No. 1 Picks of the NHL Draft

The Oilers chose Taylor over Tyler (Seguin) in a draft that had two players worthy of being selected first overall. Hall, 18, won back-to-back Memorial Cups with the Windsor Spitfires, taking home MVP honors both times. He is the fourth straight Ontario Hockey League player chosen with the No. 1 pick.No. 2: Tyler Seguin, C, Bruins

The New York Islanders kept everyone guessing, including Tavares himself, right up until they made him the No. 1 pick. Tavares, 18, led the Ontario Hockey League with 58 goals his final season before the draft and broke Peter Lee's 33-year-old league record of 213 career goals. Tavares scored 24 goals (11 on the power play) and 54 points in his rookie season with Isles. No. 2: Victor Hedman, D, Lightning

After a rocky start with a team in turmoil, the much-hyped Stamkos finished the 2008-09 season strong (23 goals) and restored confidence that he could become the high-scoring two-way center many expected. In his sophomore season, Stamkos tied 2005 No. 1 overall pick Sidney Crosby for the league lead in goals with 51 (24 on the power play) and finished the year with 94 points, earning status as an elite forward in the NHL.No. 2: Drew Doughty, D, Kings

One of the Blackhawks' talented young pillars, along with center Jonathan Toews, Kane won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year and graced the cover of EA Sports NHL 2010. At 21 years old, Kane was the youngest member of the 2010 U.S. Olympic hockey team, winning a silver medal while scoring 3 goals and 2 assists in 6 games. Kane finished the 2009-10 NHL season with a career-high 30 goals and 58 assists, and his 10 goals and 28 points in 22 playoff games were an integral part of the Blackhawks winning their first Stanley Cup in 49 years.No 2: James van Riemsdyk, LW, Flyers

Highly-touted as a cornerstone of the Blues' youth movement, the swift-skating, physical, edgy blueliner had been plagued by injuries and missed all of the 2008-09 season after knee surgery. Johnson managed to play in 79 games during the 2009-10 season, scoring 10 goals (six on the power play) and 29 assists. He was also a member of the silver medal-winning U.S. Olympic hockey team in 2010, second youngest on the team at age 21, just eight months older than teammate Patrick Kane. No. 2: Jordan Staal, C, PenguinsNotables: Jonathan Toews, C, Blackhawks (3) Nicklas Backstrom, C, Capitals (4) Phil Kessel, C, Bruins (5)

The 21-year-old captain of the 2008-09 Stanley Cup champions steadily fulfilled his immense promise in only four seasons, winning a scoring title and a Hart Trophy (MVP) in the process. Sid the Kid also managed to score the game-winning goal in overtime of Canada's gold-medal game against the U.S. during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Crosby finished the 2009-10 season with a career-high 51 goals, tying Steven Stamkos for the league lead.No. 2: Bobby Ryan, RW, DucksNotables: Carey Price, G, Canadiens (5) Marc Staal, D, Rangers (12)

Arguably the NHL's best player (he won the 2009 Hart and Pearson MVP awards), the electrifying showman at the very least owns the title of the league's most deadly and dynamic goal-scorer.No. 2: Evgeni Malkin, C, PenguinsNotables: Cam Barker, D, Blackhawks (3)Wojtek Wolski, LW, Avalanche (21)

Though unnervingly erratic at times, Fleury proved his mettle during the Penguins' run to the 2009 Stanley Cup, especially during the thrilling seven-game final vs. Detroit.No. 2: Eric Staal, C, HurricanesNotables: Dion Phaneuf, D, Flames (9)Zach Parise, C, Devils (17)Ryan Getzlaf, C, Ducks (19)

Still only 25, Nash has been slow to deliver on the promise of his league-leading 41-goal season of 2003-04, but his 40-goal, 79-point, 11 campaign of 2008-09 was instrumental in the Blue Jackets reaching the playoffs for the first time in their history.No. 2: Kari Lehtonen. G, ThrashersNotables: Jay Bouwmeester, D, Panthers (3)Alexander Semin, LW, Capitals (13)Cam Ward, G, Hurricanes (25)

A three-time All-Star, the speedy Kovalchuk is one of the league's elite goal-scorers, with two 50 seasons on his resume, one of which earned him the Rocket Richard Trophy.No. 2: Jason Spezza, C, SenatorsNotables: Mike Komisarek, D, Canadiens (7)

The first goaltender ever drafted No. 1 overall, DiPietro has shown flashes of brilliance while battling chronic hip and knee injuries that have called his 15-year contract with the Islanders into question.No. 2: Dany Heatley, RW, ThrashersNotables: Marian Gaborik, RW, Wild (3) Brooks Orpik, D, Penguins (18)

The big Czech forward failed to live up to his promise, playing a soft game and never scoring more than 14 goals or 40 points in a season for the Thrashers and Dallas Stars. He was last seen in the Swiss-A league.No. 2: Daniel Sedin, LW, CanucksNotables: Henrik Sedin, C, Canucks (3)

Tampa Bay's classy captain led the team to the Stanley Cup in 2003-04 and now holds the franchise career records for goals (273) and points (602). Lecavalier won the Rocket Richard Trophy by scoring 52 goals in 2006-07.No. 2: David Legwand, C, PredatorsNotables: Alex Tanguay, LW, Avalanche (12) Simon Gagne, LW, Flyers (22) Scott Gomez, C, Devils (27) Brad Richards, C, Lightning (64)

