Where are they now? NHL Draft Edition

Alexis Bazydola
Apr 13, 2020
9 min read

Being the number one draft pick is always a huge accomplishment in any young hockey player’s career. It’s the opportunity to show the world that they can take the hockey world by storm. Most times it means your summer ends in a professional contract and you go on to start playing NHL hockey immediately. Over the past 10 years, many of the players drafted first have gone on to start illustrious careers. Here’s a look back at each of these players: where they started, how their career has progressed and where they are now.

2019 – Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils

As the most recent number one selection of the NHL draft, Jack Hughes is a rising star. Born in 2001 in Orlando, FL, Hughes spent his bantam and midget years in Canada before returning to the U.S. He captained the U.S. National U18 Team before going pro. In the year prior to being drafted, he scored 112 points (34 G, 78 A) in just 50 games played. This young center has room to grow in his professional career and his rookie season has proved just that.

On July 12, 2019, Hughes signed his first NHL contract with the New Jersey Devils worth $11.3 million. Before his rookie season was suspended due to the outbreak of the corona virus, Hughes appeared in 61 games in a Devils sweater amassing 21 points (7 G, 14 A). Hughes has two years remaining on his entry level contract and time to improve should he want to sign for a much larger sum.

2018 – Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres

2018 brought Rasmus Dahlin to the NHL. A 2000 born out of Sweden, this young defenseman wowed the Buffalo Sabres’ scouts as he was selected first overall. Growing up in Sweden, you might’ve guessed that this is where Dahlin spent his years playing hockey and you would be correct. The season before being drafted, Dahlin played 41 games for Frölunda HC in the SHL where he scored 20 points. He was first in points in the SHL among players under the age of 22 and produced the third most points for any player under the age of 19 in the SHL’s history.

Dahlin signed his entry level contract on July 9, 2018 worth $11.3 million. In his rookie season, he appeared in all 82 games with the Sabres. amassing 44 points but finishing the season with a -13. In the 19-20 season so far, Dahlin dressed for 59 games collecting 40 points and posting a -7. With one year remaining on his entry level contract, time will tell whether this defenseman will make his mark in Buffalo and go on to sign a larger standard contract.

2017 – Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils

Another first selection for the Devils sent Nico Hischier to Jersey. Born in 1999 in Switzerland, this center was very surprised to be chosen first over Nolan Patrick who ultimately went second to Philadelphia. Spending the majority of his young hockey career developing in Switzerland, the year prior to the draft, Hischier played in the QMJHL for the Halifax Mooseheads. Appearing in 57 regular season games, he scored 86 points (38 G, 48 A). During this season he was also named the CHL’s rookie of the year and the QMJHL rookie of the year.

Signing his entry level contract on July 15, 2017 worth $11.3 million, Hischier went on to have an astounding rookie season with the Devils. Dressing in all 82 games, he collected 52 points (20 G, 32 A). While his next season wasn’t as electric, he still dressed in 69 games and posted 47 points (17 G, 30 A). In the current season, Hischier has dressed for 58 games and collected 36 points (14 G, 22 A) and was selected to represent the Devils at the 19-20 NHL All Star Game. He also will continue to reside in New Jersey as on October 18, 2019 he signed a seven-year extension worth $50.75 million.

2016 – Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs

Now a name widely recognized in the NHL, 2016 brought the young Auston Matthews to the Toronto Maple Leafs. This ’97 center born in California was just the kind of young powerhouse forward the Maple Leafs were looking for. Spending his bantam and midget years playing in Arizona, Matthews also played with the US National team donning an “A” on his sweater. Prior to being drafted, he played in Switzerland for the ZSC Lions appearing in 36 contests and accumulating 46 points (24 G, 22 A). This same year he also appeared in World Junior Championship for Team USA.

After signing his entry level contract on July 21, 2016, Matthews went on to have an exciting rookie season. He appeared in all 82 games with the Maple Leafs amassing 69 points (40 G, 29 A). He was also selected to represent Toronto at the NHL All Star game and won the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year). Since then, Matthews has not slowed down. He was selected for the NHL All Star game each year since his rookie year. In the current season, Matthews has dressed for 70 games and collected 80 points (47 G, 33 A). He has certainly impressed Toronto and signed a five-year contract extension on February 5, 2019 worth $58 million.

2015 – Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

Yet another NHL star was selected in 2015 by the Edmonton Oilers. Born in 1997 in Ontario, Canada, Connor McDavid is the young center the Oilers have built their franchise around. Before joining the Oilers, McDavid spent his younger years playing and captaining the Erie Otters of the OHL. He, like Matthews, also dressed for his home country in the World Junior Championships. Prior to being drafted, McDavid dressed in 47 games for the Otters scoring an astounding 120 points (44 G, 76 A). In that same year (14-15), he was named the CHL Player of the Year.

July 3, 2015 McDavid signed his $11.3 million entry level contract and began his career in the NHL. His inaugural season, he dressed in 45 games amassing 48 points (16 G, 32 A) and was named to the NHL All-Rookie team. Since then, McDavid has accumulated at least 100 points each season. He serves as captain of the Oilers. For the past four seasons, he was selected to represent the Oilers at the NHL All Star game and was chosen as captain. He has earned the Art Ross Trophy (most points) in both 16-17 and 17-18 seasons. He also received the Ted Lindsay Award (NHL MVP selected by the NHLPA) in 16-17 and 17-18. And in 16-17 he was the recipient of the Hart Trophy (NHL MVP). McDavid’s hard work paid off on July 5, 2017 when he signed an eight-year $100 million contract extension.

