What if: 2010 Draft

The most controversial draft if you ask me was the 2010 NHL Draft hosted in Los Angeles, California. And some might ask why?

Two players had amazing seasons, but to start out the 2009-10 OHL Season was the 2009 Memorial Cup MVP Taylor Hall who was beyond favoured to be the first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft. The number two at the time was Kirill Kabanov, who later became a second round pick, and Cam Fowler who was Hall's teammate was ranked at three. After ten games, Tyler Seguin rised up to one, and then two, and then one, and then two. 

What made Tyler Seguin so unique was he was pointless for his first ten games with the Plymouth Whalers, and finished the season with 67 points in 61 games. What made this more impressive was AJ Jenks was one of the few teammates who were drafted into the NHL. Taylor Hall had a roster of NHL drafted players such as Ryan Ellis, Zack Kassian, Adam Henrique, Eric Wellwood, Scott Timmins, Greg Nemisz, Dale Mitchell, top prospect Cam Fowler, and their goaltender Philip Grubauer. 

But Tyler Seguin kept making a case for being a first-overall pick even though he got cut from the World Junior team. I think based on the careers, Seguin has proven to be a better player. Taylor Hall bounced a lot around the league, Tyler Seguin managed to get the money and a home in Dallas. But the crazy thing here is, not just did the same general manager Peter Chiarelli trade both of them away, but Seguin won a cup in his rookie year. I wasn't a fan of the pick given that I knew Boston didn't need Seguin as they already had a stacked team. 

But now, let's say Edmonton decided to take the better player. Tyler Seguin is an Oiler, and now they have their number one centre. Lots of pressure is to be had on Seguin as he has become their first ever first-overall pick. I think Seguin is relied on a lot, but the Oilers have a similar record but I think Seguin has a great season in the window of 50-70 points as Eberle looks to join him in making the Oilers competitive. But the Oilers look to find defense, where they likely take Adam Larsson who ironically got traded for Hall. Now, the Oilers don't really improve that much and I think they look to add more defense and select either Ryan Murray or Griffin Reinhart. Don't know if Edmonton does improve, but if they did they likely add scoring or forwards in the next drafts to help Tyler Seguin. Seguin is signed to a big contract in Edmonton long-term and has found a home. I think the Oilers have a stronger tight-knit core, and Seguin makes them good enough to have them get into the bottom of the playoffs. But what happens here is the Oilers never end up with McDavid or Draisaitl. I think the Oilers are a good team until 2018-19, and after a few seasons of failure they likely get rid of Seguin as he would probably want to play for a contender at some point. So present day, the Oilers are the worst team in the league. That means likely none of the players on the present day Oilers are on that team. But I think Tyler Seguin is a more notable player in the league and a responsible player. As for McDavid, he likely makes Buffalo a more competitive team. 

Taylor Hall going second overall to the Bruins. Well, I think Hall too has a good season and manages to pan out to be the player everyone thought. I think he has less injuries, and found being given that much pressure as a teenager effected his game. But he wins a cup in Boston, ends the season with eighty points, and is locked up long-term by the Bruins. I don't really think he leaves the Bruins eventually, but I see him going to a team like Chicago in the similar trade and can't say if he stays or not. But I see him ending up with a competitive team, but in this timeline, who knows. But let's just say for the sake of laughter Florida or Buffalo.