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

13. Best NHL draft picks in history: Al MacInnis, Calgary Flames

For over two decades, defenseman Al MacInnis was considered one of the best in his positional group to ever play the game. The Calgary Flames selected him 15th overall back in the 1981 NHL Draft as the rest became franchise history.

MacInnis came in, with his 6-1 and 204lbs. and put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to develop into an all-around amazing defenseman. He honed his craft and after about seven years, put everything together to do his part in delivering the first and only Stanley Cup championship in Flames history.

He was so good at scoring in that championship run, he made NHL history by being the first defenseman to lead all players in scoring. That year in the 1988 Stanley Cup playoffs, he scored seven goals, 24 assists, and a career-high 31 points.

Not bad for a draft pick that delivered for the Flames when they needed it most. MacInnis was very patient in his development and the Flames handled his development, coaching, and hockey knowledge to that of elite levels. So much so, he’s earned his place in the Hockey Hall of Fame, which he was inducted into in 2007.