Revisiting the Disappointing 2019 NHL Draft 5 Years Later

The 2019 NHL Draft brought a diverse group of talent expected to lead the NHL for years to come. However, that was not the case, with many top draft picks struggling to cement roles in the NHL today.

While Jack Hughes, the first overall pick by the New Jersey Devils, has lived up to the hype, the rest of the draft was a disaster, at least for most teams. Today, five years later, Hughes leads the draft in goals (114), assists (167), points (281), and games played (306), with no other player coming close to his caliber.

Disaster in the Top 5

Outside of Hughes, the top five of the draft is an extreme disappointment. Kaapo Kakko was selected second by the New York Rangers and has 57 goals and 117 points in 300 NHL games. He has been benched in pivotal games of the 2023 and 2024 playoffs due to his performance, and many believe he could be traded this offseason. He is a strong defensive forward but with his incredibly disappointing offensive production, he has been a miss.