The Best No-Name Picks in the 2007 NHL Draft

The first round of the NHL entry draft is where all the excitement lies. Players like Sydney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin are among the best players taken in the first round over the last few years. In fact only the first and second round of the draft ever get television coverage, so even if people did care about which players were taken in the third and fourth round, you wouldn't be able to see it on TV. Even though the first round is where most of the interest lies with the public, it's very important for the NHL teams involved to be prepared for all rounds of the draft. In the past, players like Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators center Daniel Alfredsson were not expected to succeed at the NHL level. This shows that even a player who starts out as the low man at the draft can turn into a world class player.

This year saw no real immediate impact players at the draft, so those players that were drafted later on in the draft counted for even more than usual. Selected 67th overall by the Atlanta Thrashers, Spencer Machacek is one of this years best no name picks this year. The gritty winger is great in the offensive zone and has the skills to make it in the NHL. He proved last season that he is a clutch player providing Vancouver of the WHL with 20 points in 22 playoffs games. The next best pick later in the draft is Maxim Mayorov selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets 94th overall. Maxim could have easily been picked in the first round, but like many Russians in this years draft, his stock dropped because of the problems getting them transferred over from the IIHF transfer agreement. Mayorov is a gifted scorer and could provide Columbus with another offensive weapon at its disposal. The next pick is Mark Santorelli with the 111th pick overall by the Nashville Predators. The Predators drafted Mark's brother Mike, so why not complete the pair like Vancouver did with the Sedin twins? Mark has the potential to play on the 2nd or third line if he keeps up with his development. He led Chilliwack of the WHL in points with 82 in 72 games. The last steal at this years draft is Blake Kessel selected 166th overall by the New York Islanders. Blake is the brother of Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel, but these two brothers are different in almost every way. Blake is a stay at home defensemen with a dangerous slap shot and can provide leadership down the road. So as you see, not all the best picks are taken in the first round, some of the best players can come later in the draft.