Draft season is (finally!) upon us, and as we look ahead at the next class of NHL hopefuls it’s also a good time to look back at those drafted before them in recent history — and examine the compelling, comparative questions that emerge by doing so.
Who was the best No. 1 overall pick over the last decade? The best fifth-overall selection? No. 23? Just for fun, we’ve reflected on the first-round picks since the 2010 draft — and highlighted the best players drafted at each first-round slot during that timespan.
For each draft spot, from No. 1 to 30 (we didn’t count 31, as the sample size is simply too small just yet) we picked one player who’s proven to be the best of his peers from that draft slot throughout the last 10 years.
For picks one through 10, we also included the full list of fellow picks for added context, which doubles as a good glimpse of the kind of talent that has landed in those top spots over the past 10 years.
While some choices proved tough to assess — most of the first-rounders taken just last year, for example, have yet to make their mark on the league, complicating their ranking — others stand out as both early-pick slam dunks and late first-round steals. Keep in mind, this is a current ranking — meaning, a few years from now, this list could look a lot different. (Spoiler alert: That 2015 draft class? Turns out, it really was really good.)
Let’s dig in.
No. 1 overall: Connor McDavid | 2015, Edmonton Oilers General manager: Peter Chiarelli
The first 10 years of the 2000’s brought more first-overall franchise-changers and future Hall of Famers than not – Marc-Andre Fleury (2003), Alex Ovechkin (2004), Sidney Crosby (2005), Patrick Kane (2007), Steven Stamkos (2008), and John Tavares (2009) among them.
The second decade of the century looks like it’s on track for much of the same, highlighted by some of today’s best young stars and no-brainer No. 1 picks. It’s no surprise Connor McDavid, who was also Edmonton’s fourth first-overall pick of the decade, is the cream of this crop. The two-time Art Ross Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award winner and 2016-17 MVP still hasn’t yet hit his prime.
It’ll be fun to see how soon-to-be first overall pick Alexis Lafreniere sets the tone for the next decade of No. 1s.
Full list of No. 1 overall picks of the last decade: Taylor Hall (2010 Oilers), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011 Oilers), Nail Yakupov (2012, Oilers), Nathan MacKinnon (2013, Avalanche), Aaron Ekblad (2014, Panthers), Connor McDavid (2015, Oilers), Auston Matthews (2016, Maple Leafs), Nico Hischier (2017, Devils), Rasmus Dahlin (2018, Sabres), Jack Hughes (2019, Devils)
No. 2 overall: Jack Eichel | 2015, Buffalo Sabres General manager: Tim Murray
The slot that gave us Evgeni Malkin in 2004 (Penguins), Drew Doughty in 2008 (Kings) and newly-crowned Cup champ and reigning Conn Smythe winner Victor Hedman (2009, Lightning) in the first decade of the 2000’s also brought us Jack Eichel in 2015, who since landing in Buffalo hasn’t been able to come close to the promised land that those listed before him have.
He’ll forever be compared to McDavid, the lone 2015 prospect drafted ahead of him, which puts him in an unenviable position. His elite skill, strong leadership, and dynamic playmaking as one of the finest players in the game today would’ve seen him taken first overall in most other draft classes.
Full list of No. 2 overall picks of the last decade: Tyler Seguin (2010, Bruins), Gabriel Landeskog (2011, Avalanche), Ryan Murray (2012, Blue Jackets), Aleksander Barkov (2013, Panthers), Sam Reinhart (2014, Sabres), Jack Eichel (2015, Sabres), Patrik Laine (2016, Jets), Nolan Patrick (2017 Flyers), Andrei Svechnikov (2018 Hurricanes), Kaapo Kakko (2019 Rangers)
No. 3 overall: Leon Draisaitl | 2014, Edmonton Oilers General manager: Craig MacTavish
With back-to-back seasons surpassing 100 points and a trophy cabinet that’s already filling up nicely, Draisaitl would be the top pick of a 2014 redraft (though, David Pastrnak might have something to say about that).
Trace a path from Tim Stützle to Mo Seider to Leon Draisaitl and it all leads back to one place, to one academy, where all three learned to dominate.
