Every #1 NHL Draft Pick Ranked: 63 Players, 63 Years, 63 Verdicts
From Garry Monahan in 1963 (who played 14 games for Montreal) to Matthew Schaefer in 2025 - the complete visual history of the most important pick in hockey.
63
First Overall Picks
1963 - 2025
10
Hall of Famers
15.9% hit rate for Toronto
27
Centers Taken
43% of all #1 picks
12
Calder Winners
Rookie of the Year
The first overall pick in the NHL Draft is supposed to be a franchise-altering selection. Sometimes it works that way. Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid were all taken first overall and became generational talents who redefined the game. Other times, not so much. Alexandre Daigle went first in 1993 and infamously declared "I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two" - the player picked second was Chris Pronger, a future Hall of Famer. Daigle was a journeyman who bounced around five teams.
Since the NHL held its first Amateur Draft in 1963, 63 players have been selected first overall. The early drafts were modest affairs - the sponsorship system still controlled most junior talent, and the first few #1 picks never even played in the NHL. It wasn't until 1969 that all amateur players were eligible, and the draft didn't become a televised public event until the 1980s. What follows is every first overall pick in NHL history, rated on a 1-10 scale.
🏀 Positions Selected First Overall
Centers dominate the draft in a way no other position does. Over 40% of all first overall picks have been centers, and the trend has only accelerated in the modern era. Since 2005, 13 of 21 first overall picks have been centers. Defensemen are the second-most common choice, though the results have been wildly inconsistent - Denis Potvin and Rasmus Dahlin were transformational, while Greg Joly and Gord Kluzak were among the biggest busts. Only three goalies have ever gone first - Michel Plasse (1968), Rick DiPietro (2000), and Marc-Andre Fleury (2003) - and DiPietro became one of the most cautionary tales in draft history.
🎯 Which Teams Have Picked First the Most?
The Montreal Canadiens lead all teams with six first overall picks, a product of the draft's early years when the original six teams dominated. The New York Islanders have five (including Matthew Schaefer in 2025), while the Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres, and the Colorado Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques franchise have four apiece. Edmonton earned four of their five #1 picks in a five-year span (2010-2015), a staggering run of futility. Eight current franchises have never picked first overall: Anaheim, Calgary, Carolina, Minnesota Wild, Nashville, Seattle, Vancouver, and Vegas.
🏆 The Best First Overall Pick of All Time
🏆 Mario Lemieux - 1984 - Pittsburgh Penguins - Rating: 10/10
Six-time Art Ross Trophy winner. Three-time Hart Trophy winner as league MVP. Two-time Stanley Cup champion (1991, 1992). Two-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner. Career stats: 690 goals and 1,723 points in only 915 games, a points-per-game average of 1.883 that trails only Wayne Gretzky in NHL history. Lemieux battled Hodgkin's lymphoma during the 1992-93 season - he received radiation treatment in the morning and scored a goal that same night. He missed 3.5 seasons due to injuries and illness, retired twice, and still put up 1,700+ points. He saved the Penguins franchise from bankruptcy as an owner. Had he stayed healthy for a full career, his numbers would be even more staggering. The greatest first overall pick the NHL has ever seen.
Six-time Art Ross Trophy winner. Three-time Hart Trophy winner as league MVP. Two-time Stanley Cup champion (1991, 1992). Two-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner. Career stats: 690 goals and 1,723 points in only 915 games, a points-per-game average of 1.883 that trails only Wayne Gretzky in NHL history. Lemieux battled Hodgkin's lymphoma during the 1992-93 season - he received radiation treatment in the morning and scored a goal that same night. He missed 3.5 seasons due to injuries and illness, retired twice, and still put up 1,700+ points. He saved the Penguins franchise from bankruptcy as an owner. Had he stayed healthy for a full career, his numbers would be even more staggering. The greatest first overall pick the NHL has ever seen.
