Worst No. 1 NHL Draft Picks of All Time

The No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft has never been a sure thing.

Worst No. 1 NHL Draft Picks of All Time

Eric Lindros did not live up to the hype.

The NHL is one of North America's four premier professional sports leagues with the NFL, NBA and MLB. And like its compatriots, the NHL has a tradition of royally screwing up the No. 1 overall pick over the years.

From freak injuries to bad attitudes to general on-ice incompetence, the worst No. 1 overall NHL draft picks of all time have been the result of a variety of misdeeds. Some were self-inflicted. A lot of them weren't.

These are the worst No. 1 overall picks in NHL draft history, dating back to the draft's first year in 1963.

30. Rick Nash

Born: June 16, 1985 (Brampton, Ontario, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 2002, Columbus Blue Jackets

Position: Left wing

Stats for Rick Nash

Career: 15 seasons (2002-04, 2005-18)

Teams: Columbus Blue Jackets (2002-04, 2005-12), New York Rangers (2012-18), Boston Bruins (2018)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Rick Nash

Rick Nash might actually still be playing in the NHL if concussions hadn't cut his career short in 2018.

He was a six-time All-Star and led the league in goals in 2004, his second season. All that being said, for some reason, Nash never could lead a team to a Stanley Cup.

And he only played for the Stanley Cup once, losing in 2014 with the New York Rangers.

In Their Own Words: Rick Nash

New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash checked into boards — Rick Nash, left, played 15 seasons in the NHL.

"It's part of the game. It's an injury. I've got to stay positive." —Rick Nash

29. Wendel Clark

Born: Oct. 25, 1966 (Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1985, Toronto Maple Leafs

Position: Left wing/defense

Stats for Wendel Clark

Career: 15 seasons (1985-2000)

Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs (1985-94, 1996-98, 2000), Quebec Nordiques (1994-95), New York Islanders (1995), Tampa Bay Lightning (1998-99), Detroit Red Wings (1999), Chicago Blackhawks (1999-2000)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Wendel Clark

Wendel Clark was a beloved player on the Toronto Maple Leafs, including as captain from 1991 to 1994.

Clark's standing with the team and the fans is best underlined by the fact he had three separate stints with the team, including part of his final season in 2000.

Clark's career was shaped by a severe back injury in 1987, and it's largely cited as the reason he never became an elite player.

In Their Own Words: Wendel Clark

Wendel Clark in action — Wendel Clark, center, is one of the most beloved players in Toronto history.

"Be yourself. Play hard. Have fun. That’s all you can control — how hard you work. You can’t control any outside situation, no matter what city you play in." —Wendel Clark on advice for No. 1 draft picks

28. Mel Bridgman

Born: April 28, 1955 (Trenton, Ontario, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1975, Philadelphia Flyers

Position: Center

Stats for Mel Bridgman

Career: 14 seasons (1975-89)

Teams: Philadelphia Flyers (1975-82), Calgary Flames (1982-83), New Jersey Devils (1983-87), Detroit Red Wings (1987-88), Vancouver Canucks (1988-89)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Mel Bridgman

Mel Bridgman in action — Mel Bridgman, center, scored 87 points in the 1981-82 season.

Mel Bridgman may have never won a Stanley Cup, but he had a solid, unremarkable career and was a consistent, reliable player for five different teams over 14 seasons.

Bridgman was at his best with the Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils in the early 1980s, including an 87-point season in the 1981-82 season.

In Their Own Words: Mel Bridgman

Mel Bridgman checks Brad Park into the boards — Mel Bridgman, center, was a gritty, hard-nosed player.

"For a Mickey Mouse outfit, we are doing well." —New Jersey Devils captain Mel Bridgman, joking after an overtime draw with the Calgary Flames in 1984. Edmonton Oilers star Wayne Gretzky had called the Devils a "Mickey Mouse outfit."

27. Owen Nolan

Born: Feb. 12, 1972 (Belfast, Northern Ireland)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1990, Quebec Nordiques

Position: Right wing

Stats for Owen Nolan

Career: 18 seasons (1990-2004, 2006-10)

Teams: Quebec Nordiques (1990-95), Colorado Avalanche (1995-96), San Jose Sharks (1996-2002), Toronto Maple Leafs (2002-04), Phoenix Coyotes (2006-07), Calgary Flames (2007-08), Minnesota Wild (2008-10)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Owen Nolan

Owen Nolan was the first of back-to-back No. 1 overall picks for the Quebec Nordiques, but the only one that actually played for the team after 1991 No. 1 Eric Lindros refused to play for the team.

