Top 5 No. 8 Draft Picks In NHL History

Set to pick eighth overall come the 2021 NHL Entry Draft on July 23rd, the Kings will look to continue bolstering the promising prospect pool of high end, young talent.
With a very skilled and deep group of eligible draftees, the Kings scouting and management staff have been at work finding out who their guy is at that eighth overall selection spot...
In light of the eighth overall draft pick that the Kings hold, we look back at the type of potential the the Kings could draft. Here are the Top 5 eighth-overall draft picks in NHL history.

5. William Nylander (2014, Toronto Maple Leafs)

Although Nylander has only played in six NHL seasons, the young and dynamic winger has already displayed his game-breaking talent and potential.
The son of Michael Nylander, a former NHLer of 19 years, William, has recorded 263 points (103-160=263) in 358 games. Nylander's 263 points ranks seventh among those selected in the 2014 NHL Draft.

4. Jeremy Roenick (1988, Chicago Blackhawks)

The former King slots in at No. 4 on the all-time list of best No. 8 draft picks after putting together a phenomenal career. Roenick, a Boston, Massachusetts native tallied 1,216 career points (513-703=1,216) in 1,363 games.
Roenick's offensive output is good for fourth all-time in goals and points for a US born player. Roenick's career also included three 100-point season's and five All-Star game appearances.

3. Grant Fuhr (1981, Edmonton Oilers)

The four-time Stanley Cup winner and 2003 Hall of Fame inductee mined the net during the Oilers heyday in the 1980's and was darn good at it too. Fuhr, who lead the NHL in wins twice and shutouts once also picked up a Vezina Trophy during the 1987-88 season. Following his 10 seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, Fuhr went on to win the Jennings Trophy with the Buffalo Sabres in the 1993-94 season.
Later in his career, Fuhr played 14 games for the Kings during the 1994-95 season. Fuhr went 1-7-3. Fuhr ended his career with a 403-295-114 record, a .887 SV% and a 3.38 GAA.

2. Darryl Sittler (1970, Toronto Maple Leafs)

The 1989 Hall of Fame inductee comes in at No. 2 after his 16 year career earned him the the recognition of being named one of the "100 Greatest Players" in NHL history in 2017.
Sittler averaged over a point-per-game throughout his career, tallying 1,121 points (484-637=1,121) in 1,096 games. Most notably, Sittler holds the record for the most points in a single NHL game with 10 points when he scored four and assisted on six goals in an 11-4 win over the Boston Bruins on February 7, 1976.

1. Ray Bourque (1979, Boston Bruins)

The all-time leader in goals, assists and points among defenseman in NHL history tops the list of best players in drafted eighth overall. With 1,579 points (410-1,169=1,579) in 1,612 career games, Borque was the ultimate two-way defenseman. Bourque also ranks third in NHL history with a plus-527 plus/minus, trailing only Bobby Orr (582) and Larry Robinson (722).
Bourque's career achievements include a Calder Trophy (1979-80), a King Clancy Memorial Trophy (1992-92), five Norris Trophy's, 19 All-Star game appearances and a Hall of Fame induction in 2004.