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Vancouver Canucks: Redrafting the 2008 NHL Draft

By Janik Beichler

Jan 13, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Senators 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Senators 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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After winning the Northwest Division in 2007, the Vancouver Canucks failed to make the playoffs in 2008 — and the draft couldn’t make up for that.

The 2007-08 season was the last with the Vancouver Canucks for many important club members. Following an injury-riddled season and the second playoff miss in three years — I know this sounds a lot like 2016 — the Canucks fired general manager Dave Nonis. They also bid farewell to now-president Trevor Linden who retired after 19 NHL seasons, 16 of them with the Canucks. Last but not least, Vancouver let long-time captain Markus Naslund walk in free agency.

So, the new general manager, Mike Gillis, had some important work to do, to lead the Vancouver Canucks back to the top of the division. As we know today, he would lead the team not only to the top of the division, but to the top of the league standings, and later into the Stanley Cup Final. But, the 2008 NHL Entry Draft certainly didn’t help his plans — or his reputation.

After drafting six players who would combine for zero NHL games in 2007, Gillis really needed better luck. With the 10th-overall pick, he got a player who would go on to play 340 NHL games — and he is still active. However, the rest of his 2008 draft class combined for just eight games. And that 10th-overall pick is known as one of the biggest busts in Canucks history, although he was actually a much better pick than many before and after him.

But see for yourself:

10 – C Cody Hodgson
41 – D Yann Sauve
131 – RW Prab Raj
161 – F Mats Froshaug
191 – G Morgan Clark

Yes, the 340-game player is Cody Hodgson. Instead, the Canucks could have had a future Norris Trophy Champion, two more top-four blue liners, a top-six center and a backup goalie.

Off we go, our 2008 Canucks Redraft.

Next: Round 1

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