Honorable Mentions for Best #1 Pick:
Sidney Crosby (2005) - Three Stanley Cups, two Conn Smythes, two Harts, 1,600+ points. The most complete player of his generation. Alexander Ovechkin (2004) - NHL all-time goals leader (900+), breaking Wayne Gretzky's record on April 6, 2025. Nine-time Rocket Richard winner. One Stanley Cup. Connor McDavid (2015) - Five Art Ross Trophies, three Hart Trophies, one Conn Smythe. The fastest skater the game has ever seen. Guy Lafleur (1971) - Five Stanley Cups, three Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Trophies. The face of the Canadiens dynasty.
Sidney Crosby (2005) - Three Stanley Cups, two Conn Smythes, two Harts, 1,600+ points. The most complete player of his generation. Alexander Ovechkin (2004) - NHL all-time goals leader (900+), breaking Wayne Gretzky's record on April 6, 2025. Nine-time Rocket Richard winner. One Stanley Cup. Connor McDavid (2015) - Five Art Ross Trophies, three Hart Trophies, one Conn Smythe. The fastest skater the game has ever seen. Guy Lafleur (1971) - Five Stanley Cups, three Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Trophies. The face of the Canadiens dynasty.
💥 The Biggest Bust: Alexandre Daigle
💥 Alexandre Daigle - 1993 - Ottawa Senators - Rating: 2/10
The poster child for NHL draft busts. Daigle was the can't-miss prospect from Victoriaville of the QMJHL, a flashy French-Canadian forward who oozed confidence. Ottawa signed him to a then-record 5-year, $12.25 million rookie contract. His famous draft-night quote - "I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two" - aged spectacularly poorly. The player taken second was Chris Pronger, who won the Hart Trophy, the Norris Trophy, and played in the Stanley Cup Final with three different teams. Daigle managed 327 points in 616 NHL games across five teams, never hitting 50 points in a season. He briefly left hockey for acting before returning with Minnesota and Pittsburgh. The Senators finished dead last in the NHL in each of Daigle's first three seasons. He's the standard by which all NHL busts are measured.
The poster child for NHL draft busts. Daigle was the can't-miss prospect from Victoriaville of the QMJHL, a flashy French-Canadian forward who oozed confidence. Ottawa signed him to a then-record 5-year, $12.25 million rookie contract. His famous draft-night quote - "I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two" - aged spectacularly poorly. The player taken second was Chris Pronger, who won the Hart Trophy, the Norris Trophy, and played in the Stanley Cup Final with three different teams. Daigle managed 327 points in 616 NHL games across five teams, never hitting 50 points in a season. He briefly left hockey for acting before returning with Minnesota and Pittsburgh. The Senators finished dead last in the NHL in each of Daigle's first three seasons. He's the standard by which all NHL busts are measured.
"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two."
- Alexandre Daigle, 1993 (Chris Pronger, who was picked second, went on to make the Hockey Hall of Fame)
🏅 The 10 Hall of Famers
Ten of 63 first overall picks have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, giving the #1 pick a 15.9% hit rate for hockey's highest honor. Joe Thornton was the most recent inductee, entering the Hall in November 2025 as part of a class that also included Zdeno Chara and Duncan Keith. Several current #1 picks are virtual locks for future induction - Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid, Kane, and likely Stamkos and MacKinnon will all eventually join the list.
