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

10. Best NHL draft picks in history: Denis Potvin, New York Islanders

As we enter the top 10 NHL Draft picks in history, we start this final part off with a true impact player of a defenseman. One that put the big apple in all the sports headlines in the late 70s and early 80s thanks to their incredible abilities.

In the 1973 NHL Draft, the New York Islanders selected defenseman Denis Potvin with the first overall pick. It took a few years of Potvin honing his craft but after he put everything together, things really took off.

Potvin developed into what many consider to be one of the best defensemen to ever play the game thanks to how hard he hit and his ability to dominate during power play situations. He led the Islanders to four straight Stanley Cup championships from 1979-1983.

Make no mistake about it, Potvin had a legendary career and did it all in stride in one of the toughest sports markets in the world. It goes to show that anything can happen when you use the number one overall pick on a player that can turn your franchise into a powerhouse through a tough defense.