NHL: The 30 best draft picks in NHL history (Updated 2023)

21. Best NHL draft picks in history: Jaden Schwartz, St. Louis Blues

When everything falls into place and the stars align towards finally winning your first Stanley Cup championship as a franchise, it’s just too good to be true. This is what happened when the St. Louis Blues selected left winger Jaden Schwartz in the 2010 NHL Draft 14th overall.

At the time, the Blues always had a high-caliber development system to give players they drafted ample time, solid coaching, and resources to be completely ready when they got called up. Schwartz only needed two years to put everything together and once his time came to bring some results at the NHL level, he delivered when it mattered most.

In 2018, Schwartz truly shined in the postseason. He totaled 12 playoff goals including two hat tricks and behind such success, the Blues were able to win their first-ever Stanley Cup championship. The Blues went over five decades before finally tasting that ultimate success and it was a huge accomplishment for Schwartz to prove how important proper development and coaching are crucial for long-term results.

Schwartz still plays at a high level as he recently went to the Seattle Kraken via free agency as he continues to carve out his legacy. So far and still at a decent age in his hockey career, the sky is the limit for what else he can add to the incredible impact he’s enjoying as of late.