Fansided

The 10 most loaded draft classes in NHL history

By C.L. Kohuss

Canadian hockey player Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins on the ice during a road game, East Rutherford, New Jersey, 1984. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
Canadian hockey player Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins on the ice during a road game, East Rutherford, New Jersey, 1984. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 26: Jaromir Jagr #68 of the Pittsburgh Penguins salutes the fans after Game 1 of the 1992 Stanley Cup Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks on May 26, 1992 at the Pittsburgh Civic Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Penguins defeated the Blackhawks 5-4 to lead the series 1-0. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 26: Jaromir Jagr #68 of the Pittsburgh Penguins salutes the fans after Game 1 of the 1992 Stanley Cup Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks on May 26, 1992 at the Pittsburgh Civic Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Penguins defeated the Blackhawks 5-4 to lead the series 1-0. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images) /

7. 1990

The ’90 draft isn’t stacked with dudes currently in the Hall, though some are sure to be there eventually. It is, however, stacked with players uber-talented and with a skill-level beyond comprehension. For example, Owen Nolan went first overall to the Quebec Nordiques. He’d go on to score over 400 goals and make five All-Star games. He also did this which we don’t recommend but he totally pulled it off anyway.

Petr Nedved went second and scored more than 700 points, Keith Primeau was selected third and scored more than 600 points and Jaromir Jagr went fifth overall and to this point has scored 766 goals and nearly 2,000 (!) points. He’s an absolute lock for the Hall of Fame, once he decides to hang up the skates (yes, that dude is STILL playing). Jagr, for my money, is and always be one of the most exciting players to ever lace them up.

Alone he’s won two Cups, a Hart Trophy, five Art Ross Trophies and has made about 849 All-Star games. Defensemen Darryl Sydor and Derian Hatcher were picked seventh and eighth respectively, and would lead the Dallas Stars to a title in 1999. Hatcher is in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Then we get to the bottom of the first round. No big deal, just Keith Tkachuk at more than 500 goals. Arguably the best goaltender of all time, Martin freakin’ Brodeur picked right after. The second round was no slouch though. Doug Weight has over 1,000 points, goalie Felix Potvin made multiple All-Star games and Geoff Sanderson scored over 300 goals.

Chris Therien played in the most games in Philadelphia Flyers franchise history, Alexei Zhamnov scored over 700 points in just over 800 games and defenseman Sergei Zubov went in Round 5 and is an absolute deserving Hall of Fame candidate. He won two Cups, scored more than 700 points, and is the second highest-scoring Russian defenseman ever. That includes an 89-point year in 1993-94 with the New York Rangers.

Let us also not dismiss Washington Capitals great Peter Bondra. He played in over 1,000 games, score 500 goals, and was picked in a round (8) that really shouldn’t have even been on anyone’s radar at that point.

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