NHL: The Best Draft Picks at Each Position (1-43)

Wayne Simmonds, known as “Mr. 61″, was selected in the 61st position of the 2007 draft by the Los Angeles Kings. Of all the players chosen in that position, Simmonds leads in goals (263) and points (526) in the NHL. I appreciate that. I appreciate it,” Simmonds commented with a smile. “I remember it was a compensatory selection that Vancouver got through Anaheim. The pick, originally from the Anaheim Ducks, was sent to the Vancouver Canucks as compensation for the hiring of coach Randy Carlyle. Subsequently, it was transferred to the Kings in exchange for defenseman Brent Sopel. Thus, Los Angeles obtained a valuable player in the second round.

Each position in the annual draft has revealed players who have left their mark on the NHL, from legends to prominent names in hockey history. Following a format similar to that used in other sports, the most representative player from each position in the NHL draft since 1967 has been selected, considering their statistical impact, awards, and legacy in the league.

For players who were drafted and then re-entered the draft, their second selection was considered. Only achievements in the NHL were taken into account. The reasons behind the first 100 selections have been explained, and some of the most controversial and notable decisions have been detailed.

We start with the best in each position:

1. Mario Lemieux, C, Pittsburgh Penguins (1984)

If this ranking had been done 15 years ago, the choice of Lemieux as the best in the first position would have been indisputable. Despite playing only 915 games due to injuries and illnesses, Lemieux accumulated 1,723 points (690 goals and 1,033 assists), averaging 1.88 points per game, only surpassed by Wayne Gretzky (1.92).

However, the emergence of generational talents like Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid has added complexity to the debate. Ovechkin is the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, Crosby has multiple Stanley Cup titles, and McDavid has won multiple scoring titles and MVP awards, with an impressive points-per-game average. Although Lemieux is still a strong option, the discussion is inevitable.

2. Marcel Dionne, C, Detroit Red Wings (1971)

Choosing the best player in the second position is just as challenging. The list of contenders includes outstanding retired and active forwards such as Brendan Shanahan, Patrick Marleau, Daniel Sedin, Aleksander Barkov, Gabriel Landeskog, and Jack Eichel. Legendary defensemen like Chris Pronger, Drew Doughty, and Victor Hedman are also included. The final decision came down to Evgeni Malkin and Dionne. Although Malkin scored 1,346 points in 1,213 games and won more individual awards, Dionne accumulated 1,771 points in 1,348 games, including the sixth-most goals (731) in his career. The choice is close, but Dionne stands out in this position.

3. Scott Niedermayer, D, New Jersey Devils (1991)

Niedermayer, a defenseman with elegant skating, was key on four Stanley Cup-winning teams, earning a Conn Smythe and a Norris Trophy. His skill inspired a generation of players. This puts him above Denis Savard, Pat LaFontaine, and Henrik Sedin.

4. Steve Yzerman, C, Detroit Red Wings (1983)

Although Yzerman doesn’t match Mike Gartner’s goal totals or Ron Francis’s points, he is among the best in both categories, with 1,755 career points and 692 goals. He led the Red Wings to three Stanley Cups and was the MVP of the playoffs in 1998. His legacy is undeniable.

5. Jaromir Jagr, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins (1990)

Jagr’s career could have been even more impressive without his period in the KHL. From his beginnings to his final years, Jagr was a unique player.

The offensive combination of Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, both with a great presence on the court, was memorable.

6. Paul Coffey, D, Edmonton Oilers (1980)

Coffey was the third defenseman selected in 1980, but surpassed his peers in achievements, becoming the second-highest scoring defenseman in NHL history and winning the Norris Trophy three times.

7. Bernie Federko, C, St. Louis Blues (1976)

Federko, a Hall of Famer, is the only player selected in the seventh position who surpassed 1,000 points, accumulating 1,130 in 1,000 games with the Blues (and one season with the Red Wings). Although Quinn Hughes is also a promising player, he still has a long way to go.

8. Ray Bourque, D, Boston Bruins (1979)

With a player who was a 15-time Norris Trophy finalist and who leads defensemen in points in NHL history (1,579), the choice is quite clear.