Nolan had a more-than-respectable career with five All-Star appearances.

However, he never won a Stanley Cup and never led the league in any category.

In Their Own Words: Owen Nolan

Minnesota Wild's Owen Nolan gets shot blocked — Owen Nolan never won a Stanley Cup.

"This is an experience I won't forget. It was unbelievable." —San Jose Sharks winger Owen Nolan on playing in the 1997 NHL All-Star Game

26. Roman Hamrlik

Born: April 12, 1974 (Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1992, Tampa Bay Lightning

Position: Defense

Stats for Roman Hamrlik

Career: 20 seasons (1992-2004, 2005-13)

Teams: Tampa Bay Lightning (1992-98), Edmonton Oilers (1998-2000), New York Islanders (2000-04), Calgary Flames (2005-07), Montreal Canadiens (2007-11), Washington Capitals (2011-12), New York Rangers (2012-13)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Roman Hamrlik

Roman Hamrlik played almost 1,400 career games and was a three-time All-Star, but he never played in a Stanley Cup Final series despite 20 seasons in the NHL.

Hamrlik wasn't the first person in his family to get drafted into the NHL, either. That was his older brother, Martin, who was drafted by the Whalers in 1991 and never played in the NHL.

In Their Own Words: Roman Hamrlik

Roman Hamrlik on the ground — Roman Hamrlik, right, was a three-time All-Star.

"As a kid growing up in communist Czechoslovakia, I never imagined that I would one day have the opportunity to play in the National Hockey League." —Roman Hamrlik, announcing his retirement in 2013

25. Chris Phillips

Born: March 9, 1978 (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1996, Ottawa Senators

Position: Defense

Stats for Chris Phillips

Career: 17 seasons (1997-2004, 2005-15)

Teams: Ottawa Senators

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Chris Phillips

Chris Phillips played his entire career with the Ottawa Senators and was a traditional, stay-at-home defenseman.

The franchise thought enough of him and his service to the team that they're going to retire his number, but Phillips never made an All-Star team and never scored a point in the playoffs.

In his only Stanley Cup Final, in 2007, he scored an own goal that was the game-winner in Game 5 against the Anaheim Ducks.

In Their Own Words: Chris Phillips

Ottawa Senator Chris Phillips works to get puck from Pittsburgh Penguin Christian Ehrhoff — The Senators retired Chris Phillips' jersey No. 4.

"It was an honor to be recognized to put my number up in the rafters. Quite honestly, it’s almost surreal right now, thinking about it." —Chris Phillips on the Senators retiring his jersey number 4

24. Billy Harris

Born: Jan. 29, 1952 (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1972, New York Islanders

Position: Right wing

Stats for Billy Harris

Career: 12 seasons (1972-84)

Teams: New York Islanders (1972-80), Los Angeles Kings (1980-82, 1983-84), Toronto Maple Leafs (1981-83)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Billy Harris

Billy Harris, the No. 1 overall pick, became one of the more hard-luck players of all time.

He was the first player drafted in the history of the expansion New York Islanders and helped build the foundation of the team.

Then, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings before the 1980-81 season, the first of four Stanley Cup titles in a row for the Islanders.

In Their Own Words: Billy Harris

Billy Harris in a fight — Billy Harris, left, didn't mind slugging things out.

"All the people I met over the course of playing there and moving back there. I'm still very close with a lot of great people on the Island." —Billy Harris on the role being an Islander played on his life

23. Rob Ramage

Born: Jan. 11, 1959 (Byron, Ontario, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1979, Colorado Rockies

Position: Defense

Stats for Rob Ramage

Career: 15 seasons (1979-94)

Teams: Colorado Rockies (1979-82), St. Louis Blues (1982-88), Calgary Flames (1987-89), Toronto Maple Leafs (1989-91), Minnesota North Stars (1991-92), Tampa Bay Lightning (1992-93), Montreal Canadiens (1992-94), Philadelphia Flyers (1993-94)

Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1989, 1993)

Bottom Line: Rob Ramage

The 1979 NHL draft is considered one of the greatest of all time. Seven Hall of Famers were selected, with four in the first round alone.

