Ranking the 10 Greatest NHL Draft Steals of the Last 10 Years
NHL teams are setting their final lists and tweaking them as the 2015 NHL draft draws near. A lot of work goes into each year's list, and a lot of luck goes into getting things right.
The top of the draft this year is set, with few differences likely across the 30 teams. After the top 10, things begin to separate, and by No. 40 overall it appears there is little consensus. This is a deep year, so there's every chance a team will walk away with a winner in the third round of this year's draft. That kind of value can help set a team up for years.
As examples, here are the 10 greatest draft steals of the last decade in the NHL.
Note: Ranking is based on a combination of draft number, ranking on draft day and performance in the NHL.
10. Braden Holtby, G, Washington Capitals
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Where Was He Ranked? Braden Holtby was ranked No. 4 among North American goalies for 2008, according to Central Scouting (h/t the Saskatoon Blades website). The Washington Capitals chose him No. 93 overall.
Why Washington Took Him: Mike Remmerde of NHL Draft Notes described a quick goalie with a lightning glove, something that had great appeal to the Capitals.
How He's Succeeded: Washington was patient with Holtby's development, as he spent time in the ECHL and AHL before arriving as an NHL starter in 2012-13. He is now an established goalie in the NHL and is coming off a strong year. He was seventh in save percentage (.923) and fifth in GAA (2.22).
9. Brendan Gallagher, RW, Montreal Canadiens
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Where Was He Ranked? Brendan Gallagher ranked No. 174 on Central Scouting's North American list, as shown by Derek Felska of the State of Hockey News. The Montreal Canadiens took him No. 147 in the 2010 draft.
Why Montreal Took Him: The Canadiens took a chance on a small player(5'9", 182 lbs). Mike Remmerde of NHL Draft Notes wrote about Gallagher's ability while also pointing out the size factor. Montreal took a chance and was rewarded handsomely.
How He's Succeeded: Gallagher's ability, combined with a motor that won't quit, has turned him into an effective NHL player. Last year, he contributed 24 goals and 47 points. Credit Montreal with identifying a significant talent in the lower levels of the draft.
8. Milan Lucic, LW, Boston Bruins
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Where Was He Ranked? The Boston Bruins drafted Milan Lucic at No. 50 overall in 2006. He was ranked No. 58 on the North American list by Central Scouting, which suggested he would go around No. 70 overall. He didn't go higher because his 19 points in 62 WHL games gave no indication of his offensive prowess.
Why Boston Took Him: The Bruins love big players who can line up beside skill, and Lucic blossomed into that player in the year after his draft. It's unusual for a second-round pick to make the NHL as a regular as a teenager, but Lucic managed it expertly. There was no doubt a significant amount of luck in the selection, but the Bruins had done the same thing in 2003 with Patrice Bergeron—who came right to the NHL after his draft.
How He's Succeeded: Lucic is the dominant power forward of his generation, owing to ridiculous size—he is 6'3", 235 pounds—added to speed and skill. He's big, fast and intimidating, and that's a fantastic skill set for the NHL.
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7. Frederik Andersen, G, Anaheim Ducks
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Where Was He Ranked? Frederik Andersen wasn't ranked in either season he was selected—No. 187 by Carolina Hurricanes in 2010 and No. 87 by the Anaheim Ducks in 2012.
Why Anaheim Took Him: Andersen's .941 save percentage for Frolunda HC in Sweden's top pro league served notice that he was a significant NHL prospect.
How He's Succeeded: Andersen has developed quickly into a solid NHL starter and is young enough (25) to have a long and productive career. The competition for the Anaheim net is fierce, but so far the young native of Denmark is winning the day.
6. Johnny Gaudreau, LW, Calgary Flames
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Where Was He Ranked? Johnny Gaudreau was ranked No. 193 among North American skaters by Central Scouting for the 2011 draft. The Calgary Flames stepped up and took him at No. 104 overall, passing over many prospects who had been rated higher.
