The 2019 NHL Draft top 10 picks where are they now: A six-year progress report

Six years have passed since the Vancouver crowd witnessed Jack Hughes don the New Jersey Devils jersey as the first overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. What seemed like a straightforward draft at the time—with Hughes and Kaapo Kakko locked as the top two prospects—has evolved into one of the most polarizing top-10 selections in recent memory. Some selections have blossomed into franchise cornerstones, while others have been traded multiple times or struggled with injuries. As we approach the midpoint of the 2024-25 season, its the perfect time to examine where these once-coveted prospects have landed and how their careers have unfolded.

The 2019 class has delivered everything from Calder Trophy winners to cautionary tales about rushing development. While the top end has produced legitimate stars, the group as a whole has been defined by change—six of the ten players have already switched organizations at least once. Lets dive into each players journey from draft day to present day.

Jack Hughes - The first overall pick’s journey to stardom

Jack Hughes entered the 2019 draft as the consensus top prospect after posting 100 points in just 50 games with the U.S. National Team Development Program. His selection by the New Jersey Devils represented a new era for a franchise desperate for a foundational piece. However, the transition to NHL stardom wasnt immediate.

Hughes struggled through his first two seasons, recording only 21 points as a rookie and 31 in his sophomore campaign. The whispers of doubt grew louder among impatient fans, but the dynamic center silenced critics with a spectacular breakout in 2022-23. That season, he posted a career-high 99 points in 78 games, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier offensive talents.

“I always believed in my game,” Hughes said during his breakout season. “Sometimes it just takes time to adjust to the speed and physicality of this league.” His progression from fragile rookie to dominant force mirrors the development of many elite forwards who needed time to mature physically and mentally.

Now serving as Devils captain, Hughes carries an $8 million cap hit through 2029-30 and represents the franchise’s most important player since Martin Brodeur. His ability to elevate teammates and produce highlight-reel plays nightly has made him worth every penny of his extension. The only blemish on his resume remains durability, as injuries have shortened several seasons, including the current campaign.

Kaapo Kakko - From Finnish phenom to fresh start in Seattle

The New York Rangers selected Kaapo Kakko second overall expecting a generational talent to complement Hughes at the top of the draft. After a record-breaking season with TPS Turku where he scored 22 goals as a teenager in Finland’s Liiga, Kakko arrived with enormous expectations. His combination of size (6’3”, 210 pounds) and skill made him seem like a future power forward star.

Rushed development and the pressure of playing in Manhattan stalled Kakko’s growth. Despite just 17 points in 48 games during the 2020-21 season, he remained in the NHL when a stint in the AHL might have benefited his confidence. His peak with the Rangers was a modest 40-point season in 2022-23, far below what the organization hoped for from such a premium pick.

The Rangers finally moved on this past offseason, trading Kakko to the Seattle Kraken for defenseman Will Borgen and two 2025 draft picks. The change of scenery appears to be paying dividends, as Kraken coach Dave Hakstol has given Kakko more responsibility and ice time. Early returns show signs of the player Rangers fans hoped he’d become—a physical winger with soft hands around the net.

Kirby Dach - The troubling case of injuries and trades

At 6’4” and 220 pounds, Kirby Dach had all the physical tools scouts dream about. The Chicago Blackhawks selected him third overall expecting a Kopitar-esque center who could dominate both ends of the ice. His size and playmaking ability made him an intriguing project for a franchise still in its competitive window.

Dach’s career has been marred by terrible injury luck. After showing promise with six points in nine games during the 2020 bubble playoffs, he suffered a fractured wrist that cost him significant development time. Despite a solid 38-point effort in 58 games during the 2022-23 season, Dach has never played more than 70 games in a single campaign.

Now with his second organization after being traded to Montreal in 2022, Dach has settled into a depth forward role. The Canadiens used the first and third-round picks they received in the Dach trade to select Frank Nazar and Gavin Hayes—players who may ultimately outproduce the man they were traded for. Dach’s career serves as a reminder that size and skill mean little if a player can’t stay healthy.

Bowen Byram - Defense wins championships, then trades happen

The Colorado Avalanche selected Bowen Byram with Ottawa’s pick, acquired in the blockbuster Matt Duchene trade that has haunted Senators fans ever since. Byram spent three years developing between junior and the NHL before becoming a key piece of Colorado’s blue line, culminating in a Stanley Cup victory in 2021-22.

A physical, highly-touted defenseman from the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, Byram developed into exactly what championship teams need: a minute-munching defender who makes life miserable for opposing forwards. His defensive positioning and physical edge made him incredibly tough to play against, even if he didn’t always show up on the scoresheet.

At the 2024 trade deadline, Colorado shocked the hockey world by moving Byram to Buffalo in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt. The Avalanche felt they needed more offensive punch up front, while Buffalo craved a defensive cornerstone. Byram signed a $6.25 million extension that runs through 2026-27, and he’s more than lived up to it in his short time with the Sabres.

Alex Turcotte - The slow-burn development project

The Los Angeles Kings selected Alex Turcotte fifth overall after a standout season with the USNTDP. His combination of speed, scoring touch, and grit made him seem like a perfect fit for the Kings’ emerging young core. He spent the 2019-20 season at the University of Wisconsin, where he was nearly a point-per-game player.

Injuries and inconsistency have derailed Turcotte’s career trajectory. He has appeared in only 114 NHL games to date, spending significant time in the AHL developing his two-way game. The Kings showed patience with their prospect, refusing to rush him despite his draft pedigree.

Turcotte finally cracked the Kings’ lineup during the 2024-25 season, posting nine goals and 25 points in 68 games. While it’s a step forward, it’s still far from what the Kings were hoping for when they selected him fifth overall. At 23 years old, time remains on his side to develop into a reliable middle-six center.