My inside look at the Adler Mannheim, and the 20-year effort that fuelled Germany’s golden generation:https://t.co/XaCHaJJ13Q
Full list of No. 3 overall picks of the last decade: Erik Gudbranson (2010, Panthers), Jonathan Huberdeau (2011, Panthers), Alex Galchenyuk (2012, Canadiens), Jonathan Drouin (2013, Lightning), Leon Draisaitl (2014, Oilers), Dylan Strome (2015, Coyotes), Pierre-Luc Dubois (2016, Blue Jackets), Miro Heiskanen (2017, Stars), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (2018, Canadiens), Kirby Dach (2019, Blackhawks)
No. 4 overall: Cale Makar | 2017, Colorado Avalanche General manager: Joe Sakic
How much do you value an offensive weapon (a.k.a Mitch Marner) versus an elite lockdown defender (hello, Seth Jones)? Okay, now how about we take both? That’s where Makar comes in.
Of the three fourth-overall picks we’ve highlighted here, he’s got the smallest sample size to look at, but this year’s Calder Memorial Trophy winner has wasted no time making his mark on the league and will no doubt be one of the best blue liners in the game in the next few years — if he’s not there already.
Fun fact: Just last year, the Avalanche again had the fourth-overall pick thanks to a trade with the Ottawa Senators — and again picked up another elite defenceman, this time in Bowen Byram. Bright days ahead for Colorado’s blue line.
Full list of No. 4 overall picks of the last decade: Ryan Johansen (2010, Columbus), Adam Larsson (2011, Devils), Griffin Reinhart (2012, Islanders), Seth Jones (2013, Predators), Sam Bennett (2014, Flames), Mitch Marner (2015, Maple Leafs), Jesse Puljujarvi (2016, Oilers), Cale Makar (2017, Avalanche), Brady Tkachuk (2018, Senators), Bowen Byram (2019, Avalanche)
No. 5 overall: Elias Pettersson | 2017, Vancouver Canucks General manager: Jim Benning
In Pettersson, Benning got first-overall talent at a fifth-overall draft spot. When you look at that 2017 draft, which featured Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick at the top two spots, it’s picks three through five (Miro Heiskanen, Makar, Pettersson) who would be vying for that top spot in a redraft.
Full list of No. 5 overall picks of the last decade: Nino Niederreiter (2010, Islanders), Ryan Strome (2011, Islanders), Morgan Rielly (2012, Maple Leafs), Elias Lindholm (2013, Hurricanes), Michael Dal Colle (2014, Islanders), Noah Hanifin (2015, Hurricanes), Olli Juolevi (2016, Canucks), Elias Pettersson (2017, Canucks), Barrett Hayton (2018, Coyotes), Alex Turcotte (2019, Kings)
No. 6 overall: Matthew Tkachuk | 2016, Calgary Flames General manager: Brad Treliving
In a star-studded class that saw Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine taken one-two, the Flames picked up a real gem at sixth overall in Tkachuk — and in doing so, landed their future leading score, top agitator, and fan favourite in Calgary.
Full list of No. 6 overall picks of the last decade: Brett Connolly (Lightning, 2010), Mika Zibanejad (2011, Senators), Hampus Lindholm (2012, Ducks), Sean Monahan (2013, Flames), Jake Virtanen (2014, Canucks), Pavel Zacha (2015, Devils), Matthew Tkachuk (2016, Flames) Cody Glass (2017, Golden Knights), Filip Zadina (2018, Red Wings), Moritz Seider (2019, Red Wings)
No. 7 overall: Quinn Hughes | 2018, Vancouver Canucks General manager: Jim Benning
Before this season, we probably would’ve said this slot belongs to Mark Scheifele (2011, Jets) — he is, after all, one of the most valuable, smartest, and most complete centres in the game. But what Quinn Hughes did for Vancouver’s blue line this year, instantly becoming their top rearguard and challenging Makar for the Calder all year, makes GM Jim Benning’s seventh-overall selection in 2018 one of his all-time best selections.
