The Pittsburgh Penguins drafted Sidney Crosby first overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. The Canadian center had been highly regarded for years for his playmaking ability and innate hockey sense, not to mention his lethal scoring skills.
The Washington Capitals drafted Alex Ovechkin first overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. The Russian left winger had been watched closely during his time playing for Dynamo Moscow in the KHL and was so coveted that the Florida Panthers tried to sneakily draft him a year early despite age restrictions.