With the 2013 NHL Entry Draft this weekend, Skate in the Crease has decided to look at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, and has claimed it to be the best draft in the past twenty-five years—at least, for now. Compiling the stats, the awards, championships won, and individual achievements ultimately show just how far along the 2003 draft picks have come, and how far they still have to go to reach the level of other historic drafts. The 2003 draft picks at this point in their careers are just hitting their primes, and the stats and accolades back it up.
First Round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft
1. Marc Andre Fleury Pittsburgh Penguins Goaltender
2. Eric Staal Carolina Hurricanes Center
3. Nathan Horton Florida Panthers Right Wing
4. Nikolai Zherdev Columbus Blue Jackets Right Wing
5. Thomas Vanek Buffalo Sabres Left Wing
6. Milan Michalek San Jose Sharks Left Wing
7. Ryan Suter Nashville Predators Defenseman
8. Braydon Coburn Atlanta Thrashers Defenseman
9. Dion Phaneuf Calgary Flames Defenseman
10. Andrei Kostitsyn Montreal Canadiens Right Wing
11. Jeff Carter Philadelphia Flyers Center
12. Hugh Jessiman New York Rangers Right Wing
13. Dustin Brown Los Angeles Kings Right Wing
14. Brent Seabrook Chicago Blackhawks Defenseman
15. Robert Nilsson New York Islanders Right Wing
16. Steve Bernier San Jose Sharks Right Wing
17. Zach Parise New Jersey Devils Center
18. Eric Fehr Washington Capitals Right Wing
19. Ryan Getzlaf Anaheim Ducks Center
20. Brent Burns Minnesota Wild Right Wing
21. Mark Stuart Boston Bruins Defenseman
22. Marc-Antoine Pouliot Edmonton Oilers Center
23. Ryan Kesler Vancouver Canucks Center
24. Mike Richards Philadelphia Flyers Center
25. Anthony Stewart Florida Pnathers Right Wing
26. Brian Boyle Los Angeles Kings Center
27. Jeff Tambellini Los Angeles Kings Left Wing
28. Corey Perry Anaheim Ducks Right Wing
29. Patrick Eaves Ottawa Senators Right Wing
30. Shawn Belle St. Louis Blues Defenseman
1. Marc Andre Fleury Pittsburgh Penguins Goaltender
2. Eric Staal Carolina Hurricanes Center
3. Nathan Horton Florida Panthers Right Wing
4. Nikolai Zherdev Columbus Blue Jackets Right Wing
5. Thomas Vanek Buffalo Sabres Left Wing
6. Milan Michalek San Jose Sharks Left Wing
7. Ryan Suter Nashville Predators Defenseman
8. Braydon Coburn Atlanta Thrashers Defenseman
9. Dion Phaneuf Calgary Flames Defenseman
10. Andrei Kostitsyn Montreal Canadiens Right Wing
11. Jeff Carter Philadelphia Flyers Center
12. Hugh Jessiman New York Rangers Right Wing
13. Dustin Brown Los Angeles Kings Right Wing
14. Brent Seabrook Chicago Blackhawks Defenseman
15. Robert Nilsson New York Islanders Right Wing
16. Steve Bernier San Jose Sharks Right Wing
17. Zach Parise New Jersey Devils Center
18. Eric Fehr Washington Capitals Right Wing
19. Ryan Getzlaf Anaheim Ducks Center
20. Brent Burns Minnesota Wild Right Wing
21. Mark Stuart Boston Bruins Defenseman
22. Marc-Antoine Pouliot Edmonton Oilers Center
23. Ryan Kesler Vancouver Canucks Center
24. Mike Richards Philadelphia Flyers Center
25. Anthony Stewart Florida Pnathers Right Wing
26. Brian Boyle Los Angeles Kings Center
27. Jeff Tambellini Los Angeles Kings Left Wing
28. Corey Perry Anaheim Ducks Right Wing
29. Patrick Eaves Ottawa Senators Right Wing
30. Shawn Belle St. Louis Blues Defenseman
If we take a look at some of the notable names from the first round, and some of the underrated picks later on, this is what we get:
Credentials:
Marc Andre Fleury- Stanley Cup (2009), Olympic Gold, NHL All-Star.