Full list of No. 7 overall picks of the last decade: Jeff Skinner (2010, Hurricanes), Mark Scheifele (2011, Jets), Mathew Dumba (2012, Wild), Darnell Nurse (2013, Oilers), Haydn Fleury (2014, Hurricanes), Ivan Provarov (2015, Flyers), Clayton Keller (2016, Coyotes), Lias Andersson (2017, Rangers), Quinn Hughes (2018, Canucks), Dylan Cozens (2019, Sabres)
No. 8 overall: Zach Werenski | 2015, Columbus Blue Jackets General manager: Jarmo Kekalainen
A stacked 2015 draft class on offence (McDavid, Eichel, Strome, Marner) pushed Werenski back, and he wasn’t even the first defenceman taken — Noah Hanifin and Ivan Provorov went before him that year.
Full list of No. 8 overall picks of the last decade: Alexander Burmistrov (2010, Thrashers), Sean Couturier (2011, Flyers), Derrick Pouliot (2012, Penguins) Rasmus Ristolainen (2013, Sabres), William Nylander (2014, Maple Leafs), Zach Werenski (2015, Blue Jackets), Alexander Nylander (2016, Sabres), Casey Mittelstadt (2017, Sabres), Adam Boqvist (2018, Blackhawks), Philip Broberg (2019, Oilers)
No. 9 overall: Dougie Hamilton | 2011, Boston Bruins General manager: Peter Chiarelli
Hamilton is two teams removed from the one that took him ninth overall, but there’s no doubt he’s found his fit in Carolina as one of the premier puck-movers in the league.
Full list of No. 9 overall picks of the last decade: Mikael Granlund (2010, Wild), Dougie Hamilton (2011, Bruins), Jacob Trouba (2012, Jets), Bo Horvat (2013, Canucks), Nikolaj Ehlers (2014, Jets), Timo Meier (2015, Sharks), Mikhail Sergachev (2016, Canadiens), Michael Rasmussen (2017, Red Wings), Vitali Kravtsov (2018, Rangers), Trevor Zegras (2019, Ducks)
No. 10 overall: Mikko Rantanen | 2015, Colorado Avalanche General manager: Joe Sakic
Vasily Podkolvin, whose contract in Russia gave teams pause and held them back from calling his name earlier, could very well prove to be a gift from the Hockey Gods to the Canucks — his performance overseas suggest that will be the case. But we’ll have to wait and see on that one.
Rantanen, who broke out in 2017-2018 and has scored at better than a point-per-game pace since, is our clear standout right now. He’s also another reminder of just how elite that 2015 class was.
Full list of No. 10 overall picks of the last decade: Dylan McIlrath (2010, Rangers), Jonas Brodin (2011, Wild), Slater Koekkoek (2012, Lightning), Valeri Nichushkin (2013, Stars), Nicholas Ritchie (2014, Ducks), Mikko Rantanen (2015 Avalanche), Tyson Jost (2016, Avalanche), Owen Tippett (2017, Panthers), Evan Bouchard (2018, Oilers), Vasily Podkolvin (2019, Canucks)
No. 11 overall: Filip Forsberg | 2012, Washington Capitals General manager: George McPhee
His emergence in 2014-2015 helped usher in the Nashville Predators’ most successful stretch, and he remains a leader on the team as the club looks to recalibrate for another shot at contention.
His name brings about painful memories for Capitals faithful, as Forsberg was sent to Nashville for Martin Erat and Michael Latta — a trade that, well… didn’t exactly pan out for Washington.
No. 12 overall: Max Domi | 2013, Phoenix Coyotes General manager: Don Maloney
An up-and-down start to his career in Arizona brought a fresh start in Montreal, where he’s become an important part of the rebuilding Canadiens.
No. 13 overall: Josh Morrissey | 2013, Winnipeg Jets General manager: Kevin Cheveldayoff
One of the more underrated defencemen in today’s game, Morrissey should be counted among the best Canadian blue liners going forward.
No. 14 overall: Charlie McAvoy | 2016, Boston Bruins General manager: Don Sweeney
The top-pairing rearguard has been a mainstay on the Bruins’ blue line since his debut in 2017.
No. 15 overall: Dylan Larkin | 2014, Detroit Red Wings General manager: Ken Holland
Erik Brannstrom, who was picked in 2018, might blossom into being the best at the 15th spot with a few more years, but Dylan Larkin is our standout at this slot from the past decade. Now, imagine what he’ll be able to do once Steve Yzerman is done crafting this club.
