There were fails with the No. 1 Draft picks, but also there were a real gems picked in the late rounds. Let’s take a look at some NHL stars were selected deep in the NHL Draft.

Henrik Zetterberg - 210 overall in round 7 by Detroit Red Wings

The Swedish star and Detroit Red Wings captain was drafted in 1999 only in the seventh round 210 overall. Detroit traded many of their earlier 1999 Draft picks and was under criticism because of it, but they took a wonderful gem in the 7th round.

After being drafted Zetterberg played three more season in the Swedish Timrå IK and then moved to Detroit. In his rookie year (2002-2003) Henrik leaded all first-year players with 44 points (22+22) but didn’t won the Calder Memorial Trophy. He a a great results in the following seasons and became an NHL star very shortly. During his NHL career Zetterberg played 1082 games and scored 960 points (337+623), won the Stanley Cup with Detroit Red Wings in 2008, won the Conn Smythe Trophy, the NHL Foundation Player Award and King Clancy Trophy. Also he became a member of the Triple Gold Club as Olympic and World Champion (2006). A brilliant career for a player picked in the seventh round.

Henrik Lundqvist - 205 overall in round 7 by New York Rangers

The "King Henrik", one of the best goalies in the NHL history, was drafted only 205 overall in round 7 of 2000 NHL Draft, a year later than other Swede Henrik Zetterberg. Five more seasons Lundqvist played for Frölunda HC in the SHL before making his NHL debut in 2005. In his rookie season Henrik broke the Rangers rookie goaltending record of wins (30), was nominated to the Vezina Trophy and named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. After 13 NHL seasons he has 2.37 GAA and .919 SV% and 431 wins in 805 games (he’s the 12th player in league history to have 400 wins, the quickest one). Lundqvist is the only goaltender in NHL history to record 30 wins in each of his first seven seasons and to win at least 20 games in 13 consecutive season. Was nominated to the Vezina in his first 3 NHL seasons and won it in 2012. Olympic and World Champion. A diamond from the 7th round, but unfortunately still don’t have his name on the Stanley Cup.

Joe Pavelski - 205 overall in round 7 by San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks captain was drafted the same overall and round as Henrik Lundqvist (205 overall in round 7), but three years later, in 2003 and began his NHL career in the 2006-07 season scoring 10 points in first 12 games. The next season Joe Pavelski became a regular player of the San Jose Sharks and was one of the team’s leaders all the following seasons. In 888 NHL games he scored 697 points (317+380) but didn’t won any award, both personal or team. He’s a Silver Olympic medalist (Vancouver 2010, team USA) and Champion of the NCAA (2006) and the USHL (2004).

Pekka Rinne - 258 overall in round 8 by Nashville Predators

Finnsh goaltender Pekka Rinne was drafted No. 258 overall (Round 8) by Nashville Predators in 2004. His North American career began in 2005 with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL), and that season Rinne also played his first 2 NHL games for the Predators. But the No.1 goalie he became just in 2008-2009 season, played 52 games with 2.38 GAA, .917 SV% and 7 shutouts (a Predators franchise record). In February 2009 Rinne was named the NHL Rookie of the Month for his performances - 9 wins in 12 games with 1.72 GAA and 0.944 SV%. In his whole NHL career he noted 2.37 GAA, .919 SV% and 51 shutouts in 567 games, was nominated to personal NHL awards multiple times and won the Vezina Trophy in 2018.

Jamie Benn - 129 overall in round 5 by Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn wasn’t drafted as late as previous player we talked about - “just” 129 overall in the 5th round of the 2007 NHL Draft. Before the making his NHL debut in 2009, Benn played for the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL, in 2008-2009 season he lead the league in playoff assists (20), goals (13) and points (33) and became the WHL Champion. The next season he started to play in the NHL for the Dallas Stars and he’s a Star for 9 seasons already, five of them - as a captain. In 667 NHL games Benn scored 596 points (254+342) and won the Art Ross Trophy in 2015. Also he’s an Olympic Champion (Sochi 2014) and U20 World Champion (2009) with team Canada.