The Colorado Rockies missed on all of them with the No. 1 overall pick, taking defenseman Rob Ramage. His career wasn't bad, and he made four All-Star teams and won two Stanley Cup titles.

But Ramage didn't win them in Colorado, and he was traded to St. Louis after the franchise moved to New Jersey in 1982 and became the Devils.

In Their Own Words: Rob Ramage

Rob Ramage during news conference — Defenseman Rob Ramage played for eight NHL teams.

"Hockey has given us all so much. We love the game, obviously, we're passionate about it." —Rob Ramage

22. Ed Jovanovski

Born: June 26, 1975 (Windsor, Ontario, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1994, Florida Panthers

Position: Defense

Stats for Ed Jovanovski

Career: 18 seasons (1995-2004, 2005-14)

Teams: Florida Panthers (1995-99, 2011-14), Vancouver Canucks (1999-2004, 2005-06), Phoenix Coyotes (2006-11)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Ed Jovanovski

It's tough to put a five-time All-Star on a list of all-time NHL busts, but here we are.

Ed Jovanovski was a perfectly built hockey player at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, but if we are looking at things objectively, he was also a defenseman who played out of position way too much.

Jovanovski tried to push the envelope too much to get points or a big hit and was often caught out of position.

In Their Own Words: Ed Jovanovski

Phoenix Coyotes' Ed Jovanovski and Detroit Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg get tangled up — Ed Jovanovski, left, was the first pick in the 1994 NHL draft.

"There are a lot of great players and at the end of the day you hope you're there." —Ed Jovanovski

21. Erik Johnson

Born: March 21, 1988 (Bloomington, Minnesota)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 2006, St. Louis Blues

Position: Defense

Stats for Erik Johnson

Career: 12 seasons (2007-08, 2009-present)

Teams: St. Louis Blues (2007-08, 2009-11), Colorado Avalanche (2011-present)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Erik Johnson

Minnesota native Erik Johnson played one season for the University of Minnesota before he went pro and had some great timing when it came to making his first and only All-Star team in 2015.

The Colorado Avalanche signed him to a seven-year, $42 million extension before the next season.

Five years later, he's still never won a Stanley Cup.

In Their Own Words: Erik Johnson

Chris Higgins knocks Erik Johnson off his skates — Erik Johnson started his career with the St. Louis Blues.

"I liked it better, but I get why they did the wild card. It kinda creates some more rivalries in the division. The 1-through-8 would have benefited the division for sure, but that's just the way it is." —Erik Johnson on the NHL adding wild-card playoff teams

20. Eric Lindros

Born: Feb. 28, 1973 (London, Ontario, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1991, Quebec Nordiques

Position: Center

Stats for Eric Lindros

Career: 13 seasons (1992-2004, 2005-07)

Teams: Philadelphia Flyers (1992-2000), New York Rangers (2001-04), Toronto Maple Leafs (2005-06), Dallas Stars (2006-07)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Eric Lindros

You might think it was tough to put a Hall of Famer, Hart Trophy winner and seven-time All-Star on this list. It really wasn't.

For all of Eric Lindros' individual accolades, he played in just one Stanley Cup Final and lost, in 1997, and beefed with teammates and management at every stop in his career.

Not to mention, he never even played for the Quebec Nordiques, the team that picked him No. 1 overall.

In Their Own Words: Eric Lindros

Eric Lindros and John LeClair on the ice — Eric Lindros, center, never won a Stanley Cup.

"You have to dream dreams to live dreams." —Eric Lindros

19. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Born: April 12, 1993 (Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 2011, Edmonton Oilers

Position: Center

Stats for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Career: 9 seasons (2011-present)

Teams: Edmonton Oilers

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

It might be a little early to put Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on this list, but the proof is in the fact that his career seemed to plateau after making his only All-Star team in 2015.

After Nugent-Hopkins finished playing out a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Oilers in 2020, he signed an eight-year, $41 million deal to stay in Edmonton.

In Their Own Words: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins chases puck — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was born in British Columbia.

