Who would go first overall in a 2003 NHL Draft re-do?

The class of 2003 was arguably the best ever in an NHL entry draft, but how could it have gone differently? Take a closer look at the picks and how they turned out.

In the 2003 NHL Draft, Pittsburgh took Marc-Andre Fleury first overall, followed by Eric Staal to Carolina at No. 2 and Nathan Horton to Florida at No. 3.

But if that draft, regarded as one of the best ever, was picked all over again the order would be much different.

Other players of note who went in the first round that year were Jeff Carter (11th to Philadelphia), Zach Parise (17th to New Jersey), Ryan Getzlaf (19th to Anaheim), Brent Burns (20th to Minnesota), and Corey Perry (28th to Anaheim). In the second round, Patrice Bergeron, Shea Weber and David Backes are the headline names.

As for later-round picks, Joe Pavelski went in Round 7, Dustin Byfuglien in Round 8, and Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott in Round 9.

On Sportsnet’s Wednesday Night Hockey, the panel debated a 2003 draft re-do and came up with a new top 10. Here are the results (and watch the segment above).

1) Patrice Bergeron
1) Ryan Getzlaf
3) Brent Burns
4) Shea Weber
5) Eric Staal
6) Corey Perry
7) Ryan Suter
8) Joe Pavelski
9) Ryan Kesler
10) Jeff Carter

We asked who you would choose first overall. Here’s how you voted:

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