No. 16 overall: Vladimir Tarasenko | 2010, St. Louis Blues General manager: Larry Pleau
A few more years of watching Mathew Barzal light it up on Long Island will probably change this, but Tarasenko’s impact in St. Louis — former GM Larry Pleau’s parting gift to the Blues — and clutch play with the 2019 Cup champs puts him atop our list.
No. 17 overall: Kyle Connor | 2015, Winnipeg Jets General manager: Kevin Cheveldayoff
Having been drafted one year before Patrik Laine came along and making his debut during Laine’s rookie year, Connor is one of the more underrated playmakers out there. Back-to-back-to-back 30-plus goal seasons gives Connor the team lead in goals since he became a full-time NHLer in 2017-18.
No. 18 overall: Thomas Chabot | 2015, Ottawa Senators General manager: Bryan Murray
We’ve only just seen the beginning of what speedster Liam Foudy can do, but we’ve seen enough from Chabot to know he’s a star who’s just getting started — and one of the most important pillars of the Senators’ rebuilt (and still-rebuilding) blue line.
No. 19 overall: Andrei Vasilevskiy | 2012, Tampa Bay Lightning General manager: Steve Yzerman
Goaltenders aren’t often drafted in the first round — because they tend to be slower to develop, they can be tougher to assess at a younger age — but this one was clearly a slam-dunk for Tampa Bay, who relied heavily on Vasilevskiy throughout their Cup run all the way to the top.
Andrei Vasilevskiy played every minute of the postseason for the Lightning. He’s the first goalie to do that and win the Stanley Cup since Corey Crawford with the Blackhawks in 2013.
No. 20 overall: Robert Thomas | 2017, St. Louis Blues General manager: Doug Armstrong
Ville Heinola gave us a glimpse of the future of the Jets’ blue line, and it looks bright. But we’ll put Thomas, whose emergence during the Blues’ incredible Cup run in 2018-19 and versatility in Year Two makes him a soon-to-be top-six lock in St. Louis, on our list for now.
No. 21 overall: Colin White | 2015, Ottawa Senators General manager: Bryan Murray
Not the most lucrative draft slot based on this past decade’s picks at 21, but in Colin White the Senators have an offensive threat that can help propel their rebuild forward.
No. 22 overall: Ilya Samsonov | 2015, Washington Capitals General manager: Brian MacLellan
When it comes to goalies, you’ve got to plan ahead. Braden Holtby had just completed one of his most impressive campaigns when the Capitals drafted Samsonov back in 2015 with the hopes they’d found their next next great netminder. Five years later, he’s taken over the throne and the spotlight’s officially shifted to him while Holtby appears to be heading to free agency.
No. 23 overall: Brock Boeser | 2015, Vancouver Canucks General manager: Jim Benning
Another star of that stacked 2015 class — and another excellent pick made by Benning since he took the reins in 2014.
No. 24 overall: Kevin Hayes | 2010, Chicago Blackhawks General manager: Stan Bowman
This one comes down to two players, and they’re both on the Flyers. While Travis Konecny (another 2015 gem!) has the higher ceiling, it’s Hayes who stood out during the playoffs, and he gets the edge… for now.
No. 25 overall: David Pastrnak | 2014, Boston Bruins General manager: Peter Chiarelli
Chiarelli’s final draft of his Bruins tenure brought one heck of a parting gift — and one of the biggest first-round steals to be had.
No. 26 overall: Evgeni Kuznetsov | 2010, Washington Capitals General manager: George McPhee
Vegas’ Shea Theodore (2013, Ducks) gets a good, long look as one of the game’s next great rearguards, but Kuznetsov’s consistent scoring (particularly during the Capitals’ Stanley Cup run, when he tallied 32 points in 24 games) makes him the star at 26th overall.
No. 27 overall: Vladislav Namestnikov | 2011, Tampa Bay Lightning General manager: Steve Yzerman
You could argue on a technicality that, of the players drafted 28th overall in the past 10 years, it’s Nolan Foote (2019, Lightning) who’s had the biggest impact — he was, after all, a big piece of the puzzle that convinced the New Jersey Devils to send forward Blake Coleman to Tampa Bay in a trade with the eventual Stanley Cup champs. But for the sake of selecting those currently in the league, Namestnikov — another Lightning pick — gets the nod here.