“I think I’ve said it from the start, I love being an Oiler. I always have. My goal is always to stay an Oiler, and right now at this point, (free agency) is not really in my mind. Right now, I have a lot more in my head than that, so it’s tough to kind of think about that and get my thoughts wrapped around that. I think I’ve said it from Day 1. I love being an Oiler, and it’s something that I’ve taken a lot of pride in the last 10 years." —Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, before re-signing with the Oilers in 2021

18. Rick Green

Born: Feb. 20, 1956 (Belleville, Ontario, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1976, Washington Capitals

Position: Defense

Stats for Rick Green

Career: 15 seasons (1976-89, 1990-92)

Teams: Washington Capitals (1976-82), Montreal Canadiens (1982-89), Detroit Red Wings (1990-91), New York Islanders (1991-92)

Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1986)

Bottom Line: Rick Green

Rick Green was the second No. 1 overall pick by the Washington Capitals in three years following Greg Joly in 1974, and it's pretty telling what the Capitals thought of Joly when they drafted Green, another defenseman.

Green wasn't much better than Joly, though, and the second half of his career was a wasteland except for winning a Stanley Cup title as a reserve with the Canadiens in 1986.

In Their Own Words: Rick Green

Rick Green playing against the Montreal Canadiens — Rick Green, center, had a career plus/minus of -88.

"He puts a lot of unnecessary pressure on himself. I don't know if it's because he's wearing the C. But sometimes he's too intense. He's got to get away from hockey." —Washington Capitals defenseman Rick Green, in 1981, on the intensity of Caps captain Ryan Walter

17. Michel Plasse

Born: June 1, 1948 (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

Died: Dec. 30, 2006 (age 58, La Visitation-de-I'lle-Dupas, Quebec, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1968, Montreal Canadiens

Position: Goaltender

Stats for Michel Plasse

Career: 11 seasons (1970-71, 1972-82)

Teams: St. Louis Blues (1970-71), Montreal Canadiens (1972-74), Kansas City Scouts (1974-75), Pittsburgh Penguins (1975-76), Colorado Rockies (1976-80), Quebec Nordiques (1980-82)

Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1973)

Bottom Line: Michel Plasse

The 1968 NHL draft was another wasteland — just two All-Star players and no Hall of Famers in 24 picks.

Goaltender Michel Plasse never became a star but did have a pair of remarkable career highlights when he became the first goalie to score a goal in a professional game in 1971, his rookie year, and when he won a Stanley Cup as the Canadiens' backup goalie in 1973.

In Their Own Words: Michel Plasse

Michel Plasse portrait — Michel Plasse played in 149 games in his career.

"If you want my apartment, take it." —Michel Plasse to Denis Heron in 1974 after Heron (along with Jean-Guy Lagace) was traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Kansas City Scouts for Plasse in a cost-cutting move. Plasse wanted a higher contract.

16. Garry Monahan

Born: Oct. 20, 1946 (Barrie, Ontario, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1963, Montreal Canadiens

Position: Center

Stats for Garry Monahan

Career: 12 seasons (1967-79)

Teams: Montreal Canadiens (1967-69), Detroit Red Wings (1969-70), Los Angeles Kings (1970), Toronto Maple Leafs (1970-75, 1978-79), Vancouver Canucks (1975-78)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Garry Monahan

The NHL draft really didn't have a good understanding of what it should be in the first decade of its existence, and that was never more on display than in the first draft in 1963.

Players were limited to 16-year-old players in the minor leagues, and the Canadiens took Garry Monahan, who played just parts of two seasons in Montreal.

In Their Own Words: Garry Monahan

Garry Monahan in action — Garry Monahan played in the NHL from 1967 to 1979.

"I didn’t know there was a draft. Certainly, my parents and my older brother, Pat, didn’t know. The phone rang after the fact, and I don’t even remember if it was the next day or the next week [that Sammy Pollock called]. We were all sort of flabbergasted. … My recollection is that my dad told Sammy [Pollock], 'You mean Pat, Garry’s [18-year-old] brother?' Pat was the better player." —Garry Monahan after being drafted, the first No. 1 overall pick in NHL draft history

15. Doug Wickenheiser

Born: March 30, 1961 (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada)

Died: Jan. 12, 1999 (age 37, St. Louis, Missouri)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1980, Montreal Canadiens

Position: Center

Stats for Doug Wickenheiser

Career: 10 seasons (1980-90)

Teams: Montreal Canadiens (1980-84), St. Louis Blues (1984-87), Vancouver Canucks (1987-88), New York Rangers (1988-89), Washington Capitals (1989-90)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Doug Wickenheiser

The Montreal Canadiens struck out with Doug Wickeheiser at No. 1 overall in 1980.

