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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Round 2 – 41st Overall

Original Pick: D Yann Sauve
New Pick: C Derek Stepan (51st to NYR)
Honorable Mentions: D Travis Hamonic (53rd to NYI), C Adam Henrique (82nd to NJD), G Braden Holtby (93rd to WSH)

In the second round of a draft that was full of elite talent, the Canucks missed out again, as they used their 41st pick on defenseman Yann Sauve. A big two-way defenseman and former first-overall pick in the QMJHL draft, Sauve played five games for the Canucks in the 2010-11 season, before disappearing in the minor leagues for three years. He actually spent 32 games in the ECHL in 2012-13, before getting his second and final chance in the NHL in 2014. After three disappointing games, his NHL career was over.

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Sauve is still active, playing for the ECHL Manchester Monarchs. But, the 26-year-old is about as far away from the NHL as you and I. Another pick with a lot of talent that never worked out, while there were several elite NHL players selected shortly after.

It started with center Derek Stepan, who went to the New York Rangers 10 picks after Sauve and is now a top-line center for Manhattan’s team. Other options included blue liner Travis Hamonic, who was a part of Canucks trade rumors just recently, after requesting a trade to be closer to his family in western Canada. Center Adam Henrique or goaltender Braden Holtby would have been nice options as well. Especially Holtby who took a little longer to develop but is perhaps the best goalie in the league right now.

Going for the best player available, I definitely would have picked Holtby here, but the Canucks had just acquired Roberto Luongo prior to the 2007-08 campaign. Can you imagine having Holtby, Luongo and Cory Schneider all at once? That would have been something.

Next: Round 5

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