Braden Holtby - 93 overall in round 4 by Washington Capitals

Braden Holtby, the hero of the 2018 NHL Playoffs, was drafted 93 overall (round 4) in 2008. Two years later he played for the Capitals for the first time but in first two NHL seasons had only 21 regular season games, than he had an opportunity to play in the 2012 NHL Playoffs - in 14 games played Holtby had 1.95 GAA and .935 SV%. After his impressive performances in the Playoffs as a rookie he became the Capital’s No. 1 goalie. In 2016 he won the Vezina Trophy, in 2017 - the Jennings Trophy, and in 2018 became the Stanley Cup Champion with the Washington Capitals. In his NHL career in total Holtby had 2.41 GAA, .919 SV% and 32 shutouts in 361 games. Also he’s the World Cup Champion (2016, team Canada).

Johnny Gaudreau - 104 overall in round 4 by Calgary Flames

Johnny Gaudreau, or Johnny “Hockey”, the Calgary Flames offense leader, was drafted in 4th round 104 overall in 2011 (he was one of the shortest players at the Draft that year). After being drafted by Flames miniature forward played three years for the Boston College, became an NCAA star and in his last college year dominated in every category (80 points in 40 games, the highest production by any player in the country since 2003). Also in 2014 he won the Hobey Baker Award, awarded to the NCAA's top ice hockey player. The same day of receiving the Hobey Baker award he debuted in the NHL and scored his first NHL goal on his first shot. The next season Gaudreau continued his NHL career with the Flames and now, before the 5th NHL season he had 288 points (97+191) in 312 games. Johnny was a Calder Memorial Trophy finalist in his rookie year and won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2017, also he’s the U20 World Champion (2013, team USA).

Useful to note all these players didn’t changed their team and still play for ones they were drafted by. Of course, the 7 players you read about aren’t all active late-round steals in the NHL, we should mention the following players also:

Cam Atkinson - 157 overall in round 6 by Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008 NHL Draft (447 games, 273 points (145+128), NCAA Champion with the Boston College in 2010, World Championship Bronze Medalist with the team USA in 2018).
Anders Lee - 152 overall in round 6 by New York Islanders in 2009 NHL Draft (344 games, 207 points (124+83), USHL Clark Cup Champion with the Green Bay Gamblers in 2010 and 2-time World Championship Bronze Medalist with the team USA in 2015 and 2018).
Patric Hornqvist (Pittsburgh Penguins) - 230 overall in round 7 by Nashville Predators in 2005 NHL Draft (649 games, 411 points (203+208), 2-time Stanley Cup Champion in 2016 and 2017 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the World Champion with team Sweden in 2018).
Jaroslav Halák (Boston Bruins) - 271 overall in round 9 by Montréal Canadiens in 2003 NHL Draft (449 games, 2.50 GAA, .916 SV%, 42 SO, won the Jennings Trophy in 2012, U18 World Championship Silver Medalist with the team Slovakia in 2013).
Ryan Miller - 138 overall in round 5 by Anaheim Ducks in 1999 NHL Draft (737 games, 2.60 GAA, .915 SV%, 43 SO, won the Vezina Trophy and NHL Foundation Player Award in 2010, became Olympic Best Goaltender, Olympic MVP and Olympic Silver Medalist in 2010 with team USA).
Brian Elliott (Philadelphia Flyers) - 291 overall in round 9 by Ottawa Senators in 2003 NHL Draft (415 games, 2.45 GAA, .913 SV%, 37 SO, NCAA Champion with the University of Wisconsin in 2006, won the Jennings Trophy in 2012).
Dustin Byfuglien (Winnipeg Jets) - 245 overall in round 8 by Chicago Blackhawks in 2003 NHL Draft (827 games, 494 points (173+321), the Stanley Cup Champion with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010).

NHL / zetterberg

Active NHL Draft late-round gems

Active NHL Draft late-round gems

Active NHL Draft late-round gems