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Ranking the First Overall Picks 1990-2019

Ranking the First Overall Picks 1990-2019

Draft Class: 2023
Created By: Sharkie69
Published: Apr. 4, 2023 at 9:51 a.m.
Description
1 is the best and 29 is the worst.
Lottery Winners:
  1. Logo of the San Jose SharksSan Jose Sharks (4→1)
  2. Logo of the Vancouver CanucksVancouver Canucks (8→2)
ROUND 1TEAMORIGINALPLAYERDETAILS
1Logo of the San Jose Sharks-
Connor McDavid
The best player since the 90s IMO.
2Logo of the Vancouver Canucks-
Alex Ovechkin
Slightly better than Crosby IMO. Hope he breaks that goal record.
3Logo of the Chicago Blackhawks-
Sidney Crosby
An amazing and influential player. Completely deserves that top pick, even though I like Bergeron.
4Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets-
Eric Lindros
Would've been one of the best to ever play if he didn't get injured so much.
5Logo of the Anaheim Ducks-
Joe Thornton
My favourite player of all time. I might be biased, but I think he deserves to be considered one of the greatest players of the 2000s.
6Logo of the Montreal Canadiens-
Patrick Kane
One of the best players on each of his 3 cup teams. Maybe he'll get a 4th this year.
7Logo of the Arizona Coyotes-
Nathan Mackinnon
Another excellent player. You could probably rearrange him, Kane, and Thornton.
8Logo of the Philadelphia Flyers-
Auston Matthews
The only reason he and Mackinnon are under Kane and Thornton are because the latter players have established NHL careers, while the former players are still pretty much starting their prime. Matthews can also be inconsistent at times.
9Logo of the Detroit Red Wings-
Jack Hughes
Truly the next big thing. People were concerned after his disastrous rookie season, but he's looking to prove the haters wrong.
10Logo of the St. Louis Blues-
Rick Nash
Would've been higher if he actually won a cup.
11Logo of the Washington Capitals-
Vincent Lecavalier
Would've been the one of the greatest Lightning players of all time had they not all of a sudden become a dynasty.
12Logo of the Arizona CoyotesLogo of the Ottawa Senators
Steven Stamkos
What I said about Tavares applies to Stamkos to a larger extent.
13Logo of the Buffalo Sabres-
Rasmus Dahlin
Part of the new wave of excellent defensemen. Easily deserved the first overall selection.
14Logo of the Nashville Predators-
John Tavares
Amazing player. Hedman's good too, but I think Tavares deserved that first pick
15Logo of the Montreal CanadiensLogo of the Florida Panthers
Ryan NugentHopkins
He would've been closer to the bottom if he wasn't so good this season. Kucherov should've been first, though.
16Logo of the Pittsburgh Penguins-
Ilya Kovalchuk
Would've been higher if he actually played more in the NHL. Spezza should've gone first.
17Logo of the Calgary Flames-
Owen Nolan
Great player, but Jagr should've gone first.
18Logo of the Winnipeg Jets-
Roman Hamrlik
Very solid defenseman, but Yashin and Gonchar are both better players.
19Logo of the Detroit Red WingsLogo of the New York Islanders
Taylor Hall
People were wondering who would win the Talor vs. Tyler debate, but the winner ended up being none of them. Skinner or Stone should've gone first.
20Logo of the Seattle Kraken-
Nico Hischer
Good, but there were better players. Petterson, Robertson, or Makar should've gone first.
21Logo of the Chicago BlackhawksLogo of the Tampa Bay Lightning
Aaron Ekblad
Very good player, but gets injured too much. Draisaitl or Pastrnak should've gone first.
22Logo of the Colorado Avalanche-
Ed Jovanovski
Pretty good, but Alfredsson or Elias should've gone first.
23Logo of the Columbus Blue JacketsLogo of the Los Angeles Kings
Chris Phillips
Basically the same thing I said about Johnson below. Chara should've gone first.
24Logo of the New York RangersLogo of the Dallas Stars
Erik Johnson
Has been a pretty good player for a long time, but definitely not first overall caliber. Backstrom or Giroux should've gone first.
25Logo of the Nashville PredatorsLogo of the Edmonton Oilers
Rick Dipietro
oof. Hartnell or Gaborik should've gone first.
26Logo of the Minnesota Wild-
Bryan Berard
His career ended way too soon. Doan or Iginla should've gone first.
27Logo of the St. Louis BluesLogo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Alexandre Daigle
One of the most overhyped prospects of all time. Pronger or Kariya should've gone first.
28Logo of the St. Louis BluesLogo of the New York Rangers
Nail Yakupov
People were pretty sure this pick wasn't going to work out almost as soon as he was drafted. Vasi should've gone first.
29Logo of the Vegas Golden Knights-
Patrik Stefan
He missed the empty net lol. One of the Sedin's should've gone first.
30Logo of the San Jose SharksLogo of the New Jersey Devils
31Logo of the Carolina Hurricanes-
32Logo of the Toronto Maple LeafsLogo of the Boston Bruins
MarcAndre Fleury
Can't believe I almost missed him. I'm not really sure where to put him in the ranking, anyway, since I'm comparing a goalie to a bunch of skaters. I think I'd have him between Matthews and Hughes.
Is McDavid the best player since the 90s?
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Apr. 4, 2023 at 11:55 a.m.
#1
IconicHawk
Bedard23
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I’d put Fleury between Kane and MacKinnion
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Apr. 4, 2023 at 4:33 p.m.
#2
mokumboi
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In about five years, if that, Kane and Thornton will no longer even be top 10 on this list. They certainly are/were not better players than MacKinnon and Matthews.
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Apr. 4, 2023 at 5:15 p.m.
#3
oilersguy
I make typos
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Quoting: mokumboi
In about five years, if that, Kane and Thornton will no longer even be top 10 on this list. They certainly are/were not better players than MacKinnon and Matthews.


