#18 – Jonathan Toews, Drafted in 2006 by the Chicago Blackhawks

“But Lewis, Jonathan Toews has played over a thousand games, scored 852 points and won three Stanley Cups!”. Yeah, and? He loses all of those bonus points for being heavily involved in the sexual assault case in 2010. Also he has majorly fallen off in the last two years because of health issues making him an expensive centre who contributes little value. Used to be good, you can’t and shouldn’t rate him high anymore.  

#17 – Kirby Dach, Drafted in 2019 by the Chicago Blackhawks

This guy isn’t this far down because he is a former member of the Chicago Blackhawks Organisation. In his 152 NHL games played he has scored 19 goals, 40 assists and 71 penalty minutes. I think he has some potential, he was traded to the Habs at the ‘22 draft and I think the new environment (i.e. new organisation, new teammates and clarity on the rebuild situation) will help him to grow into a better player. He isn’t there yet though.

#16 – Logan Cooley, Drafted in 2022 by the Arizona Coyotes

“But Lewis, Logan Cooley hasn’t even played any NHL games yet! How is he rated higher than two players that have actually played games?”. It’s very simple, he looks a bit like Paul Dano, you know, the guy who played the Riddler in the latest Batman film. He also has great potential and was on a line with Leafs prospect Matthew Knies at the World Juniors so he gets extra points for that. 

#15 – Mason McTavish, Drafted in 2021 by the Anaheim Ducks

This is a player that has only played 9 NHL games but he has massive potential. He recently won a Gold medal at the World Junior Championships and was the tournament MVP and he went to the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022. High skill ceiling, huge potential, future Ducks star I reckon. I think all the evidence points to him being a better player than Dach.

#14 – Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Drafted in 2018 by the Montreál Canadiens

This is another player with more penalty minutes than points, however I think he has more potential, and clearly I am not the only one who thinks so after the Canes offer-sheeted him and signed him to a 4.82 x 8 contract. I think he can get to be a better player, especially since he is now playing with some of the NHL’s best, but he hasn’t reached it yet, which is a tad concerning considering he’s played 237 NHL games. We will have to see.

#13 – Dylan Strome, Drafted in 2015 by the Arizona Coyotes

Underwhelming. For someone who was drafted that high and over players like Marner, Rantanen, Barzal, Connor, Meier to name a few, he really hasn’t lived up to the position of #3 overall. It might have something to do with him being in the Chicago Blackhawks organisation for the majority of his time as an NHL player but he is coming off the best season in terms of goals so maybe there is time for a turnaround. Again, we will have to see (probably not though).

#12 – Kyle Turris, Drafted in 2007 by the Phoenix Coyotes

Turris has been on quite a few teams and has recently retired but he was a solid NHL player for the best part of 14 seasons. He was by no means an amazing player but he was good for a decent amount of points for a number of years before it fell quite a bit. Don’t think he quite lived up to his draft position though.

#11 – Jonathan Drouin, Drafted in 2013 by the Tampa Bay Lightning

Drouin was a great player for a number of seasons with the Lightning and the Habs but he has been riddled with injury. Who knows what he could’ve become if he wasn’t injured so much but that isn’t really fair to say. Considering how much he has dealt with over the years, he’s still over a half a point a game player. Great player, hope he gets back to where he was before.

#10 – Erik Gudbranson, Drafted in 2010 by the Florida Panthers

I believe it was Steve Dangle who said that some players are paid lots of money to do a particular job, and that job was to hit hard, be durable and be a massive nuisance on the ice. You can use this guy as the example as to why those players earn so much; Him and Ben Chiarot. In his third year in the league he had114 penalty minutes! He also has terrible +/- stats; in his 11 seasons he has been positive 4 times and neutral twice. At least you know what you’re buying?

#9 –  Jack Johnson, Drafted in 2005 by the Carolina Hurricanes

When The Hockey Guy did his video he said that throughout his career he was both overpaid and underpaid at different points; I guess that averages out so that he was correctly paid throughout? He’s only this high because of the length of his career, which is very impressive, 17 seasons long. Won a Stanley Cup too so bonus points for that.

#8 – Pierre-Luc Dubois, Drafted in 2016 by the Columbus Blue Jackets

From this draft class he is second in penalty minutes and sixth in points. However he does rank the highest in pain in the ass/60 (that is a real stat trust me). Have you seen that clip of him in Columbus after he said that he didn’t want to play for the Blue Jackets anymore? It’s terrible! I think he’s a decent player, but third overall is a bit too high for him, especially if you passed on Sergachev and Keller. Yeah, he’s this low because I think he’s an ass, deal with it.

#7 – Alex Galchenyuk, Drafted in 2012 by the Montreál Canadiens

Definitely did not live up to his draft position but he’s not a pain in the ass as much as Dubois. He was decent in Montreál but then he fell off quite a bit. He did play for the Leafs though so bonus points for that. I think the worst decision he made was not deciding to re-sign with the Leafs because he thought he deserved more and then signed for league minimum with the Coyotes. I think if he manages to find a team with decent players he could rebound but who knows.

#6 – Zach Bogosian, Drafted in 2008 by the Atlanta Thrashers

One of the most criminally underrated players of this generation in my opinion. A solid defenceman who has been on terrible teams. Did win a Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2020 and also played with the Leafs, so again, bonus points for that. I think he should be paid more.

#5 – Tim Stutzle, Drafted in 2020 by the Ottawa Senators

Considering he has only been on the Sens for two seasons he has been a top five player for both of them. He has also been on a terrible team for those two seasons so I’m sure that hasn’t helped him that much, and there’s those accusations of diving but he’s dynamic on the ice and fun to watch. Going to be great in a few years. Oh, and why is he this high? Funky name, obviously.

#4 – Matt Duchene, Drafted in 2009 by the Colorado Avalanche

This guy’s career has been more up and down than that proposed suicide rollercoaster by that Lithuanian guy. I think he would’ve made a great Kraken player, his departure from Colorado was extremely sad but I think he’s going to be a solid player for his remaining time in the NHL, wherever that is. He also put up a load of points last season in Nashville.

#3 – Leon Draisaitl, Drafted in 2014 by the Edmonton Oilers

Amazing player, amazing goal scorer, still the second best player on his team. Should be number one but he plays for the Oilers.

#2 – Miro Heiskanen, Drafted in 2017 by the Dallas Stars

Future Norris winning defenceman. Top three player on the Stars, it’s impossible to separate him, Robertson and Oettinger. There is literally nothing more to say apart from the Dallas Stars’ alternate jerseys are not that bad, and he makes them look better.

#1 – Jonathan Huberdeau, Drafted in 2011 by the Florida Panthers

I think the people who say that he is overrated have some valid opinions. I think the people who say he is underrated are also correct. Incredible season last season, set the record for the most points for a left winger but he was useless in the playoffs. Like completely useless! It was hard to decide which I had more personal feelings for, the hatred for the Oilers or the hatred of the French speakers, in the end, the French were somehow more favourable. I think he does better in Calgary.