Now a pillar of the San Jose Sharks, Jumbo Joe is a six-time All-Star with immense talent (NHL's leading scorer and MVP in 2005-06), but a disconcerting reputation for coming up small in the postseason.No. 2: Patrick Marleau, C, SharksNotables: Roberto Luongo, G, Islanders (4) Marian Hossa, RW, Senators (12)

Has been a reliable if unspectacular defensive blueliner for 11 seasons in Ottawa. No. 2: Andrei Zyuzin, D, SharksNotables:J-S Giguere, G, Whalers (15) Zdeno Chara, D, Islanders (56)

Traded to the Islanders for the rights to Wade Redden, the swift, offensive-minded Berard beat out Jarome Iginla for the Calder Trophy, but had his career derailed by a serious eye injury in 2000. Returning with limited vision in 2001, Berard played for five teams before heading to Russia's KHL.No. 2: Wade Redden, D, IslandersNotables: Jarome Iginla, RW, Stars (11)

The five-time All-Star has had a solid 13-year career as a rugged blueliner with offensive firepower for Florida, Vancouver and Phoenix.No. 2: Oleg Tverdovsky, D, DucksNotables: Ryan Smyth, LW, Oilers (5) Patrik Elias, C, Devils (51) Chris Drury, C, Nordiques (72)

Daigle's speed and scoring potential most often produced frustration (he never topped 26 goals or 51 points in a season) on the part of the seven teams that employed him during his 10-year NHL career. No. 2: Chris Pronger, D, WhalersNotables: Paul Kariya, LW, Ducks Todd Bertuzzi, RW, Islanders (23)

Blessed with great skating ability and a blistering point shot, Hamrlik has been a valuable defenseman for five NHL teams, though never an elite cornerstone, as one might expect from a No 1 overall pick. No. 2: Alexei Yashin, C, SenatorsNotables: Darius Kasparaitis, D, Islanders (5) Sergei Gonchar, D, Capitals (14)

Dubbed The Next One, Lindros famously forced a trade to Philadelphia where he became captain, the pivot on the legendary Legion of Doom line, and the 1994-95 Hart Trophy-winner. His 13-season career was diminished and ultimately ended by a series of concussions. No. 2: Pat Falloon, RW, SharksNotables: Scott Niedermayer, D, Devils (3) Peter Forsberg, C, Flyers (6) Markus Naslund, LW, Penguins (16)

Nolan has been a respected leader for seven NHL teams while occasionally producing a 30- or 40-goal campaign. In 2008-09, his 17th NHL season, the rugged power forward scored 25 goals and 45 points for the Minnesota Wild at the ripe old age of 37.No. 2: Petr Nedved, C, CanucksNotables: Jaromir Jagr, RW, Penguins (5) Keith Tkachuk, LW, Jets (9)

The first European player ever chosen first overall, the slick Swede was traded to Toronto in 1994 and became the Maple Leafs' captain as well as their all-time leading scorer. The 10-time All-Star just concluded his 18th NHL season, with Vancouver, and is a surefire Hall of Famer.No. 2: Dave Chyzowski, LW, IslandersNotables: Bill Guerin, RW, Devils (5)Olaf Kolzig, G, Capitals (19)Nicklas Lidstrom, D, Red Wings (53)Pavel Bure, RW, Canucks (113)

The Hall of Fame awaits the all-time leading scorer among American-born players. A formidable package of speed, skill and size, the seven-time All-Star led the Dallas Stars to the Stanley Cup in 1999 and is expected back in 2009-10 for his 20th NHL season.No. 2: Trevor Linden, RW, CanucksNotables: Jeremy Roenick, C, Blackhawks (8)Rod Brind'Amour, C, Blues (9)Teemu Selanne, RW, Jets (10)

The classy, gifted pivot spent 19 seasons with six teams, playing in four All-Star Games, winning the 1993 Lady Byng Trophy for gentlemanly play, and occasionally having big offensive seasons, such as his 132-point campaign in 1992-93 for the Islanders, to whom he was traded for future Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine.No. 2: Brendan Shanahan, LW, DevilsNotables: Joe Sakic, C, Nordiques (15)

A disappointment in Detroit, Murphy skated on a Stanley Cup-winner in Edmonton in 1989-90, and had his peak season with the Oilers (35 goals in 1991-92). In all, though, his was a journeyman's career: 528 total points for seven teams over 14 seasons.No. 2: Jimmy Carson, C, KingsNotables: Brian Leetch, D, Rangers (9)

One of the most revered Leafs, the aggressive, roughneck Clark scored 34 goals (with 227 PIM) as a rookie and was edged for the Calder by Flames defenseman Gary Suter. Clark later attained the Leafs' captaincy, but was plagued by injuries and traded to Quebec for Mats Sundin in 1994. Clark retired in 2000, having scored 330 goals for six teams.No. 2: Craig Simpson, LW, PenguinsNotables: Joe Nieuwendyk, C, Flames (27) Mike Richter, G, Rangers (28)

Super Mario lived up to his nickname by winning the Calder, six scoring titles, seven MVP awards, and two Conn Smythes while leading the Penguins to two Stanley Cups. His career would have been even more spectacular had he not been slowed by cancer and a back injury, but he was still good enough for the Hall of Fame.No. 2: Kirk Muller, LW, DevilsNotables: Patrick Roy, G, Canadiens (51)