3 Blackhawks just earned a historic NHL Draft honor fans should celebrate

Every slot in the NHL Draft has produced at least one player who has made it to the league, but some are more memorable than others.

Greg Wyshynski of ESPN recently compiled a comprehensive ranking of the best NHL draft pick all-time at every slot – from No. 1 to No. 224 – and three Chicago Blackhawks picks made the list due to the value they brought relative to where they were selected, their impact on their respective franchises and their legacies in the NHL.

None of these picks were first-rounders, but all became cornerstone players in Chicago. Two of them were foundational pieces in the Blackhawks' modern dynasty, while one gave the franchise stability in its earlier years. All were the result of excellent organizational scouting, giving Blackhawks fans reason to believe that the next modern dynasty could be just a few years away.

3 Blackhawks just earned a historic NHL Draft honor fans should celebrate

Corey Crawford (2nd round, 52nd overall in 2003)

It’s rare for a goalie drafted outside the top of the first round to become a long-term No. 1, but Corey Crawford gave Chicago a decade of stability in net. He backstopped the Blackhawks to two Stanley Cups (2013 and 2015) and had some of the best playoff numbers of his era.

While he didn’t always get the spotlight, Crawford was an underrated star who was consistently one of the NHL’s most reliable goalies – and a tremendous value at No. 52 overall.

Duncan Keith (2nd round, 54th overall in 2002)

Getting a future Hall of Fame defenseman in the middle of the second round is one of the best steals in draft history, and the Blackhawks accomplished it when they selected Duncan Keith at No. 54 overall in 2002.

Keith played 16 seasons with Chicago, logging massive minutes and serving as the backbone of the Blackhawks' defense. A three-time Stanley Cup Champion (2010, 2013, 2015), two-time Norris Trophy winner and a Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2015, Keith is widely regarded as one of the best defensemen of his era and arguably the best in Blackhawks history.

Troy Murray (3rd round, 57th overall in 1980)

Troy Murray is a classic example of a mid-round gem. He was never a superstar, but he became a dependable center for a decade in Chicago.

Murray won the Selke Trophy recognizing the NHL’s best defensive forward in 1986, showing his value went beyond scoring. He played 688 games for Chicago, scoring 488 points and becoming a fan favorite. While his numbers don’t match Keith or Crawford, his leadership and two-way play made him a key part of the Blackhawks’ identity in the 1980s.