The 1999 NHL Entry Draft, held in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 26th, was initially touted as a potentially deep and talent-rich class. Expectations were high, with European players particularly highlighted as potential stars. However, looking back, it's widely considered to be one of the weakest drafts in NHL history.
One of the main reasons for this reputation is the high number of first-round busts. Of the 28 players selected in the first round, a significant portion failed to live up to expectations. Three never even played a single NHL game, and nine others played fewer than 80 career games. Only a handful became All-Stars, and just one had their name etched on the Stanley Cup, and that was late in his career.
Perhaps the most infamous example is Patrik Stefan, selected first overall by the Atlanta Thrashers. Stefan's career was marred by injuries and inconsistency, and he never became the dominant player many predicted. He played 455 games, scoring just 64 goals and 188 points, numbers far below what is expected of a top pick. He is often mentioned among the biggest draft busts in NHL history. Other first-round disappointments included Brian Finley (6th overall), Scott Kelman (15th overall), Luca Cereda (24th overall), and Ari Ahonen (27th overall), all of whom never made a significant impact in the NHL.
However, the 1999 draft wasn't a complete loss. The Vancouver Canucks struck gold by selecting twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin with the second and third overall picks, respectively. Both went on to have exceptional careers, each amassing over 1,000 points and earning numerous accolades. Henrik won the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Trophy in 2009-10, while Daniel captured the Art Ross and Ted Lindsay Award in 2010-11. The Sedins were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022 and were the clear bright spots of the draft.
Beyond the Sedins, a few other players from the 1999 draft class carved out successful NHL careers. Barret Jackman and Martin Havlat were also solid contributors. Furthermore, some later-round picks proved to be valuable finds. Henrik Zetterberg, selected 210th overall by the Detroit Red Wings, became a star player, winning the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy. Ryan Miller (138th overall) had a long and successful career as a goaltender, winning the Vezina Trophy in 2010. Craig Anderson (77th overall) also had a lengthy NHL career as a goaltender, retiring after the 2022-23 season. Radim Vrbata (212th overall) also proved to be a steal.
Despite these success stories, the 1999 NHL Entry Draft is still largely remembered for its misses rather than its hits. The high number of first-round busts, combined with the relatively small number of true stars produced, has cemented its place in history as one of the weakest draft classes ever. While the Sedin twins provided a silver lining, the overall impact of the draft fell far short of initial expectations. It serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of player development and the challenges of predicting future success in the NHL.