Gilbert Perreault
1970 - C - Sabres
512G, 1,326pts | Calder
Guy Lafleur
1971 - RW - Canadiens
5x Stanley Cup | 3x Art Ross
Denis Potvin
1973 - D - Islanders
4x Stanley Cup | 3x Norris
Dale Hawerchuk
1981 - C - Jets
518G, 1,409pts | Calder
Mario Lemieux
1984 - C - Penguins
2x Cup | 3x Hart | 6x Art Ross
Pierre Turgeon
1987 - C - Sabres
515G, 1,327pts | 19 seasons
Mike Modano
1988 - C - North Stars
All-time top U.S.-born scorer
Mats Sundin
1989 - C - Nordiques
First European #1 pick | 564G
Eric Lindros
1991 - C - Nordiques
Hart Trophy | 865pts in 760GP
Joe Thornton
1997 - C - Bruins
Hart & Art Ross | 1,539pts
📋 Every First Overall Pick, Rated
Here it is - all 63 first overall selections, rated on a 1-10 scale. A 10 means a generational talent who defined their era. A 1 means a catastrophic bust or someone who never played. Ratings factor in career length, awards, championships, All-Star selections, and overall impact relative to being the #1 pick. Players highlighted in gold are Hall of Famers. Players highlighted in red are notable busts. Recent picks (2021-2025) receive preliminary ratings.
The Amateur Draft Era (1963-1978)
| Year | Player | Pos | Team | Junior/Amateur Club | Career Summary | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Garry Monahan | C | Canadiens | St. Michael's (OHA) | First-ever NHL draft pick. Played 748 games across five teams but only 14 for Montreal. 116 goals and 285 points in 12 seasons. Serviceable but underwhelming for the historic distinction. | |
| 1964 | Claude Gauthier | D | Red Wings | Rosemount (QJHL) | Never played a single NHL game. One of three #1 picks who never reached the NHL. | |
| 1965 | Andre Veilleux | RW | Rangers | Mtl Jr. Canadiens | Never played a single NHL game. Spent his career in the minor leagues. | |
| 1966 | Barry Gibbs | D | Bruins | Estevan Bruins (SJHL) | 10 seasons, 104 points in 550 games. Solid but unspectacular defenseman for Minnesota and Atlanta. | |
| 1967 | Rick Pagnutti | D | Kings | Oshawa Generals (OHA) | Never played in the NHL. Third #1 pick to never play. LA's first-ever draft pick as an expansion team. | |
| 1968 | Michel Plasse | G | Canadiens | Drummondville (QJHL) | First goalie taken #1 overall. Played parts of 8 NHL seasons as a career backup across five teams. Career .877 save percentage. Never Montreal's starter. | |
| 1969 | Rejean Houle | LW | Canadiens | Mtl Jr. Canadiens | Won five Stanley Cups with Montreal. 408 points in 635 games over 12 seasons. His playing career was solid if unspectacular. Later became the Canadiens GM who traded Patrick Roy. | |
| 1970 | Gilbert Perreault 🏆 | C | Sabres | Mtl Jr. Canadiens | HOF. The first truly great #1 pick. 512 goals, 1,326 points in 1,191 games - all with Buffalo. Won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year. Dazzling skater and stickhandler. The Sabres' all-time leading scorer and franchise icon. | |
| 1971 | Guy Lafleur 🏆 | RW | Canadiens | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) | HOF. "The Flower." Five Stanley Cups. Three-time Art Ross winner. Two-time Hart winner. 560 goals, 1,353 points in 1,126 games. Six consecutive 50+ goal seasons. The face of the 1970s Canadiens dynasty. Beloved icon who passed away in 2022. | |
| 1972 | Billy Harris | RW | Islanders | Toronto Marlboros (OHA) | First-ever draft pick in Islanders history. 231 points in 418 games. Won a Stanley Cup with the Isles in 1980. Decent player but overshadowed by what came after him on the Island. | |
| 1973 | Denis Potvin 🏆 | D | Islanders | Ottawa 67's (OMJHL) | HOF. Greatest defenseman of the 1970s-80s not named Bobby Orr. Four consecutive Stanley Cups (1980-83). Three Norris Trophies. Calder winner. 310 goals, 1,052 points in 1,060 games. Captain of the dynasty. "Potvin sucks" became one of hockey's most famous chants - by jealous Rangers fans. | |
| 1974 | Greg Joly | D | Capitals | Regina Pats (WCHL) | Washington's first-ever draft pick as an expansion team. The Capitals went 8-67-5 in their first season. Joly managed just 57 points in 365 career games across 8 seasons. One of the biggest busts in draft history. | |