Three Hall of Famers were taken in the next five picks, including two who played the same position as Wickenheiser in Paul Coffey and Larry Murphy.

Wickenheiser died of cancer in 1999 at just 37 years old.

In Their Own Words: Doug Wickenheiser

Doug Wickenheiser prepares to get puck — Doug Wickenheiser, left, had 276 points in his career.

"I got to play with guys like Guy LaFleur, Bob Gainey and Larry Robinson." —Doug Wickenheiser on starting his career with the Montreal Canadiens

14. Barry Gibbs

Born: Sept. 28, 1948 (Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1966, Boston Bruins

Position: Defense

Stats for Barry Gibbs

Career: 13 seasons (1967-80)

Teams: Boston Bruins (1967-69), Minnesota North Stars (1969-75), Atlanta Flames (1974-78), St. Louis Blues (1978-79), Los Angeles Kings (1979-80)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Barry Gibbs

The NHL draft started to turn around as a whole in 1966, with a Hall of Famer taken in the first round for the first time.

Unfortunately for the Bruins, they picked defenseman Barry Gibbs at No. 1 overall and defenseman Brad Park, the future Hall of Famer, went No. 2 overall to the New York Rangers.

Gibbs never made an All-Star team.

In Their Own Words: Barry Gibbs

Barry Gibbs on the ice — Barry Gibbs, right, was a St. Louis Blues captain.

"With about 12 minutes left in the third period of a scoreless game and a face-off near the Minnesota blue line, North Stars defenseman Barry Gibbs picked up a loose puck and lobbed it the length of the Spectrum ice. [Bernie] Parent was caught off guard and the puck found its way into the back of the net. The goal ultimately became the game-winner and playoff-clincher for both Minnesota and Oakland. The Flyers were done for the year." —Travis Hughes, Broad Street Hockey, on Barry Gibbs keeping the Flyers out of the playoffs in 1970

13. Bryan Berard

Born: March 5, 1977 (Woonsocket, Rhode Island)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1995, Ottawa Senators

Position: Defense

Stats for Bryan Berard

Career: 10 seasons (1996-2000, 2001-04, 2005-08)

Teams: New York Islanders (1996-99, 2007-08), Toronto Maple Leafs (1999-2000), New York Rangers (2001-02), Boston Bruins (2002-03), Chicago Blackhawks (2003-04), Columbus Blue Jackets (2005-07)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Bryan Berard

Bryan Berard was hit in the eye with a stick during a game in 1999, almost had the eye removed and was out of hockey for almost two years.

Berard, the 1997 NHL Rookie of the Year, collected a $6.5 million insurance policy after the injury and tried to return to the ice but became famous again for another reason.

He was the first NHL player to test positive for anabolic steroids in 2006.

In Their Own Words: Bryan Berard

Bryan Berard with puck — Bryan Berard was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

"I think the Original Six teams should play each other at least four times a year. That's what the true hockey fans want to see," Berard said. "It's too bad. They should work something out."—Bryan Berard in 2004

12. Greg Joly

Born: May 30, 1954 (Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1974, Washington Capitals

Position: Defense

Stats for Greg Joly

Career: 9 seasons (1974-83)

Teams: Washington Capitals (1974-76), Detroit Red Wings (1976-83)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Greg Joly

Washington Capitals general manager Milt Schmidt put an undue amount of pressure on Greg Joly when he drafted him No. 1 overall in 1974 and called him "the next Bobby Orr."

Joly was hardly that, lasting only nine seasons in the NHL and was out of the league by the time he was 28 years old.

In Their Own Words: Greg Joly

Greg Joly with puck — Greg Joly had a career plus/minus of -165.

"Joly moved between the NHL and the Redwing farm team and seemed to lose his confidence. He never played badly, but the aggressive rushing style he displayed as a junior star seemed to disappear in the major leagues. It was a shame because Greg Joly possessed the talent to star in the NHL." —Warren Shaw, Medium

11. Patrik Stefan

Born: Sept. 16, 1980 (Pribram, Czechoslovakia)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1999, Atlanta Thrashers

Position: Center

Stats for Patrik Stefan

Career: 7 seasons (1999-2004, 2005-07)

Teams: Atlanta Thrashers (1999-2004, 2005-06), Dallas Stars (2006-07)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Patrik Stefan

Injuries plagued Patrik Stefan's brief NHL career — he only lasted seven seasons — but he's best known for another moment.

