Did the Panthers reach with Aaron Ekblad? Redrafting the 2014 NHL Draft

The 2014 NHL Draft was one of the most talented classes of the last 20 years. It was also one of the deepest. The top 10 wasn’t amazing. Most of the names on the list come from outside the top 10, including two mid-rounders that developed into superstars. Let’s take a look and redraft the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

A Draft with some of the best goal-getters in the NHL

1- Florida Panthers- David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins)

The Bruins picked Pastrnak 25th overall and made away like bandits. Pastrnak has shown a propensity to be good at everything in the sport of hockey. He’s an elite scorer who sets up his teammates hard on the puck. Pastrnak is everything that a team could want with a first overall pick.

2- Buffalo Sabres- Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers)

Leon Draisatil is perhaps the most pure goal scorer in this entire draft. Throughout his career in Edmonton, Draisaitl has been a steady and reliable scorer.

3- Edmonton Oilers- Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings)

Since being drafted in 2014, Dylan Larkin has been the franchise in Detroit. He has carried a team that has consistently disappointed, but looks to be turning a corner soon. Imagine his breakneck speed alongside Connor McDavid.

4- Calgary Flames- Aaron Ekblad (Florida Panthers)

Ekblad was selected first overall, and the Panthers can’t have many complaints about how the defenseman has fared in the NHL. Ekblad is one of the steadiest blue liners in the league, with a career +/- of +61.

5- New York Islanders- Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Maybe one of the most impactful players in Tampa Bay’s back to back Stanley Cup championships. Point exploded after being selected in the third round of the 2014 draft. Point had a career-high 41 goals in 2019 and is one of the best centers in the NHL.

6- Vancouver Canucks- Sam Reinhart (Buffalo Sabres)

The Sabres had lofty goals for Reinhart after being drafted second overall, and they didn’t fully materialize until the last four seasons. Last season with the Panthers, Reinhart had career highs in points, assists, and goals.

7- Carolina Hurricanes- Nikolaj Ehlers (Winnipeg Jets)

Ehlers has been a lifelong Jet in his career and it’s paid huge dividends. Ehlers has 379 points in just under 500 games played in Winnipeg.

8- Toronto Maple Leafs- Viktor Arvidsson (Nashville Predators)

The Predators picked Arvidsson in the fourth round in 2014, and now Arvidsson is one of the best players for the Predators and now the Kings.

9 -Winnipeg Jets- William Nylander (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Wild Bill drops down one spot, but that doesn’t take away how consistent of a player he’s been since being selected by the Leafs. 167 goals in over 400 games in Toronto have led Nylander to become one of the major players in the Leafs' few playoff berths.

10- Anaheim Ducks- Kevin Fiala (Nashville Predators)

Another shrewd pickup for the Predators. Fiala didn’t turn out to be much in Nashville, but stepped up his game in Minnesota and now Los Angeles. The Predators got franchise cornerstone Mikael Granlund out of him as well.