The draft lottery is coming up, and there is one player the contenders will likely have their heart set on.
The Gavin McKenna draft odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook carry an implied probability of 77.8% that he’ll be selected first overall.
While many No. 1 picks turn into franchise players, even generational talents, there are a select few whose careers never take off. Let’s look at which players represent the worst first overall draft picks in NHL history.
Worst No. 1 Draft Picks in NHL History
6. Alexandre Daigle (1993 – Ottawa Senators)
Over his 13-year career, Alexandre Daigle notched 327 points (129 goals, 198 assists) in 616 games for six teams, 172 of which with the Ottawa Senators.
Daigle made 12 playoff appearances, seven with the Senators and five with the Philadelphia Flyers, registering only two assists. He never played a game in the second round of the postseason or beyond.
5. Garry Monahan (1963 – Montreal Canadiens)
Garry Monahan was the first No. 1 draft pick, selected by the Montreal Canadiens in 1963. While Monahan was the first, he was far from the best.
The left winger scored 285 points (116 goals, 169 assists) in 748 games for five teams. He never had a 20-goal season and made just 22 playoff appearances in his 12-year career.
He scored just four points (3 goals, 1 assist) and never advanced past the first round.
4. Brian Lawton (1983 – Minnesota North Stars)
Brian Lawton played for six teams during his 10-year career, finishing with 266 points (112 goals, 154 assists) in 483 games.
He scored 21 goals in 1986-87 with the Minnesota North Stars, a career high. Like the other first overall duds, Lawton had absolutely no impact in the postseason, making 12 appearances and notching just two points (one goal, one assist).
He never advanced beyond the opening round.
3. Greg Joly (1974 – Washington Capitals)
Greg Joly’s career spanned nine seasons, two with the Washington Capitals and seven with the Detroit Red Wings.
The defenceman scored 97 points (21 goals, 76 assists) in 365 games, netting a career high of eight goals in 1976.
He tasted postseason action just once, which lasted five games, with his Red Wings falling to the Canadiens in five games. Joly never registered a playoff point.
2. Patrik Stefan (1999 – Atlanta Thrashers)
Patrik Stefan played in seven seasons, six of which were with the Atlanta Thrashers. With just 188 points (64 goals, 124 assists) in 455 games, his career never took off, averaging .41 points per game.
He managed just 11 points in 41 games with the Dallas Stars in his final season as a pro. Stefan never stepped foot on the ice for a playoff game.
1. Nail Yakupov (2012 – Edmonton Oilers)
The Edmonton Oilers did not nail their 2012 first overall draft pick. Nail Yakupov represents the worst No. 1 pick in NHL history.
He scored 136 points (62 goals, 74 assists) in 350 games with three teams (Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche).
Yakupov never played a single playoff game, the nail in the coffin of his disappointing career.
Which Teams Have Never Had a No. 1 Draft Pick?
The following teams have never had a No. 1 draft pick: Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks, and the Vegas Golden Knights.
Which First Overall Draft Picks Never Played in the NHL?
Claude Gauthier (1964, Detroit Red Wings), André Veilleux (1965, New York Rangers), and Rick Pagnutti (1966, Los Angeles Kings) never played in the NHL.
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