Hello everyone and welcome to the latest edition of Eastern Edge! I'm Eli Feldman.

In the wake of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft (and Grant Campbell's fantastic article recapping recent first-round draft performances among Western Conference teams), a Matrix moment is in order – it's time for the red pill.

As Grant mentioned in his article, the below list generally favours the bottom feeders of the past decade, most of which benefitted from ample opportunities to draft early and often during the first round. Nonetheless, I hope third list serves as a helpful reminder that Rome can't be built in a day. 

Without further ado, let's dive in!

[Note: The ‘Hits’ threshold is not dictated by whether the player in question is still a key contributor of their original team, but rather whether they are currently a full-time NHLer on any team.]

#16 – Pittsburgh Penguins (0 of 2, 0%)

Hits: N/A

Misses: Sam Poulin (21^st overall, 2019); Owen Pickering (21^st overall, 2022)

TBD: Benjamin Kindel (11^th overall, 2025); Bill Zonnon (22^nd overall, 2025); William Horcoff (24^th overall, 2025); Brayden Yager (14^th overall, 2023);

Bottom Line: With two Stanley Cups and seven Playoff appearances since 2015, it's unsurprising that the Pens have only made three first-round selections over the past ten years before last Friday. While the jury is still out on the initial first-round picks of the Dubas era, the rebuilding Pens hope their newest members will accelerate the team's return to perennial Cup contention.

#15 – Tampa Bay Lightning (1 of 3, 33.3%)

Hits: Brett Howden (27^th overall, 2016)

Misses: Nolan Foote (27^th overall, 2019); Cal Foote (14^th overall, 2017)

TBD: Isaac Howard (31^st overall, 2022)

Bottom Line: Like the Pens, the Bolts have been a Playoff fixture over the past decade. While the jury remains out on 2022 first-rounder Isaac Howard, recent reports indicate that Howard will likely play elsewhere if and when he establishes himself as a full-time NHLer.

#14 – Boston Bruins (3 of 8, 37.5%)

Hits: Charlie McAvoy (14^th overall, 2016); Trent Frederic (29^th overall, 2016); Jake DeBrusk (14^th overall, 2015)

Misses: Fabian Lysell (21^st overall, 2021); John Beecher (30^th overall, 2019); Urho Vaakanainen (18^th overall, 2017), Jakub Zboril (13^th overall, 2015); Zachary Senyshyn (15^th overall, 2015)

TBD: James Hagens (7^th overall, 2025); Dean Letourneau (25^th overall, 2024)

Bottom Line: The Bs have made the Playoffs eight of the past ten seasons, including eight consecutive times until this past season, thanks in part to former first-round selections Charlie McAvoy, Jake DeBrusk, and Trent Frederic (now an Edmonton Oiler). While the Bruins infamously missed out on Kyle Connor and Thomas Chabot at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft (among others), the team is hoping that 2025 first-round selection James Hagens will help the Bruins reestablish themselves as yearly hunters in the Atlantic Division.

#13 – Ottawa Senators (6 of 11, 54.5%)

Hits: Tim Stutzle (3^rd overall, 2020); Jake Sanderson (5^th overall, 2020); Ridley Greig (28^th overall, 2020); Brady Tkachuk (4^th overall, 2018); Jacob Bernard-Docker (26^th overall, 2018); Thomas Chabot (18^th overall, 2015)

Misses: Tyler Boucher (10^th overall, 2021); Lassi Thomson (19^th overall, 2019); Shane Bowers (28^th overall, 2017); Logan Brown (11^th overall, 2016); Colin White (21^st overall, 2015)

TBD: Logan Hensler (23^rd overall, 2025); Carter Yakemchuk (7^th overall, 2024)

Bottom Line: With only two Playoff appearances since 2015, the Sens have made 13 first-round selections over the past decade – and whiffed on nearly half of them. With that said, the Draft has served as a catalyst for the Sens to establish a promising young core, led by captain Brady Tkachuk and speedster Tim Stutzle.   

