The Edmonton Oilers, despite their recent years of high draft picks and lottery wins, have also found success in the later rounds of the NHL Entry Draft. While first and second-round picks often garner the most attention, the Oilers have a history of unearthing hidden gems in the third round. Notably, three of their third-round selections went on to become NHL All-Stars, a testament to the scouting acumen of the organization in those years.
The most legendary of these third-round steals is undoubtedly Mark Messier. In the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, the Oilers, in their first year in the NHL, traded with the Minnesota North Stars to acquire a third-round pick (48th overall). With that pick, they selected Messier, an 18-year-old forward from St. Albert, Alberta. Messier had already gained professional experience in the WHA, playing for the Cincinnati Stingers and Indianapolis Racers. This early experience proved invaluable, as Messier quickly became one of the NHL's premier players. He made his first of 15 All-Star Game appearances in 1982 and went on to become one of the most decorated players in hockey history. During his 12 seasons with the Oilers, he served as captain for three years and led the team to multiple Stanley Cup championships.
While Messier's selection is the most celebrated, he is not the only All-Star the Oilers found in the third round. The Oilers also drafted Glenn Anderson and Jari Kurri in the third round of the 1979 and 1980 NHL Entry Drafts respectively. Both players would go on to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Finding an All-Star caliber player in the third round is a testament to the Oilers' scouting department during those years. While later-round picks are less likely to develop into impact players, the Oilers' history shows that it is possible to find valuable contributors beyond the first few rounds. As the Oilers look to the future, they hope to replicate their past success and find more hidden gems in the later rounds of the draft. With the 2025 NHL Draft approaching, the Oilers, who don't have a pick until the late stages of the third round, will be looking to add to their prospect pool and potentially find their next All-Star.