| 1975 | Mel Bridgman | C | Flyers | Victoria Cougars (WCHL) | 12 solid seasons with 397 points in 653 games. Became the youngest captain in NHL history at 22. Later played for Calgary, New Jersey, and Detroit. Not a star but a dependable two-way center. | |
| 1976 | Rick Green | D | Capitals | London Knights (OHA) | Washington's second #1 pick in three years. 13 seasons, 126 points in 651 games. Good defensive defenseman who made his biggest impact after being traded to Montreal, where he helped the Canadiens reach the 1989 Cup Final. | |
| 1977 | Dale McCourt | C | Red Wings | St. Catharines (OHA) | 8 seasons, 336 points in 532 games. Involved in the landmark legal case when Detroit tried to send him to LA as compensation for signing a free agent. Went to court and won. Decent scorer, not a franchise player. | |
| 1978 | Bobby Smith | C | North Stars | Ottawa 67's (OMJHL) | Won the Calder Trophy as a rookie. 885 points in 1,077 games over 15 seasons with Minnesota and Montreal. Won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1986. A very good, very consistent player. |
The Entry Draft Era (1979-1999)
| Year | Player | Pos | Team | Junior/Amateur Club | Career Summary | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Rob Ramage | D | Colorado Rockies | London Knights (OMJHL) | First pick of the newly named "Entry Draft." 15 seasons, 364 points in 1,044 games across seven teams. Won Stanley Cups with Calgary (1989) and Montreal (1993). Reliable defenseman, if not a star. | |
| 1980 | Doug Wickenheiser | C | Canadiens | Regina Pats (WHL) | One of the most controversial picks in draft history. Montreal passed on hometown hero Denis Savard. Wickenheiser managed just 276 points in 556 games across 10 seasons. Tragically died of brain cancer at 37. | |
| 1981 | Dale Hawerchuk 🏆 | C | Winnipeg Jets | Cornwall Royals (QMJHL) | HOF. Won the Calder Trophy as the youngest player to that point. 518 goals, 1,409 points in 1,188 games. Made the Jets relevant. Five All-Star Games. Tragically died of stomach cancer in 2020 at age 57. | |
| 1982 | Gord Kluzak | D | Bruins | Billings Bighorns (WHL) | Injuries destroyed what could have been a great career. Eleven knee surgeries. Only 299 career games. Boston's doctors cleared him, and he looked elite when healthy, but his body simply wouldn't hold up. A what-if story. | |
| 1983 | Brian Lawton | LW | North Stars | Mt. St. Charles (HS) | First American-born player taken first overall. It was a reach. 266 points in 483 games over 9 seasons. Minnesota passed on Pat LaFontaine, Steve Yzerman, and Tom Barrasso, all of whom went in the top five. | |
| 1984 | Mario Lemieux 🏆 | C | Penguins | Laval Voisins (QMJHL) | HOF. The greatest #1 pick ever. 690 goals, 1,723 points in 915 games. Six Art Ross. Three Hart. Two Stanley Cups. Two Conn Smythe. Beat cancer mid-season. Saved the franchise. Retired twice and came back both times. 1.883 points per game - second only to Gretzky in league history. | |
| 1985 | Wendel Clark | LW/D | Maple Leafs | Saskatoon Blades (WHL) | Drafted as a defenseman, became a power forward. Captain of the Leafs during their 1993 playoff run. 441 points in 793 games. Fan favourite in Toronto but injuries limited him. A warrior, not a franchise-changer. | |
| 1986 | Joe Murphy | LW | Red Wings | Michigan State (NCAA) | First NCAA player taken #1. 528 points in 779 games over 15 seasons. Won a Stanley Cup with Edmonton in 1990. A solid player but not what Detroit expected. Has sadly dealt with homelessness and mental health issues in retirement. | |
| 1987 | Pierre Turgeon 🏆 | C | Sabres | Granby Bisons (QMJHL) | HOF. Quietly brilliant. 515 goals, 1,327 points in 1,294 games over 19 seasons. Never won a Cup but produced consistently for Buffalo, the Islanders, Montreal, St. Louis, Dallas, and Colorado. | |
