This coming weekend, the 2011 NHL Entry Draft will be held in Minnesota. Much of the hype heading into the draft has been given to Ryan Nugent—Hopkins, as he is slated to go first overall.
While all of the attention is centered around the early portion of the draft, it's the the selections in the later rounds that can truly make a mark on an organization.
Many times teams can cure short term aliments through free agency. However, the draft provides the foundation for a franchise to thrive over a long period of time.
With that being said, here are the best late-round selections for each NHL franchise.
Anaheim Ducks: Trent Hunter, RW
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Unfortunately for the Anaheim Ducks, their best late—round pick never actually played for them. Trent Hunter was drafted in 1998 by the Ducks, but has played his entire NHL career with the New York Islanders.
Drafted: Sixth Round, 150th overall
Career Stats: 459 GP, 99G, 130A, 201 PIM
Boston Bruins: Mike Krushelnyski, C
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Mike Krushelnyski was a Canadian-Ukrainian drafted in 1979. He later went on to win three Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers.
Drafted: Sixth round, 120th overall
Career Stats: 897 GP, 241 G, 328 A, 699 PIM
Buffalo Sabres: Alexander Mogilny, RW
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Some people may be lobbying for Ryan Miller, but, as of now, Alexander Mogilny has a better overall body of work. The Buffalo Sabres were able to snag him late in the 1988 Draft because some feared he would never play in the NHL.
Drafted: Fifth round, 89th overall
Career Stats: 990 GP, 473 G, 559 A, 432 PIM
Calgary Flames: Gary Suter, D
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Gary Suter narrowly edged out Theo Fleury for this honor. Suter, who was drafted in 1984, is ranked 14th overall among defenseman in career scoring.
Drafted: Ninth round, 180th overall
Career Statistics: 1145 GP, 203 G, 642 A, 1349 PIM
Carolina Hurricanes: Ray Ferraro, C
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This franchise's best late—round selection came when they were the Hartford Whalers. Ray Ferraro was drafted in 1982 and went on to play 18 seasons in the NHL.
Drafted: Fifth round, 88th overall
Career Stats: 1258 GP, 408 G, 490 A, 1288 PIM
Chicago Blackhawks: Dominik Hasek, G
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Dominik Hasek is one of the greatest goalies to play the game. Too bad the Chicago Blackhawks didn't hang on to him after drafting him in 1983. Hasek not only won six Vezina Trophies, he also won to Hart Memorial Trophies as the league's MVP.
Drafted: 10th round, 199th overall
Career Stats: 735 GP, 389 W, 2.20 GAA, .922 SV%, 81 SO
Colorado Avalanche: Anson Carter, C
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Anson Carter was drafted in 1992 by the franchise's former namesake, the Quebec Nordiques. The native Barbadian played 10 seasons in the NHL.
Drafted: 10th round, 220th overall
Career Stats: 674 GP, 202 G, 219 A, 229 PIM
Columbus Blue Jackets: Lasse Pirjeta, LW
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The Columbus Blue Jackets haven't had any standout late—round picks in their history yet. Thus far, the best pick has been Lasse Pirjeta from Finland in 2002.
Drafted: Fifth round, 133rd overall
Career Stats: 146 GP, 23 G, 27 A, 50 PIM
Dallas Stars: Jussi Jokinen, LW
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This 2001 draft choice slightly edges out a couple of Dallas Stars' late picks. Jamie Benn and Antti Miettinen could also be considered steals. Going back to the days of the Minnesota North Stars, Artus Irbe should get some consideration.
Drafted: Sixth Round, 192nd overall
Career Stats: 457 GP, 103 G, 186 A, 154 PIM
Detroit Red Wings: Pavel Datsyuk, C
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The Detroit Red Wings have made a habit of drafting well, no matter the round. Their 1998 selection, Pavel Datsyuk, just beats out Henrik Zetterberg. Theses are just two of many great late—round draft picks for the Red Wings.
Drafted: Sixth round, 171st overall
Career Stats: 662 GP, 221 G, 430A, 172 PIM
Edmonton Oilers: Miroslav Satan, RW
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Lately, the Edmonton Oilers' top draft choices have been getting a lot of attention, but they have had some success in the later rounds as well. Most notably, drafting Miroslav Satan in 1993.
Drafted: Fifth round, 111st overall
Career Stats: 1050 GP, 363 G, 372 A, 464 PIM
Florida Panthers: Jaroslav Spacek, D
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Jaroslav Spacek just beats out Filip Kuba for this honor. Since being selected in the 1998 draft, Spacek has enjoyed a long and productive career.
Drafted: Fifth round, 117th overall
Career Stats: 834 GP, 77 G, 263 A, 610 PIM
Los Angeles Kings: Dave Taylor, F
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This is proof that franchise players can be found anywhere in the draft. Dave Taylor is one of the all—time greats Kings', as he played his entire career in Los Angeles after being drafted in 1975. Another great late-round pick that deserves mention is Luc Robitaille.
Drafted: 15th round, 210th overall
Career Stats: 1111 GP, 431 G, 638 A, 1589 PIM
Minnesota Wild: Lubomir Sekeras, D
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The Minnesota Wild haven't had a long draft history and have yet to make a big splash in the late rounds. Thus far, their best pick came in 2000 when they selected Lubomir Sekeras.