Leading 5-4 in a game against the Oilers in 2007, Stefan missed a breakaway goal on an open net, then cleared the puck to the other end and allowed the Oilers to tie the score with two seconds left.

In Their Own Words: Patrik Stefan

Patrik Stefan skating — Patrik Stefan started his career with the Atlanta Thrashers.

"The National Hockey League is not a one-way game. You might be able to score 50 goals, but you have other responsibilities, too." —Patrik Stefan in 2003

10. Dale McCourt

Born: Jan. 26, 1957 (Falconbridge, Ontario, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1977, Detroit Red Wings

Position: Center

Stats for Dale McCourt

Career: 7 seasons (1977-84)

Teams: Detroit Red Wings (1977-82), Buffalo Sabres (1982-84), Toronto Maple Leafs (1984)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Dale McCourt

The Detroit Red Wings embarked on one of the more bizarre sagas with a No. 1 pick in Dale McCourt.

After one season, the Red Wings traded McCourt to the Los Angeles Kings. Then, McCourt sued both the Kings, Red Wings and the NHL.

He won, but the relationship was ruined, and he was traded to the Sabres in 1981.

In Their Own Words: Dale McCourt

Dale McCourt smiling — Dale McCourt played in 341 NHL career games.

"Tonight was our night. We skated well. We needed a couple of wins under our belt. We had a tough start, but the young guys have settled down. We had to gel." —Dale McCourt after a Buffalo Sabres 7-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers in 1982

9. Gord Kluzak

Born: March 4, 1964 (Climax, Saskatchewan, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1982, Boston Bruins

Position: Defense

Stats for Gord Kluzak

Career: 7 seasons (1982-84, 1985-86, 1987-91)

Teams: Boston Bruins

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Gord Kluzak

The Bruins were desperate to find a replacement for Bobby Orr and tabbed Gord Kluzak as the player who might fill that role.

But they missed on two Hall of Fame defensemen with Scott Stevens and Phil Housley, who went fifth and sixth, respectively.

Kluzak's career lasted just nine seasons, including two full seasons missed because of major knee surgeries.

In Their Own Words: Gord Kluzak

Gord Kluzak in action — Gord Kluzak, right, played his whole career with the Boston Bruins.

"I think it’s sort of a double-edged sword in a lot of ways and I think you see it happening time and time again with guys that struggle for a while with it. There’s a tremendous amount of pressure. It’s much easier being the second pick. The economics aren’t much different, but the pressure seems to be a lot less in the sense that the media is so focused, so obsessed almost with the first pick, and so from that perspective, there’s a lot of added pressure. On the other hand, it’s a unique experience, and it only happens to one person every year, and so it’s very special on that level." —Gord Kluzak on being chosen No. 1 in 1982

8. Brian Lawton

Born: June 29, 1965 (New Brunswick, New Jersey)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1983, Minnesota North Stars

Position: Center

Stats for Brian Lawton

Career: 9 seasons (1983-90, 1991-93)

Teams: Minnesota North Stars (1983-88), New York Rangers (1988-89), Hartford Whalers (1989-90), Quebec Nordiques (1990), Boston Bruins (1990), San Jose Sharks (1991-93)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Brian Lawton

Brian Lawton was the first U.S.-born player selected No. 1 overall in the NHL draft and the only U.S.-born high school player taken No. 1 overall.

Lawton was one of three centers taken in the first four picks but the only one who didn't make the Hall of Fame — Pat LaFontaine and Steve Yzerman were the other two centers.

In Their Own Words: Brian Lawton

Brian Lawton meets the press — Brian Lawton played for six NHL teams in his career.

"Yeah, it wasn't necessarily a big focus for me. I was just trying to play as good as I could play. I never was really worried about it. Obviously, you want to be picked as high as you can. Probably the only time that really hit me is — I wasn't going to go to the draft. I was graduating from high school. Can't go to the draft, I got to graduate. We got a lot of phone calls from different people in the industry who said, 'Well, you have to go in the draft, you could be picked first.' I grew up in a very modest family. My parents were amazing [and] they gave all four of us boys everything they could but there just wasn't a lot of extra money for that type of stuff. Somehow I ended up there and it worked out well." —Brian Lawton on being taken No. 1 overall by the Minnesota North Stars in 1983

7. Rick DiPietro

Born: Sept. 19, 1981 (Lewiston, Maine)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 2000, New York Islanders

Position: Goaltender

Stats for Rick DiPietro

Career: 11 seasons (2000-04, 2005-13)

Teams: New York Islanders

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Rick DiPietro

Rick DiPietro's 15-year, $65.75 million, fully guaranteed contract signed with the New York Islanders in 2006 is the stuff of legend.

