NHL Draft: Top 10 Number One Draft Picks of All-Time

To some, the NHL draft is just another hockey sideshow. To everyone else who loves the game, it’s a plateau in which we witness the next great players step into our league. Throughout its 54 year existence, 10,934 players have been selected. Some of these guys have gone on to do amazing and outstanding things, while others don’t achieve very much at all. Majority of this reasoning is due to improper scouting, or too much hype that goes unmatched by said player.

Out of all the 54 first overall selections, only a hand full lived up to their part of why they were selected first overall. Most could have been taken later in that round, and some could have been taken later in the draft. But that’s the joy of the NHL draft, we live in the moment, we don’t really know how amazing that player really is until their career is finally over. However, some have shown us how amazing they are already and what we can expect from them going forward.

It’s all a gamble that sometimes pays off, and sometimes doesn’t. This is our list of the top 10 first overall selections of all-time, enjoy!

9. Denis Potvin, 1973

When the New York Islanders selected Potvin they got themselves a stud. He was a force in junior and in the NHL. During his junior years with the Ottawa 67’s of the OHA, Potvin would tally up 329 points in 254 games. That’s an amazing number for a defenseman or any player position for that matter. Denis did a lot more than just score a solid amount of points in junior he also did it where it mattered.

During his first year as an Islander in 1973-74 Denis would score 54 points in 77 games, earning himself the Calder Trophy for most outstanding rookie. The seasons that followed just seemed to get better and better for Potvin. Making it to the playoffs every year of his career following his rookie campaign. Denis would go on to win the Norris Trophy for best defenseman in 1976, 1978 and 1979.

But his list of accomplishments didn’t stop there. From 1980 to 1983 he would captain the Islanders and led them to four Stanley Cup victories in a row. The second team in NHL history to ever do that with Montreal being the first. Potvin would also go on to play for Team Canada for the 1976 and 1981 Canada Cup teams scoring 16 points in 14 games.

He would win one Canada Cup Gold Medal during 1976. Denis would eventually retire from hockey altogether after the 1987-88 season. He left the NHL with 1,052 points in 1,060 career games. Leaving him 7th overall on the All-Time Scoring list for defensemen. He would also finish with 164 playoff points in 185 career playoff games.

Absolutely amazing numbers for a defenseman, and while 6 others posted more statistically speaking, Denis was the only one drafted first overall. In 1988 the Ottawa 67’s would pay tribute to Potvin by retiring his number from the team. They weren’t the only organization to do so though, as the Islanders would follow suit.

In 1991 Denis Potvin was ultimately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He’s not the only player on this list to have the accomplishment!

8. Mike Modano, 1988

Mike Modano is arguably the best American born player to ever play in the NHL in which he holds 3 records. But where did all this skill come from? Well, he scored 131 points in 69 games for the Compuware Ambassadors of the MNHL in the United States. The next year he went and joined the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL where he would spend 3 years. During his 3 year term with Prince Albert, he totaled 294 points in 176 games played. Pretty amazing to say the least.

The Minnesota North Stars selected the offensive prodigy first overall in 1988. His first full pro season would come the following year where in 80 games played as a rookie he scored 75 points. That had him placing second to Sergei Makarov for the Calder Trophy award for most outstanding rookie.

The next three years for Modano just kept getting better. From 1990-91 to 1992-93 he played 237 games scoring 234 points for Minnesota before they relocated to Dallas in 1993-94. In 1996-97, Modano helped the new Dallas Stars place first in the Central Division. Like everything else, the next year would surpass the last. The next year Dallas reached the Conference Finals, and the year after they won it all for the first time ever.

Mike was definitely the face of the Minnesota/Dallas franchises. He had 16 seasons with 20 or more goals, 9 with 30 or more goals and in 1993-94 a 50 goal season. Unfortunately for Dallas fans, Modano would leave the club in 2010 while pondering to retire or not. He ultimately didn’t since he would sign with Detroit and finish his career off in his hometown.

After the 2010-11 season with Detroit, Mike would sign a one-day contract with Dallas to officially retire as a member of the Stars. His number 9 was retired by Dallas during the 2014-15 season. Leaving Mike as the 2nd highest scoring American-born player of all time. During Mike’s 1,499 game career he would go on to register 1,374 points, falling just 17 short of tying Brett Hull.