#12 – Carolina Hurricanes (4 of 7, 57.1%)

Hits: Seth Jarvis (13th overall, 2020); Andrei Svechnikov (2^nd overall, 2018); Martin Necas (12^th overall, 2017); Noah Hanifin (5^th overall, 2015)

Misses: Ryan Suzuki (28^th overall, 2019); Jake Bean (13^th overall, 2016); Julien Gauthier (21^st overall, 2016)

TBD: Bradly Nadeau (30^th overall, 2023)

Bottom Line: The Canes have booked their ticket to Lord Stanley's annual 16-team dance seven times over the past ten seasons. Much like the Sens, the Hurricanes have made their fair share of poor selections on Draft Day but also established key elements of its current core (i.e., Seth Jarvis and Andrei Svechnikov) via first-round selections.

#11 – Buffalo Sabres (7 of 12, 58.3%)

Hits: Zach Benson (13^th overall, 2023); Owen Power (1^st overall, 2021); Jack Quinn (8^th overall, 2020); Dylan Cozens (7^th overall, 2019); Rasmus Dahlin (1^st overall, 2018); Casey Mittelstadt (9^th overall, 2017); Jack Eichel (2^nd overall, 2015)

Misses: Isak Rosen (14^th overall, 2021); Ryan Johnson (31^st overall, 2019); Alex Nylander (8^th overall, 2016); Noah Ostlund (16^th overall, 2022); Jiri Kulich (28^th overall, 2022)

TBD: Radim Mrtka (9^th overall, 2025); Konsta Helenius (14^th overall, 2024); Matt Savoie (9^th overall, 2022)

Bottom Line: Without a Playoff appearance since 2011, the Sabres have predictably made the most first-round selections out of all Eastern Conference teams over the past decade. Less predictably, however, is the Sabres' fairly high success rate at the Draft, laying the groundwork for the team's eventual return from the desert.

#10 – New Jersey Devils (7 of 11, 63.6%)

Hits: Simon Nemec (2^nd overall, 2022); Luke Hughes (4^th overall, 2021); Alexander Holtz (7^th overall, 2020); Dawson Mercer (18^th overall, 2020); Jack Hughes (1^st overall, 2019); Nico Hischier (1^st overall, 2017); Pavel Zacha (6^th overall, 2015)

Misses: Chase Stillman (29^th overall, 2021); Shakir Mukhamadullin (20^th overall, 2020); Ty Smith (17^th overall, 2018); Michael McLeod (12^th overall, 2016)

TBD: Anton Silayev (10^th overall, 2024)

Bottom Line: Although the Devils have missed the Playoffs six times over the past ten seasons, the team is now a legitimate Cup contender thanks to the continued development and contributions of past first-round selections Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer.

#T8 – Columbus Blue Jackets (6 of 9, 66.7%)

Hits: Adam Fantilli (3^rd overall, 2023); Kent Johnson (5^th overall, 2021); Cole Sillinger (12^th overall, 2021); Yegor Chinakhov (21^st overall, 2020); Pierre-Luc Dubois (3^rd overall, 2016); Zach Werenski (8^th overall, 2015)

Misses: Corson Ceulemans (25^th overall, 2021); Liam Foudy (18^th overall, 2018); Gabriel Carlsson (29^th overall, 2015)

TBD: Jackson Smith (14^th overall, 2025); Pyotr Andreyanov (20^th overall, 2025); Cayden Lindstrom (4^th overall, 2024); David Jiricek (6^th overall, 2022); Denton Mateychuk (12^th overall, 2022)

Bottom Line: Like the Devils, the Blue Jackets have missed the Playoffs six out of the past 10 seasons and made selections in the top-10 several times since 2015. Thankfully for the Jackets, most of their top picks have panned out, highlighted by breakout sensation Adam Fantilli and 2025 Norris Trophy finalist Zach Werenski.

