{"numbering":"asc","slides":[{"index":1,"title":"Tampa Bay Lightning: Steven Stamkos","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Stamkos_USATSI_14057310.jpg","credit":"© Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599262715,"caption":"

Position: Center
Original Pick: Same
Where he was originally picked: Same

Notes: It's a coin flip between Stamkos and Doughty for the top pick as both are elite talents. Really the pick will likely depend on if you think it is better to build a team around an elite defenseman or an elite center.

"},{"index":2,"title":"Los Angeles Kings: Drew Doughty","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Doughty_D_USATSI_14032885.jpg","credit":"","published":1599262387,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Same
Where he was originally picked: Same

Notes: One of the top defensemen in the NHL, Doughty also ranks fourth in the entire draft class in points. He is the total package for a top defenseman.

"},{"index":3,"title":"Atlanta Thrashers: Erik Karlsson","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Karlsson_E_USATSI_13982665.jpg","credit":"© Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599263671,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Zach Bogosian
Where he was originally picked: 15th

Notes: A few years ago, Karlsson wold have been the top pick and it would not have been close, but he has lost a step with injuries. Let's not forget, he took the dumpster fire that is Ottawa to within one goal of the Stanley Cup Final in 2017.

"},{"index":4,"title":"St. Louis Blues: Roman Josi","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Josi_R_USATSI_13918063.jpg","credit":"© Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599264069,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Alex Pietrangelo
Where he was originally picked: 38th

Notes: It really speaks to the class' defensive depth that a guy like Josi can be the third defenseman picked. Considering the proud history of defensemen in Nashville, it is pretty impressive that Josi is probably the best of the bunch.

"},{"index":5,"title":"Toronto Maple Leafs: John Carlson","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Carlson_J_USATSI_14749777.jpg","credit":"© John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599264318,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Luke Schenn
Where he was originally picked: 27th

Notes: For a while, Carlson was incorrectly considered just an offensive defenseman who was not worth much in his own zone. Over the years, however, the Caps have leaned heavily on Carlson at both ends of the ice as their top defenseman.

"},{"index":6,"title":"Columbus Blue Jackets: Alex Pietrangelo","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Pietrangelo_A_USATSI_14159885.jpg","credit":"© Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599264778,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Nikita Filatov
Where he was originally picked: 4th

Notes: Pietrangelo is a great defensive player and was a huge part of the Blues' Cup run.

"},{"index":7,"title":"Nashville Predators: Braden Holtby","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Holtby_b_usatsi_14765208_1.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1599265170,"caption":"

Position: Goaltender
Original Pick: Colin Wilson
Where he was originally picked: 93rd

Notes: Braden Holtby has a Vezina Trophy and a Stanley Cup to his name. He also holds the fifth-best playoff save percentage of all-time and has tied the record for most wins in a season with 48.

"},{"index":8,"title":"Phoenix Coyotes: Jordan Eberle","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Eberle_J_USATSI_14871477.jpg","credit":"© John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599265250,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Mikkel Boedker
Where he was originally picked: 22nd

Notes: Eberle is a decent point producer and ranks third in the class with 551 points.

"},{"index":9,"title":"New York Islanders: Jacob Markstrom","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Markstrom_J_USATSI_14854571.jpg","credit":"© Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599268711,"caption":"

Position: Goaltender
Original Pick: Josh Bailey
Where he was originally picked: 31st

Notes: It took a while, but Markstrom finally seems to be hitting his stride as a No. 1 in the NHL with Vancouver.

"},{"index":10,"title":"Vancouver Canucks: Derek Stepan","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Stepan_D_USATSI_14188135.jpg","credit":"© Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599265519,"caption":"

Position: Center
Original Pick: Cody Hodgson
Where he was originally picked: 51st

Notes: Stepan's two-way play makes him a great second-line center.

"},{"index":11,"title":"Chicago Blackhawks: Cam Atkinson","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Atkinson_C_USATSI_14713862.jpg","credit":"© John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599266573,"caption":"

Position: Right Wing
Original Pick: Kyle Beach
Where he was originally picked: 157th

Notes: Once Atkinson settled into the NHL, he took off. He went six straight seasons with at least 20 goals. Twice during that streak he scored over 30 and even reached 41 goals in 2018-19. That streak of 20 or more goals only ended because injuries limited him to 44 games in 2019-20.

"},{"index":12,"title":"Buffalo Sabres: Jared Spurgeon","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Spurgeon_J_USATSI_14017206.jpg","credit":"© David Berding-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599266813,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Tyler Myers
Where he was originally picked: 156th

Notes: This is obviously a defense-heavy draft which is why a player like Spurgeon, who has scored 10 or more goals in each of the past four seasons, bumps down to No. 12 behind five other blueliners.

"},{"index":13,"title":"Los Angeles Kings: Tyler Myers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Myers_T_USATSI_14125671.jpg","credit":"© Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599267030,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Colten Heubert
Where he was originally picked: 12th

Notes: Myers benefitted from being a big fish in the small Buffalo pond. He has not played quite as significant a role in Winnipeg or Vancouver, but he is still clearly a top-four defenseman.

"},{"index":14,"title":"Carolina Hurricanes: Adam Henrique","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Henrique_A_USATSI_14169372.jpg","credit":"© Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599267289,"caption":"

Position: Center
Original Pick: Zach Boychuk
Where he was originally picked: 82nd

Notes: Henrique is a Swiss Army knife. He is a two-way, middle-six center who can produce, is strong in his own zone and can play on the power play or penalty kill.