| 1988 | Mike Modano 🏆 | C | North Stars | Prince Albert (WHL) | HOF. All-time leading scorer among American-born players. 561 goals, 1,374 points in 1,499 games. Moved with the franchise from Minnesota to Dallas. Stanley Cup champion (1999). Retired as the face of hockey in Texas. | |
| 1989 | Mats Sundin 🏆 | C | Nordiques | Nacka (Sweden) | HOF. First European ever taken first overall. 564 goals, 1,349 points in 1,346 games. Became the greatest Maple Leaf of the modern era after being traded to Toronto in 1994. Captain for 11 seasons. Swedish legend. | |
| 1990 | Owen Nolan | RW | Nordiques | Cornwall Royals (OHL) | Power forward. 422 goals, 642 points in 1,200 games over 18 seasons. Made five All-Star Games. Famous for calling his shot at the 1997 All-Star Game. Very good but never elite. | |
| 1991 | Eric Lindros 🏆 | C | Nordiques | Oshawa Generals (OHL) | HOF. Refused to play for Quebec. Traded to Philadelphia in a blockbuster for six players, two picks, and $15M. Won the Hart Trophy in 1995. 372 goals, 865 points in 760 games. Concussions devastated his career. When healthy, he was unstoppable - 6'4", 240 lbs with elite skill. What might have been. | |
| 1992 | Roman Hamrlik | D | Lightning | Zlin (Czechoslovakia) | Tampa Bay's first-ever draft pick. 20 seasons, 638 points in 1,395 games. Durable iron man. Never a star but lasted forever and played for seven teams. First Czech player taken first overall. | |
| 1993 | Alexandre Daigle | C | Senators | Victoriaville (QMJHL) | THE bust. 327 points in 616 games. The quote. The contract. The hype. Chris Pronger went second. Ottawa finished last three years running. Left hockey for acting. The worst first overall pick in modern NHL history. | |
| 1994 | Ed Jovanovski | D | Panthers | Windsor Spitfires (OHL) | Florida's first-ever #1 pick. 500 points in 1,128 games over 17 seasons. Strong two-way defenseman. Made the All-Star Game three times. Solid career but never a Norris contender. | |
| 1995 | Bryan Berard | D | Senators | Detroit Jr. Red Wings (OHL) | Traded to the Islanders before playing a game. Won the Calder Trophy in 1997. Career nearly ended when he took a stick to the eye in 2000, losing most of his vision. Remarkably returned to play. 163 points in 619 games. | |
| 1996 | Chris Phillips | D | Senators | Prince Albert (WHL) | Spent his entire 17-year career with Ottawa. 198 points in 1,179 games. Stay-at-home defenseman. Never flashy but incredibly consistent. Ottawa's all-time leader in games played. The definition of a steady presence. | |
| 1997 | Joe Thornton 🏆 | C | Bruins | Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) | HOF (2025). "Jumbo Joe." 24 NHL seasons. Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy in 2005-06. 430 goals, 1,539 points in 1,714 games. One of the greatest playmakers in hockey history. Never won a Cup but reached the 2016 Final. Inducted to HHOF in first year of eligibility. | |
| 1998 | Vincent Lecavalier | C | Lightning | Rimouski (QMJHL) | Captain of Tampa Bay's 2004 Stanley Cup championship. 421 goals, 874 points in 1,212 games over 17 seasons. Won the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2007 with 52 goals. A very good franchise center. | |
| 1999 | Patrik Stefan | C | Thrashers | Long Beach (IHL) | Atlanta's first-ever draft pick. Just 188 points in 455 games over 7 seasons. Best remembered for missing an empty net in a legendary blooper. One of the weakest #1 picks of the modern era. |
The Modern Era (2000-2015)
| Year | Player | Pos | Team | Junior/Amateur Club | Career Summary | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Rick DiPietro | G | Islanders | Boston University (NCAA) | Only goalie taken first overall between 1968 and Fleury in 2003. The Islanders gave him a 15-year, $67.5 million contract in 2006. Injuries limited him to just 318 games. Spent years on injured reserve while still being paid. The contract became one of the most infamous in sports history. The cautionary tale for drafting goalies first. | |
