Malkin, Ovechkin switch places at top of 2004 re-draft

Saturday, 06.21.2014 / 3:00 AM / 2014 NHL Draft - Philadelphia - June 27-28, 2014

By Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor

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NHL.com will take a look back at the NHL Draft from five, 10 and 20 years ago this week, leading up to the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. How would those drafts look today?

It's hard to believe it's been 10 years since the 2004 NHL Draft gave us three of the best players in the game today.

There was a bit of a delay for the elite crop selected that year in Raleigh, N.C. Players had to wait to make their NHL debut due to the lockout that cancelled the 2004-05 season.

The 2004 draft saw history made when Russian players were selected with the first two picks, the only time that's happened. It marked the final year the draft went longer than seven rounds; it went nine, and there was talent throughout.

Those first two players have gone on to have careers some members of the Hockey Hall of Fame would envy, and the best could be yet to come, with neither close to his 30th birthday.

Not every pick reached that level of stardom. So with 10 years of hindsight, how would that draft go if the players were made available today?

ORDER	PLAYER	SKINNY
Note: Players listed with current team (pick number in parentheses)
1	Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins (2)	Two Art Ross trophies, a Hart Trophy, a Conn Smythe, and a Stanley Cup give him the slight edge for No. 1.
2	Alex Ovechkin, RW, Washington Capitals (1)	Greatest goal-scorer of his generation; has sixth-best goal-per-game average of all-time.
3	Pekka Rinne, G, Nashville Predators (258)	Two-time Vezina Trophy finalist was steal in eighth round.
4	David Krejci, C, Boston Bruins (63)	Few players have raised their play more in the postseason. Has been playoff scoring champion twice in the past four years, including Bruins' 2011 Stanley Cup win.
5	Johan Franzen, C, Detroit Red Wings (97)	One of best net-front players in League; key to Red Wings' 2008 Stanley Cup.
6	Cory Schneider, G, New Jersey Devils (26)	Beat out Roberto Luongo for No. 1 job with Vancouver Canucks, now ready to push Martin Brodeur aside for No. 1 spot with Devils.
7	Ryan Callahan, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning (127)	Fourth-round pick was consistent 20-goal scorer and captain for New York Rangers prior to trade.
8	Andrew Ladd, LW, Winnipeg Jets (4)	Two-time Stanley Cup champion; at least 23 goals in three of four seasons with Thrashers/Jets.
9	Travis Zajac, C, New Jersey Devils (20)	Consistent top-line center played at least 80 games six times; double-figure goals six times in eight seasons.
10	Dave Bolland, C, Toronto Maple Leafs (32)	Part of two Stanley Cup winners with Chicago Blackhawks; scored Cup-winning goal in 2013.
11	Blake Wheeler, RW, Winnipeg Jets (5)	Power forward emerging as consistent scorer; career-best 28 goals this season, earned spot on U.S. Olympic team.
12	Troy Brouwer, RW, Washington Capitals (214)	Key part of Blackhawks' 2010 Stanley Cup win; had career bests of 25 goals, 43 points this season.
13	Mikhail Grabovski, C, Washington Capitals (150)	One of better puck-possession players in League; three-time 20-goal scorer was drafted by Canadiens.
14	Bryan Bickell, LW, Chicago Blackhawks (41)	Power forward emerged during Blackhawks' 2013 Stanley Cup win.
15	Mike Green, D, Washington Capitals (29)	One of seven defensemen in League history to score 30 goals in season; injures have slowed him.
16	Mark Streit, D, Philadelphia Flyers (262)	Didn't arrive in NHL until he was 28, after draft by Canadiens; durable, productive offensive defenseman for past 10 seasons.
17	Carl Soderberg, C, Boston Bruins (49)	Stayed nine seasons in Sweden after drafted by St. Louis Blues; arrived in Boston last season and made easy adjustment to NHL.
18	Brandon Dubinsky, C, Columbus Blue Jackets (60)	Two-time 20-goal scorer a grinding, defensive-minded agitator who was drafted by Rangers.
19	Alexander Edler, D, Vancouver Canucks (91)	Productive offensive defenseman has struggled along with Canucks past two seasons.
20	Roman Polak, D, St. Louis Blues (180)	Tough, physical defenseman always among team leaders in blocked shots, hits.
21	Alex Goligoski, D, Dallas Stars (61)	Led Stars defensemen in points in each of three full seasons. Drafted by Penguins.
22	Drew Stafford, RW, Buffalo Sabres (13)	Had 31-goal season in 2010-11, hasn't been close since; 16 goals for Sabres last season could be start of comeback.
23	David Booth, LW, Vancouver Canucks (53)	Scored 20 goals three times for Florida Panthers but hasn't with Canucks; new coach or new team could get him back on track.
24	Andrej Meszaros, D, Boston Bruins (23)	Solid contributor when healthy, but hasn't been much of past few seasons. Drafted by Senators.
25	Tyler Kennedy, C, San Jose Sharks (99)	Supporting offensive performer gets lost behind strong cast. Drafted by Penguins.
26	Anton Khudobin, G, Carolina Hurricanes (206)	Supplanted Cam Ward as starter with Hurricanes; fifth-best save percentage in League this season. Drafted by Wild.
27	Lauri Korpikoski, LW, Phoenix Coyotes (19)	Made mark as speedy, solid penalty killer and defensive-minded forward. Drafted by Rangers.
28	Andrej Sekera, D, Carolina Hurricanes (71)	Trade from Buffalo Sabres meant upgrade in ice time, rewarded Carolina with production.
29	Nicklas Grossmann, D, Philadelphia Flyers (56)	Shot-blocking machine had career-best 14 points this season. Drafted by Stars.
30	Kris Versteeg, RW, Chicago Blackhawks (134)	Used speed, versatility for solid NHL career; won Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2010. Drafted by Bruins.
Missing first-round picks: Cam Barker (3), Al Montoya (6), Rostislav Olesz (7), Alexandre Picard (8), Ladislav Smid (9), Boris Valabik (10), Lauri Tukonen (11), A.J. Thelen (12), Devan Dubnyk (14), Alexander Radulov (15), Petteri Nokelainen (16), Marek Schwarz (17), Kyle Chipchura (18), Wojtek Wolski (21), Lukas Kaspar (22), Kris Chucko (24), Rob Schremp (25), Jeff Schultz (27), Mark Fistric (28), Andy Rogers (30).