Late Round Draft Picks That Became NHL Stars

Every NHL team dreams of finding the next Troy Terry or Jesper Bratt in the late rounds. These players were drafted low but became legit NHL stars. The best late round draft picks NHL history shows us that scouts often miss incredible talent. Players slip past early rounds due to size concerns, playing style, or simply developing later than expected. When a team nails a sixth or seventh round pick, it really changes their entire roster.

Why late-round picks become superstars

Skilled players fall to late rounds for several reasons scouts sometimes overlook. Size concerns hit smaller forwards hard Cameron Schmidt stands only 5'7" but possesses elite skating ability. Playing in less visible leagues also hurts prospects' draft positioning. Some players develop physicaly later, looking less impressive on draft day but blossoming years later.

Here's what makes successful late-round picks remarkable: less than 3% of players drafted after round three play 200 NHL games. That statistic means every late-round success story is genuinely special (honestly, those are crazy odds). Teams must identify what scouts miss hockey intelligence, work ethic, or hidden skill development potential. The players who break through tend to have something scouts undervalued, whether that's pure talent or determination.

Which teams find the best hidden gems

The Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild have proven themselves as late-round draft experts. Calgary targeted Ethan Wyttenbach in the fifth round of 2025, spotting size and skill potential others downplayed. Eric Jamieson and Hunter Laing, both sixth-round picks from 2024, fit Calgary's strategy of finding undervalued forwards.

These franchises share a common approach: they draft for specific traits rather than flashy statistics. Teams identify players with strong hockey sense, excellent skating ability, or size potential that might develop later. Minnesota focuses on finding players who excel in their systems, even if junior league numbers don't jump off the page.

Fans should watch how different organizations approach late-round strategy. Some teams chase skill above all else. Others prioritize character and work ethic. A few teams use analytics to spot underrated players in depth charts (it's actually pretty fascinating). By tracking these approaches, you'll start predicting which prospects actually develop into impact players.

The next time draft day rolls around, pay attention to rounds five through seven. That's where franchises find future roster cornerstones. Keep tabs on prospects drafted late by teams known for development success. Watch junior leagues, college hockey, and minor pro circuits where late-round picks develop. You might spot the next breakout star before national media catches on.