Injuries limited DiPietro to just 50 more regular-season games after he signed the deal, and he accepted a contract buyout in 2013 that pays him $1.5 million per year through the end of the 2028-29 season — hockey's version of the Bobby Bonilla deal.

In Their Own Words: Rick DiPietro

New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro misses shot — Rick DiPietro allowed 871 goals in his career.

"I hope at some point I'm underpaid. That means I'm playing really well and becoming an elite goaltender." —Rick DiPietro after signing a 15-year, $67.5 million contract with the New York Islanders in 2006, the longest playing contract in NHL history

6. Andre Veilleux

Born: Unknown

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1965, New York Rangers

Position: Right wing

Stats for Andre Veilleux

Emille Francis was the New York Rangers general manager when they selected Andre Veilleux No. 1 in 1965.

Career: N/A

Teams: N/A

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Andre Veilleux

New York Rangers coach Red Sullivan picked Andre Veilleux No. 1 overall.

Three years into its existence, the NHL draft really still didn't have a clue. Andre Veilleux was the second straight pick to never play an NHL game.

It wasn't just the top of the draft that was striking out. There were only three All-Star and one Hall of Famer taken in the first three years of the draft.

In Their Own Words: Andre Veilleux

"Veilleux played in what was then regarded as the strongest Jr. B program in the province of Quebec, as you would assume given the sheer population. He also had two teammates who would go on to significant renown, André 'Moose' Dupont, who won two Stanley Cups with the Philadelphia Flyers and René Robert." —Liam Maguire of the Society for International Hockey Research, in the New York Post, on Andre Veilleux's potential

5. Joe Murphy

Born: Oct. 16, 1967 (London, Ontario, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1986, Detroit Red Wings

Position: Right wing

Stats for Joe Murphy

Career: 15 seasons (1986-2001)

Teams: Detroit Red Wings (1986-90), Edmonton Oilers (1990-92), Chicago Blackhawks (1992-96), St. Louis Blues (1996-98), San Jose Sharks (1998-99), Boston Bruins (1999-2000), Washington Capitals (2000-01)

Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1990)

Bottom Line: Joe Murphy

The early part of Joe Murphy's career was defined by an NCAA championship with Michigan State in 1986 and Stanley Cup title in 1990 with the Edmonton Oilers.

His later career and life has been a much sadder story as he flamed out of the NHL after multiple beefs with teammates and coaches.

In recent years, he's been living on the streets in Kenora, Ontario, despite making $15 million during his NHL career.

In Their Own Words: Joe Murphy

Joe Murphy in stance — Joe Murphy won a Stanley Cup with the Oilers in 1990.

"These are my socks right now. My feet have gone all white. Freakin' nasty. I don’t need to remove my toes, I don’t think. But it’s going to be stinging and nasty, right?" —Joe Murphy, in the Detroit Free Press in, on being homeless again

4. Rick Pagnutti

Born: Nov. 14, 1946 (Sudbury, Ontario, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1967, Los Angeles Kings

Position: Defense

Stats for Rick Pagnutti

Career: N/A

Teams: N/A

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Rick Pagnutti

The 1967 NHL draft occurred one day after the talent-filled expansion draft. Three Hall of Famers went in the first three picks of the expansion draft with Terry Sawchuck, Bernie Parent and Glenn Hall.

Rick Pagnutti, who went No. 1 overall in the actual draft, was the last No. 1 pick to never play a game in the NHL, but had a 10-year career in the minor leagues.

He scored a team-record 18 goals for the Rochester Americans during the 1972-73 season, a record that stood for 46 years until it was broken in 2019.

In Their Own Words: Rick Pagnutti

Rick Pagnutti with puck — Rick Pagnutti's son played college hockey and professionally ECHL.