Why Calgary Took Him: The Flames chose Gaudreau based on electric skill and a scorer's ability to find open ice. The chances of such a small player making it—he measured in at 5'6", 137 pounds on the Central list—are slim.
How He's Succeeded: Gaudreau is that rare player who is so elusive that catching him is more a rumor than fact. His rookie performance for Calgary was truly outstanding, as he scored 24 goals and tallied 64 points.
5. Anze Kopitar, C, Los Angeles Kings 2005
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Where Was He Ranked? Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings was ranked No. 5 by Bob McKenzie of TSN for the 2005 draft, but he fell to No. 11 and the Los Angeles Kings. The center wasn't rated as a fast player, but Kopitar's scouting report from Kyle Woodlief of Red Line Report—via USA Today—suggested an exceptional offensive talent.
Why Los Angeles Took Him: The Kings would saw a big teenager—6'2", 202 pounds—with a large amount of offensive ability. The fact he lasted to No. 11 overall that day was remarkable at the time; now it's unforgivable given what we've seen in the first half of his NHL career.
How He's Succeeded: Kopitar has grown into a complete player, someone who can make a difference with his skill, checking ability and size. He's a cornerstone of one of the NHL's best teams and is an impact player.
4. Ryan O'Reilly, C, Colorado Avalanche
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Where Was He Ranked? Ryan O'Reilly was ranked No. 27 on Bob McKenzie's list for TSN in the 2009 draft. The Colorado Avalanche selected him at No. 33 overall.
Why Colorado Took Him: Sean Keogh of OHL Prospects framed the issue for O'Reilly leading up to the draft. He described a player with the full range of skills and the desire to succeed, but the foot speed issue cost O'Reilly some spots on draft day. The Avalanche stepped up and were rewarded.
How He's Succeeded: O'Reilly has both natural skill and a fantastic work ethic, and those things got him to the NHL right away. Since then, he's built a reputation for being a complete player who can be plugged in anywhere with success. He was a true draft home run.
3. Patric Hornqvist, LW, Nashville Predators
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Where Was He Ranked? Patric Hornqvist was not ranked highly in 2005; in fact he was barely drafted. The Nashville Predators chose him No. 230 overall, the final pick in the entire draft.
Why Nashville Took Him: The Predators liked him well enough to take him, but he was the last man chosen, so there wasn't a strong story to tell. The team website quoted European scout Lucas Bergman as saying he was a character guy who liked to shoot the puck.
How He's Succeeded: Hornqvist took that character and love of shooting the puck and turned it into a successful NHL career. He is a consistent contributor on offense and an established NHL player with 400-plus games of NHL experience.
2. Ondrej Palat, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning
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Where Was He Ranked? Ondrej Palat was ranked No. 84 on the final North American list for Central Scouting's 2011 draft. He fell significantly—chosen No. 208 overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning—and was taken in a range where few succeed.
Why Tampa Bay Took Him: The Lightning liked Palat's performances in junior, and after picking up an extra selection, they decided to choose Palat instead of inviting him to summer camp—where they would have had to compete with other teams.
How He's Succeeded: As often happens with players, Palat's complementary role in junior hockey turned out to be a lot more about him than Sean Couturier—as suggested in the video link above. Palat is a bona fide two-way forward, one of the best in the NHL. In 2014, he was fourth in the NHL in plus/minus (plus-31).
1. Jamie Benn, LW, Dallas Stars
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Where Was He Ranked? Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars was selected No. 129 overall in the 2007 draft and was not highly rated; he was No. 107 overall among North American skaters by Central Scouting (h/t HockeyFights.com).
Why Dallas Took Him: The Stars got lucky, as Les Jackson states on the team's website in this 2012 article. There was also some good scouting, and Dallas got some help because Benn's team—the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCJHL—required a long, difficult trip to their home games. The Stars were willing to do the leg work.
How He's Succeeded: Benn exploded on the NHL scene and is now one of the true impact players in the game. His size (6'2", 210 lbs) and skill are a deadly combination, and a redraft of the 2007 edition would have him close to the top.
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