In the world of ice hockey, the 61st pick in the NHL draft has produced a gem: Wayne Simmonds. Selected in 2007 by the Los Angeles Kings, Simmonds leads all players chosen in that position with 263 goals and 526 points in the NHL. A true “Mr. 61”.
The story behind his selection is curious: Anaheim Ducks ceded the pick to Vancouver Canucks as compensation for the hiring of coach Randy Carlyle. Subsequently, the pick was transferred to the Kings in exchange for defenseman Brent Sopel. Thus, Los Angeles acquired a valuable player in the second round.“I accept it. I appreciate it,” Simmonds commented, with a smile. “I remember it was a compensatory selection that Vancouver got through Anaheim.”
Wayne Simmonds
Each draft position in the annual NHL draft has revealed players who have left their mark on the league. Some are legends, others are trivia. Below, we present the essential players for each draft position in the NHL since 1967, considering the current format (picks 1 to 224) and evaluating the statistical impact, NHL awards, and legacy of each player.
Best Players by Position in the Draft
1. Mario Lemieux, C, Pittsburgh Penguins (1984)If this ranking had been done 15 years ago, Lemieux would have been indisputably the best first overall pick in NHL history. Despite playing only 915 games due to injuries and illnesses, he amassed 1,723 points (690 goals and 1,033 assists), averaging 1.88 points per game, second only to Wayne Gretzky (1.92).
However, generational talents like Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid have complicated the debate. Ovechkin is the all-time leading goal scorer, Crosby has multiple Stanley Cup titles, and McDavid boasts impressive statistics and awards.2. Marcel Dionne, C, Detroit Red Wings (1971)Determining the best second overall selection is as contested as choosing the number one. The competition includes retired and current stars, as well as legendary defenders. The final choice was between Evgeni Malkin and Dionne. Although Malkin has more awards and points, Dionne accumulated 1,771 points in 1,348 games and is the sixth all-time leading scorer.3. Scott Niedermayer, D, New Jersey Devils (1991)Niedermayer, a defenseman of great skill, was key in four Stanley Cup victories and won the Conn Smythe and Norris Trophy. He was a model for a generation of players who combined the ability to score and defend.4. Steve Yzerman, C, Detroit Red Wings (1983)Despite not having the goal or point totals of other players, Yzerman ranks seventh in points and tenth in goals of all time, leading the Red Wings to three Stanley Cups and winning the playoff MVP award in 1998. Yzerman is an icon.
5. Jaromir Jagr, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins (1990)Jagr’s career, including his time in the KHL, is a topic of debate. From his beginnings to his last decade in the NHL, Jagr was a unique player.6. Paul Coffey, D, Edmonton Oilers (1980)Coffey, the third defenseman selected in 1980, became the second-highest scorer among defensemen in NHL history and won 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.8. Ray Bourque, D, Boston Bruins (1979)Bourque, a 15-time Norris Trophy finalist (winner on five occasions), leads all defensemen in NHL history in points (1,579).9. Brian Leetch, D, New York Rangers (1986)Leetch, already in the Hall of Fame, has 1,028 points in 1,205 games, being the eighth among defensemen of all time.10. Teemu Selanne, RW, Winnipeg Jets (1988)Selanne had a historic rookie season, scoring 76 goals in 1992-93, which led him to a career with 1,457 points in 1,451 games.11. Jarome Iginla, RW, Dallas Stars (1995)Iginla scored 625 goals in 1,554 games, being a model power forward who dominated in different eras of the NHL.12. Marian Hossa, RW, Ottawa Senators (1997)Hossa surpassed 500 goals and 1,000 points, with 525 and 1,134 respectively, in 1,309 games. He played a two-way game that earned him votes for the Selke. He won the Stanley Cup three times with Chicago.13. Dustin Brown, RW, Los Angeles Kings (2003)Brown, former Kings captain, is the top scorer among players selected in the 13th position. He also has a statue in his honor.