Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
1st (and 2nd, if there are 2)
|
Unlikely, actually. The NHL almost never gave expansion teams the first overall pick.
In 2000, the Wild picked third (Gaborik) and the Blue Jackets fourth (Klesla). The Islanders went first (DiPietro) and Thrashers second (Heatley).
In 1999, the Thrashers were slotted second, but through a series of trades sent that pick to Vancouver (who took half of the Sedins) and acquired Tampa's first overall pick from the Canucks to pick Stefan.
In 1998, the Predators were slotted second and took Legwand. The Lightning took Lecavalier first overall.
In 1993, the Ducks were slotted fourth (Kariya) and the Panthers fifth (Niedermayer)
1992 was the only time in the modern era that an expansion team got the top pick. Tampa Bay took Roman Hamrlik. Followed by the Senators getting Yashin.
In 1991, the Sharks were placed second and took Pat Falloon. One wonders how history would have changed had the league given them top pick. Would Lindros have agreed to go to San Jose? If he had, the Sharks, Nordiques/Avs and Flyers would all have had dramatically different histories in the 1990s.