9. Brian Leetch, D, New York Rangers (1986)

Leetch, already in the Hall of Fame, accumulated 1,028 points in 1,205 games, ranking eighth among defensemen with the most points in history. Like Coffey, he was the third defenseman selected in his draft.

10. Teemu Selanne, RW, Winnipeg Jets (1988)

Selanne had an immediate impact in the NHL, with 76 goals in his rookie season, one of the best in the history of the sport. His Hall of Fame career includes 1,457 points in 1,451 games. Although Mikko Rantanen is building his legacy, this spot is for Teemu.

11. Jarome Iginla, RW, Dallas Stars (1995)

The choice between Iginla and Anze Kopitar was very close. Iginla scored 625 goals in 1,554 games, giving him a slight edge over Kopitar, who is 23 points away from matching his career total. Iginla was a model power player who dominated in different eras of the NHL.

12. Marian Hossa, RW, Ottawa Senators (1997)

No other player selected at No. 12 has surpassed 500 goals or 1,000 points. Hossa achieved both (525 goals, 1,134 points) in 1,309 games, excelling on both sides of the ice. He won three Stanley Cups with Chicago.

13. Dustin Brown, RW, Los Angeles Kings (2003)

Although Craig Janney had more points, Brown scored more goals than any other player selected 13th overall. Brown is the only player selected 13th overall to have a statue in his honor outside an NHL arena.

14. Sergei Gonchar, D, Washington Capitals (1992)

Gonchar accumulated 811 points in 1,301 games, the most for a player selected 14th overall. He won a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009.

15. Mike Bossy, RW, New York Islanders (1977)

The choice comes down to Mike Bossy, Al MacInnis, Joe Sakic, and Erik Karlsson. Bossy scored 573 goals in 752 games in a career cut short by injuries. Wayne Gretzky considered him one of the best goal scorers in history.

16. Dave Andreychuk, LW, Buffalo Sabres (1982)

No player selected at the 16th position has scored more than 400 goals, except Andreychuk, who achieved 640 goals. He was one of the best players in front of the net in NHL history.

17. Bobby Clarke, C, Philadelphia Flyers (1969)

Clarke, a Flyers icon, amassed 1,210 points and 1,453 penalty minutes in 1,144 games. He led Philadelphia to its two only Stanley Cup wins.

18. Ken Daneyko, D, New Jersey Devils (1982)

Although not among the top 15 scorers among those selected at number 18, Daneyko was a key defensive defenseman who helped the Devils win three Stanley Cup championships.

Daneyko was fundamental in the Devils’ three Stanley Cup championships.

19. Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, Tampa Bay Lightning (2012)

Vasilevskiy has won two Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe, and a Vezina, with 331 wins in 540 regular season games.

20. Martin Brodeur, G, New Jersey Devils (1990)

Brodeur, the NHL’s historical leader in wins (691), games played (1,266), and shutouts (125), won the Cup three times and the Vezina four times.

21. Kevin Lowe, D, Edmonton Oilers (1979)

Lowe was a key defenseman for the Oilers dynasty and won a sixth Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994.

22. Bryan Trottier, C, New York Islanders (1974)

Trottier was an MVP star for the Islanders during their four consecutive Stanley Cups (1979-83) and contributed to the Penguins’ back-to-back Stanley Cup wins (1990-92). With 524 goals, 1,425 points, and a place in the Hall of Fame, the choice is easy.

23. Ray Whitney, LW, San Jose Sharks (1991)

Whitney, known as “The Wizard”, surpasses Todd Bertuzzi. Whitney finished with 1,064 points in 1,330 games, scoring 385 goals and playing for eight teams in his 22 seasons.

24. Daniel Briere, C, Phoenix Coyotes (1996)

Briere leads in goals (307) and points (696) in fewer games (973) than Oshie (1,010), and his playoff numbers (116 points in 124 games) were outstanding.

