🎯 Original List (by Draft Year)
- 2015 – Connor McDavid (EDM)
- 2016 – Auston Matthews (TOR)
- 2017 – Nico Hischier (NJD)
- 2018 – Rasmus Dahlin (BUF)
- 2019 – Jack Hughes (NJD)
- 2020 – Alexis Lafrenière (NYR)
- 2021 – Owen Power (BUF)
- 2022 – Juraj Slafkovský (MTL)
- 2023 – Connor Bedard (CHI)
- 2024 – Macklin Celebrini (SJS)
🔁 Re-Ranked: NHL #1 Picks (2015–2024)
1. Connor McDavid (2015) – Edmonton Oilers
- No-brainer. Best player in the world. Art Ross x5, Hart x2, over 900 points already. Only thing missing is a Cup, and he dragged Edmonton to a Final.
- 🔥 Generational doesn’t even begin to cover it.
2. Auston Matthews (2016) – Toronto Maple Leafs
- Rocket Richard x3, 60-goal season, elite two-way play. Toronto’s franchise cornerstone and a lethal scorer.
- 🧨 One of the greatest American-born goal scorers ever.
3. Jack Hughes (2019) – New Jersey Devils
- Took a couple years, but exploded offensively. 99 points in 2022–23, franchise centerpiece, elite edgework.
- 💫 Could be the best player on this list not named McDavid if he stays healthy.
4. Connor Bedard (2023) – Chicago Blackhawks
- Even with the injury-shortened rookie year, Bedard showed elite hands, vision, and release. Already producing at a high level on a bad team.
- 📈 Will rise higher. Superstar trajectory is obvious.
5. Rasmus Dahlin (2018) – Buffalo Sabres
- Top-tier, minute-munching defenseman. Elite puck mover and physical presence. 73 points in 2022–23.
- 🛡️ Still just scratching the surface of Norris-level potential.
6. Nico Hischier (2017) – New Jersey Devils
- Doesn’t blow up the scoresheet like others but is one of the best 200-foot centers in the league. Captain material, defensive beast.
- 🧱 Think Bergeron-lite — and that’s not a knock.
7. Owen Power (2021) – Buffalo Sabres
- Huge frame, smooth skater, 35+ points already as a young D. Still raw, but tools are there to be a true #1 blueliner.
- 🏗️ Projectable ceiling is still high — needs consistency.
8. Juraj Slafkovský (2022) – Montreal Canadiens
- Started slow, but had a strong sophomore year. Physical, big, tough to play against, and starting to put up points.
- 🧊 Could climb this list with a breakout season soon.
9. Macklin Celebrini (2024) – San Jose Sharks
- Too early to fairly judge, but all signs point to a high-end, NHL-ready center. Ripped up college, elite two-way IQ.
- ⌛ Stay tuned — he’ll rise quick if the Sharks don’t ruin him. In one more year he might be in the top 5.
10. Alexis Lafrenière (2020) – New York Rangers
- This hurts. Looked like a can’t-miss star — has improved, but still not what you want from a #1 overall. Bottom-six stretches and underwhelming numbers.
- 😬 Still young, but probably isn’t the elite force he was hyped to be.
The Morning Skate 