“Life has been good, you know what I mean? Everything turns out. ... I had a lot of fun and I met a lot of nice people. That’s the way I describe hockey." —Rick Pagnutti, in the Buffalo News, on never playing in the NHL

3. Nail Yakupov

Born: Oct. 6, 1993 (Nizhnekamsk, Russia)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 2012, Edmonton Oilers

Position: Right wing

Stats for Nail Yakupov

Career: 6 seasons (2012-18)

Teams: Edmonton Oilers (2012-16), St. Louis Blues (2016-17), Colorado Avalanche (2017-18)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Nail Yakupov

The signs were there that Nail Yakupov was going to be a terrible pro.

He was described as "sulky and uncooperative" by several teams in the interview process leading up to the draft, and allegedly offended teams who didn't have the No. 1 pick and wanted to talk to him.

Yakupov's NHL career lasted just six seasons, including the last three with three different teams.

In Their Own Words: Nail Yakupov

Nail Yakupov gets into position — Nail Yakupov was born in Russia.

"'Nail' is good. It drives me nuts when people try to pronounce my name the proper way. Everybody acts super funny and ends up with something like 'Nah-eel' (which is not 100 percent accurate). So I tell everyone: 'You can call me Nail. It’s easier for you, and it’s better for me.' Same thing goes for my last name. In Russia, they put the stress on the second syllable. Here – on the first. I don’t mind it at all. I’m just joking around with you saying I don’t like it and stuff. In all honesty, I’ve gotten used to this, and I don’t pay attention to it anymore." —Nail Yakupov, in Oilers Nation, on pronouncing his name

2. Claude Gauthier

Detroit Red Wings head coach Sid Abel, pictured, selected Claude Gauthier No. 1 overall in 1964.

Born: Sept. 12, 1947 (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1964, Detroit Red Wings

Position: Forward

Stats for Claude Gauthier

Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Sid Abel — Claude Gauthier (not pictured) never got to play with Gordie Howe (left) or Ted Lindsay (center) after Sid Abel (right) drafted Gauthier.

Career: N/A

Teams: N/A

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Claude Gauthier

One of three players taken No. 1 overall who never played in the NHL, Claude Gauthier was picked by the Red Wings off a midget league team in Quebec.

Of 24 total picks in the 1964 draft, Gauthier was one of nine who never played in the NHL. His career was so unmemorable that the internet doesn't even a photo of him playing anywhere. Blame Detroit Red Wings head coach Sid Abel (pictured), who took Gauthier.

One Hall of Famer was picked in 1964. Goaltender Ken Dryden was taken by Montreal in the third round.

In Their Own Words: Claude Gauthier

Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden was drafted in the third round of the 1964 NHL draft (the same draft as Claude Gauthier) and became a Hall of Famer.

"[Claude Gauthier] was drafted during the second year of the amateur draft. Scouting for younger players was very poor at the time. I can't find any real articles or evidence, but my assumption would be that since all of the great young players that were obviously going to be in the NHL were already 'sponsored' by other teams (and therefore not able to be drafted), Claude Gauthier played on a very good team and probably was one of their better players so the Red Wings drafted him based solely on that. He probably didn't make the team right away or had other aspirations than hockey." —Reddit commenter on why Claude Gauthier didn't play an NHL game

1. Alexandre Daigle

Born: Feb. 7, 1975 (Laval, Quebec, Canada)

Drafted No. 1 overall: 1993, Ottawa Senators

Position: Center

Stats for Alexandre Daigle

Career: 10 seasons (1993-2000, 2002-2004, 2005-06)

Teams: Ottawa Senators (1993-98), Philadelphia Flyers (1998-99), Tampa Bay Lightning (1999), New York Rangers (1999-2000), Pittsburgh Penguins (2002-03), Minnesota Wild (2003-04, 2005-06)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Bottom Line: Alexandre Daigle

Alexandre Daigle's famous quote on draft day — "I'm glad I was picked No. 1 because nobody remembers No. 2" — still resonates to this day.

Mainly because the No. 2 pick in 1993, Chris Pronger, went on to a Hall of Fame career, and Daigle is widely regarded as one of the worst draft busts in NHL history.

Daigle briefly retired in 2000, at 25 years old, but returned in 2002 and played three more seasons.

In Their Own Words: Alexandre Daigle

Alexandre Daigle after being drafted No. 1 — Alexandre Daigle was born in Laval, Quebec.

"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." —Alexandre Daigle