What Happened To Every #1 Pick From The 2000's

For all the rivalry between Ovi/Sid and the Caps/Pens, it's pretty remarkable that back to back #1 overall picks are going to end up easy Hall of Famers, Conn Smythe and Cup winners (yes, obviously Sid with 3 Cups)...but even more impressive both could be within the top 10 in total points all time when they retire (although Ovi might get eventually knocked out by McDavid down the road), with Ovechkin a shot at being #1 overall in goals, and Sid and outside chance at top 5 all time points depending on how long he plays. All this, and the #2 overall pick after Ovechkin in '04 was Malkin, Sid's teammate, who will likely end up in the top 20 in points all time, and surpass the 500 goal mark.

Insane amounts of talent coming up in the 00’s. So many legends

I think DiPietro wouldn't have been a bust if he could of stayed healthy. He played 4 full seasons, had 2 average and 2 above average on horrible teams. Mike Comrie, Jason Blake, and Trent Hunter/Oleg Kvasha were the top scorers in 3 of those seasons

The Dipietro situation is so interesting. He was making money from two different contracts with the Islanders for a few years: His playing contract (which he had reconstructed to something similar to what happened with Bobby Bonilla in baseball) and a media contract were both on the books for the Islanders.

well done mate, happy for some good nhl content in the offseason

Tavares hasnt even come close to being worth 11m for the leafs, maybe more like 5-6m

Feel bad for Dipietro.The whole franchise was a bust at the time. If he played for nyi under Trotz, who's system protects goalies his career may have been completely different.

"mostly struggling between the pipes" he says about team US's starting goalie at the Olympics(age 24), and started in the All star game in 08'.

Brooo what, Marc Andres into ovechkin into Crosby is insane how is that even possible

Atlanta would probably still have a team if Kovalchuck and Heatley played their careers in Atlanta

Brett Hull wasn’t American born but he represented the US in international play

It's crazy to think Oveckin is 40 goals away from breaking Gretzkys goal scoring record.. it's even crazier to think that he might have already accomplished this fest had it not been for the Two lockout seasons and the shortened Covid-19 season..

Looking at some of those names, damn. 2000-2010 was packed with HOF talent.

I find it interesting that almost all these guys have proven to be great at hockey. Yet in the NFL they seem to struggle getting draft picks right. It's almost like giving them a bit to develop let's them actually succeed

I think that fellow from the 2004 draft has built quite a legacy. Even pursuing a goals record......😊😊😊😊

That's a heck of a success rate! Tons of hall of famers in there!

Dipietro is the Bobby Bonilla of hockey

The parallels between Sid vs. Ovi and Gretz vs. Mario are uncanny, imo. Wayne and Sid: On the smaller end of the spectrum. Exceptionally gifted playmakers with a ridiculously high hockey IQ. Not the flashiest of players, but did well to elevate everyone on the ice with them, and reliably get the puck in the opposing net. Type of player you want to build a team around. Mario and Ovi: Human highlight reels who had no right to be that talented for men of their size. Handed out assists like candy on Halloween. Didn't elevate their teammates quite like Wayne or Sid, but could take the puck 1 on 5 and bury it. Type of player who will put all the butts in all the seats.

Needed to have that pic of Tavares as a kid in his Maple Leafs pajamas sitting on his bed with Leafs sheets...

To your average fan EJ is just a decent d man but for Avs fans hes a legend, we dont win the cup without his steady presence and leadership.