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

29. Best NHL draft picks in history: Gilbert Perreault, Buffalo Sabres

You know you struck gold when you draft a player that spends their entire career with your franchise. Such is the case with center Gilbert Perreault when the Buffalo Sabres drafted him as the first overall pick in the 1970 NHL Draft.

Perreault would spend 17 years with the Sabres and was even team captain for about five seasons. During his prime years with the Sabres, Perreault truly made a name for himself as a part of the French Connection. This was a triple threat opposing teams needed to prepare for with his teammates Rene Robert and Rick Martin back in the 70s. They were the talk of the professional hockey world that scored with ease and precision against opposing teams at will.

Unfortunately, even with the French Connection and everything Perreault brought to the table, the Sabres are still one of those NHL teams that have never won a Stanley Cup championship. Either way, the Sabres hit the nail right on the head when they drafted Perreault as he did everything that was asked of him and then some.

Needless to say, Perreault got his number retired by the Sabres and entered both the Sabres Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame. He still holds franchise records for most goals at 512, points 1,326, and playing in most games at 1,191 making him one of the best NHL draft picks in history.