The Best NHL Players Who Never Suited Up For The Team That Drafted Them

The Hockey News highlights five NHL players who were drafted by teams they never played for, yet went on to become stars elsewhere in the league. The article features Eric Lindros as perhaps the most famous example, recounting how he refused to play for the Quebec Nordiques after being drafted and was ultimately awarded to the Philadelphia Flyers through a notable dual-trade arbitration. The piece emphasizes that while many drafted players never suit up for their drafting team, becoming a legitimate NHL star without playing a single game for that franchise is a rare distinction.