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Best First-Round Picks of All Time

The best first-round picks aren't always the number one overall selections. They're the players who delivered maximum franchise value relative to their draft slot, from late first-round steals like Nikita Kucherov (58th) to mid-first gems like Joe Sakic (15th) and proven number ones like Connor McDavid. The ideal first-round pick combines elite peak performance, longevity, hardware, and team success. This article ranks the greatest first-round selections across every era and draft position.

January 25, 2026

Defining "Best" First-Round Pick

The criteria for ranking first-round picks combines multiple factors.

Career totals matter, weighted by era and draft position. A player taken 45th who produces 1,000 points is more impressive than a first overall with the same totals. Franchise impact includes Stanley Cups, Conn Smythe Trophies, captaincy, and years as a core player.

Key Factors:

Career points, goals, assists
Major awards (Hart, Norris, Vezina, Selke, Art Ross)
Stanley Cup championships
Games played and durability (1,000+ games)
Value relative to draft position

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Best Forwards

Elite forwards who delivered franchise value:

Joe Sakic (15th, 1987 - Quebec/Colorado)

1,641 career points (625 goals, 1,016 assists), two Stanley Cups, Hart Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy. Franchise icon for two decades.

Connor McDavid (1st, 2015 - Edmonton)

1,159+ points already, three Hart Trophies, five Art Ross Trophies, fastest to 1,000 points (756 games). Generational talent justifying first overall status.

Sidney Crosby (1st, 2005 - Pittsburgh)

1,736+ points, three Cups, two Conn Smythes, two Harts. Complete player who defined modern NHL.

Nikita Kucherov (58th, 2011 - Tampa Bay)

1,059+ points, Hart Trophy, two Cups, multiple 100-point seasons. Best late first-round pick of modern era.

Patrice Bergeron (45th, 2003 - Boston)

1,294 points, five Selke Trophies, Stanley Cup champion, perfect two-way forward. Incredible value for 45th pick.

Ryan Getzlaf (19th, 2003 - Anaheim)

1,019 points, Stanley Cup champion, Ducks captain for 12 seasons, elite playmaking center.

Mike Modano (1st, 1988 - Minnesota/Dallas)

1,374 points, Stanley Cup champion, first American to 500 goals, franchise icon.

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Best Defensemen

Elite blue-liners who became franchise cornerstones:

Ray Bourque (8th, 1979 - Boston/Colorado)

1,579 points, five Norris Trophies, Stanley Cup champion, played until age 40.

Scott Niedermayer (3rd, 1991 - New Jersey/Anaheim)

740 points, four Stanley Cups, Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, elite skating defenseman.

Chris Pronger (2nd, 1993 - Hartford/multiple teams)

698 points, Hart Trophy, two Norris Trophies, Stanley Cup champion, physical dominance.

Erik Karlsson (15th, 2008 - Ottawa/multiple teams)

750+ points, two Norris Trophies, 101-point season, redefined offensive defenseman.

Drew Doughty (2nd, 2008 - Los Angeles)

645+ points, Norris Trophy, two Cups, two Conn Smythe finalists, Kings franchise defenseman.

Victor Hedman (2nd, 2009 - Tampa Bay)

600+ points, Norris Trophy, two Cups, Conn Smythe Trophy, 30-minute workhorse.

P.K. Subban (43rd, 2007 - Montreal/multiple teams)

467 points, Norris Trophy, elite personality and production for 43rd pick.

Shea Weber (49th, 2003 - Nashville/Montreal)

589 points, hardest shot in NHL, 1,000+ games, incredible value for 49th pick.

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Best Goaltenders

Elite netminders who became franchise icons:

Martin Brodeur (20th, 1990 - New Jersey)

691 wins (all-time record), three Cups, four Vezina Trophies, greatest goalie value pick ever.

Carey Price (5th, 2005 - Montreal)

361 wins, Vezina Trophy, Hart Trophy, Olympic gold, Canadiens franchise goalie.

Marc-Andre Fleury (1st, 2003 - Pittsburgh/multiple teams)

561 wins, three Cups, Vezina Trophy, durability and consistency.

Andrei Vasilevskiy (19th, 2012 - Tampa Bay)

330+ wins, two Cups, two Vezina Trophies, Conn Smythe Trophy, elite modern goalie.

Connor Hellebuyck (130th, 2012 - Winnipeg)

320+ wins, Vezina Trophy, incredible value for fifth-round pick (technically not first round, but notable).

Best Pick By Draft Slot

Breaking down elite picks by position selected:

1st Overall: Mario Lemieux (1984) or Connor McDavid (2015). Both generational scorers, Hart winners, franchise changers.

2nd Overall: Chris Pronger (1993) or Scott Niedermayer (1991). Elite defensemen, Norris winners, multiple Cups.

3rd Overall: Scott Niedermayer (1991, actually). Elite skating defenseman, four Cups.

4th Overall: Steve Yzerman (1983). 1,755 points, three Cups, Detroit icon.

15th Overall: Joe Sakic (1987) or Erik Karlsson (2008). Elite centers and offensive defensemen.

19th Overall: Ryan Getzlaf (2003) or Andrei Vasilevskiy (2012). 1,000-point center and elite goalie.

45th Overall: Patrice Bergeron (2003). Five Selke Trophies, Cup champion.

58th Overall: Nikita Kucherov (2011). Hart finalist, 100-point seasons, best late first-round forward ever.

Era Breakdown

Different eras produced different value picks:

1970s-1980s: Ray Bourque (8th), Paul Coffey (6th), Denis Potvin (1st), Mike Bossy (15th) defined scoring explosion era.

1990s: Joe Sakic (15th), Peter Forsberg (6th), Mats Sundin (1st), Scott Niedermayer (3rd) bridged Dead Puck Era.

2000s: Ryan Getzlaf (19th), Patrice Bergeron (45th), Corey Perry (28th), Shea Weber (49th) showed late first-round value.

2010s: Connor McDavid (1st), Auston Matthews (1st), Jack Eichel (2nd), Mikko Rantanen (10th) represent modern scoring boom.

Success Rates By Position

First-round picks succeed at different rates by position:

Forwards: Roughly 35% become All-Stars, 60% become NHL regulars, 15% become superstars.

Defensemen: About 25% become All-Stars, 50% become NHL regulars, 10% become Norris-caliber.

Goaltenders: Only 15% become All-Stars, 40% become NHL regulars, 5% become elite starters.

Forwards provide safest bets, goaltenders riskiest, defensemen middle ground.

Draft Position vs. Career Value

Comparing pre-draft rankings to actual career performance:

Massive Overperformers:

Patrice Bergeron (45th, five Selkes)
Nikita Kucherov (58th, Hart Trophy)
Martin Brodeur (20th, 691 wins)
Shea Weber (49th, Norris candidate)

Met Expectations:

Connor McDavid (1st, three Harts)
Sidney Crosby (1st, three Cups)
Ray Bourque (8th, five Norris)

Underperformers: Covered in separate bust article.

The Verdict

The best first-round picks combine elite production with draft value. While Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby justified first overall selections, players like Patrice Bergeron (45th) and Nikita Kucherov (58th) delivered even greater surplus value.

Joe Sakic at 15th overall represents the sweet spot: elite talent who falls just enough to make teams look genius.

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