Colorado Avalanche: Redrafting The 2005 NHL Draft

Round 6

May 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman (6) reacts after center Tyler Johnson (9) scored a goal in the third period of game three of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

166th overall:
Colorado Avalanche pick — D Jason Lynch
New pick — G Joe Fallon (167th to CHI)

Jason Lynch, a 6-foot-4 defenseman, seemed like a good pick back in 2005, if he panned out. He didn’t, though, so in hindsight we have to say that it was not too good of a pick. He spent the last three years of his career in the Canadian equivalent to the NCAA at UBC. He is probably still a heavy-hitting defenseman for some beer league team in his native British Columbia.
Joe Fallon may come as a little suprise here, since most people probably don’t even know him. Well, due to the rules of this re-draft (eligible are only players that were selected between the Avalanche’s pick and their next pick), Fallon was the only eligible player. He appeared in no NHL games, but at least played 64 games in the AHL, which Lynch did not.

168th overall:
Colorado Avalanche pick — C Justin Mercier
New pick — D Anton Stralman (216th to TOR)

Justin Mercier appeared in nine games for the Avalanche, which is more than most other sixth round picks. He is still active in the ECHL and occasionally the AHL.
As opposed to Jason Lynch, Anton Stralman is currently farther away from beer league level than ever before. After many years of mediocrity on Toronto’s, Columbus’ and New York’s bottom defense pairs, Stralman elevated his game and turned into one of the best defensemen of the Stanley Cup Finalist Tampa Bay Lightning this season.

Next: Round 7