25. David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins (2014)

Pastrnak has 126 more goals than the next best scorer in 25th place: Brendan Morrow, who was drafted by the Stars in 1997. Pastrnak has the eleventh-highest points-per-game average among active players (minimum 600 games).

26. Claude Lemieux, RW, Montreal Canadiens (1983)

Lemieux is known for his postseason performances, winning four Stanley Cups, including the Conn Smythe with the Devils in 1995.

27. Joe Nieuwendyk, C, Calgary Flames (1985)

Nieuwendyk leads in points (1,126) and goals (564) and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.

28. Corey Perry, RW, Anaheim Ducks (2003)

Perry has 448 goals and 935 points, from winning the Hart Trophy in 2011 to his prestigious years. “The Worm” has earned this position.

29. Danny Gare, RW, Buffalo Sabres (1974)

Gare scored 354 goals in 827 games, including two 50-goal seasons. (And apologies to the 5-foot-9-inch player for referring to it as a “small stretch”.)

30. Randy Carlyle, D, Toronto Maple Leafs (1976)

The 17-year-old defenseman in the NHL has more points (647) than any other player selected at the 30th position, which included an 83-point season in 1980-81, earning him the Norris Trophy with the Penguins. As a coach, he is known for his problems with a toaster.

31. Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs (1974)

Williams was a rare example of an NHL fighter who could score points (513 in his career). He had 3,971 penalty minutes in his 962-game career, the most in NHL history.

32. Tony McKegney, LW, Buffalo Sabres (1978)

The 13-year veteran scored 320 goals in 912 games and was a pioneer: in 1987-88 with the Blues, McKegney became the first black player in NHL history to score 40 goals in a season.

33. Ryan O’Reilly, C, Colorado Avalanche (2009)

O’Reilly has a Selke, a Conn Smythe and is only 12 points away from Tonelli despite not playing in the 1980s, which makes him deserving of the election.

Ryan O’Reilly won the Conn Smythe as MVP of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs.

34. Doug Weight, C, New York Rangers (1990)

Weight finished his 19-year NHL career with 1,033 points, while no one else selected at the 34th position had more than 283 (Steve Leach).

35. Pelle Lindbergh, G, Philadelphia Flyers (1979)

In 1985, Lindbergh led the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final and won the Vezina Trophy after a 40-win season. Five months later, at the age of 26, he died in a car accident. He was posthumously selected for the 1986 NHL All-Star Game through a fan vote. His legacy is still felt in Philadelphia.

36. Rod Langway, D, Montreal Canadiens (1977)

Langway was known as the “Secretary of Defense” during his 11 seasons with the Washington Capitals. He was one of the best defensive defensemen of all time, winning the Norris Trophy twice during a 15-season Hall of Fame career.

37. Mats Naslund, LW, Montreal Canadiens (1979)

Naslund scored 634 points in 651 NHL games and won the Stanley Cup in 1986.

38. Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators (2008)

Josi won the Norris Trophy in 2020 and was a finalist for the award three times. He has 724 points in 962 games with Nashville, including a 96-point season in 2021-22.

39. Charlie Simmer, LW, California Golden Seals (1974)

Simmer scored 342 goals in 712 NHL games, including consecutive 56-goal seasons for the Kings, where he was a member of the Triple Crown line. However, keep an eye on Alex DeBrincat and Jason Robertson, current stars with a long way to go in their careers.

40. Chris Chelios, D, Montreal Canadiens (1981)

Chelios played 1,651 games in the NHL, including seven as a 48-year-old with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009-10. He entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013 as one of the best two-way defensemen in history, winning the Norris Trophy three times.

41. Dale Hunter, C, Quebec Nordiques (1979)

Hunter is a 200-foot player who accumulated 1,020 points in 1,407 NHL games and, most infamously, 3,365 penalty minutes. He was part of a loaded 1979 draft.

42. Neal Broten, C, Minnesota North Stars (1979)

Broten was a star center for the North Stars, with 923 points in 1,099 career games overall, and helped the Devils win the Cup in 1995. His biggest hockey legacy was as a member of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team for USA Hockey.

43. P.K.