| 2001 | Ilya Kovalchuk | LW | Thrashers | Spartak Moscow (RSL) | Electrifying goal scorer. 437 goals, 816 points in 816 NHL games. Led the NHL in goals twice. Left for the KHL in 2013 at the height of his career, voiding a 15-year contract with the Devils. Later returned but was never the same. A tremendous talent who walked away from the NHL too soon. | |
| 2002 | Rick Nash | LW | Blue Jackets | London Knights (OHL) | Columbus' franchise cornerstone. 437 goals, 805 points in 1,060 games over 16 seasons. Led the NHL in goals (41) in 2003-04. Later played for the Rangers. Concussions forced an early retirement at 34. A very good player for a franchise that needed one. | |
| 2003 | Marc-Andre Fleury | G | Penguins | Cape Breton (QMJHL) | Most successful goalie to go first overall. Three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017). 520 wins - third most in NHL history. Won the Vezina Trophy in 2021 with Vegas. Career .913 save percentage. Beloved personality. Retired in 2023 after 20 seasons. | |
| 2004 | Alexander Ovechkin | LW | Capitals | Dynamo Moscow (RSL) | NHL ALL-TIME GOALS LEADER. Broke Wayne Gretzky's record of 894 goals on April 6, 2025 and has passed 900. Nine Rocket Richard trophies. Three Hart Trophies. 2018 Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe winner. Still playing at 40. The greatest goal scorer in hockey history. | |
| 2005 | Sidney Crosby | C | Penguins | Rimouski (QMJHL) | "Sid the Kid." Three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017). Two Conn Smythe Trophies. Two Hart Trophies. Two Art Ross Trophies. 1,600+ career points. The most complete player of his generation. Won the lottery and the jackpot - Pittsburgh rebuilt around him and won three championships. | |
| 2006 | Erik Johnson | D | Blues | U.S. NTDP | First American defenseman taken #1 since Bryan Berard. Traded to Colorado in 2011. 17 seasons, roughly 400 points in 900+ games. One-time All-Star. Won the Cup with Colorado in 2022 in a depth role. Solid but not what you hope for at #1. Jordan Staal and Jonathan Toews went 2nd and 3rd. | |
| 2007 | Patrick Kane | RW | Blackhawks | London Knights (OHL) | Three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013, 2015). Conn Smythe Trophy (2013). Hart Trophy (2016). Art Ross Trophy (2016). First American to win the Art Ross. 1,200+ career points. The most electrifying American-born player in hockey history. | |
| 2008 | Steven Stamkos | C | Lightning | Sarnia Sting (OHL) | Two Stanley Cups (2020, 2021). 500+ goals. Led the NHL in goals twice (51 in 2010, 60 in 2012). 1,000+ career points. Captain of Tampa Bay during their back-to-back championships. Left Tampa for Nashville in 2024 after 16 seasons. A franchise legend. | |
| 2009 | John Tavares | C | Islanders | London Knights (OHL) | 1,000+ career points. Captained the Islanders before leaving for his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018. No Stanley Cups. A very good franchise center who never quite reached the highest tier. His free agency departure from Long Island remains controversial. | |
| 2010 | Taylor Hall | LW | Oilers | Windsor Spitfires (OHL) | Won the Hart Trophy in 2018 with New Jersey. 700+ career points. But he's played for seven teams. Edmonton wasted his best years. A very talented player who was never quite a franchise-defining force and never brought a team to the promised land. | |
| 2011 | Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | C | Oilers | Red Deer Rebels (WHL) | 800+ career points. The steady, underappreciated complement to McDavid and Draisaitl in Edmonton. Has improved every year and become a true two-way center. A good player, but not the franchise saviour the Oilers needed at the time. | |
| 2012 | Nail Yakupov | RW | Oilers | Sarnia Sting (OHL) | Edmonton's third consecutive first overall pick and by far the worst. 136 points in 350 NHL games. By 2018 he was playing in the KHL, then bounced to China's league. The Oilers' darkest draft years personified. | |
