – Robert Thomas 

Original Pick – Lias Andersson

Like the Flyers, I bet the Rangers wish they had a re-do button with this pick. Robert Thomas has proved to be a main-stay with the St.Louis Blues after his breakout 77-point campaign in the 2021-22 season. he dropped off in points this year putting up 65 points in 73 games, but would still help New York immensely.

#8: Buffalo Sabres – Jake Oettinger

Original Pick – Casey Mittelstadt

When the Sabres picked Casey Mittelstadt, there was a good amount of hype surrounding the American forward. However, with Jake Oettinger’s play throughout the years, he has earned himself the eighth overall selection.

Oettinger burst onto the scene in the 2022 playoffs, playing lights out in Dallas’ first-round matchup against the Calgary Flames. This year, the Stars netminder recorded a 2.37 GAA and a .919 SV%.

Goaltending has been an issue for Buffalo the last couple of seasons and someone like Oettinger would help a ton.