Eric Staal- Stanley Cup (2006), Olympic Gold, 4-time NHL All-Star, 268 goals so far.
Nathan Horton- Stanley Cup (2011)
Thomas Vanek- NHL All-Star, 250 goals so far.
Milan Michalek- NHL All Star, 170 goals so far.
Ryan Suter- Norris Trophy Finalist (2013), Olympic Silver, NHL All-Star
Dion Phaneuf- 3-time NHL All-Star, Calder Trophy Finalist, Norris Trophy Finalist (2008), 340 points so far.
Jeff Carter- 2-time Stanley Cup (2012), (2014), Olympic Gold (2014) NHL All Star, 228 goals so far.
Dustin Brown- 2-time Stanley Cup (2012, (2014), Olympic Silver, NHL All-Star.
Brent Seabrook- Two-time Stanley Cup winner, Olympic Gold, 246 points so far.
Zach Parise- Olympic Silver, NHL All-Star, 212 goals so far.
Ryan Getzlaf- Stanley Cup (2007), Olympic Gold, two-time NHL All-Star, 369 assists so far.
Brent Burns- NHL All-Star,240 points so far.
Ryan Kesler- Olympic Silver, NHL All-Star, Selke Trophy winner, Selke Trophy finalist (2009).
Mike Richards- 2- time Stanley Cup champion (2012), (2014), Olympic Gold (2010), NHL All-Star, Selke Trophy finalist (2009), 425 points so far.
Corey Perry- Stanley Cup champion (2007), 2-time Olympic Gold (2010) (2014), 3-time NHL All-Star, Maurice Richard Trophy, Hart Trophy (2011), 465 points so far.
Loui Eriksson- NHL All-Star game, 150 goals so far.
Patrice Bergeron- Stanley Cup, 2-time Olympic Gold (2010, 2014), Selke Trophy (2012), King Clancy Memorial Trophy (2012), 280 assists so far.
Shea Weber- 2-time Olympic Gold (2010) (2014), 3-time NHL All-Star, Norris Trophy Finalist (2011
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Credentials:
Marc Andre Fleury- Stanley Cup (2009), Olympic Gold, NHL All-Star.
Eric Staal- Stanley Cup (2006), Olympic Gold, 4-time NHL All-Star, 268 goals so far.
Nathan Horton- Stanley Cup (2011)
Thomas Vanek- NHL All-Star, 250 goals so far.
Milan Michalek- NHL All Star, 170 goals so far.
Ryan Suter- Norris Trophy Finalist (2013), Olympic Silver, NHL All-Star
Dion Phaneuf- 3-time NHL All-Star, Calder Trophy Finalist, Norris Trophy Finalist (2008), 340 points so far.
Jeff Carter- 2-time Stanley Cup (2012), (2014), Olympic Gold (2014) NHL All Star, 228 goals so far.
Dustin Brown- 2-time Stanley Cup (2012, (2014), Olympic Silver, NHL All-Star.
Brent Seabrook- Two-time Stanley Cup winner, Olympic Gold, 246 points so far.
Zach Parise- Olympic Silver, NHL All-Star, 212 goals so far.
Ryan Getzlaf- Stanley Cup (2007), Olympic Gold, two-time NHL All-Star, 369 assists so far.
Brent Burns- NHL All-Star,240 points so far.
Ryan Kesler- Olympic Silver, NHL All-Star, Selke Trophy winner, Selke Trophy finalist (2009).
Mike Richards- 2- time Stanley Cup champion (2012), (2014), Olympic Gold (2010), NHL All-Star, Selke Trophy finalist (2009), 425 points so far.
Corey Perry- Stanley Cup champion (2007), 2-time Olympic Gold (2010) (2014), 3-time NHL All-Star, Maurice Richard Trophy, Hart Trophy (2011), 465 points so far.
