It’s one thing to make the NHL without being drafted. It’s another entirely to thrive, even dominate, as an individual who never heard his name called at an NHL draft.
A few impressive up-and-comers are slightly too young and haven’t proven enough to make the top five best active undrafted players, such as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Bobby McMann, but it’s hard to argue about those who made the cut.
While only two of the selected players have had the honor of hoisting the Stanley Cup, each has significantly impacted proceedings since proving to their initial suitors they deserved a chance to show why they belong in the NHL. And the top player on the list was held out of his team’s lineup on Wednesday for roster management purposes, suggesting he could be traded soon.
Top 5 active undrafted NHL players
5. Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello
Not only does Mats Zuccarello have one of the best last names in hockey, but he’s also been a consistent offensive producer in his 16 years in the NHL. The Minnesota Wild right winger scores at a 0.77 points-per-game clip and enjoyed his best season in 2021-22, where he notched 79 points (24 goals, 55 assists) in 70 games.
He’s played for three teams: the New York Rangers, the Dallas Stars and the Wild. And while his chances are waning, the 38-year-old still hopes to win his first Stanley Cup.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev
Chris Tanev is one of the most effective defensive defensemen in the league. He blocks shots more often than Connor McDavid scores points and is one of the most underrated and unheralded individuals.
He has a thankless job but is highly regarded by current and former teammates for his dogged on-ice determination and off-ice leadership.
Tanev has suited up for four teams across his 16-year career, including the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs.
3. Nashville Predators right wing Jonathan Marchessault
While his tenure in Nashville hasn’t gone as intended, Jonathan Marchessault was the most influential driving force in propelling the Vegas Golden Knights to Stanley Cup glory in 2023.
The 35-year-old won the Conn Smythe Trophy, thanks to a hallmark final against the Florida Panthers in which he amassed eight points in five games, which included four goals in the opening three contests.
He finished the 2022-23 playoffs with 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 22 games.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning center Yanni Gourde
Known for his defensive qualities, Yanni Gourde became a household name when he played an influential role in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cup runs.
He raises his level in the post-season, a character trait that’s worth its weight in gold, or should I say Stanley silver. The 34-year-old has seven game-winning goals in six trips to the playoffs.
Gourde ranks fourth in scoring among undrafted players who have played this season, with 365 points (139 goals, 226 assists) in 653 games.
1. New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin
Artemi Panarin is the only active undrafted player who averages more than a point per game. The 34-year-old has 927 points (321 goals, 606 assists) in 804 games.
That’s 207 points more than Zuccarello, the second-highest scoring active undrafted player. Panarin won the Calder Trophy in 2015-16 when he played for the Chicago Blackhawks.
His future in the Big Apple is uncertain, considering he was a healthy scratch in the Rangers’ game against the New York Islanders on Wednesday and is a pending free agent the team doesn’t want to re-sign. One thing is clear, however: no other active undrafted player bakes quite as well as the ‘Breadman.’
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