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 the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009.15. Mike Bossy, RW, New York Islanders (1977)Bossy scored 573 goals in 752 games in a career interrupted by injuries. “He has to be considered one of the best scorers of all time,” said Wayne Gretzky.16. Dave Andreychuk, LW, Buffalo Sabres (1982)Andreychuk scored 640 goals, being one of the best players in front of the net in NHL history.17. Bobby Clarke, C, Philadelphia Flyers (1969)Clarke, a Flyers icon, had 1,210 points and 1,453 penalty minutes in 1,144 games during his Hall of Fame career.18. Ken Daneyko, D, New Jersey Devils (1982)Daneyko was a key defensive defenseman who helped the Devils win three Stanley Cup championships.19. Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, Tampa Bay Lightning (2012)Vasilevskiy has two Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe, a Vezina, and 331 wins in 540 regular season games.20. Martin Brodeur, G, New Jersey Devils (1990)Brodeur, the NHL’s leader in wins (691), games played (1,266), and shutouts (125), won the Cup three times and the Vezina four times in a Hall of Fame career.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’ consecutive Stanley Cup victories (1990-92).23. Ray Whitney, LW, San Jose Sharks (1991)Whitney accumulated 1,064 points in 1,330 games, with 385 goals, playing for eight teams in his 22-season career.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 stellar.25. David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins (2014)Pastrnak has the eleventh-highest points-per-game average among active players (minimum 600 games).26. Claude Lemieux, RW, Montreal Canadiens (1983)Lemieux is remembered for his playoff exploits, winning four Stanley Cups, including the Conn Smythe with the Devils in 1995.27. Joe Nieuwendyk, C, Calgary Flames (1985)Nieuwendyk, a Hall of Fame member in 2011, leads in points (1,126) and goals (564).28. Corey Perry, RW, Anaheim Ducks (2003)Perry has 448 goals and 935 points, winning the Hart Trophy in 2011.29. Danny Gare, RW, Buffalo Sabres (1974)Gare scored 354 goals in 827 matches, including two seasons with 50 goals.30. Randy Carlyle, D, Toronto Maple Leafs (1976)Carlyle, a defenseman in the NHL for 17 years, has more points (647) than any other player selected 30th overall, and won the Norris Trophy in 1980-81.31. Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs (1974)Williams was an enforcer who also scored points (513 in his career) and had 3,971 penalty minutes, the most in NHL history.32. Tony McKegney, LW, Buffalo Sabres (1978)McKegney, a 13-year veteran, scored 320 goals in 912 games and was the first black player in NHL history to score 40 goals in a season (1987-88).33. Ryan O’Reilly, C, Colorado Avalanche (2009)O’Reilly has a Selke, a Conn Smythe and is only 12 points behind Tonelli despite not having played in the 80s, where many goals were scored.34. Doug Weight, C, New York Rangers (1990)Weight ended his 19-year NHL career with 1,033 points, while no one else selected at the 34th position had more than 283.35. Pelle Lindbergh, G, Philadelphia Flyers (1979)Lindbergh won the Vezina Trophy in 1985, but died in a car accident at the age of 26.36. Rod Langway, D, Montreal Canadiens (1977)Langway, known as the “Secretary of Defense”, won the Norris Trophy twice during his Hall of Fame career.37. Mats Naslund, LW, Montreal Canadiens (1979)“Le Petit Viking” scored 634 points in 651 games, winning the Stanley Cup in 1986.38. Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators (2008)Josi won the Norris Trophy in 2020 and has 724 points in 962 games with Nashville.39. Charlie Simmer, LW, California Golden Seals (1974)Simmer scored 342 goals in 712 games, including two consecutive seasons of 56 goals for the Kings.40. Chris Chelios, D, Montreal Canadiens (1981)Chelios played 1,651 games in the NHL and won the Norris Trophy three times.41. Dale Hunter, C, Quebec Nordiques (1979)Hunter accumulated 1,020 points in 1,407 games and 3,365 penalty minutes.42. Neal Broten, C, Minnesota North Stars (1979)Broten was a star center for the North Stars, with 923 points in 1,099 games and helped the Devils win the Cup in 1995. He was part of the “Miracle on Ice” team of 1980.43. P.K.
