The NHL Entry Draft, a pivotal event in the world of professional hockey, marks the annual assembly where teams from the National Hockey League (NHL) select eligible players to join the league. This draft is not just a mechanism for player allocation; it is a strategic process that can shape the fortunes of franchises for years to come. Since its inception, the NHL Entry Draft has evolved into a highly anticipated event, drawing attention not only from team executives and players but also from fans and media.
The process of the NHL Draft results in teams selecting young hockey talents from various junior leagues, college teams, and international circuits. These draft picks are often scrutinized and analyzed to predict the future success of both the players and the teams. Over the years, certain drafts have stood out for their depth of talent and the impact players they’ve produced.
A notable year that frequently comes up in discussions about the best NHL draft is 2003. Widely regarded as one of the deepest and most talented drafts in NHL history, it produced numerous players who went on to have significant careers in the league. Another year that sparked considerable interest was 2015, known for its high-profile picks.
While examining the NHL draft results from 1990 to the present, it’s essential to consider the long-term impact of these drafts on the league. The “best” draft year can be subjective, often based on individual player success, the overall depth of talent, or the number of players who made substantial contributions to the NHL.
NHL Draft Results 1990-Present
| 1st Overall Pick | Nationality | NHL Team | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Hagens (C) | United States | Montreal Canadiens | 2025 |
| Macklin Celebrini | Canada | San Jose Sharks | 2024 |
| Connor Bedard | Canada | Chicago Blackhawks | 2023 |
| Juraj Slafkovsky (LW) | Slovakia | Montreal Canadiens | 2022 |
| Owen Power (D) | Canada | Buffalo Sabres | 2021 |
| Alexis Lafreniere (LW) | Canada | New York Rangers | 2020 |
| Jack Hughes (C) | United States | New Jersey Devils | 2019 |
| Rasmus Dahlin (D) | Sweden | Buffalo Sabres | 2018 |
| Nico Hischier (C) | Switzerland | New Jersey Devils | 2017 |
| Auston Matthews (C) | United States | Toronto Maple Leafs | 2016 |
| Connor McDavid (C) | Canada | Edmonton Oilers | 2015 |
| Aaron Ekblad (D) | Canada | Florida Panthers | 2014 |
| Nathan MacKinnon (C) | Canada | Colorado Avalanche | 2013 |
| Nail Yakupov (RW) | Russia | Edmonton Oilers | 2012 |
| Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (C) | Canada | Edmonton Oilers | 2011 |
| Taylor Hall (LW) | Canada | Edmonton Oilers | 2010 |
| John Tavares (C) | Canada | New York Islanders | 2009 |
| Steven Stamkos (C) | Canada | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2008 |
| Patrick Kane (RW) | United States | Chicago Blackhawks | 2007 |
| Erik Johnson (D) | United States | St. Louis Blues | 2006 |
| Sidney Crosby (C) | Canada | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2005 |
| Alexander Ovechkin (LW) | Russia | Washinton Capitals | 2004 |
| Marc-Andre Fleury (G) | Canada | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2003 |
| Rick Nash (LW) | Canada | Columbus Blue Jackets | 2002 |
| Ilya Kovalchuk (LW) | Russia | Atlanta Thrashers | 2001 |
| Rick DiPietro (G) | United States | New York Islanders | 2000 |
| Patrik Stefan (C) | Czech Republic | Atlanta Thrashers | 1999 |
| Vincent Lecavalier (C) | Canada | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1998 |
| Joe Thornton (C) | Canada | Boston Bruins | 1997 |
| Chris Phillips (D) | Canada | Ottawa Senators | 1996 |
| Bryan Berard (D) | United States | Ottawa Senators | 1995 |
| Ed Jovanovski (D) | Canada | Florida Panthers | 1994 |
| Alexandre Daigle (C) | Canada | Ottawa Senators | 1993 |
| Roman Hamrlik (D) | Czechoslovakia | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1992 |
| Eric Lindros (C) | Canada | Quebec Nordiques | 1991 |
| Owen Nolan (RW) | Canada | Quebec Nordiques | 1990 |