New York Islanders: Re-Drafting Class of 2009 NHL Entry Draft

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SUNRISE, FL – DECEMBER 28: Mike Hoffman #68 of the Florida Panthers prepares for a face-off against the Montreal Canadiens at the BB&T Center on December 28, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. Montreal defeated Florida 5-3. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Anton Klementyev (D) Round: 5 Pick: 122 | Mike Hoffman (LW) Round: 5 Pick: 130

It’s fair to say that from the third round on, NHL teams are taking shots at a dartboard when it comes to drafting prospects. They have reasons to like the players they take, but there’s no guarantee the player they take turns into anything at the NHL level.

So the fact that Anton Klementyev played a single game in the NHL shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. The Isles took a shot at drafting the Russian defenseman in the fifth round of the 2009 draft, and it didn’t work out.

Unfortunately, just eight picks later the Ottawa Senators selected Mike Hoffman.

He scored 52 goals in 62 games in the 2008-09 season for the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Wondering why he was drafted so late? He actually entered the draft in 2008 but went unselected. Teams weren’t high on Mike Hoffman.

But since the 2009 draft, Hoffman has played for the Ottawa Senators and the Florida Panthers combining for 300 points in 424 NHL appearances. The end of his stay in Ottawa was, rocky, but there’s no doubt that Hoffman was the best player selected in the fifth round of the 2009 draft.

If the New York Islanders could get a do-over on the 2009 NHL Draft, they’d certainly take Mike Hoffman before Anton Klementyev in the fifth round.