Mike would do more outside of the NHL as well. He would represent Team USA at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics winning 1 Silver Medal. Mike would also play in the 1991 Canada Cup, the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 and 2004 and the World Championships in 1990, 1993 and 2005. So many accomplishments for such a truly amazing player, that we won’t see again for quite a while.

Will anyone else match or pass Modano’s accomplishments on this list? Read on to find out!

7. Joe Thornton, 1997

“Jumbo Joe” is right up there with the best of them. His season accolades and career accomplishments are as well. Joe’s greatness started when he was drafted second overall by Sault St. Marie of the OHL at the age of 15. His rookie year followed where he scored 76 points in 66 games. That earned him the OHL and CMJ rookie of the year awards. At 6’4, 180 pounds as a 15-year-old, you’re bound to dominate. And next year he did just that when he tallied up 122 points in 59 games. Joe suited up for Team Canada at the 1997 U-20 World Junior Championships winning himself a Gold Medal in the process.

So it was no mystery that Boston would select him first overall in 1997. Thornton’s first pro season would be the next year where in 55 games he only scored 7 points. This lack of productivity was due to three separate injuries throughout the year. It wasn’t until 2002-03 when Thornton made his presence known as a premier player. He was among only three players that year to break 100 points, he did so when he scored 101 in 77 games. Boston also named Joe team captain that year as well so he definitely had something to prove.

In 2005-06, however, he was traded to San Jose, but that’s where things really picked up. The rest of the season he would score 92 points in 58 games for the Sharks. Then in the following year he would tally up a total of 114 in 82 games, winning the Hart and Art Ross trophies.

Joe wouldn’t stop there, he would continue to post incredible seasons as a Shark. During the 2015-16 campaign, Joe would climb to another level as he would help carry the San Jose Sharks to their first ever Stanley Cup final in franchise history. Sadly all the hard work came to an end when Pittsburgh eliminated the Sharks in 6 games.

Thornton’s now 37 years old, but isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. So far this season he has 8 points in 10 games played.

Thornton also impressed us outside of the NHL when he suited up for Team Canada on several different occasions. Joe would win a Gold Medal in the 2004 World Cup, a Silver during the 2005 World Championships, an Olympic Gold in 2010 and finally another World Cup Gold in 2016.

Theirs still 6 more players who have done the same, some of which have accomplished more!

6. Mats Sundin, 1989

Easily one of the greatest captains if not players Toronto has ever had. Mats Sundin was always a thrill to watch, but he wasn’t always a Maple Leaf. Sundin was initially drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in 1989. At 17, Sundin starred for Djurgardens IF Stockholm of the Swedish Junior League. The following year he would join Nacka HK in Division 1 of the Swedish League. That year Mats would score 18 points in 25 games along with 8 playoff points in 6 playoff games. In 1989-90, Mats would help lead Djurgardens IF to a championship season for the main platform of the Swedish Elite League.

His first pro season would come the next year in 1990-91 with Quebec, he would score his first goal in his first game, along with 59 points in 89 games. Sundin’s highest point total came in his second last year with the Nordiques where he managed 114 points in 80 games played.

The next year the whole hockey world was shocked as well as Toronto and Quebec fans. This was because Toronto would trade former 1st overall pick Wendel Clark along with two other players and a first-round pick for Sundin. Toronto, however, would get a decent return as they would get an additional two players and a first-round pick as well.

Toronto had to wait a little bit longer to see their new star since the following year was locked out for half of the season. When he did arrive for the rest of the 1994-95 season, Mats would show the Leafs what he was worth by scoring 47 points in 47 games. The 1995-96 season was even better for Sundin and Leafs fans as he would lead in scoring again with 83 points in 76 games and help push Toronto into the playoffs. His totals didn’t stop there, though, as in the next two seasons he would put up 94 points in 82 games and 74 points in another 82 games despite missing the playoffs those two seasons.

The next 6 years for Mats and the Leafs were fantastic, he would lead the team in points every season. He would also help push the leafs into the playoffs each of those years too. After the 2004-05 lockout, Sundin would spend the next 3 years as the Leafs captain before signing with Vancouver. He spent one year with the Canucks before calling it a career in 2009. Mats still stands as the Leafs all-time leader in points (984) and goals (420).