| 2013 | Nathan MacKinnon | C | Avalanche | Halifax (QMJHL) | Calder Trophy winner. 2022 Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe winner. Hart Trophy. 900+ career points. May be the fastest skater in the NHL not named McDavid. Still in his prime and building a Hall of Fame resume. | |
| 2014 | Aaron Ekblad | D | Panthers | Barrie Colts (OHL) | Youngest #1 pick since the age limit changed. Won the Calder Trophy at 18. 700+ games, solid offensive defenseman. Two All-Star selections. Injuries have slowed him but he's been a core piece for Florida. | |
| 2015 | Connor McDavid | C | Oilers | Erie Otters (OHL) | The fastest player who ever lived. Five Art Ross Trophies. Three Hart Trophies. One Conn Smythe Trophy. 1,000+ points reached in under 700 games. Led Edmonton to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024. Generational doesn't do him justice. He plays the game at a speed nobody else can match. |
The New Generation (2016-2025)
| Year | Player | Pos | Team | Junior/Amateur Club | Career Summary | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Auston Matthews | C | Maple Leafs | U.S. NTDP / ZSC Lions | First pick to score four goals in his NHL debut. Three-time Rocket Richard winner. Calder Trophy. Scored 69 goals in 2023-24. The most prolific goal-scoring center since Lemieux. Toronto's playoff struggles have limited his postseason legacy so far, which keeps him from the very top tier - for now. | |
| 2017 | Nico Hischier | C | Devils | Halifax (QMJHL) | First Swiss player taken first overall. Captain of the Devils. 400+ career points. Good two-way center but not a dominant #1 pick. Nolan Patrick was considered the other option and has had an even rougher career, so the pick worked out relatively. | |
| 2018 | Rasmus Dahlin | D | Sabres | Frolunda (SHL) | First Swedish defenseman taken #1. Already one of the best offensive defensemen in the league. 300+ career points. Buffalo finally has a cornerstone on the blue line, even if the team hasn't made the playoffs yet. | |
| 2019 | Jack Hughes | C | Devils | U.S. NTDP | Took a couple of years to develop but has become a legitimate star. 400+ career points. Emerging as one of the league's most dynamic young centers. The Devils have two recent #1 picks centering their lineup (Hughes and Hischier) - a rare situation. | |
| 2020 | Alexis Lafreniere | LW | Rangers | Rimouski (QMJHL) | Selected in the pandemic lottery draft. Took longer than expected to develop in New York. 200+ career points through five seasons. Not a bust but not yet the franchise star he was projected to be. Still only 24. | |
| 2021 | Owen Power | D | Sabres | Univ. of Michigan (NCAA) | Stayed in college for a second year before joining Buffalo. Has shown flashes of his two-way talent but the Sabres continue to struggle. Still developing - jury is still out. Early returns suggest a solid NHL defenseman. | |
| 2022 | Juraj Slafkovsky | LW | Canadiens | TPS (Finland) | Surprise pick over Shane Wright. The big Slovak winger has shown growth each season. 100+ career points. Montreal is betting on his size, skill, and upside. Too early to judge definitively. | |
| 2023 | Connor Bedard | C | Blackhawks | Regina Pats (WHL) | Won the Calder Trophy as a rookie. Generational talent - the most hyped prospect since McDavid. Already producing at a point-per-game pace on a rebuilding Chicago team. The ceiling is incredibly high. | |
| 2024 | Macklin Celebrini | C | Sharks | Boston University (NCAA) | Youngest Hobey Baker winner in history. Joined San Jose and immediately became their best player as an 18-year-old. Impressive start to his career, playing alongside Joe Thornton's legacy in San Jose. | |
| 2025 | Matthew Schaefer | D | Islanders | Erie Otters (OHL) | Emotional #1 pick - lost his mother to cancer in 2024. Made the Islanders roster as an 18-year-old. Scored his first NHL goal in just his second career game, becoming the second-youngest defenseman in NHL history to do so. Named Rookie of the Month in October 2025. An incredible start to what could be a special career. |
* Preliminary rating - career still in early stages.
