Top draft steals of the past six years
From Faulk to Andersen in seventh round, here are some draft-day hidden gems
Connor McDavid should go down in NHL history as the best No. 1 overall pick of his generation. And Leaf fans will soon find out how Auston Matthews measures up, but it takes more than first-round picks to build a team.
Here we look at six recent drafts — 2008-2013, enough time for latebloomers to flower — to determine the best steals per round, for Rounds 2 through 7: SECOND ROUND: D Justin Faulk, Hurricanes, 2010. 2015-16 stats: 16 goals, 21 assists, 37 points, minus-22.
Gifted scoring defenceman is now alternate captain in Carolina and part of a rising core of blueliners there, including Noah Hanifin. Honourable mention: F Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay, 2011. Best Leaf: F Jimmy Hayes, 2008. THIRD ROUND: D Colton Parayko, Blues, 2012. 2015-16 stats: Nine goals, 24 assists, 33 points, plus-28.
Gem of a find from junior’s lower leagues. The six-foot-six, 226pounder promises to be a force in years to come. He’s a member of Team North America, the under-23 squad at the World Cup of Hockey. Honourable mention: F Anthony Duclair, Rangers, 2013. Best Leaf: F Josh Leivo, 2011. FOURTH ROUND: G Braden Holtby, Capitals, 2008. 2015-16 stats: 48-9-7, .220, .922.
To draft a goalie is to take a risk and requires patience. Holtby will likely win the Vezina for 2015-16, his second full season as the No. 1goalie. He tied Martin Brodeur’s record for most wins in a season — in 12 fewer games. Honourable mention: F Johnny Gaudreau, Flames, 2011. Best Leaf: D Petter Granberg FIFTH ROUND: F Brendan Gallagher, Canadiens, 2010. 2015-16 stats: 19 goals, 21 assists, 40 points, plus-3.
The Little Leprechaun is the glue that keeps Montreal rolling, a consistent performer over his first four years in the NHL. Small in stature, big in heart. His absence due to injury was almost as important as Carey Price’s. Honourable mention: G Kristers Gudlevskis, Lightning, 2013. Best Leaf: D Greg Pateryn, 2008. SIXTH ROUND: F Mark Stone, Senators, 2010. 2015-16 stats: 23 goals, 38 assists, 61 points, minus-4.
Two full years in the NHL and two 20-goal seasons is a terrific start to a career. The Senators only had four picks in 2010 and Stone is the only one who has made it. A top-six forward from the sixth round is the definition of a steal. Honourable mention: F Joseph Blandisi, Avalanche, 2012. Best Leaf: F Connor Brown, 2012. SEVENTH ROUND: G Frederik Andersen, Hurricanes, 2010. 2015-16 stats: 22-9-4, 2.30, .919.
Never signed in Carolina and was drafted again two years later by Anaheim. Now he’s hit big money with the Maple Leafs. Honourable mention: D Jason Demers, Sharks, 2008. Best Leaf: F Andreas Johnson, 2013. For a full list of the best picks from every round of the last decade of the NHL draft, visit thestar.com/breakaway.