When Sundin announced his retirement back home in Stockholm, he left the league with 564 goals, 785 assists for 1,349 points in 1,346 career games. His playoff totals are very good as well, 82 points in 91 career playoff games.

Mats would also do a lot more for hockey outside of the NHL. He would win three World Championship Gold Medals in 1991, 1992 and 1998. He’s got 1 Olympic Gold Medal for Sweden in his collection coming from the 2006 games. And it doesn’t end there for the fantastic Swede, Mats also owns 2 World Championship Silver medals and 2 World Championship Bronze Medals.

Mats was always meant to be a special player, and a very special player he was. Most Toronto fans would rank him number 1 all-time for the organization for all that he did during his years as a Leaf.

The top 5 is next, some of the best players the league has ever seen!

5. Pierre Turgeon, 1987

Pierre Turgeon was an offensive dynamo, in junior hockey for the Granby Bisons of the QMJHL he scored 268 points in 127 games in two years. Some say he’s one of the most offensively talented players to ever touch NHL ice – which made Buffalo selecting him 1st overall in 1987 a very easy decision.

Turgeon would make his pro debut during the 1987-88 season and post a respectable 42 points in 76 games. It wasn’t until the 1989-90 season that Pierre would break 100 points. He would go on to score 106 points in 80 games played along with a +10 rating. During the 1991-92 season Pierre was the key factor in what brought Pat Lafontaine over from the Islanders.

Pierre’s first full season in Long Island was a good one. At the end of the year, Turgeon tallied up 132 points in 83 games despite being a -1 on the season but still earning himself the Lady Byng Trophy. Pierre was a fundamental player in the Islanders success during the playoffs, where they upset Washington in the first round. Unfortunately, Pierre suffered a significant shoulder injury that derailed the rest of his play that postseason. Even though Turgeon would continue to post amazing numbers for the Islanders, they could never get back to glory from the 1992-93 season.

Pierre struck personal gold when he was traded to Montreal during the 1994-95 season. He captained the Canadiens during their last season in the old Montreal Forum in 1995-96. That season Turgeon scored 96 points in 80 games as well as 6 playoff points in as many games.

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In 1996-97 Turgeon was on the move again, this time to the St. Louis Blues where he would play for 5 years. During his time in St. Louis, Pierre would once again find that passion he had when he made the serious playoff push in 1993. Even though he was hampered by injuries he still managed to post 65+ point seasons every year. And in 1999-00 Pierre helped St. Louis set a franchise record with 115 points along with a Presidents Trophy.

When the summer of 2001 rolled around Pierre was a free agent and would go on to sign with the Dallas Stars. Hampered by injuries again, Turgeon wouldn’t post outstanding seasons but he would score respectable 40+ point campaigns all three years.

After the 2004-05 lockout, Turgeon was on the move yet again, this time he was acquired by Colorado. Pierre would spend his last two NHL seasons with the Avalanche. He was limited to just 17 games his final year due to calf and groin injuries scoring just 7 points. In the summer of 2007, Pierre finally called it a career. He left the NHL with 515 goals, 812 assists for 1,327 points in 1,294 career games. Just imagine what his point total would be if he wasn’t bothered by injuries so much.

A former teammate sits at number 4!

4. Gilbert Perreault, 1970

Gilbert Perreault was known for two things, being one of the most offensively gifted forwards of all time, and his Bobby Orr-like end-to-end rushes. Perreault made a career of dazzling fans and defenseman night in and night out.

Perreault’s rise to stardom would begin in the OHA playing for the Montreal Jr. Canadiens. In his three junior years Gilbert would post 267 points in 155 games. He would also lead the Jr. Canadiens to two consecutive Memorial Cup Championships.

Buffalo would go on to draft Gilbert 1st overall in 1970, and his first pro season would come the same year. During his 1970-71 rookie season, Perreault would appear in 78 games scoring 72 points winning the Calder Trophy. His sophomore season was just as impressive, in 76 games he would score 74 points. Showing everyone that Gilbert was exactly as advertised. Perreault would center the most lethal line in NHL history, the famous “French Connection” with Rene Robert and Richard Martin. In 1973 Perreault would score 88 points in 78 games, and due to his on-ice character he would go on to win the Lady Byng Trophy as well.

