The New Jersey Devils’ No. 1 overall selection from 2017, Nico Hischier didn’t disappoint Jersey’s team last season. However, one commendable rookie season is just one minor accomplishment and the expectations are higher than ever for Hischier in 2019.
For starters, ESNY reflects back on a list of every No. 1 overall selection since 2004.
2004 Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin
2005 Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby
2006 St. Louis Blues Erik Johnson
2007 Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane
2008 Tampa Bay Lightning Steven Stamkos
2009 New York Islanders John Tavares
2010 Edmonton Oilers Taylor Hall
2011 Edmonton Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
2012 Edmonton Oilers Nail Yakupov
2013 Colorado Avalanche Nathan MacKinnon
2014 Florida Panthers Aaron Ekblad
2015 Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid
2016 Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews
2017 New Jersey Devils Nico Hischier
2018 Buffalo Sabres Rasmus Dahlin
A majority of the names listed above should sound familiar to NHL fans alike, especially the 2010 draft pick who won the 2018 Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable player.