Thornton yes Kane no, guy won 3 cups and is one of the absolute best US players ever
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Apr. 4, 2023 at 6:49 p.m.
#4
NHLfan10506
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1. Crosby
2. Kane
3. Ovechkin
4. McDavid

Thornton and Lindros are way too high
Apr. 4, 2023 at 6:50 p.m.
#5
NHLfan10506
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Lindros honestly should be in bottom third of this list
Apr. 4, 2023 at 7:31 p.m.
#6
IconicHawk
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Quoting: NHLfan10506
Lindros honestly should be in bottom third of this list


Stop that if that’s seriously what you think put Jack Hughes in last
Apr. 4, 2023 at 7:53 p.m.
#7
NHLfan10506
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Quoting: IconicHawk
Stop that if that’s seriously what you think put Jack Hughes in last


Hughes has had two good seasons, he should be further back.

Lindros had some good years, and if he gets a bump for winning a Hart trophy, why is Taylor Hall so low?
Apr. 4, 2023 at 8:15 p.m.
#8
mokumboi
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Quoting: oilersguy
Thornton yes Kane no, guy won 3 cups and is one of the absolute best US players ever


Okay, well those are great things, but they are different measures. Kane was great to help the Hawks win three Cups, but those were powerhouse teams and he can often be a one-way player. Guys in/entering their prime now and presumably a youngster or two will surpass him.
Apr. 4, 2023 at 9:57 p.m.
#9
IconicHawk
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Quoting: mokumboi
Okay, well those are great things, but they are different measures. Kane was great to help the Hawks win three Cups, but those were powerhouse teams and he can often be a one-way player. Guys in/entering their prime now and presumably a youngster or two will surpass him.


If your calling Kane a one way player then Jack Hughes is basically his southern twin brother
Apr. 4, 2023 at 10:35 p.m.
#10
mokumboi
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Edited Apr. 4, 2023 at 10:42 p.m.
Quoting: IconicHawk
If your calling Kane a one way player then Jack Hughes is basically his southern twin brother


During the Cup years, no. Since then, often yeah. Either way, Hughes isn't somebody I automatically assumed would surpass him.
 
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