Victor Hedman has been one of the best defensemen in all of the NHL throughout his career with the Lightning but he was almost traded before being drafted.
Hedman Nearly Traded To Toronto In Failed Draftd Day Blockbuster
We have all known Victor Hedman as the elite Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman who has helped them reach two Stanley Cups and many successful seasons. However, there is a world where Hedman never played for the Lightning and instead would have gone to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Former Leafs GM Brian Burke revealed the trade that would have sent the 2009 2nd overall pick to Toronto.
The Lightning's Ask For The Victor Hedman Pick: Luke Schenn (drafted 5th overall in the previous year) 2009 7th overall pick (Leafs took Nazem Kadri)
While Kadri and Schenn both have been effective NHLers for their entire careers, neither has been a Victor Hedman caliber player.
The Canucks were also in on Hedman and offered up a large package but eventually, the Lightning decided they wanted to keep the pick and that was clearly the right decision.