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

15. Best NHL draft picks in history: Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens

It’s no secret that in the 70s and 80s, the Montreal Canadiens were the best of the best. Not only were the Canadiens the team to beat but put on an absolute clinic thanks to defenseman Larry Robinson. He was drafted 20th overall in the 1971 NHL Draft by the Canadiens who knew he would help be a big part of some of their greatest seasons in franchise history.

At 6-4 and 225lbs., Robinson made a name for himself as a speedy defenseman that was proficient in scoring, assists, and being a catalyst when the Canadiens were the talk of the hockey world in his prime. Robinson did his part as during his tenure, the Canadiens won six Stanley Cup championships.

He was the epitome of success as in every season from 1972 all the way to 1989, the Canadiens never missed a postseason berth. Even when Robinson left in 1989 to play for the Los Angeles Kings for a few seasons until he retired, he also helped take them to the playoffs three years in a row.

Commonly called Big Bird by his teammates and fans alike, Robinson accomplished a lot in his legendary career. He’s in both the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame as his name appears 10 times on the Stanley Cup. He’s one of the very few that achieved this huge feat by having his name on there so many times due to being a player, coach, and scout.