Even though Buffalo didn’t fair so well in 1973-74 by missing the playoffs. Perreault and company would rebound big time the following season. Perreault and his “French Connection” line would help Buffalo reach 113 points, setting a franchise record as well as reaching the Stanley Cup finals. Once again the following year Buffalo would regress again, but Gilbert wouldn’t. He would go on to score a career-high 113 points. Gilbert would help the Sabres make a serious run in the playoffs again despite only making the semi-finals. He did however go on to post another personal high of 21 playoff points in 14 games. On April 3rd, 1982 Gilbert became the 16th player in NHL history to register 1,000 career points.

He finally announced his retirement after the 1986-87 season. Gilbert spent his whole 17-year career with the Sabres experiencing a lot of ups and downs, but mostly ups. The NHL inducted him into the Hall Of Fame in 1990. Perreault’s totals after such a prolific career, 1,326 points in 1,191 career games. Let’s not forget his Canada Cup Gold Medal in 1976.

3. Guy Lafleur, 1970

How great was Guy Lafleur? His first season with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL he scored 170 points in 56 games. That’s not all, year two he scored 209 points in 62 games leading Quebec to a Memorial Cup victory. So how did he do this? Guy used to sneak into his town’s local arena on Sundays and early mornings during the week for extra ice time.

Guy is arguably the best right winger to ever play the game.

Lafleur’s pro debut came in 1971-72 with Montreal where he appeared in 73 games scoring 64 points. He also appeared in the playoffs that year as well posting 5 points in 6 games. Lafleur also became the first player in NHL history to score more than 50 goals and 100 points in 6 straight seasons.

During those 6 outstanding seasons, Lafleur would win the Art Ross Trophy three times, the Hart Trophy twice and the Conn Smythe Trophy once. He still holds the highest point total of any Canadien, Guy also managed to hit 1,000 points in only 720 games, the shortest in NHL history.

Lafleur would lead Montreal to five Stanley Cup victories in 1972-73, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1977-78 and 1978-79. During the 1984-85 season, only 19 games in Lafleur decided to call it a career. However, he would return for the 1988-89 season with the New York Rangers.

A lot of people found it kind of odd, but due to Lafleurs live fast party-like lifestyle, many assume he did that to get away from Montreal. He would only spend one year with the Rangers before spending the next two years with the Quebec Nordiques. Each of those three seasons saw a massive decrease in point production from Lafleur. And after 1990-91 he would actually retire for good this time.

Now if Guy decided to still play for those three years that he took a short retirement from, it’s safe to say he would have passed Rocket Richard for most goals by a Canadien.

Guy Lafleur left the NHL with 560 goals, 793 assists for 1,353 points in 1,126 career games. His career playoff numbers? 134 total points in 128 games. Put that with five Stanley Cup Championships (four consecutive) and one Canada Cup Championship it’s hard not to imagine Guy being in a top 5 all-time players list.

2. Dale Hawerchuk, 1981

Now when you’re compared to Wayne Gretzky, you know you’re about to witness a very special player. Dale Hawerchuk was just that, and more. For instance, at a peewee tournament, Hawerchuk scored all 8 goals in an 8-1 victory, breaking Guy Lafleur’s long-time record.

In 1979, Hawerchuk was drafted 6th overall by the Cornwall Royals of QMJHL, and he instantly set the league a blaze winning rookie of the year honors in his first season. In 144 games in the “Q” Hawerchuk scored 286 points. He won two Memorial Cup Championships with Cornwall scoring 18 points in 10 tournament games.

Since Winnipeg finished last after the 1981 season, they had the right to select first, and everyone knew it was gonna be Dale. Dale’s first season with Winnipeg would come the following season. In 1981-82 Dale would take the NHL by storm as an 18-year-old. He would score 103 points in 80 games and go on to break 17 franchise records, as well as becoming the youngest player in league history to reach 100 points. Dale would win the Calder Trophy for that amazing season, but amazing seasons were just about to begin.

After a slight decrease in his sophomore year, only scoring 91 points, he would go on to post 5 straight 100 plus point seasons.