#T8 – Florida Panthers (4 of 6, 66.7%)

Hits: Mackie Samoskevich (24^th overall, 2021); Anton Lundell (12^th overall, 2020); Spencer Knight (13^th overall, 2019); Owen Tippett (10^th overall, 2017); Lawson Crouse (11^th overall, 2015)

Misses: Gregori Denisenko (15^th overall, 2018); Henrik Borgstrom (23^rd overall, 2016)

TBD: N/A

Bottom Line: Thanks in part to the contributions of former first-rounders Anton Lundell and Mackie Samoskevich, the Panthers captured their second consecutive Stanley Cup last season, becoming the NHL's latest hallmark of excellence. Although Spencer Knight, Owen Tippett, and Lawson Crouse didn't pan out in Sunrise, the Cats' ability to consistently select eventual full-time NHLers has vaulted the team to new heights as an organization over the past decade. 

#7 – Philadelphia Flyers (8 of 11, 72.7%)

Hits: Matvei Michkov (7^th overall, 2023); Cutter Gauthier (5^th overall, 2022); Tyson Foerster (23^rd overall, 2020); Cameron York (14^th overall, 2019); Joel Farabee (14^th overall, 2018); Morgan Frost (27^th overall, 2017); Ivan Provorov (7^th overall, 2015); Travis Konecny (24^th overall, 2015)

Misses: Jay O'Brien (19^th overall, 2018); Nolan Patrick (2^nd overall, 2017); German Rubtsov (22^nd overall, 2016)

TBD: Porter Martone (6^th overall, 2025); Jack Nesbitt (12^th overall, 2025); Jett Luchanko (13^th overall, 2024); Oliver Bonk (22^nd overall, 2023)

Bottom Line: Incredibly, eight of the Flyers' 11 first-round selections over the past 10 seasons have developed into full-time NHLers, but the team has made the Playoffs just three times over that span. So, what gives? Unfortunately for Philly, half of its first-round success stories are writing new chapters on other squads. Nonetheless, Philadelphia hopes new Head Coach Rick Tocchet will unleash the full potential of former first-rounder Matvei Michkov and bring the swagger back to Broad Street once again.

#6 – New York Rangers (7 of 9, 77.8%)

Hits: Brennan Othmann (16^th overall, 2021); Alexis Lafreniere (1^st overall, 2020); Braden Schneider (19^th overall, 2020); Kaapo Kakko (2^nd overall, 2019); K'Andre Miller (22^nd overall, 2018); Nils Lundkvist (28^th overall, 2018); Filip Chytil (21^st overall, 2017)

Misses: Vitali Kravtsov (9^th overall, 2018); Lias Andersson (7^th overall, 2017)

TBD: EJ Emery (30^th overall, 2024); Gabe Perrault (23^rd overall, 2023)

Bottom Line: For the most part, the Rangers have fared well on Draft Day over the past decade, whiffing on only two of nine first-round picks since 2015. Although NYR parted ways with Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil this past season, the team is poised to move past its forgettable 2024-2025 season on the backs of former first-rounder Alexis Lafreniere and others. 

#T3 – Detroit Red Wings (8 of 10, 80%)

Hits: Marco Kasper (8^th overall, 2022); Simon Edvinsson (6^th overall, 2021); Lucas Raymond (4^th overall, 2020); Moritz Seider (6^th overall, 2019); Filip Zadina (6^th overall, 2018); Joe Veleno (30^th overall, 2018); Michael Rasmussen (9^th overall, 2017); Dennis Cholowski (20^th overall, 2016)

Misses: Sebastian Cossa (15^th overall, 2021); Evgeny Svechnikov (19^th overall, 2015)

TBD: Carter Bear (13^th overall, 2025); Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (15^th overall, 2024); Nate Danielson (9^th overall, 2023); Axel Sandin Pellikka (17^th overall, 2023)

Bottom Line: A sizeable share of the Red Wings' current roster (and future direction) is constituted by former first-round selections, including Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, and Simon Edvinsson. Barely missing out on an inclusion from this list is Wings' 2014 first round selection: captain Dylan Larkin (15^th overall, 2014). Having potentially shored up its goaltending last week following the acquisition of John Gibson, it looks like the Red Wings are prepared to return to yearly contenders in the not-so-distant future.

