As far as famous draft classes go in pro sports, the NFL’s QB class of 1983 likely takes top spot.
We don’t need to elaborate on the contributions that hall of famers John Elway, Jim Kelly, and Dan Marino made to their respective teams, the Denver Broncos (who acquired Elway’s rights from the Baltimore Colts), the Buffalo Bills, and the Miami Dolphins.
Lesser-known QB Tony Eason led the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl and Ken O’Brien had a solid stint with the New York Jets as well.
The NHL saw its own version of that QB class some 20 years later when a number of serviceable players were selected in 2003.
While it is common to see many first-rounders go bust, the 2003 draft not only has players who are still with their team but contributing significantly as well.
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was the top-pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins and was a key figure in the Pens’ run to two straight Stanley Cup finals.
Second overall Eric Staal has been one of the Carolina Hurricanes’ best players post the NHL lockout.
Austria’s Thomas Vanek, selected fifth overall, has already had two 40-goal seasons in his short professional career.
Canadian defenseman Dion Phaneuf, selected ninth overall, was a menace to opposing players at the 2005 World Junior Hockey championship and has carried his hardnosed play in the NHL with the Calgary Flames. He also scored 20 goals in his rookie season.
Selected 11th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers, center Jeff Carter had a break out season this year with 46 goals and 84 points while team captain Mike Richards, taken 13 picks later, was equally impressive in 2008–09 with 80points.
Taken 17th overall, New Jersey Devils left wing Zach Parise deserves Hart Trophy consideration after his 45-goal, 94-point season.
Like the Flyers, the then-Mighty Ducks of Anaheim had two first-round picks (19 and 28) and cashed in with both, selecting C Ryan Getzlaf and winger Corey Perry. Just ask the San Jose Sharks what that dynamic duo can do.
Of the 30 first-round picks from 2003, 27 played in at least 55 games this past season,
That is a terrific percentage of players that made it, especially when compared to the class from the following draft (2004), where only 12 played in 55-plus games this past season.
Class of 2009
The pressure will be on the New York Islanders in a few weeks’ time when the 2009 entry draft takes place.
The team finished dead last out of the league’s 30 teams and is having trouble receiving approval for coliseum renovations, so making the right pick will be of paramount importance for their future.
Will this year’s draft crop bear as much fruit as 2003?
As it stands, the NHL’s Central Scouting service has center John Tavares, of the OHL’s London Knights, listed as the top North American skater while defenseman Victor Hedman, of Swedish Elite League team MoDo, headlines the European skaters.
Tavares put up some great numbers with 58 goals and 46 assists for 104 points this past season, and while he does have decent size at 6’0”, 198 pounds, it’s not considered a strength of his.
Size isn’t a problem for Hedman, at 6’6” 220 lbs, but he’s not known for his offensive skills. Hedman had 7 goals and 14 assists in 43 games this past year. He is a very smooth skater for a kid so big.
Listed No. 2 among domestic skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s list, Brampton Battalion center Matt Duchene looks like he has a lot of promise with 79 points in 57 regular season games, complemented with 26 points in 21 playoff games.
Just behind Duchene on Central Scouting’s North American list, Evander Kane of the Vancouver Giants is developing into a “power forward type,” according to TSN analyst Bob McKenzie, with 96-points in 61 games, an astounding +/- rating of 51, and 89 penalty minutes.
But if Kane wants to be taken seriously as a power forward in the NHL he’ll have to add some more bulk to his 5’11” 160-pound frame.
Although it will be a number of years before this year’s crop can truly be evaluated, it’s unlikely that it’ll top the draft class of 2003. A lot of the prospects are undersized by NHL standards and will have a lot of growing up to do both mentally and physically.
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