*updated Jan. 2026
Every year, the NHL welcomes the best teenagers in the world to the top league. Of course, in each draft, someone has to be selected first, and often, they have an immediate impact in the NHL and go on to have fantastic careers.
That isn’t the case for every first-overall selection, but most of the time, a team is hoping for a franchise-altering player. This power ranking of the last 20 first-overall picks is based on a couple of things. First, I will be taking into account what a player has accomplished, as well as what I believe they could accomplish. Basically, I’m assuming all these players are 18 years old and in the same draft to determine what order I would select them. Of course, hindsight always helps, and any close comparison will favor the player who has more achievements.
This is my opinion, so let me know who you think I have ranked too high and who I have ranked too low.
1. Connor McDavid – Edmonton Oilers, 2015
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 754 GP – 386 Goals – 768 Assists – 1,154 Points
- 1x Conn Smythe Trophy
- 5x Art Ross Trophy
- 4x Ted Lindsay Award
- 3x Hart Memorial Trophy
- 1x Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy
Connor McDavid has emerged as one of the greatest players in history, and with a few more dominant years, could very well pass Crosby on the all-time greats list. With beyond-impressive point totals every year, McDavid’s offensive game is like no other in the current era of hockey. On top of his regular season success, McDavid’s 2024 playoff run was some of his best hockey. Not only did he come within a handful of points of Wayne Gretzky’s 47 points in one year, but he beat the record for the most assists in one playoff run with 34.
Now that Sidney Crosby is no longer among the last 20 first-overall picks, McDavid is without a doubt in the top spot. He is going to go down as one of the greatest players in NHL history, and despite losing back-to-back years in the Stanley Cup Final, there is no argument to have anybody on this list ahead of him.
2. Nathan MacKinnon – Colorado Avalanche, 2013
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 911 GP – 402 Goals – 687 Assists – 1,089 Points
- 1x Stanley Cup Champion
- 1x Hart Memorial Trophy
- 1x Ted Lindsay Award
- 1x Calder Memorial Trophy
- 1x Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Nathan MacKinnon has been through it all. In his career, he was part of an Avalanche team that finished with 48 points, got stuck in the second-round hump, and also won a Stanley Cup. MacKinnon took a little while to establish himself as one of the top players in the NHL, but since his emergence into stardom in the 2017-18 season, he has been regarded as one of the top five players in the NHL, if not the top three. MacKinnon is one of the most exciting players to watch in the entire league, as his explosive skating, puck-handling abilities, and passion for success are all on display each shift.
MacKinnon has been the centerpiece of a team that includes stars like Cale Makar. MacKinnon, while not the captain, is the definition of a true leader. He drags his team into battle every game and makes sure everyone is playing to the best of their ability. There is no doubt that he is one of the NHL’s best and has the potential to move up this list with quite a bit of time left in his career. His dominant 2023-24 season, where he brought home the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award, gave him a nice bump on this list. Posting over 110 points in three straight seasons is no easy task, but MacKinnon will look to extend that in 2025-26.
3. Auston Matthews – Toronto Maple Leafs, 2016
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 664 GP – 421 Goals – 339 Assists – 760 Points
- 3x Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy
- 1x Hart Memorial Trophy
- 1x Ted Lindsay Award
- 1x Calder Memorial Trophy
Auston Matthews had a very impressive, 60-goal, Hart Trophy, and Ted Lindsay Award season in 2021-22, and took an even bigger step offensively in 2023-24 with 69 goals. He has incredible offensive ability and strong defensive play. He is already one of the best players in Maple Leafs’ history and will likely continue to be for many years to come.
Matthews has struggled to start the 2025-26 season, but he is turning that around and finding his groove post-Christmas. If moving forward, Matthews plays at the level he started the season at, he could fall back down the list, but in reality, he should have many more years of dominance in his career.