"},{"index":15,"title":"Ottawa Senators: Josh Bailey","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Bailey_J_USATSI_14749476.jpg","credit":"© John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599267459,"caption":"

Position: Center
Original Pick: Erik Karlsson
Where he was originally picked: 9th

Notes: Looking at all the players in this class, who would have thought Bailey would be second in games played? He jumped right into the NHL and has never looked back.

"},{"index":16,"title":"Boston Bruins: Gustav Nyquist","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Nyquist_G_USATSI_14188206.jpg","credit":"© Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599267749,"caption":"

Position: Right Wing
Original Pick: Joe Colborne
Where he was originally picked: 121st

Notes: Nyquist didn't really stick in the NHL until he was 24, but he has made up for lost time by scoring at least 40 points eight of the past nine seasons.

"},{"index":17,"title":"Anaheim Ducks: T.J. Brodie","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Brodie_T_USATSI_13837813.jpg","credit":"© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599267969,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Jake Gardiner
Where he was originally picked: 114th

Notes: An all-around defensive talent that has carved out a significant role for himself in Calgary.

"},{"index":18,"title":"Nashville Predators: Travis Hamonic","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Hamonic_T_USATSI_13998544.jpg","credit":"© Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599268215,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Chet Pickard
Where he was originally picked: 53rd

Notes: Hamonic is an imposing player at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds and he uses his size to play a physical style. He is also a right-shot so he's a valuable player.

"},{"index":19,"title":"Philadelphia Flyers: Jake Gardiner","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Gardiner_J_USATSI_14084201.jpg","credit":"© John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599268462,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Luca Sbisa
Where he was originally picked: 17th

Notes: Gardiner is a good puck-mover and that's an important skill in today's NHL.

"},{"index":20,"title":"New York Rangers: Tyler Ennis","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Ennis_T_USATSI_14028251.jpg","credit":"© Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599268918,"caption":"

Position: Center
Original Pick: Michael Del Zotto
Where he was originally picked: 26th

Notes: Ennis is another strong puck-mover with 322 career points. He gets knocked a bit for being only 5-foot-9, but otherwise he is a good bottom-pair player who can produce even in limited minutes.

"},{"index":21,"title":"Washington Capitals: Justin Schultz","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Schultz_J_USATSI_14182977.jpg","credit":"© Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599269360,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Anton Gustafsson
Where he was originally picked: 43rd

Notes: Schultz is a decent top-four defenseman who can produce, though it is inconsistent. A 51-point season in 2016-17 appears to be an outlier, but at least the potential is there.

"},{"index":22,"title":"Edmonton Oilers: Mikkel Boedker","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Boedker_M_USATSI_14027574.jpg","credit":"© Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599269610,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Jordan Eberle
Where he was originally picked: 114th

Notes: Boedker is a bottom-six forward who has hit 50 points twice in his career. More importantly, he has never recorded more than 20 PIMs in a season. He is very dependable and very disciplined.

"},{"index":23,"title":"Minnesota Wild: Jake Allen","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Allen_J_USATSI_14776114.jpg","credit":"© Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599269971,"caption":"

Position: Goaltender
Original Pick: Tyler Cuma
Where he was originally picked: 34th

Notes: I wouldn't want Allen to be the clear No. 1, but with the NHL moving more and more towards tandems, Allen absolutely can be a 1a/1b type of goalie.

"},{"index":24,"title":"New Jersey Devils: Luke Schenn","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Schenn_L_USATSI_10769762.jpg","credit":"© Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599270181,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Mattias Tedenby
Where he was originally picked: 5th

Notes: Schenn is sixth in the class in games played with an ice time average of over 17 minutes.

"},{"index":25,"title":"Calgary Flames: Jason Demers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Demers_J_USATSI_14188167.jpg","credit":"© Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599270574,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Greg Nemisz
Where he was originally picked: 146th

Notes: Demers was picked 186th overall, but ranks 15th in the class in games played. He has been an important piece of the blue line for all four teams he has played on in his career.

"},{"index":26,"title":"Buffalo Sabres: Michael Del Zotto","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Del%20Zotto_M_USATSI_9936315.jpg","credit":"© Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599271116,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Tyler Ennis
Where he was originally picked: 20th

Notes: Del Zotto is a player you pick for his potential. He hasn't always lived up to that potential, but he can be trusted with a bottom-pair role.

"},{"index":27,"title":"Washington Capitals: Colin Wilson","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Wilson_C_USATSI_13494102.jpg","credit":"© Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599271743,"caption":"

Position: Center
Original Pick: John Carlson
Where he was originally picked: 7th

Notes: A good two-way forward who is 17th in the class with 286 points.

"},{"index":28,"title":"Phoenix Coyotes: Zack Smith","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Smith_Z_USATSI_14001912.jpg","credit":"© Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599271978,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Viktor Tikhonov
Where he was originally picked: 114th

Notes: Smith has grinded his way to 662 NHL games and 204 points.

"},{"index":29,"title":" Atlanta Thrashers: Zach Bogosian","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Bogosian_Z_USATSI_14169120.jpg","credit":"© John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599272138,"caption":"

Position: Defenseman
Original Pick: Daultan Leveille
Where he was originally picked: 3rd

Notes: Bogosian is best as a bottom-pair player, but good enough to move into the top four when needed.

"},{"index":30,"title":"Detroit Red Wings: Marco Scandella","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/_Scandella_M_USATSI_14098235.jpg","credit":"© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports","published":1599272273,"caption":"

Position: Goaltender
Original Pick: Thomas McCollum
Where he was originally picked: 55th

Notes: Scandella is not going to blow anyone away at either end of the ice, but he is a dependable depth defenseman.

"}]}

Redrafting the 2008 NHL Draft: Does Doughty or Stamkos go No. 1?