The NHL Draft is where dreams are made—or missed. While first-rounders grab the spotlight, it’s the late-round gems that get fans and front offices buzzing for years to come.
These are the players who slipped through the cracks, got passed over again and again, and still went on to carve out incredible careers. From Hall of Famers to fan favorites, here are the 30 best draft steals in NHL history, ranked.
30. Jake Guentzel (3rd Round, 2013)
He may not have been the biggest name on draft day, but Guentzel quickly became a playoff hero in Pittsburgh. His chemistry with Sidney Crosby turned him into one of the league’s most reliable scorers.
29. Shea Weber (2nd Round, 2003)
Weber brought toughness, leadership, and one of the most complex shots in NHL history. Not bad for a guy taken outside the top 40 picks.
28. Mark Stone (6th Round, 2010)
Stone was overlooked due to his skating, but he turned into one of the best two-way forwards in the league. Vegas was thrilled to snag him later in his career.
27. Joe Pavelski (7th Round, 2003)
Nobody expected a seventh-rounder to turn into “Captain America.” Pavelski’s clutch scoring and leadership made him a postseason legend.
26. Igor Shesterkin (4th Round, 2014)
The Rangers waited a few years, but Shesterkin made the wait worth it. He quickly became one of the NHL’s elite goaltenders.
25. Jesper Bratt (6th Round, 2016)
Bratt came out of nowhere to become a top offensive option for New Jersey. He’s got serious wheels and underrated playmaking vision.
24. Brian Elliott (9th Round, 2003)
Taken in the now-defunct ninth round, Elliott became an All-Star and reliable starter. He racked up wins across multiple teams with strong, steady goaltending.
23. Viktor Arvidsson (4th Round, 2014)
Arvidsson’s high-energy style and scoring touch made him a fan favorite in Nashville. He brought way more value than most fourth-round picks ever do.
22. Pekka Rinne (8th Round, 2004)
Rinne was almost an afterthought, but became a franchise cornerstone for the Predators. His Vezina Trophy season cemented his legacy.
21. Brendan Gallagher (5th Round, 2010)
Gallagher’s heart and hustle made him a Canadiens fan favorite. He plays way bigger than his size and was a steal in the fifth.
20. Alex Burrows (Undrafted, 2002)
Burrows never even heard his name called on draft day. All he did was work his way up to a top-line role next to the Sedins.
19. Craig Anderson (3rd Round, 1999)
Anderson wasn’t a flashy name, but he brought stability and longevity in the net. His playoff heroics in Ottawa were unforgettable.
18. Ondrej Palat (7th Round, 2011)
Palat played a key role in Tampa Bay’s deep playoff runs. He turned out to be one of the sneakiest late-round gems in recent memory.
17. Patric Hornqvist (7th Round, 2005)
Hornqvist was the last pick in his draft class. He scored over 250 goals and won multiple Cups. Talk about a mic drop.
16. Jaccob Slavin (4th Round, 2012)
Slavin is one of the best shutdown defensemen in the NHL. Quietly elite and well-received after most teams had stopped paying attention.
15. Dominik Hasek (10th Round, 1983)
Drafted in the tenth round before most teams even scouted Europe seriously. Hasek became one of the most dominant goaltenders ever.
14. Doug Gilmour (7th Round, 1982)
Gilmour was undersized and overlooked, but played with unmatched intensity. He carved out a Hall of Fame career and became a Maple Leafs legend.
13. Luc Robitaille (9th Round, 1984)
Robitaille wasn’t the fastest skater, but he could score well. He became one of the most productive left wings in NHL history.
12. Brett Hull (6th Round, 1984)
Hull’s skating was questioned, but his shot was never in doubt. Over 700 goals later, he made every team regret passing on him.
11. Henrik Zetterberg (7th Round, 1999)
Zetterberg was a late-round Swedish swing that paid off big time. He became the heartbeat of the Red Wings for over a decade.
10. Mark Giordano (Undrafted, 2002)
Giordano went undrafted, played overseas, and still turned into a Norris Trophy winner. His journey is the definition of a draft steal.
9. Jamie Benn (5th Round, 2007)
Benn turned into a power forward and won the Art Ross Trophy. The Stars hit the jackpot with him late in the draft.
8. Henrik Lundqvist (7th Round, 2000)
“The King” went in the seventh round but became royalty in New York. He carried the Rangers for over a decade with style and grace.
7. Daniel Alfredsson (6th Round, 1994)
Alfredsson became the face of the Senators franchise. Not bad for a guy taken 133rd overall.
6. Pavel Datsyuk (6th Round, 1998)
No one knew who Datsyuk was on draft day. By the time he retired, he was known as one of the most skilled two-way forwards in the game.
5. Niklas Lidstrom (3rd Round, 1989)
Lidstrom quietly became one of the greatest defensemen of all time. Smart, smooth, and reliable—just like a true draft-day steal.
4. Theoren Fleury (8th Round, 1987)
Fleury was tiny but fierce. He played with an edge and delivered huge production from way down the draft board.
3. Jaroslav Halak (9th Round, 2003)
Halak backstopped one of the most improbable playoff runs in modern history. His longevity and clutch play made him a fantastic find.
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2. Sergei Fedorov (4th Round, 1989)
Fedorov was flashy, fast, and could play any position. He was a key cog in Detroit’s dynasty and a global superstar.
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1. Pavel Bure (6th Round, 1989)
The “Russian Rocket” should’ve gone much earlier. Bure’s electrifying speed and scoring touch made him one of the most thrilling players ever.
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