The Best NHL Prospects Drafted Outside the First Round in the Last Decade (And Where They Are Now)

The NHL Draft is where dreams are born and often broken. While first round picks hog the spotlight with high expectations and massive hype, the real gems are often unearthed much later. Scouting staffs that do their homework can find superstars hiding in the shadows of the second round or beyond. These hidden gems go on to redefine franchises, proving that talent evaluation is as much art as it is science.

In this deep dive, we explore some of the best NHL players drafted outside the first round since 2013. These are the names that slipped past every general manager at least once but carved out brilliant careers anyway. We will cover where they were picked, how they developed, and where they are now, along with some eye-popping stats. This is the ultimate list of late round NHL greatness.

1. Brayden Point – Tampa Bay Lightning, 3rd Round (79th Overall), 2014

Few players have turned heads like Brayden Point. Initially overlooked due to his smaller stature and late birthday, Point developed into one of the NHL’s best two way centers.

Career Highlights:

• 635 points in 657 regular season games (as of 2025)

• Back to back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021

• NHL Playoff scoring leader in 2020

Where He Is Now: Still a cornerstone for the Lightning, Point continues to post point per game seasons while playing massive minutes in all situations.

2. Kirill Kaprizov – Minnesota Wild, 5th Round (135th Overall), 2015

Kaprizov stayed overseas for years after being drafted, leading many to wonder if he would ever come over. When he did, he lit the NHL on fire.

Career Highlights:

• 2021 Calder Trophy winner

• First Wild player to reach 100 points in a season

Where He Is Now: Kaprizov is the Wild’s undisputed star and one of the most electrifying wingers in the league.

3. Jesper Bratt – New Jersey Devils, 6th Round (162nd Overall), 2016

Drafted as a long term project, Bratt made the Devils’ roster out of camp just a year after being picked.

Career Highlights:

• Career best 88 point season in 2024-25

• One of the top playmakers for a rising Devils core

Where He Is Now: Locked in long term with New Jersey, Bratt has blossomed into a consistent top line threat.

4. Jake Guentzel – Pittsburgh Penguins, 3rd Round (77th Overall), 2013

Guentzel quickly built chemistry with Sidney Crosby and made his playoff debut in 2017 one to remember.

Career Highlights:

• 21 points in 25 playoff games in 2017

• Stanley Cup Champion (2017)

• Multiple 40 goal seasons

Where He Is Now: After a trade to Carolina in 2024 and then to Tampa Bay, Guentzel is a top line winger and power play threat.

5. Devon Toews – New York Islanders, 4th Round (108th Overall), 2014

A defenseman with a smooth skating stride and excellent transition ability, Toews blossomed after being traded to Colorado.

Career Highlights:

• Stanley Cup Champion (2022)

• Regularly top 10 in defensive scoring

• Paired with Cale Makar to form an elite duo

Where He Is Now: Still anchoring Colorado’s top pair, Toews remains one of the NHL’s most efficient defenders.

6. Alex Debrincat – Chicago Blackhawks, 2nd Round (39th Overall), 2016

Knocked for his size, Debrincat was a scoring machine in junior but fell to the second round.

Career Highlights:

• Two 40 goal seasons

• Over 200 career goals before turning 27

Where He Is Now: After stints with Ottawa and Detroit, Debrincat remains a goal scoring fixture in the NHL.

7. Connor Hellebuyck – Winnipeg Jets, 5th Round (130th Overall), 2012

One of the biggest goalie steals in recent memory, Hellebuyck developed into a franchise backbone.

Career Highlights:

• 2020 Vezina Trophy winner

• Multiple 30+ win seasons

• Regular top 3 in save percentage and GAA

Where He Is Now: Still the Jets’ starting goaltender and a perennial Vezina candidate.

8. Troy Terry – Anaheim Ducks, 5th Round (148th Overall), 2015

Terry took time to adjust to the NHL but exploded with the rebuilding Ducks.

Career Highlights:

• 37 goals in 2021-22

• All Star selection in 2022

Where He Is Now: One of the bright spots in Anaheim’s young core, providing scoring and leadership.

9. Kevin Labanc – San Jose Sharks, 6th Round (171st Overall), 2014

Once viewed as a pure scorer, Labanc became a dependable top 6 contributor.

Career Highlights:

• 56 point breakout season in 2018-19

• Power play specialist

Where He Is Now: Veteran presence on a rebuilding San Jose team, still capable of secondary scoring.

10. Oliver Kylington – Calgary Flames, 2nd Round (60th Overall), 2015

Swedish defenseman Kylington took time to find consistency but eventually earned a top four role.

Career Highlights:

• Breakout 31 point season in 2021-22

• Excellent transition play and zone exits

Where He Is Now: After missing significant time for personal reasons, Kylington returned in 2024 and resumed a strong presence on Calgary’s blue line before being dealt to the Ducks.

Final Thoughts

The NHL draft is an imperfect science. For every top pick who becomes a legend, there are third, fifth, and even sixth rounders who become the heart of a franchise. These players prove that dedication, development, and determination can outweigh draft position.

If you are a hockey fan who loves the unpredictable side of the game, these stories are your proof that greatness can come from anywhere. And if you need an extra way to enjoy the next late round legend, check out Watch Hockey, Get Drunk from fallingwhalegames.com.