4. Patrick Kane – Chicago Blackhawks, 2007
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 1,330 GP – 498 Goals – 869 Assists – 1,367 Points
- 3x Stanley Cup Champion
- 1x Conn Smythe
- 1x Hart Memorial Trophy
- 1x Art Toss Trophy
- 1x Ted Lindsay Award
- 1x Calder Memorial Trophy
Patrick Kane has cemented himself as one of the greatest American-born players of all time. His production has been among the league’s best over the course of his career and was a huge part of his team’s success in the early 2010s, bringing three Stanley Cups to Chicago. He is ranked second in points in Chicago Blackhawks history, and if he sticks around longer than this season, he has a chance at the number one spot.
Kane has had a very healthy and consistent career for the most part. This, combined with his talents, legendary status, and both team and individual success, makes him easily one of the top picks among the last 20 first-overall picks. Many will point to the elite group of players on the Blackhawks’ roster during Kane’s career, contributing to the success, but during their near-dynasty years, Kane was their best player.
5. Steven Stamkos – Tampa Bay Lightning, 2008
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 1,205 GP – 600 Goals – 618 Assists – 1,218 Points
- 2x Stanley Cup Champion
- 2x Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy
- 1x Mark Messier Leadership Award
The legacy Steven Stamkos leaves behind in Tampa Bay is far more than just being their longest-serving captain. He is the greatest player in franchise history, and it isn’t relatively close. Maybe Nikita Kucherov can get there, but what Stamkos has done in his career up to this point is remarkable. He is one of the very few active players to score 60 or more goals in a season, and over his past number of years, despite being 34 years old, has posted some of his best offensive totals.
While he only played a short part in a game in the playoff run when he won his first Cup, it came at a crucial time. He was expected to be out for the entire playoffs but came back in the Final, played three shifts, and scored a goal. The team rallied behind him and won the series. His leadership skills are unmatched, and outside of the year he almost went to Toronto in free agency, he has been one of the most loyal players around the league, but a deal couldn’t get done and he has now joined the Nashville Predators.
6. John Tavares – New York Islanders, 2009
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 1,225 GP – 509 Goals – 642 Assists – 1,151 Points
John Tavares has been one of the league’s most consistent players for years. His net-front presence, willingness to get into the dirty areas, and leadership skills are among the biggest impacts he makes on the ice. Being captain of his hometown Maple Leafs is a huge task, and he has handled that incredibly well up until the passing of the torch to Matthews.
Many people questioned the decision to give him $11 million per year on a long-term contract, however, he has deserved every penny of it with the Maple Leafs through the beginning of the contract, and as expected, as the deal winds down, had become a bit of an overpay, but his new deal under $5 million makes up for that. Regardless of the salary, he has been productive in the regular season and in the playoffs and has been a crucial part of this team for the last seven years. Some individual hardware added to the resume would better cement his legacy, but he doesn’t need it to prove his impact in the NHL.
7. Jack Hughes – New Jersey Devils, 2019
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 392 GP – 152 Goals – 223 Assists – 375 Points
Jack Hughes is one of the NHL’s top young stars. His production keeps climbing each season, and he will, without a doubt, be a first-line center for a long time. Hughes has missed 58 games in the past three seasons, but has done a great job of being productive while in the lineup. There aren’t many concerns about his ability to stay healthy yet, but that concern could be growing among the fanbase.
Related: The Worst First-Overall Draft Picks In NHL History
His ceiling is sky-high, and he can become a true superstar and make a big impact in the playoffs with the Devils. Hughes is a massive part of his team’s success each season, and he is showing he can lead the team with on-ice dominance. It is certainly possible that Hughes works his way into the conversation for some individual awards, such as the Hart and Art Ross trophies. Adding a few of these awards to his resume will help create a case for him to move up this list.
8. Rasmus Dahlin – Buffalo Sabres, 2018
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 545 GP – 87 Goals – 301 Assists – 388 Points
Rasmus Dahlin has emerged as a top-tier defenseman. His ability to take over a game is nearly unmatched among defensemen his age. He has shown that he is responsible defensively, but his ability to take over any game with his offensive capabilities is where his game truly shines the brightest. With a group of defensive-minded defensemen, such as Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson, he managed to focus on what he does best.