Moritz Seider - Detroit’s defensive cornerstone proves doubters wrong

Moritz Seider’s selection at sixth overall by the Detroit Red Wings drew audible gasps from the Vancouver crowd and howls of protest from Red Wings faithful. Almost no one expected the German defenseman to go that high, and fans were ready to riot, demanding GM Steve Yzerman’s head for what seemed like a massive reach.

The “Yzer-plan” has since played out to perfection. Seider developed into one of the NHL’s top defensemen, capturing the Calder Trophy in 2021-22 after posting 50 points across all 82 games. His smooth skating, hockey IQ, and physical play have made him the cornerstone of Detroit’s blue line rebuild.

Remarkably, Seider has yet to miss a single NHL game, riding an active 348-game Ironman streak. Now firmly entrenched as Detroit’s top blueliner, Seider carries an $8.55 million cap hit through 2030-31. His development from unknown German prospect to elite NHL defenseman validates Yzerman’s vision and scouting department’s conviction.

Dylan Cozens - From Yukon to Ottawa via Buffalo

Dylan Cozens brought a unique story to Buffalo as one of the rare NHL players from Canada’s northern territories. The Whitehorse, Yukon native arrived with plenty of hype after starring for the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL, where his combination of size and skill made him a dangerous power forward.

Cozens’ early years with the Sabres featured growing pains, but he broke out spectacularly in 2022-23 with 68 points, earning a $7.1 million extension that runs through 2029-30. The contract seemed like a wise investment in a young player hitting his stride at the perfect time.

However, since signing that deal, Cozens’ production has declined noticeably. At the 2025 trade deadline, he was dealt to the Senators alongside Dennis Gilbert and a 2026 second-round pick in exchange for Jacob Bernard-Docker and Josh Norris. Since arriving in Ottawa, Cozens has been solid, posting 26 points in 34 games. The big question now is whether this change of scenery can finally unlock his full potential.

Philip Broberg and Vasili Podkolzin - The trade twins

Philip Broberg and Vasili Podkolzin share remarkably similar career arcs. Both were selected within two picks of each other (Broberg at 8th, Podkolzin at 10th) and both struggled to secure consistent NHL roles with their original teams. Broberg’s journey took him from the Oilers to the Blues via offer sheet, while Podkolzin went from Vancouver to Edmonton in a low-profile trade.

Broberg’s development in Edmonton featured plenty of growing pains. While he excelled in the AHL, translating that success to the NHL proved difficult. He finally cracked the Oilers’ roster just in time for a strong playoff showing in 2024, playing 10 solid games as Edmonton pushed the Florida Panthers to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. His postseason performance caught the attention of the St. Louis Blues, who extended him a $4.58 million offer sheet. Edmonton chose not to match, and Broberg’s respectable 36 points in 88 games with the Blues suggest he’s finding his footing.

Podkolzin’s career mirrored Broberg’s early struggles. The Russian winger never solidified his spot in the Canucks’ lineup and was traded to the Oilers in the summer of 2024 for a 2025 fourth-round pick. With Edmonton, he found his stride playing a key role in the Oilers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final that spring, providing depth scoring and responsible defensive play. For the Canucks, Podkolzin represents yet another first-round pick that didn’t pan out.

Trevor Zegras - The human highlight reel seeks consistency

Trevor Zegras entered the NHL with a reputation for jaw-dropping skill, developed during his time at Boston University and the USNTDP. The Anaheim Ducks selected him ninth overall hoping he’d become the franchise’s next offensive superstar, a playmaking center who could fill highlight reels.

Zegras delivered on that promise with a 61-point campaign in 2021-22, followed by 65 points the next season. Along the way, he scored some of the most spectacular goals in recent memory, including multiple “Michigan” lacrosse-style goals and a behind-the-back assist that still hasn’t been replicated in the league. His creativity and flair made him a social media sensation.

Things took a turn in 2023-24 when injuries limited him to just 31 games. The following season wasn’t much better, as Zegras managed only 32 points in 57 games with Anaheim. As a result, he was traded this offseason to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-rounder. Now in the Metropolitan Division, the hope is that Zegras can rediscover his offensive magic and get back to being one of the league’s most electrifying talents.

The supporting cast and late-round gems

While the top 10 has been a mixed bag, the rest of the 2019 draft has produced some exceptional talent. Matt Boldy (12th overall) has become a cornerstone for the Minnesota Wild, while Cole Caufield (15th overall) has flashed elite goal-scoring ability with Montreal. Alex Newhook (16th overall) found a home in Colorado’s middle six.

The second round delivered valuable players like Nils Höglander (40th overall) and Brett Leason (56th overall), while the third round saw Aliaksei Protas (91st overall) develop into a useful NHL player for Washington. Even the later rounds uncovered gems like goaltender Arturs Silovs (156th overall), who backstopped Latvia to an emotional bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships.

This disparity between the top 10 and the rest of the class has led to plenty of redraft speculation. Many analysts argue that Moritz Seider deserves to go second overall, while Matt Boldy and Cole Caufield would easily crack a revised top five.

The 2019 NHL Draft top 10 picks where are they now represents a fascinating case study in prospect development. While the class has produced legitimate stars in Jack Hughes and Moritz Seider, it’s also provided cautionary tales about rushing prospects and overvaluing size. Six years later, the lesson seems clear: patience and proper development matter more than draft position.

As we watch these players continue their careers—with some entering their prime and others fighting for relevance—the 2019 draft will remain a reminder that even the most scrutinized prospects follow unpredictable paths. For teams drafting in 2025 and beyond, the message is simple: trust your development staff, be patient with young talent, and never forget that the best player available isn’t always the one who looks best in a draft-day suit.