2014 – Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers

2014 brought a young Canadian defenseman to Florida. Aaron Ekblad was born in Ontario in 1996. Before being drafted, Ekblad played for and captained the Barrie Colts of the OHL. During his final season in the OHL, he dressed in 58 games and accumulated 53 points (23 G, 30 A). He was also named to the OHL First All-Star team and awarded the Max Kaminsky Trophy (most outstanding defenseman).

Ekblad signed his entry level contract on September 7, 2014 worth $11.3 million. In his rookie season, he dressed for 81 games and scored 39 points (12 G, 27 A) and ended with a +12 on the season. He was chosen to represent the Panthers at the NHL All Star game, selected for the NHL All-Rookie team and was awarded the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year). Ekblad was also chosen to represent Florida at the NHL All Star game during the 15-16 season. Since then, Ekblad has continued to prove his worth on the ice and was awarded an eight-year contract extension on July 1, 2016 worth $60 million. In the most recent season, he has dressed for 67 games and scored 41 points (5 G, 36 A).

2013 – Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche

In 2013, Colorado Avalanche took Nathan MacKinnon first overall. This Canadian born center is now still a powerhouse in the Avalanche’s lineup. After spending his bantam and midget years at Shattuck St. Mary’s, MacKinnon went on to play for the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL. Prior to being drafted he donned the “A” for Halifax and dressed in 44 games scoring 75 points (32 G, 43 A). During this year he also won the CHL Memorial Cup, was named to the CHL Memorial Cup All-Star team, and was a QMJHL Champion.

July 9, 2013 found MacKinnon’s signature on his entry level contract worth $11.3 million. During his rookie season he dressed for all 82 games during the regular season and amassed 63 points (24 G, 39 A). He was also named to the NHL All-Rookie team and the recipient of the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year). Since then, he has made four All Star game appearances, captaining the central division team twice. In the 19-20 season, he has dressed for 69 games and collected 93 points (35 G, 58 A). On July 8, 2016, MacKinnon signed a seven-year contract extension worth $44 million.

2012 – Nail Yakupov, Edmonton Oilers

Another Oilers selection sent Nail Yakupov to Edmonton in 2012. This 1993 Russian born winger has had a very different career than those who have been drafted first. Before being drafted, Yakupov played in the OHL for the Sarnia Sting. In the year before his draft, he dressed in 42 games for Sarnia and scored 69 points (31 G, 38 A).

Yakupov signed his entry level contract on July 23, 2013 after the half season NHL lockout where he spent his time playing in the KHL. During the 2012-13 season, Yakupov dressed in 48 games and scored 31 points (17 G, 14 A). He spent the next three seasons in Edmonton before being traded on October 7, 2016 to the St. Louis Blues. On July 4, 2017, he signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche and played 58 games that season. Since then, Yakupov has left the NHL to play in the KHL.

2011 – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers

Yet another Oilers pick sent Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to Edmonton in 2011. This 1993 British Columbia born forward played for the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL before being drafted. In his 2010-2011 season, he dressed in 69 games and scored an incredible 106 points (31 G, 75 A). He was also named to the WHL (East) All Star team.

On July 2, 2011, Nugent-Hopkins signed his entry level contract worth $11.3 million. He would go on to dress in 62 games his rookie season and accumulate 52 points (18 G, 34 A). He was named to the NHL All-Rookie team that season as well. Since the 2013-14 season he has worn an “A” for the Oilers. In 2014-15 he was chosen to represent Edmonton at the NHL All Star Game. In the 2019-20 season, he has dressed in 65 games and has collected 61 points (22 G, 39 A). On September 19, 2013, he signed a seven-year contract extension with Edmonton worth $42 million.

2010 – Taylor Hall, Edmonton Oilers

Finally, Edmonton also selected another talked about forward in 2010. Taylor Hall was born in Alberta, Canada in 1991. Prior to being drafted to the NHL, he played for the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. In the 2009-10 season, he played in 57 games and accumulated 106 points (40 G, 66 A). This same year he was a CHL Memorial Cup Champion, an OHL Champion, named to the CHL Memorial All Star team, and named to the OHL All Star game.

Hall Signed his $11.25 million entry level contract on July 5, 2010 with the Edmonton Oilers. During his rookie season, he dressed in 65 games and totaled 42 points (22 G, 20 A). On August 22, 2012, Edmonton awarded him a seven-year contract extension worth $42 million. He was named to the NHL All Star game in 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18. He was also awarded the Hart Trophy (NHL MVP) and named to the First All-Star team in 2017-18. On June 29, 2016, Hall was traded to the New Jersey Devils by the Edmonton Oilers. On December 16, 2019, he was traded again to the Arizona Coyotes. This summer he again becomes an unrestricted free agent. In the 2019-20 season he has dressed in 65 games and totaled 52 points (16 G, 36 A).

Over the past 10 years, teams have been apt to take forwards (especially centers) over defensemen. Many of these young players also do not spend any time down in development systems like the AHL or return back to their junior teams. Teams feel these first selections are ready to make their debut in the NHL and many of these players have gone on to make a name for themselves. So, while your name being called first may be exciting in the moment, your work is only beginning there on that draft stage. You must continue to prove your worth. You must continue to improve your game. And you must continue to show your team that calling your name first meant you ultimately deserved your name forever stamped in to the Stanley Cup.