The NHL Draft is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. The league’s annual entry draft is notoriously unpredictable, proving that even the so-called “experts” have a hard time getting it right. Yet every few years, a team manages to find a hidden gem that nobody else saw coming.
While most superstars are taken near the top of the draft, the NHL is filled with late-rounders who surprised everyone. These players are like diamonds in the rough, providing teams around the league with core players, franchise leaders and even some all-time greats.
These are special players who beat the odds, rewrote expectations and proved that greatness can come from just about anywhere. So who pulled off the biggest heist? Let’s look back at the 10 best draft steals in NHL history.
10. Joe Pavelski – 205th overall, 2003 (San Jose Sharks)
The 2003 draft class is widely considered one of the greatest in NHL history, and even the later rounds produced legends. As an undersized forward from Wisconsin, Pavelski wasn’t taken until the seventh round. That move paid off for the Sharks and by the time he retired, Pavelski had become the sixth-highest scoring American-born player of all time.
9. Igor Shesterkin — 118th overall, 2014 (New York Rangers)
As the most recent draft steal on our list Shesterkin was selected by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 2014 draft. Despite falling considerably in the draft, the Russian netminder arrived NHL-ready and looked sharp from day one. Shesterkin ended up becoming the fastest goaltender in NHL history to reach 40 wins, eventually becoming the Rangers’ franchise goalie and winning the Vezina Trophy in 2022.
8. Henrik Zetterberg — 210th overall, 1999 (Detroit Red Wings)
There were 209 players taken ahead of Henrik Zetterberg in the 1999 NHL Draft, yet only two players in the draft class finished their careers with more points. Zetterberg provided the Red Wings with an incredible return on investment: he spent his entire 15-year career with Detroit, leading them to a Stanley Cup in 2008 and earning that year’s Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
7. Theo Fleury — 166th overall, 1987 (Calgary Flames)
Not many high-impact players are drafted this late, but then again—Fleury wasn’t like most players. Overlooked for his size (5’6”), the rookie became a spark plug for Calgary and helped the team win the Stanley Cup in his rookie season. While he had to overcome some dark moments at times, the former eighth-round pick finished his career with 1,088 points in 1,084 games played.
6. Luc Robitaille — 171st overall, 1984 (LA Kings)
The Kings got so lucky with this draft pick, Robitaille picked up the nickname “Lucky Luc”. A ninth round draft pick by Los Angeles, Robitaille had an immediate impact in the NHL, winning the Calder Trophy his rookie season. He developed into one of the game’s most consistent snipers, finishing his career with 668 goals and retiring as the NHL’s all-time leading scorer at left wing.
5. Pavel Datsyuk — 171st overall, 1998 (Detroit Red Wings)
As an undersized forward playing in lower-tier Russian leagues, there was very little interest in Datsyuk heading into the 1998 draft. Few could have known he’d become one of the best two-way forwards the game has ever seen. His elite puck-handling earned him the nickname “The Magic Man”, helping him win two Stanley Cups and three Selke Trophies over the course of his 14-year career, all with the Red Wings.
4. Nikita Kucherov — 58th overall, 2011 (Tampa Bay Lightning)
The Lightning displayed incredible draft-day savvy by scooping up Kucherov 58th overall in 2011. Since then, he’s won two Stanley Cups, a Hart Trophy, a Ted Lindsay Award and three Art Ross Trophies. Now 32 years old, he’s already surpassed 1,000 career points and coming off three straight 100-point campaigns for the Lightning. This is one draft steal that’s still paying dividends in Tampa Bay.
3. Mark Messier — 48th overall, 1979 (Edmonton Oilers)
Despite being taken in third round of the 1979 NHL Draft, Messier helped build a dynasty in Edmonton. He went on to become a six-time Stanley Cup champion, two-time MVP and one of the most complete players of all-time. Messier currently sits third all-time in NHL scoring with 1,887 points and is considered by many to be the greatest leader in hockey history.
2. Brett Hull — 117th overall, 1984 (Calgary Flames)
He may have had the pedigree (his father was NHL legend Bobby Hull), but Brett faced concerns about his speed and conditioning. Taken 117th overall in 1984, his career got off to a slow start before catching fire in St. Louis. Hull became one of the most prolific goal scorers of all time, recording three consecutive 70-goal seasons and retiring with 741 career goals, fifth-most in league history.
1. Dominik Hasek — 199th overall, 1983 (Chicago Blackhawks)
Coming from overseas and playing his unorthodox style, Hasek turned heads around the league for many years with the Sabres and Red Wings. The goaltender was given the nickname “The Dominator” for the way he takes over games with highlight-reel saves. He finished his career as one of the most decorated goalies in NHL history, capturing two Stanley Cups, back-to-back MVPs and a record six Vezina Trophies.