The Canuck Way
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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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Mar 31, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) in the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. the Ottawa Senators beat the Minnesota Wild 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1 – 10th Overall

Original Pick: C Cody Hodgson
New Pick: D Erik Karlsson (15th to OTT)
Honorable Mentions: D Tyler Myers (12th to BUF), RW Jordan Eberle (22nd to EDM), D Roman Josi (38th to NSH)

To be fair, Cody Hodgson was supposed to become a terrific first-line player. He had a 40-goal season as the captain of the Ontario Hockey League’s Brampton Battalion, and was ranked ninth among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. He almost seemed like a steal one year later, when he had 43 goals and 92 points in just 53 games. But, it never worked out too well in Vancouver.

In 2012, Hodgson sat at 16 goals and 33 points in 63 games, when the Canucks decided to trade him to the Buffalo Sabres in a four-player deal. His numbers were good for a player in his first full NHL season, so Canucks fans were surprised at the time. In return for Hodgson and Alexander Sulzer, the Canucks got winger Zack Kassian and defenceman Marc-Andre Gragnani. Kassian was a Canuck through the club’s most successful years, but we all know how it ended and where Kassian and Hodgson are today.

Instead, it could have been so easy for the Canucks. How about Swedish defenceman Erik Karlsson? A two-time Norris Trophy winner, Karlsson is the captain of the Ottawa Senators, and he is one of the league’s best defencemen. As a right-handed player, he is exactly what just about every team is looking for right now. In 508 NHL games to date, Karlsson has 104 goals and 403 points.

Alternatively, the Canucks could have had D-men Tyler Myers or Roman Josi, or winger Jordan Eberle. Defensemen Michael Del Zotto and John Carlson, and current Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom were selected after Hodgson as well. All of those picks could have saved Canucks fans and management from the Hodgson/Kassian drama.

Next: Round 2

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