Former Blackhawks netminder just won the 199th pick crown

ESPN listed Dominik Hasek as the best 199th overall pick in NHL history since the league's 1967 expansion. Since Hasek saw his best days with the Buffalo Sabres and later, Detroit Red Wings, some fans forget that the Chicago Blackhawks originally drafted Hasek back in 1983.

You can call his time in Chicago forgettable, as he didn't debut until his age-26 season in 1990-91, where he played in just five games, but came up big with a 0.914 save percentage, 2.46 GAA, and three wins.

It was promising play, and that earned him 20 games in 1991-92. Hasek collected 10 wins, with an 0.893 save percentage, a 2.60 GAA, and he even recorded his first shutout. His accolades earned him a spot on the All-Rookie Team before the Hawks traded him to the Buffalo Sabres for a fourth-round pick and Stephane Beauregard.

Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings benefited more from Dominik Hasek, but...

Hasek turned into a dominating goaltender with the Buffalo Sabres and was arguably the best at the position throughout his time in the City of Good Neighbors. Following his playing days with the Blue and Gold, Hasek later saw time with the Detroit Red Wings, and he caught a short stint with the Ottawa Senators.

Hasek, though, never won a Cup with the Sabres, coming close in 1999, but a controversial call ended Buffalo's hopes. He would go on to snag a Cup with the Wings in 2002, and later in 2008, solidifying his Hall of Fame status.

The Sabres and Red Wings benefited far more than the Blackhawks and fans could've wondered what might've been. Still, the Hawks had a good goaltender named Ed Belfour, and he got precedent over Hasek, so why wouldn't the Hawks have made the trade?

The Blackhawks later got redemption anyway....

No, the Hawks didn't win any Stanley Cups with Belfour in the net, and it's not like Hasek fueled dynasties in Buffalo and Detroit. The Sabres had some good teams, but Hasek was often the one keeping them in games, so you can credit his legendary goaltending where it's due.

As for Detroit, Hasek joined that dynasty and became a cog in the machine, as opposed to the missing piece. The Wings also won the 2008 Cup with Hasek seeing time in just four postseason games, all against the Nashville Predators.

Meanwhile in Chicago, they'd fuel a dynasty between 2010 and 2015, with some outstanding hockey teams in the preceding and succeeding seasons. So, I guess at the end of the day, it more than evened out.