After the 1989-90 season, Hawerchuk was traded to the Buffalo Sabres. Leading the team in points three times with no less than 85 points. One of Dale’s greatest personal accomplishments came when he played for Team Canada in the 1987 Canada Cup. He was limited to a checking role behind Gretzky, Lemieux and Messier but that didn’t stop Dale from being himself. He would win the famous face-off that led to the second most important Team Canada goal. He was also a very key component for Team Canada’s win in 1991 when he moved to center after Greztky was injured.

In 1995 Hawerchuk became a free agent and eventually signed with the St. Louis Blues. Dale would score 41 points in 66 games with the Blues before being traded to Philadelphia to finish out the rest of the season. And he finished the rest of that year strongly as he would score 20 points in the final 16 games as well as adding 12 points during the playoffs.

Dale would spend the next season with Philadelphia and in turn making it his last. He tallied a respectable 34 points in 51 games, with 7 playoff points in 17 playoff games before calling it a career.

Despite playing the vast majority of his career in the West that was dominated by teams like Edmonton and Calgary, he only missed the playoffs once. Also with Gretzky and Mario dominating the league, Dale was able to record more than a point per game for 13 consecutive seasons. When GM’s took a poll on who they would start their franchise’s with, Dale ended up third behind Gretzky and Coffey. Hawerchuk was also the 23rd player to reach 500 goals and the 31st to reach 1,000 points. His final NHL stats, 518 goals, 891 assists for a total of 1,409 points in 1,188 games. Those numbers place him 10th overall for all-time scoring in NHL history.

Just imagine who number 1 on this list is!

1. Mario Lemieux, 1984

Yup, Mario Lemieux! Easily the second greatest player to ever wear skates behind Wayne Gretzky. Mario Lemieux’s rise to fame came in the QMJHL where he put up a career total of 562 points in 200 games. He led the Laval Voisins to a QMJHL Championship, but fell short in the Memorial Cup. However that didn’t stop “Super Mario”, he would win CHL player of the year as well as the CHL top scorer award.

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He was drafted 1st overall in 1984, and was ready to help Pittsburgh with their scoring woes. Lemieux was able to address the issue in spades. On his first shift, in his first game with his first shot, he scored his first NHL goal. He would go on to lead the Penguins that season with 100 points in 73 games. Mario had over 100 points in his next two seasons, but his status as a serious threat came in 1988-89 where he scored 85 goals with 114 assists for 199 points in 76 games played. This was the second time he led the NHL in points during the Gretzky era, which means he beat him twice as well, back to back.

A lot of people criticized him as not being the best ever if he never won a cup. That was another challenge Lemieux would face head on. And he would achieve it in the 1990-91 season albeit only playing 26 games due to injury. He would return late in the year healthy and good to go for the playoffs. Mario would tally 44 points in 23 playoff games to give Pittsburgh it’s first Stanley Cup in a game six win against Minnesota. Mario also won the Conn Smythe Trophy for that outstanding playoff performance.

The next season would be an absolute repeat, Pittsburgh would win the cup again and Mario would be named the winner of the Conn Smythe.

Mario’s health problems are what pushed his career back and ultimately held him from surpassing Gretzky. During that time Mario was battling back problems, Hodgkin’s disease and a small form of cancer. These issues had him sitting out for a month before returning and leading the league in scoring again. In 1993-94 he missed 62 games and in 1994-95 he missed the entire season. But Mario being Mario he would return in 1995-96 and lead the league again winning the Art Ross and Hart Trophies. He would score 161 points that season in only 70 games.

Unfortunately due to his constant health issues he was forced to retire before the 1997-98 season. He would return for the 2000-01 season though scoring 76 points in 43 games.

“Super Mario” would spend the next 3 seasons with Pittsburgh before calling it a career for good. In the process of doing so, he handed the reigns over to the next best player Pittsburgh would ever have, Sidney Crosby. Lemieux would end his career with 690 goals, 1,033 assists for 1,723 points in 915 games. In 107 career playoff games, Mario tallied up 172 points. He’s also won 1 Olympic Gold Medal, 1 World Cup Gold Medal, 1 World Championship Silver Medal, 1 Canada Cup Gold Medal, 2 Stanley Cups and 1 QMJHL Championship.

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Lemieux will go down as one of the greatest players to ever play the game. But mostly he’ll be remembered for what he achieved after all of his illness’ and how he was able to persevere every time the lights went out. He’s easily the best first overall pick of all-time.