Ranking the Biggest NHL Draft Steals of the Past Decade

Much of the focus in the upcoming 2017 NHL draft will be on the prospects selected in the first round. However, teams could also land a future star in the later rounds, much like the Washington Capitals did with goaltender Braden Holtby in 2008 or the Tampa Bay Lightning did with right wing Nikita Kucherov in 2011.

Finding a gem in the later rounds of the draft isn't an exact science. While NHL clubs do plenty of work scouting prospects, sometimes it largely boils down to luck.

Based on where they were drafted, performance, individual honors and value to their respective teams, here's a look at the biggest NHL draft steals of the past decade. 

10. Derek Stepan, New York Rangers

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The New York Rangers selected center Derek Stepan in the second round (51st overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft. He would reward them by becoming one of their top forwards. 

Stepan wasted little time making an impact with the Rangers. During his NHL debut in 2010-11, he scored 21 goals and 45 points to finish fourth in team scoring. Since then, he's reached the 50-point plateau in five of the last six seasons.  

A strong two-way player with solid playmaking abilities, Stepan has become one of the Rangers' most consistent players. On Oct. 6, 2014, he became part of their leadership core when he was named an alternate captain. 

9. Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The Carolina Hurricanes used their second-round pick (37th overall) in the 2010 NHL draft to select defenseman Justin Faulk. He would quickly rise to become the linchpin of their blue-line corps. 

Making his NHL debut in 2011-12, Faulk tallied a respectable 22 points in 66 games and earned a spot on the league's All-Rookie team. He netted 37 points in consecutive seasons (2015-16 and 2016-17) and reached a career-high 49 points in 2014-15. 

A strong-skating offensive defenseman who can log big minutes, Faulk rose to become an alternate captain with the Hurricanes. Now 25 and signed through 2019-20 at a reasonable $4.8 million average annual salary, Faulk should remain a crucial part of the Hurricanes defense. 

8. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

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The Lightning enjoyed recent success finding stars beyond the first round of the NHL draft. In the 2011 draft, they selected Kucherov in the second round (58th overall) and left wing Ondrej Palat in the seventh round (208th overall). 

While Palat has become a valuable two-way forward for the Lightning, Kucherov blossomed into an offensive force. Starting with his sophomore campaign in 2014-15, he has scored 29 or more goals and 65-plus points each of the past three seasons. As the Lightning's top scorer in 2016-17, he tallied a career-best 40 goals and 45 assists for 85 points. 

Now 24, Kucherov's exceptional skating and accurate shot enable him to emerge from the shadow of Lightning captain Steven Stamkos. With Stamkos hobbled by injuries in recent years, Kucherov could become their most reliable offensive star.

7. Ryan O'Reilly, Buffalo Sabres

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

In the 2009 NHL draft, the Colorado Avalanche selected center Matt Duchene with the third overall pick. They also found a strong two-way player in the second round, taking center Ryan O'Reilly with the 33rd overall pick. 

Though Duchene overshadowed him during their first two seasons, O'Reilly emerged as a reliable all-around center by 2012-13. Over the past six seasons, he's reached or exceeded 55 points five times. Hardworking and disciplined, he won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2013-14 as the NHL's most gentlemanly player. 

After Colorado traded O'Reilly to the Buffalo Sabres in 2015, he has finished among their leading scorers in each of the last two seasons. He also led them in takeaways in both seasons. Now 26, O'Reilly has seized a leadership role on the rebuilding Sabres. 

6. P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The Montreal Canadiens selected defenseman P.K. Subban in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2017 draft. Since making his full-time NHL debut in 2010-11, he's become one of the league's most exciting players. 

A skilled puck-moving blueliner with a big shot, Subban thrilled hockey fans with his flashy style. He has reached or exceeded 36 points in seven straight seasons, including a career-high 60 points in 2014-15. Considered among the league's top defenders, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2013 and was a finalist in 2015. 