#T3 – Toronto Maple Leafs (4 of 5, 80%)

Hits: Rasmus Sandin (29^th overall, 2018); Timothy Liljegren (17^th overall, 2017); Auston Matthews (1^st overall, 2016); Mitch Marner (4^th overall, 2015)

Misses: Rodion Amirov (15^th overall, 2020)

TBD: Ben Danford (31^st overall, 2024); Easton Cowan (28^th overall, 2023)

Bottom Line: Since selecting franchise cornerstone Auston Matthews first overall in 2016, the Leafs have made the Playoffs every season (albeit, with effectively nothing to show for it). Although longtime Leaf Mitch Marner seems destined to say goodbye to the Blue and White on Tuesday, OHL phenom Easton Cowan serves as a beacon of hope for the next era of pick-powered hockey in Leafs Nation. 

#T3 – Washington Capitals (4 of 5, 80%)

Hits: Ryan Leonard (8^th overall, 2023); Connor McMichael (25^th overall, 2019); Alex Alexeyev (31^st overall, 2018); Ilya Samsonov (22^nd overall, 2015)

Misses: Lucas Johansen (28^th overall, 2016)

TBD: Lynden Lakovic (27^th overall, 2025); Terik Parascak (17^th overall, 2024); Ivan Miroshnichenko (20^th overall, 2022); Hendrix Lapierre (22^nd overall, 2020)

Bottom Line: Much to the hockey world's surprise, the Capitals came to play this past year, dominating the regular season before bowing out in the second round of the Playoffs. The Caps benefitted greatly from the breakout of 2019 first-round selection Connor McMichael and the contributions of Ryan Leonard and Alex Alexeyev. With Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin's playing future up in the air beyond this coming season, uncertainty looms for the Caps franchise. However, so long as Leonard, McMichael, and Alexeyev are in the picture, the Capitals are in good hands (or, should I say, mitts).

#2 – New York Islanders (5 of 6, 83.3%)

Hits: Simon Holmstrom (23^rd overall, 2019); Oliver Wahlstrom (11^th overall, 2018); Noah Dobson (12^th overall, 2018); Mathew Barzal (16^th overall, 2015); Anthony Beauvillier (28^th overall, 2015)

Misses: Kieffer Bellows (19^th overall, 2016)

TBD: Matthew Schaefer (1^st overall, 2025); Victor Eklund (16^th overall, 2025); Kashawn Aitcheson (17^th overall, 2025); Cole Eiserman (20^th overall, 2024)

Bottom Line: The Islanders' spot on this list is somewhat precarious, in that the team has drafted full-time NHLers at a high rate since 2015,  but many of the team's picks either no longer play on the Island (including, most recently, Noah Dobson) and/or have not reached their full potential. With that said, the Islanders hope last Friday's selection show (highlighted by first overall pick Matthew Schaefer) will catapult the squad back up the Eastern Conference standings and into the Playoff picture.

#1 – Montreal Canadiens (8 of 9, 88.9%)

Hits: Ivan Demidov (5^th overall, 2024); Juraj Slafkovsky (1^st overall, 2022); Kaiden Guhle (16^th overall, 2020); Cole Caufield (15^th overall, 2019); Jesperi Kotkaniemi (3^rd overall, 2018); Ryan Poehling (25^th overall, 2017); Mikhail Sergachev (9^th overall, 2016); Noah Juulsen (26^th overall, 2015)

Misses: Filip Mesar (26^th overall, 2022)

TBD: Michael Hage (21^st overall, 2024); David Reinbacher (5^th overall, 2023); Logan Mailloux (31^st overall, 2021);

Bottom Line: The future is bright for the Canadiens de Montreal thanks to exemplary first-round drafting over the past decade. Despite missing out on Brady Tkachuk back in 2018, Montreal's sizable crop of young talent (highlighted by rookie sensation Ivan Demidov) have the City of Montreal hungry for yearly Playoff hockey yet again.

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That's all for this week! Stay tuned for the next edition of Eastern Edge next Tuesday, July 8. Have a great week everyone!