Drafted: Eighth round, 232nd overall
Career Stats: 213 GP, 18 G, 53 A, 122 PIM
Montreal Canadiens: Tomas Vokoun, G
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The Montreal Canadiens have made a lot of solid late—round picks in their history. One could argue for other players, but the nod goes to Tomas Vokoun who was selected in 1994.
Drafted: Tenth round, 226th overall
Career Stats: 632 GP, 262 W, 2.56 GAA, 917 SV% .917, 44 SO
Nashville Predators: Pekka Rinne, G
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Pekka Rinne has established himself as an elite goaltender, as he is a Vezina Finalist this year. Not many must have seen that potential when he was drafted in 2004. Martin Erat is another late—round pick that deserves a mention.
Drafted: Eighth round, 258th overall
Career Stats: 177 GP, 95 W, 2.33 GA, 920 SV%, 20 SO
New Jersey Devils: Steve Sullivan, C
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Since moving to New Jersey, this franchise has thrived. Much of that can be attributed to drafting well. Drafting Steve Sullivan in 1994 was the organization's best late-round pick.
Drafted: Ninth round, 233rd overall
Career Stats: 890 GP, 266 G, 416 A, 543 PIM
New York Islanders: Stefan Persson, D
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Although he was drafted late in 1974, Stefan Persson gave the Islanders franchise nine solid seasons. The Swede played his entire career on the island.
Drafted: 14th round, 214th overall
Career Stats: 622 GP, 52 G, 317 A, 574 PIM
New York Rangers: Sergei Zubov, D
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Henrik Lundqvist is a close second, but, at least for now, Sergei Zubov has the better overall body of work since being drafted in 1990. Some other late—round picks that deserve some attention are Kelly Miller and Todd Marchant.
Drafted: Fifth round, 85th overall
Career Stats: 1068 GP, 152 G, 619 A, 337 PIM
Ottawa Senators: Daniel Alfredsson, RW
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This was one of those no—brainer picks. Daniel Alfredsson has been the leader and face of the franchise for nearly its entire existence after being drafted in 1994.
Drafted: Sixth round, 133rd overall
Career Stats: 1056 GP, 389 G, 634 A, 449 PIM
Philadelphia Flyers: Pete Peeters, G
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This 1977 draft selection went on to win the Vezina for his performance during the 1982—1983 season. Other late—round picks who deserve consideration are Rick Tocchet and Anton Stastny, who was later redrafted by the Quebec Nordiques.
Drafted: Eighth round, 135th overall
Career Stats: 489 GP, 246 W, 3.08 GAA, 21 SO
Phoenix Coyotes: Thomas Steen, F
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This franchise's best late—round selection came when they were still the Winnipeg Jets. Thomas Steen was drafted in 1979 and played his entire NHL career for the Jets.
Drafted: Fifth round, 103rd overall
Career Stats: 950 GP, 264 G, 553 A, 753 PIM
Pittsburgh Penguins: Shawn McEachern, LW
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Over the years, the Pittsburgh Penguins have done a great job drafting players. There best late—round selection came in 1987 when they drafted Shawn McEachern.
Drafted: Sixth round, 110th overall
Career Stats: 911 GP, 256 G, 323 A, 506 PIM
San Jose Sharks: Evgeni Nabokov, G
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Evgeni Nabokov, the 1994 pick, gets the slight edge over Miika Kiprusoff only because he had such an impact on the San Jose Sharks franchise, unlike Kiprusoff who went on to make a name for himself in Calgary. The Sharks have done a great job with late selections. Joe Pavelski and Ryan Clowe were also late—round picks.
Drafted: Ninth round, 219th overall
Career Stats: 563 GP, 293 W, 2.39 GAA, .912 SV%, 50 SO
St. Louis Blues: Doug Gilmour, C
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The St. Louis Blues found one of the all—time greats when they selected Doug Gilmour in 1982. Another late—round pick that should be mentioned is Cliff Ronning.
Drafted: Seventh round, 134th overall
Career Stats: 1474 GP, 450 G, 964 A, 1301 PIM
Tampa Bay Lightning: Pavel Kubina, D
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In its short history, the Tampa Bay Lightning were able to make at least one standout pick late in the draft. That came in 1996 when they selected Pavel Kubina.
Drafted: Seventh round, 179th overall
Career Stats: 901 GP, 107 G, 264 A, 1049 PIM
Toronto Maple Leafs: Tomas Kaberle, D
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The Toronto Maple Leafs recently traded away their best late—round pick. That selection came in 1996 when they drafted Tomas Kaberle.
Drafted: Eighth round, 204th overall
Career Stats: 84 G, 445 A, 248 PIM
Vancouver Canucks: Pavel Bure, RW
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The Vancouver Canucks have made some solid late—round picks, but the best was selecting Pavel Bure in 1989. Another great late—round pick was Igor Larionov.
Drafted: Sixth round, 113th overall
Career Stats: 702 GP, 437 G, 342 A, 484 PIM
Washington Capitals: Peter Bondra, RW
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The Washington Capitals were able to find a franchise player in the late—rounds. They drafted Peter Bondra in 1990.
Drafted: Eighth round, 156th overall
Career Stats: 1081 GP, 503 G, 389 A, 761 PIM
Winnipeg (Formerly Atlanta Thrashers): Tobias Enstrom, D
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In the franchise's short history in Atlanta, they were able to make at least one solid late—round pick. The best was selecting Tobias Enstrom in 2003.
Drafted: Eighth round, 239th overall
Career Stats: 26 G, 145 A, 178 PIM
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