Dealt last summer to the Nashville Predators, Subban remains at the top of his game. He tallied 40 points in 66 regular-season games and was among the Predators' best players during their run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. The Canadiens could rue the day they traded away such a significant draft steal.

5. Mark Stone, Ottawa Senators

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Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (131st overall) and Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (147th overall) were among the notable picks in the later rounds of the 2010 NHL draft. The biggest steal, however, was the Ottawa Senators' selection of right wing Mark Stone in the sixth round with the 178th pick.

A superb all-around forward, the 6'3", 206-pound Stone was a finalist for the 2014-15 Calder Memorial Trophy in 2015. He was also named to that's season's NHL All-Rookie team. In each of the past three seasons, he has tallied 22-plus goals and 54 or more points. 

Stone's sound defensive play is another reason why he's now an invaluable part of the Senators roster. He led the league in takeaways in 2015-16 and 2016-17, while he tied for the lead in 2014-15 with then-Colorado Avalanche center Ryan O'Reilly. In addition, he finished amongst the Senators' leading forwards in blocked shots over the past three seasons.

4. Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay Lightning

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

The Tampa Bay Lightning took left wing Ondrej Palat in the seventh round (208th overall) of the 2011 draft. Despite being such a low selection, he's become a blue-chip forward for the Bolts. 

In his full-time rookie season in 2013-14, Palat made an immediate splash with the Lightning. His 23-goal, 59-point campaign made him a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy. Over the next three seasons, he reached the 40-point mark three times, including a career-best 63-point effort in 2014-15 and 52 points in 2016-17. 

A gifted playmaker, Palat is now among the Lightning's core players. He's a versatile and reliable two-way forward who can skate at either wing, making him one of the biggest draft steals of the past decade.

3. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames

Paul Battaglia/Associated Press

The Calgary Flames selected left wing Johnny Gaudreau in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 2011 draft. He's since gone on to become one of the NHL's most exciting young offensive stars.

Despite his 5'9", 157-pound frame, Gaudreau proved that he could thrive at the NHL level with his speed and playmaking prowess. His 64-point season made him a finalist for the 2014-15 Calder Memorial Trophy. 

Gaudreau went on to become the Flames' leading scorer in 2015-16 with 78 points. He was their scoring leader again in 2016-17 with 61 points despite missing 10 games with a fractured finger. Rewarded with a six-year, $40.5 million contract last October, Gaudreau will continue to play a big part in the Flames' future. 

2. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals

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The Capitals chose Holtby in the fourth round of the 2008 draft with the 93rd overall pick. Nearly a decade later, he's become one of the league's top goaltenders. 

Holtby became the Capitals' full-time starter during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign and remains firmly entrenched in the role. He won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goalie for 2015-16. In 2017, he won the William M. Jennings Trophy for giving up the fewest goals and is once again a Vezina finalist. 

At 6'2" and 217 pounds, Holtby possesses good size, a quick glove hand and incredible agility within his crease. He's also a durable workhorse, having played in 60-plus games and won 41 or more games in each of the past three seasons. Holtby's goaltending was a significant factor in the Capitals winning consecutive Presidents' Trophies in 2016 and 2017 as the NHL's top regular-season team. 

1. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

The Dallas Stars selected left wing Jamie Benn in the fifth round (129th overall) in the 2007 draft. Little did they know, they landed a future captain and an NHL All-Star.

Making his NHL debut in 2009-10, Benn tallied a respectable 22 goals and 41 points. Since 2011-12, he's netted 60-plus points five times. In 2014-15, Benn won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer. The following season, he enjoyed a career-best 41-goal, 89-point campaign. 

In September 2013, the Stars recognized Benn's leadership by naming him team captain. With his size (6'2", 210 pounds), superb all-around offensive skills and physical style, he's among the league's elite players. By selecting Benn, the Stars pulled off the biggest draft steal of the last decade.

Players stats via NHL.com, salary info via Cap Friendly and additional award info via Hockey-Reference.com.