Top NHL Draft Picks: Historical Stars at Each Position

Wayne Simmonds: The “Mr. 61” and the Best Players in the NHL Draft

Wayne Simmonds, selected 61st overall in the 2007 draft by the Los Angeles Kings, stands out as the player with the most goals (263) and points (526) among those chosen in that position. Simmonds, nicknamed “Mr. 61”, is proud of his selection, recalling that it was a compensatory pick obtained by Vancouver through Anaheim. This choice, originally from the Anaheim Ducks, was sent to the Vancouver Canucks as compensation for the hiring of coach Randy Carlyle, and later, was traded to the Kings for defenseman Brent Sopel. Thus, Los Angeles got a valuable player in the second round.

Every position in the annual NHL draft has produced players who made it to the league. Some are legends, others, curiosities. Inspired by Ben Solak’s analysis of the NFL draft, we explore the essential players for each position in the NHL draft since 1967, considering the current format (picks 1 to 224). The evaluation is based on a combination of talent and success, including statistical impact, NHL awards, and legacy.

For players who were drafted and then re-entered the draft, their second selection is considered. Only achievements in the NHL are taken into account. Below are the results of the first selections.

Illustration: ESPN

Analysis of the First Draft Picks

• 1. Mario Lemieux, C, Pittsburgh Penguins (1984): Despite a career shortened by injuries, Lemieux accumulated 1,723 points in 915 games, averaging 1.88 points per game, second only to Wayne Gretzky. The discussion about the best first overall pick has been complicated by the emergence of talents like Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid.
• 2. Marcel Dionne, C, Detroit Red Wings (1971): The choice of the best second pick is also contested. Dionne, with 1,771 points in 1,348 games and 731 goals, surpasses Evgeni Malkin, although the latter won more individual awards.
• 3. Scott Niedermayer, D, New Jersey Devils (1991): A key defenseman on four Stanley Cup-winning teams, Niedermayer inspired a generation of players.
• 4. Steve Yzerman, C, Detroit Red Wings (1983): Despite not having the goal or point totals of other players, Yzerman led the Red Wings to three Stanley Cups, solidifying himself as an icon.
• 5. Jaromir Jagr, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins (1990): Jagr’s career is one of the most outstanding, despite a three-season hiatus in the KHL.
• 6. Paul Coffey, D, Edmonton Oilers (1980): Coffey is the second-highest scoring defenseman in NHL history, and a three-time Norris Trophy winner.
• 7. Bernie Federko, C, St. Louis Blues (1976): Federko is the only player selected at the 7th position with more than 1,000 career points.
• 8. Ray Bourque, D, Boston Bruins (1979): Bourque is the highest-scoring defenseman in NHL history, which facilitates his selection.
• 9. Brian Leetch, D, New York Rangers (1986): Leetch is a Hall of Famer with over 1,000 career points.
• 10. Teemu Selanne, RW, Winnipeg Jets (1988): Selanne’s historic rookie season made him a legend.
• 11. Jarome Iginla, RW, Dallas Stars (1995): Iginla, with 625 goals in 1,554 games, stands out for his consistency and dominance.
• 12. Marian Hossa, RW, Ottawa Senators (1997): Hossa surpassed 500 goals and 1,000 points, and won three Stanley Cups with Chicago.
• 13. Dustin Brown, RW, Los Angeles Kings (2003): Brown, former captain of the Kings, is remembered for his impact.
• 14. Sergei Gonchar, D, Washington Capitals (1992): Gonchar played the most games of any player selected at the 14th position, and won a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009.
• 15. Mike Bossy, RW, New York Islanders (1977): Bossy, a Hall of Famer, scored 573 goals in 752 games.
• 16. Dave Andreychuk, LW, Buffalo Sabres (1982): Andreychuk scored 640 goals, the most for a player selected at the 16th position.
• 17. Bobby Clarke, C, Philadelphia Flyers (1969): Clarke led the Flyers to their two only Stanley Cups and accumulated more than 1,200 points.
• 18. Ken Daneyko, D, New Jersey Devils (1982): Daneyko was key in three Stanley Cup championships with the Devils.
• 19. Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, Tampa Bay Lightning (2012): Vasilevskiy has won two Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe, and a Vezina Trophy.
• 20. Martin Brodeur, G, New Jersey Devils (1990): Brodeur is the NHL leader in wins, games played, and shutouts, with three Stanley Cups and four Vezina Trophies.
• 21. Kevin Lowe, D, Edmonton Oilers (1979): Lowe was a fundamental defenseman in the Oilers’ dynasty and won a sixth Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers.
• 22. Bryan Trottier, C, New York Islanders (1974): Trottier was an MVP star for the Islanders and contributed to the Penguins’ victories.
• 23. Ray Whitney, LW, San Jose Sharks (1991): Whitney surpassed 1,000 career points, with 1,064 points in 1,330 games.
• 24. Daniel Briere, C, Phoenix Coyotes (1996): Briere leads in goals and points among players selected at the 24th position, excelling in playoffs.
• 25. David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins (2014): Pastrnak has the highest points-per-game average among active players with more than 600 games.
• 26. Claude Lemieux, RW, Montreal Canadiens (1983): Lemieux won four Stanley Cups, including the Conn Smythe in 1995.
• 27. Joe Nieuwendyk, C, Calgary Flames (1985): Nieuwendyk was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011, with over 1,100 points and 564 goals.
• 28. Corey Perry, RW, Anaheim Ducks (2003): Perry won the Hart Trophy in 2011 and has maintained a high level of play.
• 29. Danny Gare, RW, Buffalo Sabres (1974): Gare scored 354 goals in 827 games, including 50-goal seasons.
• 30. Randy Carlyle, D, Toronto Maple Leafs (1976): Carlyle won the Norris Trophy in 1980-81.
• 31. Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs (1974): Williams is known for his 3,971 penalty minutes.
• 32. Tony McKegney, LW, Buffalo Sabres (1978): McKegney was the first black player to score 40 goals in an NHL season.
• 33. Ryan O’Reilly, C, Colorado Avalanche (2009): O’Reilly has won a Selke and a Conn Smythe Trophy.
• 34. Doug Weight, C, New York Rangers (1990): Weight finished his career with over 1,000 points.
• 35. Pelle Lindbergh, G, Philadelphia Flyers (1979): Lindbergh won the Vezina Trophy in 1985, leaving a significant legacy.
• 36. Rod Langway, D, Montreal Canadiens (1977): Langway, known as the “Secretary of Defense”, won two Norris Trophies.
• 37. Mats Naslund, LW, Montreal Canadiens (1979): Naslund, nicknamed “Le Petit Viking”, won the Stanley Cup in 1986.
• 38. Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators (2008): Josi won the Norris Trophy in 2020.
• 39. Charlie Simmer, LW, California Golden Seals (1974): Simmer scored 342 goals in 712 games, including 56-goal seasons.
• 40. Chris Chelios, D, Montreal Canadiens (1981): Chelios, a Hall of Famer, won the Norris Trophy three times.
• 41. Dale Hunter, C, Quebec Nordiques (1979): Hunter accumulated over 1,000 points and 3,365 penalty minutes.
• 42. Neal Broten, C, Minnesota North Stars (1979): Broten was a star for the North Stars and won the Stanley Cup with the Devils in 1995, in addition to being part of the “Miracle on Ice”.
• 43. P.K. Subban