📈 Records & Milestones
Most Goals by a #1 Pick (All-Time)
Alexander Ovechkin (900+)
Broke Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record on April 6, 2025. The greatest goal scorer in the history of hockey.
Most Points by a #1 Pick (All-Time)
Mario Lemieux (1,723)
In only 915 games. His 1.883 points per game is second only to Wayne Gretzky in NHL history. Sidney Crosby (1,600+) is the closest active player.
Best Points Per Game (Career)
Mario Lemieux (1.883)
Missed hundreds of games to injuries and cancer. McDavid (1.50+) and Crosby (1.28) are the only other #1 picks above 1.2 PPG.
Most Stanley Cups by a #1 Pick
Guy Lafleur (5)
Five championships with the Montreal Canadiens dynasty (1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979). Denis Potvin won four straight (1980-83).
Best Defenseman Taken #1
Denis Potvin (1973)
Three Norris Trophies, four Stanley Cups, 1,052 points from the blue line. The greatest defensive #1 pick by a wide margin.
Longest Career by a #1 Pick
Joe Thornton (24 seasons)
1997-2022. Played 1,714 regular season games. Alexander Ovechkin is in his 21st season and still going.
Most Teams with Most #1 Picks
Montreal Canadiens (6)
1963, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1980, 2022. The Islanders are second with five. Edmonton has four - all between 2010-2015.
First European Taken #1
Mats Sundin (1989)
The Quebec Nordiques made history by drafting the Swedish center, who went on to a Hall of Fame career. Now roughly a third of #1 picks are born outside North America.
📊 Rating Distribution
How does the overall class of first overall picks grade out? Of the 63 picks (excluding the five most recent whose careers are too young to fully judge), roughly 30% earned an 8 or above - a much higher success rate than the NFL's #1 pick. But about 20% rated 3 or below, meaning they were outright busts. The NHL's #1 pick has been more boom-or-bust than you might expect.
📊 Success Rate by Decade
The 1960s were brutal for first overall picks, with three players never even reaching the NHL and zero hits. The draft didn't consistently produce stars until the 1970s, when Perreault, Lafleur, Potvin, and Bobby Smith all went first. The 1980s were actually the most talent-rich decade for #1 picks, delivering five future Hall of Famers: Hawerchuk, Lemieux, Turgeon, Modano, and Sundin. The 1990s were more mixed - Thornton and Lindros were brilliant, but Daigle and Stefan were spectacular busts. The 2000s were the golden age, with seven of ten picks rated as hits, including the Ovechkin-Crosby-Kane-Stamkos four-year stretch that may never be matched.
Data Sources:
• Hockey Hall of Fame
• Hockey Reference - Draft History
• NHL Records - No. 1 Overall Picks
• Wikipedia - List of First Overall NHL Draft Picks
• Elite Prospects - NHL Entry Draft
Last Updated: February 2026
• Hockey Hall of Fame
• Hockey Reference - Draft History
• NHL Records - No. 1 Overall Picks
• Wikipedia - List of First Overall NHL Draft Picks
• Elite Prospects - NHL Entry Draft
Last Updated: February 2026
