Best Undrafted NHL Players Ever

Defining Undrafted Success

What makes an undrafted player great:

Undrafted players prove elite talent exists outside the draft system. These players signed as free agents, worked through minor leagues, or came from European systems to establish NHL careers despite being ignored on draft day.

Key Factors:

• Career points, goals, awards
• Hall of Fame status
• Major individual trophies (Hart, Vezina, Norris)
• Stanley Cup championships
• Overcoming draft-day rejection

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Best Undrafted Forwards

Elite scorers who forced their way into NHL:

Adam Oates

1,420 points in 1,337 games, Hall of Fame 2012. One of greatest passers ever despite never being drafted.

Career:

• 1,079 assists (15th all-time)
• 1,420 career points
• Elite playmaker for 19 seasons
• Hall of Fame inductee

Oates proved elite hockey IQ trumps draft position, becoming one of best playmakers in NHL history.

Dino Ciccarelli

608 goals, 1,200 points in 1,232 games. NHL leader in goals by draft-eligible undrafted player, Hall of Fame 2010.

Production:

• 608 career goals
• Four 50-goal seasons
• Consistent 30-40 goal scorer
• Hall of Fame 2010

Ciccarelli's goal-scoring ability made teams regret passing on him.

Martin St. Louis

1,033 points, Hart Trophy (2004), Art Ross Trophy (2004), Stanley Cup champion (2004).

Success:

• Hart and Art Ross winner (2004)
• 1,033 career points
• Stanley Cup champion
• Undersized winger who became star

St. Louis represents modern undrafted success story, proving size doesn't determine skill.

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Joe Mullen

1,063 points, three Stanley Cups, Hall of Fame 2000. Grew up playing roller hockey in New York before NHL career.

Career:

• 502 goals, 1,063 points
• Three Cups (1989, 1991, 1992)
• First American 500-goal scorer
• Hall of Fame 2000

Mullen's story shows unconventional paths can lead to Hall of Fame careers.

Peter Bondra

892 points, 503 goals. Elite goal-scorer who wasn't drafted due to Iron Curtain politics.

Production:

• 503 career goals
• Multiple 50-goal seasons
• Rocket Richard Trophy (1998)
• 17-year career

Best Undrafted Goaltenders

Elite netminders who proved draft status irrelevant:

Ed Belfour

484 wins, Vezina Trophy (1991, 1993), Stanley Cup champion (1999), Hall of Fame 2011.

Career:

• 484 career wins
• Two Vezina Trophies
• Cup champion (1999)
• Hall of Fame 2011

Belfour proved goaltending talent can emerge from anywhere, becoming one of winningest goalies ever.

Curtis Joseph

454 wins in 943 games, borderline Hall of Fame case.

Success:

• 454 career wins
• Three-time All-Star
• Elite save percentage
• Long-term starter

Joseph's career shows undrafted goalies can become franchise cornerstones.

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Best Undrafted Defensemen

Elite blue-liners who overcame draft rejection:

Mark Giordano

700+ points, Norris Trophy (2019), Stanley Cup champion (2022).

Career:

• Norris Trophy at age 35
• 700+ career points
• Cup champion (2022)
• Undrafted to elite status

Giordano won Norris at 35, proving late bloomers can reach elite level.

Dan Boyle

605 career points, Stanley Cup champion (2004).

Production:

• 605 points from defense
• Cup champion (2004)
• Elite offensive defenseman
• 17-year career

Boyle's offensive ability from blue line made him valuable top-pair player.

Johnny Bucyk

1,369 points, Bruins legend, Hall of Fame 1976.

Legacy:

• 1,369 career points
• 556 goals
• Two Cups (1970, 1972)
• Hall of Fame 1976

Bucyk represents early era undrafted success before modern draft system.

Read more: Biggest NHL Draft Steals (Late Picks Who Became Stars)

Why Elite Players Go Undrafted

Common reasons for draft-day oversight:

Size Concerns: Martin St. Louis (5-foot-8), too small for NHL stereotypes.

Late Bloomers: Some players develop later, missing draft-year scouting windows.

Geographic Limitations: Pre-internet era, European and American players harder to scout.

Political Barriers: Iron Curtain prevented drafting of Soviet players like Bondra.

Positional Bias: Goalies notoriously difficult to project at 18 years old.

Modern Undrafted Success Stories

Recent players who forced NHL entry:

Artemi Panarin: 1,000+ points, Hart finalist, elite winger signed as free agent from KHL.

Tyler Myers: 700+ games as defenseman, signed as undrafted free agent.

Jonathan Marchessault: 600+ points, Conn Smythe Trophy (2023), undrafted became elite scorer.

Modern scouting has reduced undrafted star rate, but elite talent still emerges.

Read more: Best First-Round Picks of All Time

Hall of Fame Undrafted Players

Players who reached hockey's highest honor:

Hall of Famers:

• Adam Oates (1,420 points)
• Dino Ciccarelli (608 goals)
• Joe Mullen (502 goals)
• Ed Belfour (484 wins)
• Johnny Bucyk (1,369 points)
• Peter Stastny (technically European development)

Five undrafted players in Hall of Fame shows elite talent transcends draft status.

Undrafted vs. Late-Round Comparison

How undrafted players compare to late picks:

Undrafted Advantages:

• Choose their destination (free agency)
• No draft expectations
• Motivated by rejection

Undrafted Challenges:

• No guaranteed contract
• Less organizational support
• Harder path to NHL

Despite challenges, best undrafted players match late-round draft steals in production.

Read more: NHL Draft Trivia: First Overall Picks, Steals, Busts

The Verdict

Adam Oates (1,420 points), Dino Ciccarelli (608 goals), and Martin St. Louis (Hart Trophy) prove elite talent exists outside draft system. Ed Belfour's 484 wins and Vezina Trophies show undrafted goalies can become franchise cornerstones.

Mark Giordano's Norris Trophy at age 35 represents modern undrafted success, showing players can force their way into NHL and reach elite status despite draft rejection.

Read more: NHL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Hockey Season

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