I ranked Dahlin over Aaron Ekblad (see below) because Dahlin has already reached Ekblad’s level of skill and play, but has a lot more room for development and growth. Dahlin will almost certainly climb this list and could win a Norris Trophy or two over the next few years.
9. Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks, 2024
Career Stats and Achievements
- 111 GP – 47 Goals – 79 Assists – 126 Points
Macklin Celebrini is having one of the best teenage seasons in NHL history. As soon as he has the opportunity to show he can do this consistently, he will rocket up this list. He has been unbelievable this season and is also the first teenager to represent Canada in the Olympics, with NHL players attending.
10. Connor Bedard – Chicago Blackhawks, 2023
Career Stats and Achievements
- 181 GP – 64 Goals – 108 Assists – 172 Points
- 1x Calder Memorial Trophy
All of the same things can be said about Connor Bedard as said for Celebrini. He is having an outstanding season and is going to climb this list very quickly if he can do this for a longer stretch of time.
Being omitted from the Canadian Olympic roster was a tough choice for Doug Armstrong, but Bedard is right there in that conversation.
11. Nico Hischier – New Jersey Devils, 2017
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 569 GP – 183 Goals – 271 Assists – 454 Points
It took Nico Hischier a few years to come into his own, but he is now emerging as a top two-way center. His defensive impacts are a great complementary piece to the Devils’ roster, and is earning himself a spot in the Selke Trophy conversation. On top of the defensive play, his offense is also starting to take shape. Hischier is showing that he can be a 70+ point player in the NHL, and with the young Devils team he is on, that skillset will take him and the team a long way in the NHL.
Hischier, who is the current captain of the Devils, takes a lot of pride in his leadership. When the team is struggling, he is the first one to speak to the media, and when they are winning, he gives credit to all of his teammates. His leadership and two-way skills make Hischier a very valuable player and will be an integral part of the team’s success.
12. Matthew Schaefer – New York Islanders, 2025
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 42GP – 12 Goals – 16 Assists – 28 Points
Like Bedard and Celebrini, if he can demonstrate consistency, Matthew Schaefer is going to be a lot higher on this list. After 42 games, it is hard to say he belongs above certain players, but he looks likes a true superstar in the making.
13. Aaron Ekblad – Florida Panthers, 2014
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 772 GP – 121 Goals – 275 Assists – 396 Points
- 2x Stanley Cup
- 1x Calder Memorial Trophy
Aaron Ekblad has been a very important part of the Florida Panthers’ recent success. He is a top-four defenseman, has great offensive upside, while still providing a very strong defensive impact. He might not be a game-breaker, but he is consistently reliable and will provide. He had a career year of 57 points in 61 games in 2021-22, and while he hasn’t reached that same level of offense, he has been a great player when healthy.
Ekblad is worthy of a first-overall selection, and despite not setting career-highs in points or being an elite shut-down guy, he is still a very valuable player which helped the Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cups. The Panthers depended on Ekblad for a majority of their back-end contributions. When Ekblad misses significant time with injury, it has an impact on the entire roster, which is a testament to how important he is.
14. Juraj Slafkovsky – Montreal Canadiens, 2022
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 242 GP – 57 Goals – 86 Assists – 143 Points
Juraj Slafkovsky is hard to place on this list because we don’t know just how much he’s capable of. What we do know, however, is that his pedigree points to success. After being named the most valuable player at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, many teams had their eyes on him as the Montreal Canadiens selected him first overall in 2022. He has the potential and talent to become one of the top power forwards in the NHL.
Slafkovsky has taken a bit of a step forward with his production, and still has a high ceiling, but is taking a bit longer to get there than some others.
15. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Edmonton Oilers, 2011
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 992 GP – 282 Goals – 499 Assists – 781 Points
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is a good NHL player; there is no doubt about that. With good production, two-way play, versatility, and consistency, he has been a valuable asset to the Oilers for most of his career. While not getting a lot of opportunity at the top of the lineup, Nugent-Hopkins is always depended upon for his two-way efforts. He is capable of generating some offense, but his back-checking and defensive efforts make up for any lack of production you may look for out of a first-overall pick.
Most teams in the NHL would benefit from adding a player like Nugent-Hopkins. A great middle-of-the-lineup asset who is willing to put everything on the line to help his team win. Every game, you can see the level of dedication he has to the game. His 104-point season felt a bit out of place looking at his career stats, and part of that was his ice time with McDavid, but he still earned those points and had proven that he can be effective anywhere in the lineup.
16. Taylor Hall – Edmonton Oilers, 2010
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 951 GP – 292 Goals – 467 Assists – 759 Points
- 1x Hart Memorial Trophy
Taylor Hall might be one of the most interesting cases. At his peak, he was voted league MVP, winning the Hart Trophy. Though at a point where he was struggling in his career, he was traded for Anders Bjork and a second-round draft pick. Hall has seemingly found a long-term home with the Carolina Hurricanes as a middle-six winger. His production has been around the 60-point pace for a while, but he hasn’t shown that he can be the type of player you want to build a team around.
It’s possible his career would have turned out differently had he not played for a terrible Oilers team. Still, he seems to be having a great bounce-back season after a couple of down years, but if he can stay healthy, he has seemingly found a good spot with the Hurricanes.
17. Alexis Lafreniere – New York Rangers, 2020
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 423 GP – 100 Goals – 116 Assists – 216 Points
Alexis Lafreniere’s career has been a bit disappointing to this point relative to the standards set as a prospect. He was a highly touted prospect, expected to have a very high offensive upside. However, he took a big step in production after earning more ice time in the New York Rangers’ top-six. He posted 28 goals and 57 points in 2023-24, but took a step back with only 45 points last season after signing a big extension
This season, Lafreniere is playing like a good middle-six winger again. There is definitely value in that, and he remains a good asset, but he may not be playing
18. Owen Power – Buffalo Sabres, 2021
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 281 GP – 22 Goals – 101 Assists – 123 Points
Owen Power should be a fantastic defenseman for the Sabres for many years to come. He is a towering 6-foot-6 left-handed defenseman. Power has a great defensive game, and is molding into a great shut-down defenseman who has a touch of offensive upside. Though Power elected to return to the NCAA after being drafted, he has broken into the NHL and started to make a name for himself.
Power is good defensively, which is a tough feat for a young defender, but he can surprise you with his offense at times as well. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Power become one of the league’s top two-way defensemen, similar to Victor Hedman. What is holding him back at this point is opportunity. With Dahlin and now Bowen Byram in the mix, he really needs to earn his ice time, and he has struggled to do that at times. His play will significantly increase with experience, and he will likely climb this list.
19. Erik Johnson – St. Louis Blues, 2006
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 1,023 GP – 95 Goals – 253 Assists – 348 Points
- 1x Stanley Cup Champion
Erik Johnson has had a solid NHL career as a shut-down defenseman. While being stylistic with the puck was never a selling point, he was great at shutting down the opposition’s offense and sending the puck back the other way. After a very long career, he finally won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche last season. It is always tough to rank defensive defensemen since stats aren’t a good way of measuring their ability, but regardless of point totals, Johnson was always serviceable.
However, Johnson is not the type of player I would want to build a franchise around. Johnson was a great complementary piece in the top four for the majority of his career, but never a dominant top defenseman.
20. Nail Yakupov – Edmonton Oilers, 2012
Career Stats and Achievements:
- 350 GP – 62 Goals – 74 Assists – 136 Points
Nail Yakupov might go down as one of the worst first-overall picks of all time. He only suited up for 350 NHL games before heading to the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), and he was also the end of a trio of first-overall selections by the Oilers. After four seasons in Edmonton, he was traded to the St. Louis Blues for Zach Pochiro and a third-round pick (Cameron Crotty), neither of which have played an NHL game.
