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

27. Best NHL draft picks in history: Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks are another one of those NHL teams that have, unfortunately, never won a Stanley Cup championship. In the late 90s, they needed someone to help change that and wow, did they land an absolute gem. In the 1997 NHL Draft, they took a sure-fire second overall pick in left winger/center Patrick Marleau and the rest is franchise history.

Marleau went on to set many franchise records thanks to his ability to use his raw speed, tenacity, and overall clutchness to score. He was as consistent as they come, having played in over 1,700 hockey games and always being an impact player every single time he steps foot on the ice.

Besides setting franchise records in power play goals, points, games played, and shots on goal, Marleau is also an accomplished Olympian. He won gold representing Canada in the Winter Olympics in the 00s to continue adding more to his legacy.

At the end of the day, even though Marleau tested free agency waters to see if he could finally win a Stanley Cup elsewhere, he’ll forever be thanked for helping to put the Sharks on the map. He currently ended up right back where he started on the Sharks and will more than likely retire with the team that drafted him to end his career the right way.