We go from Calgary to Sunrise, Florida. Again, we’re looking at who the Flyers should’ve taken instead of who they did. This one was a bit easier than 2000. Although there weren’t any superstar names available for us this year, we could’ve had a really good draft.
First Pick: Round 1 Pick 27 (27)
Original Pick: Jeff Woywitka (D)
New Pick: Jason Pominville (55) (RW)
Woywitka had an ok NHL career putting up 55 points, 9 goals and 46 assists in 278 games played with the Blues, Stars, and Rangers. Our new pick, Jason Pominville, had a better career to say the least. Putting up 727 points, 293 goals and 434 assists in 1,060 games played between the Sabres and Wild, Pominville would be a prominent piece on both teams and would go to the 2012 NHL All Star Game and would regularly receive Selke and Lady Byng votes. To say this pick was botched is a bit of an understatement.
Others in contention: Mike Cammaleri (49)
Second Pick: Round 3 Pick 32 (95)
Original Pick: Patrick Sharp (C)
New Pick: Patrick Sharp
The Flyers hit on this pick, simple as that. In 939 games played with the Flyers, Blackhawks, and Stars, he put up 620 points, 287 goals and 333 assists. He would help the Blackhawks win 3 cups in 6 years. He would go on to play in the 2011 All-Star Game, receiving the MVP honors of that game. And he would regularly get Selke and Lady Byng votes, along with votes for the Hart for the 2013-14 season.
Others in contention: Jordin Tootoo (98), Ray Emery (99), Christian Ehrhoff (106)
Third Pick: Round 5 Pick 15 (146)
Original Pick: Jussi Timonen (D)
New Pick: Kevin Bieksa (151) (D)
Jussi Timonen was not the right Timonen for our blue line. In 14 NHL games, all with the Flyers, Timonen had 4 assists. Then he was traded to the Dallas Stars before returning to Europe. Just 5 picks later, Vancouver selected Kevin Bieksa. While not a sexy pick, Bieksa would go on to have a respectful NHL career putting up 278 points, 63 goals and 215 assists, in 808 games played with the Canucks and Ducks. Not to mention that he got Norris votes in two different seasons.
Others in contention: none
Fourth Pick: Round 5 Pick 19 (150)
Original Pick: Bernd Brückler (G)
New Pick: Mike Smith (161) (G)
The Flyers used a compensatory pick in the 5th round to select goalie Bernd Brückler. Brückler would never play in the NHL. Instead, I have the Flyers selecting goaltender Mike Smith. Smith would compile a 262-248-74 record for the Stars, Lightning, Coyotes, Flames, and currently the Oilers. Also, he scored a goal in the 2013-14 season, and that’s not even his most impressive one. Really, go look at his 2017 All-Star Skills Competition goal. He was on the 2006-07 NHL All Rookie Team, getting 12th in Calder voting, would get Hart and Vezina votes in 2011-12, and went to the 2017 and 2018 NHL All Star Games. But one “highlight” he’d like to forget is the “Butt Goal” just a few months after his goal.
Others in contention: none
Fifth Pick: Round 5 Pick 27 (158)
Original Pick: Roman Málek (G)
New Pick: Dennis Seidenberg (172) (D)
The Flyers took another goaltender in the 5th round, their third pick of that round. Málek never played in North America, spending his whole career in Europe. Dennis Seidenberg is a weird pick for us, as he was taken by the Flyers in the 6th round. I moved him up because there was no one else. Seidenberg would go on to put up 251 points, 44 goals and 207 assists, in 859 NHL games for the Flyers, Coyotes, Hurricanes, Panthers, Bruins, and Islanders. He would receive some Norris votes in 2012-13 with Boston, then Lady Byng votes two years later with Boston again.
Others in contention: none
Sixth Pick: Round 6 Pick 7 (172)
Original Pick: Dennis Seidenberg (D)
New Pick: Jussi Jokinen (192) (LW)
So, since I picked Seidenberg before, I’m not gonna spend any time on him here. Jussi Jokinen wasn’t the best Jokinen in the NHL, and no he is not related to Olli, the guy Mike Milbury traded to Florida with Luongo. But, Jokinen still had a decent career putting up 563 points, 191 goals and 372 assists, in 951 games for 9 different teams. He would get Calder votes in 2005-06, Lady Byng votes the following season, then some Selke votes in 2015-16.
Others in contention: Brooks Laich (193)
Seventh Pick: Round 6 Pick 12 (177)
Original Pick: Andrei Razin (C)
New Pick: Cristobal Huet (214) (G)
Andrei Razin would never go on to play in North America. Cristobal Huet would most definitely be a better pick. He would put up a 129-90-32 record for the Kings, Canadiens, Capitals, and Blackhawks. He would help Chicago make the post season where Antti Niemi would take over to eventually win the Stanley Cup, but that’s not what we’re here to talk about. Huet was never an amazing goalie, but solid and would place 8th in Vezina trophy voting in the 2007-08 season.
Others in contention: none
Eighth Pick: Round 7 Pick 12 (208)
Original Pick: Thierry Douville (D)
New Pick: Johnny Oduya (221) (D)
Douville would play 3 games in the AHL, and would never player any higher than the ECHL besides that. Johnny Oduya would put up 190 points, 41 goals. and 149 assists, in 850 games for the Devils, Thrashers/Jets, Blackhawks, Stars, Senators, and Flyers. He won the 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cup in Chicago.
Others in contention: none
Ninth Pick: Round 7 Pick 29 (225)
Original Pick: David Printz
New Pick: P.A. Parenteau (264) (LW)
Printz beat the odds of being a 7th round player to play in the NHL, going pointless in his 13 games with the Flyers. PA Parenteau would beat even greater odds as the 9th round pick would put up 296 points, 114 goals and 182 assists, in 491 games played for the Blackhawks, Rangers, Islanders, Avalanche, Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Devils, and Predators.
Others in contention: Martin Gerber (232)
Flyers Original Draft
Jeff Woywitka
Patrick Sharp
Jussi Timonen
Bernd Brückler
Roman Málek
Dennis Seidenberg
Andrei Razin
Thierry Douville
David Printz
Flyers New Draft
Jason Pominville
Patrick Sharp
Kevin Bieksa
Mike Smith
Dennis Seidenberg
Jussi Jokinen
Brooks Laich
Cristobal Huet
PA Parenteau
By: Noah Caplan (@Phlyers24)
Photo creds: wikipedia
brotherlypuck.com 