Top NHL Draft Picks: The Best at Each Position (1-224)

Wayne Simmonds, known as “Mr. 61”, was selected in the 61st position of the 2007 draft by the Los Angeles Kings. He stood out above all the players chosen in that position, leading in goals (263) and points (526) in the NHL.Simmonds, when interviewed, joked: “I accept it, I appreciate it.” He recalled that the original choice belonged to Vancouver, obtained from Anaheim as compensation.This Kings selection was a “steal” in the second round, demonstrating that every position in the annual draft can reveal important talents, some even legendary.Inspired by Ben Solak’s analysis of the NFL draft, a list of essential players for each position in the NHL draft since 1967 has been compiled, considering statistical performance, awards, and the legacy of each player.

The second selections of players who were re-elected were taken into account. Achievements in the NHL were prioritized. The analysis of the first 43 draft positions is presented below.

Illustration: ESPN

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

If this ranking had been made 15 years ago, Lemieux would be indisputably the best first pick. Despite a career shortened by injuries, he accumulated 1,723 points in 915 games, with an average of 1.88 points per game, second only to Wayne Gretzky.

However, generational talents like Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid have added complexity to the debate. Ovechkin is the all-time leading goal scorer, Crosby has multiple Stanley Cups, and McDavid holds impressive scoring records. Although the discussion remains open, Lemieux remains a strong contender.

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

The choice of the second-best player is as close as that of the number one. Retired stars like Brendan Shanahan, Patrick Marleau, and Daniel Sedin compete, along with current players like Aleksander Barkov, Gabriel Landeskog, and Jack Eichel.Legendary defensemen like Chris Pronger, Drew Doughty, and Victor Hedman are also considered. The final choice came down to Evgeni Malkin and Dionne. Although Malkin has more awards, Dionne accumulated 1,771 points in 1,348 games, including 731 goals, making him the best option adjusted for different eras.

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

Niedermayer, an elegant and key defenseman on four Stanley Cup-winning teams, was a role model for a generation of players. This puts him above Denis Savard, Pat LaFontaine, and Henrik Sedin, although Leon Draisaitl is building a case to be number one in this position.

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

Despite not having Mike Gartner’s goal totals or Ron Francis’s points, Yzerman ranks among the best in history in points and goals, leading the Red Wings to three Stanley Cups and winning the playoff MVP in 1998. The discussion about whether Cale Makar could surpass Yzerman in the future adds interest to this choice.

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

Jagr’s career, especially without his time in the KHL, generates speculation about what he could have achieved. Jagr was a unique player, standing out for his longevity and skill.

Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr were an incredible offensive force on the ice, and they both had incredible hair as well. Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images

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

Coffey, the third defenseman selected in 1980, surpassed his peers with 1,531 points, becoming the second-highest scoring defenseman in NHL history and winning three Norris Trophies.

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 in his career, accumulating 1,130 in 1,000 games. Quinn Hughes is a promise, but still needs to reach him.

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

Bourque, with 15 Norris Trophy nominations and five wins, leads all defensemen in points in NHL history (1,579), which simplifies the choice in this position.

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

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

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

Selanne had a historic rookie season with 76 goals in 1992-93, which led him to a career with 1,457 points in 1,451 games. Although Mikko Rantanen is progressing, Selanne dominates this position.

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

The choice between Iginla and Anze Kopitar was close, but Iginla’s 625 goals in 1,554 games and his consistency across different eras of the NHL gave him the edge.

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 and winning three Stanley Cups with Chicago.

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

Although Craig Janney had more points, Brown, former captain of the Kings, is the top scorer among those selected in the 13th position, in addition to having a statue in his honor.

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

Gonchar, with 811 points in 1,301 games, leads the selected players in 14th place in games played. He won a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009.

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

The choice was difficult, considering Al MacInnis, Joe Sakic, and Erik Karlsson. However, Bossy, with 573 goals in 752 games, stands out as one of the best goalscorers of all time.

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

Andreychuk, with 640 goals, is the only player selected at the 16th position who surpassed 400 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, amassed 1,210 points and 1,453 penalty minutes in 1,144 games, leading Philadelphia to its only two Stanley Cups. Zach Parise is worthy of mention for his 434 goals.

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

Daneyko, although not among the top 15 scorers of the players selected at the 18th position, was a key defensive defenseman on three Stanley Cup championships with the Devils.

Ken Daneyko was a key part of three Stanley Cup champion teams, and he certainly looked like a hockey player too. Brian Bahr/NHLI via Getty Images

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

Although Keith Tkachuk and Ryan Getzlaf deserve recognition, Vasilevskiy stands out with two Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe, a Vezina, and 331 wins in 540 regular season games.

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

Although Larry Robinson is a great defender, Brodeur rewrote the record books as the NHL’s historical leader in wins (691), games played (1,266), and shutouts (125), winning three Cups and four Vezina.

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

Lowe was a key defenseman in 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 in their four consecutive Stanley Cups (1979-83) and contributed to the Penguins’ back-to-back wins (1990-92). With 524 goals, 1,425 points, and a place in the Hall of Fame, the choice is clear.

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

Whitney, known as “The Wizard”, surpasses Todd Bertuzzi, being the only player selected at the 23rd position who surpassed 1,000 points. He finished with 1,064 points in 1,330 games, 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 than T.J. Oshie, and his playoff numbers (116 points in 124 games) were highlighted.

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

Pastrnak, with 756 games played, has 126 more goals than the next best scorer in 25th place: Brendan Morrow with 265. His points-per-game average puts him among the best active players.

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

Lemieux stands out for his feats in the playoffs, 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, with 448 goals and 935 points, has had a distinguished career, from winning the Hart Trophy in 2011 to his time as an important player in his final years.

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

Gare, with 354 goals in 827 games, including two 50-goal seasons, stands out in this position.

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

Carlyle, with 647 points, has more than any other player selected at the 30th position. He won the Norris Trophy with the Penguins in 1980-81.

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

Williams, with 3,971 penalty minutes in his career, the most in NHL history, was an enforcer who also contributed points (513 in his career).

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

McKegney, with 320 goals in 912 games, 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, with a Selke and a Conn Smythe, surpasses John Tonelli in points despite not having played in the high-scoring era of the 80s.

Ryan O’Reilly won the Conn Smythe as MVP of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

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

Weight, with 1,033 points in his 19-year career, surpasses all other selections at the 34th position.

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

Lindbergh, who won the Vezina in 1985, had a brief but brilliant career, leaving a lasting legacy in Philadelphia.

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

Langway, known as the “Secretary of Defense,” won two Norris Trophies and was an outstanding defensive defenseman.

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

Naslund, with 634 points in 651 games, was an underrated player who won the Stanley Cup in 1986.

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

Josi, winner of the Norris Trophy in 2020, has 724 points in 962 games with Nashville.

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

Simmer, with 342 goals in 712 games, including two 56-goal seasons, was a prominent member of the Kings’ Triple Crown line.

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

Chelios, a Hall of Fame member, played 1,651 games in the NHL and won three Norris Trophies.

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

Hunter accumulated 1,020 points and 3,365 penalty minutes in 1,407 NHL games.

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

Broun, with 923 points in 1,099 games, was a star for the North Stars and won the Cup with the Devils in 1995. He was also part of the “Miracle on Ice” team of 1980.

43. P.K.