Though he has yet to really settle into a market long-term, the production has been there and he remains a strong free-agency option for teams looking for secondary scoring.
No. 28 overall: Charlie Coyle | 2010, San Jose Sharks General manager: Doug Wilson
Coyle is one of the few players on this list who didn’t actually suit up for the team that drafted him, as he was dealt to Minnesota as part of a package for Brent Burns in 2011. That Burns turned into a stud defenceman certainly hurt the perception of Coyle, but Coyle’s steady scoring presence followed by his resurgence with the Bruins last year makes him a success as far as late first-rounders go.
No. 29 overall: Rasmus Sandin | 2018, Toronto Maple Leafs General manager: Kyle Dubas
Dubas’ first draft pick as an NHL GM, Rasmus’ career is still ahead of him but his strong development with the AHL’s Marlies have him trending in the direction of a top-four d-man on a blue line that needs more of those.
No. 30 overall: Rickard Rackell | 2011, Anaheim Ducks General manager: Bob Murray
Rackell has reached the 40-point plateau in all but one of his six seasons as a full-time NHLer, twice surpassing 50 with his best seasons coming in 2017-18 at 69 points.
TORONTO – Singles star Leylah Fernandez and doubles specialist Gabriela Dabrowski will anchor Canada’s five-player lineup when the team tries to defend its Billie Jean King Cup title in mid-November.
The 26th-ranked Fernandez, the 2021 U.S. Open finalist from Laval, Que., is the lone Canadian in the top 100 of the WTA Tour’s singles rankings.
Dabrowski, from Ottawa, is ranked fourth on the doubles list. The 2023 U.S. Open women’s doubles champion won mixed doubles bronze with Felix Auger-Aliassime at the recent Paris Olympics.
Marina Stakusic of Mississauga, Ont., returns after a breakout performance last year, capped by her singles win in Canada’s 2-0 victory over Italy in the final. Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino is also back and Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion from Mississauga, Ont., returns to the squad for the first time since 2022.
“Winning the Billie Jean King Cup in 2023 was a dream come true for us, and not only that, but I feel like we made a statement to the world about the strength of this nation when it comes to tennis,” Canada captain Heidi El Tabakh said Monday in a release. “Once again, we have a very strong team this year with Bianca joining Leylah, Gaby, Rebecca and Marina, making it an extremely powerful team that is more than capable of going all the way.
“At the end of the day, our goal is to make Canada proud, and we’ll do our best to bring the same level of effort and excitement that we had in last year’s finals.”
Fernandez, who beat Jasmine Paolini to clinch Canada’s first-ever title at the competition, is ranked No. 42 in doubles.
Canada, which received an automatic berth as defending champion, will play the winner of the first-round tie between Great Britain and Germany on Nov. 17 at Malaga’s Martin Carpena Arena.
Australia, Italy and wild-card entry Czechia also received first-round byes. The tournament, which continues through Nov. 20, also includes host Spain, Slovakia, the United States, Poland, Japan and Romania.
Stakusic is up 27 spots to No. 128 in the latest world singles rankings. Marino is at No. 134 and Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, is ranked 167th.
Canada will look to become the first team since Czechia in 2016 to successfully defend its Billie Jean King Cup title.
Malaga will also host the Nov. 19-24 Davis Cup Final 8. The Canadian men qualified over the weekend with a 2-1 victory over Great Britain in Manchester.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024.
PITTSBURGH – Sidney Crosby plans to remain a Pittsburgh Penguin for at least three more years.
The Penguins announced on Monday that they re-signed the 37-year-old from Cole Harbour, N.S., to a two-year contract extension that has an average annual value of US$8.7 million. The deal runs through the 2026-27 season.
Crosby was eligible to sign an extension on July 1 with him entering the final season of a 12-year, $104.4-million deal that carries an $8.7-million salary cap hit.
At the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas last Monday, he said things were positive and he was optimistic about a deal getting done.