Loui Eriksson- NHL All-Star game, 150 goals so far.
Patrice Bergeron- Stanley Cup, 2-time Olympic Gold (2010, 2014), Selke Trophy (2012), King Clancy Memorial Trophy (2012), 280 assists so far.
Shea Weber- 2-time Olympic Gold (2010) (2014), 3-time NHL All-Star, Norris Trophy Finalist (2011
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Now obviously an argument can be made when looking at individual draft picks throughout the past twenty-five years. However, when we look at the overall picture and landscape of the entire draft and how successful the draft class has been—the 2003 NHL Entry Draft class is by far the best.
For instance, check out the accolades of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft class with big names like Modano, Roenick, and Selanne. (Seriously, dude—never retire.)
1988 NHL Entry Draft
Mike Modano- Stanley Cup, 7-time NHL All-Star, Olympic Silver, 561 goals, 1374 points.
Trevor Linden- Two-time NHL All-Star, King Clancy Memorial Trophy (1997), 867 points.
Jeremy Roenick- 9-time NHL All-Star, Olympic Silver, 513 goals, 1216 points.
Rod Brind’Amour- Stanley Cup, Two-time Selke Trophy winner, NHL All-Star, 452 goals.
Teemu Selanne- Stanley Cup, Olympic Silver, two-time Olympic Bronze, ten-time NHL All-Star, Calder Trophy (1993), Maurice Richard Trophy (1999), Bill Masteron Trophy (2006), 675 goals, 1430 points.
Mark Recchi- Three-time Stanley Cup winner, seven-time NHL All-Star, 577 goals, 1533 points.
Tony Amonte- Olympic Silver, five-time NHL All-Star, 900 points.
Rob Blake- Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold, six-time NHL All-Star, Norris Trophy (1998), 777 points.
Alex Mogilny- Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold, five-time NHL All-Star, 473 goals.
Valeri Kamensky- Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold, Olympic Silver, NHL All-Star, 200 goals.
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As mentioned before, things can change. The 2004, 2005, and 2006 drafts could change because of such guys like Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Toews, etc. But once again, the overall picture of the 2003 draft class could end up eclipsing even the 1988 draft class. It’s just another reminder that come draft weekend, NHL teams are taking a tremendous risk for their franchises’ futures--sometimes you get Rob Blake, and other times you get Hugh Jessiman.
For instance, check out the accolades of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft class with big names like Modano, Roenick, and Selanne. (Seriously, dude—never retire.)
1988 NHL Entry Draft
Mike Modano- Stanley Cup, 7-time NHL All-Star, Olympic Silver, 561 goals, 1374 points.
Trevor Linden- Two-time NHL All-Star, King Clancy Memorial Trophy (1997), 867 points.
Jeremy Roenick- 9-time NHL All-Star, Olympic Silver, 513 goals, 1216 points.
Rod Brind’Amour- Stanley Cup, Two-time Selke Trophy winner, NHL All-Star, 452 goals.
Teemu Selanne- Stanley Cup, Olympic Silver, two-time Olympic Bronze, ten-time NHL All-Star, Calder Trophy (1993), Maurice Richard Trophy (1999), Bill Masteron Trophy (2006), 675 goals, 1430 points.
Mark Recchi- Three-time Stanley Cup winner, seven-time NHL All-Star, 577 goals, 1533 points.
Tony Amonte- Olympic Silver, five-time NHL All-Star, 900 points.
Rob Blake- Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold, six-time NHL All-Star, Norris Trophy (1998), 777 points.
Alex Mogilny- Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold, five-time NHL All-Star, 473 goals.
Valeri Kamensky- Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold, Olympic Silver, NHL All-Star, 200 goals.
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As mentioned before, things can change. The 2004, 2005, and 2006 drafts could change because of such guys like Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Toews, etc. But once again, the overall picture of the 2003 draft class could end up eclipsing even the 1988 draft class. It’s just another reminder that come draft weekend, NHL teams are taking a tremendous risk for their franchises’ futures--sometimes you get Rob Blake, and other times you get Hugh Jessiman.