2017 NHL Re-Draft: Makar To Devils At No. 1, Robertson To Golden Knights
The 2017 NHL Draft featured high-end talent at all three positions, headlined by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar. Owen Cameron takes a look at what changes would be made if general managers across the league had a second chance to make their picks.
Video Transcript
I, I covered that draft.
I was at the draft combine.
I was at the, the draft in Chicago.
You know, everybody thought Nolan Patrick was gonna be the number one pick, and Heiskanen ended up being the number one pick.
Obviously, Patrick with the history of concussions and injuries, you know, he would be the one of the ones that would drop out of the top five.
I would say even though he has the most points of any player in this draft, that you would maybe put Pettersson, out of the top five because of, you know, just the, the, the, the, the track of his career.
I mean, he's struggled the last couple years, and I don't know whether he can get back to the level he had in previous years.
Makar obviously will be the number one overall pick now.
But you have to remember, at that point he was playing in the AJHL, and he hadn't played two years in college, so that was a bold pick by, Joe Sakic and the, and the Avalanche, and they benefited from it.
But I mean, Heiskanen I think would probably be number two over Heiskanen 'cause centers are very valuable.
And the guys I would, elevate into the top five would be Nick Suzuki, who was drafted by Vegas, and, second rounder Jason Robertson, who's just done nothing but score goals, y- you know, since, since being drafted in that draft.
Frank, any changes you would make to that top five now with the benefit of hindsight?
Yeah.
Benefit of hindsight, I think Pettersson stays in the top five.
I think, you know, he's a very talented player.
You know, again, a lot of change and turnover in Vancouver, so it's hard to really get a gauge on it.
I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.
I'll go in order Makar, Suzuki, Heiskanen, Heyser, and Pettersson
