Montreal Canadiens: Ranking Past 10 First Overall NHL Draft Picks

5. Jack Hughes

Another wire-to-wire clear first overall pick back in 2019 was Jack Hughes. Otherwise known as the guy who passed the puck to Cole Caufield as a teenager for the United States Development Program. The pair set a few records that season, but there was no question the two-way pivot was going first overall.

The Devils once again ended up with the first pick and didn’t surprise anyone by taking Hughes. He was a bit slender and struggled a little in his first NHL season, scoring just seven goals and 21 points in 61 games. He followed that up with 31 points in 56 games the next season.

Hughes really broke out in his third NHL season, as he just scored 26 goals and 56 points in 49 games this season. He also signed an eight year extension with a cap hit of $8 million per season.

Hughes is a smart, two-way player and a terrific setup man. He will combine with Hischier to form a tremendous one-two punch down the middle for the Devils for the next decade or so.

As good as he looked in Junior and as great as he was in his third season, it should be another cautionary tale that he was slow out of the gate. He had just 18 goals and 52 points combined in his first two seasons, showing whoever the Canadiens take first overall doesn’t have to lead the team in scoring in 2022-23.