Colorado Avalanche: Redrafting The 2008 NHL Draft

Round 2

Apr 2, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; New York Rangers forward Derek Stepan (21) shoots during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

50th overall:
Colorado Avalanche pick — D Cameron Gaunce
New pick — C Derek Stepan (51st to NYR)

After the draft, Cameron Gaunce spent another two years in the OHL, before joining the Lake Erie Monsters in 2010. He recorded 22 points in 61 games in his first season with the Monsters and his development seemed to go perfectly. He even earned himself an appearance in 11 Avalanche games in his first pro season. However, the following year he would return to the Monsters and never play for the Avalanche again. Gaunce is now with the Dallas Stars organization, where he is a pure AHL defenseman.

Derek Stepan has had a much better career so far. After his draft year, Stepan joined the University of Wisconsin and captained Team USA at the World Juniors in 2010. He joined the New York Rangers the following season and kept his development going. Stepan had a breakout season in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign, as he scored 44 points in 48 games. Today, he is the Ranger’s No. 1 center and one of their best players.

61st overall:
Colorado Avalanche pick — G Peter Delmas
New pick — G Braden Holtby (93rd to WSH)

Peter Delmas is another one of the many picks the Colorado Avalanche used on a goaltender that would never play in the NHL. Highlight of his career was probably playing for the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers. Seriously, that’s their name. Anyway, after years in the AHL and ECHL, Delmas decided to quit his professional hockey dreams and enrolled at the University of Western Ontario.

The Washington Capitals showed everyone how you draft goalies. A third round pick that needs some time in junior hockey and the AHL, but then turns into a great, reliable NHL option. In the 2014-15 season, Holtby played all but nine (86) games for the Capitals — including playoffs.

The Colorado Avalanche’s 3rd round pick was traded to the Florida Panthers.

Next: Round 4