The three-time Stanley Cup champion is coming off a 42-goal, 94-point campaign that saw him finish tied for 12th in the league scoring race.
Crosby has spent all 19 of his NHL seasons in Pittsburgh, amassing 592 goals and 1,004 assists in 1,272 career games.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024.
MONTREAL – Tadej Pogacar was so dominant on Sunday, Canada’s Michael Woods called it a race for second.
Pogacar, a three-time Tour de France champion from Slovenia, pedalled to a resounding victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal.
The UAE Team Emirates leader crossed the finish line 24 seconds ahead of Spain’s Pello Bilbao of Bahrain — Victorious to win the demanding 209.1-kilometre race on a sunny, 28 C day in Montreal. France’s Julian Alaphilippe of Soudal Quick-Step was third.
“He’s the greatest rider of all time, he’s a formidable opponent,” said Woods, who finished 45 seconds behind the leader in eighth. “If you’re not at your very, very best, then you can forget racing with him, and today was kind of representative of that.
“He’s at such a different level that if you follow him, it can be lights out.”
Pogacar slowed down before the last turn to celebrate with the crowd, high-five fans on Avenue du Parc and cruise past the finish line with his arms in the air after more than five hours on the bike.
The 25-year-old joined Belgium’s Greg Van Avermaet as the only multi-time winners in Montreal after claiming the race in 2022. He also redeemed a seventh-place finish at the Quebec City Grand Prix on Friday.
“I was disappointed, because I had such good legs that I didn’t do better than seventh,” Pogacar said. “To bounce back after seventh to victory here, it’s just an incredible feeling.”
It’s Pogacar’s latest win in a dominant year that includes victories at the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
Ottawa’s Woods (Israel Premier-Tech) tied a career-best in front of the home crowd in Montreal, but hoped for more after claiming a stage at the Spanish Vuelta two weeks ago.
“I wanted a better result,” the 37-year-old rider said. “My goal was a podium, but at the same time I’m happy with the performance. In bike racing, you can’t always get the result you want and I felt like I raced really well, I animated the race, I felt like I was up there.”
Pogacar completed the 17 climbs up and down Mount Royal near downtown in five hours 28 minutes 15 seconds.
He made his move with 23.3 kilometres to go, leaving the peloton in his dust as he pedalled into the lead — one he never relinquished.
Bilbao, Alaphilippe, Alex Aranburu (Movistar Team) and Bart Lemmen (Visma–Lease) chased in a group behind him, with Bilbao ultimately separating himself from the pack. But he never came close to catching Pogacar, who built a 35-second lead with one lap left to go.
“It was still a really hard race today, but the team was on point,” Pogacar said. “We did really how we planned, and the race situation was good for us. We make it hard in the last final laps, and they set me up for a (takeover) two laps to go, and it was all perfect.”
Ottawa’s Derek Gee, who placed ninth in this year’s Tour de France, finished 48th in Montreal, and called it a “hard day” in the heat.
“I think everyone knows when you see Tadej on the start line that it’s just going to be full gas,” Gee said.
Israel Premier-Tech teammate Hugo Houle of Sainte-Perpétue, Que., was 51st.
Houle said he heard Pogacar inform his teammates on the radio that he was ready to attack with two laps left in the race.
“I said then, well, clearly it’s over for me,” Houle said. “You see, cycling isn’t that complicated.”
Australia’s Michael Matthews won the Quebec City GP for a record third time on Friday, but did not finish in Montreal. The two races are the only North American events on the UCI World Tour.
Michael Leonard of Oakville, Ont., and Gil Gelders and Dries De Bondt of Belgium broke away from the peloton during the second lap. Leonard led the majority of the race before losing pace with 45 kilometres to go.
Only 89 of 169 riders from 24 teams — including the Canadian national team — completed the gruelling race that features 4,573 metres in total altitude.
Next up, the riders will head to the world championships in Zurich, Switzerland from Sept. 21 to 29.
Pogacar will try to join Eddy Merckx (1974) and Stephen Roche (1987) as the only men to win three major titles in a season — known as the Triple Crown.
“Today gave me a lot of confidence, motivation,” Pogacar said. “I think we are ready for world championships.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 15, 2024.
