The Legacy of NHL Compensatory Picks: A Look Back at the Players Selected
The NHL introduced a new policy on Jan. 1, 2015, to compensate teams losing executives or coaches to other clubs while under contract. This rule lasted until Jan. 1, 2016, resulting in eight draft picks awarded to teams, including two second-round picks and six third-round picks. The last compensatory pick was made in the 2017 Draft, marking eight years since a player was selected with such a pick. Let's see how these players fared in the NHL.
Jack Studnicka was drafted 53rd overall by the Boston Bruins as compensation for the Oilers hiring Peter Chiarelli. He struggled to establish himself with the Bruins, bouncing between the AHL and NHL. He was eventually traded to the Vancouver Canucks and later to the San Jose Sharks. Studnicka played in the AHL with the Ontario Reign in 2024-25 and signed with the Florida Panthers for the upcoming season.
The Detroit Red Wings received a compensatory pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs and selected Lane Zablocki, who struggled in his post-draft seasons and eventually played his final game before the pandemic shutdown with the University of Calgary Dinos.
Vancouver used a compensatory pick to select William Lockwood from the USNTDP, who played in the AHL and NHL with the Canucks before being traded to the New York Rangers and eventually signing with the Florida Panthers.
New Jersey received a compensatory pick after hiring Pete DeBoer, selecting Reilly Walsh, who played in the AHL before joining the KHL with Barys Astana.
Toronto received a compensatory pick from the Devils after hiring John Hynes, selecting James Greenway, who played in the AHL and ECHL before retiring in 2023-24.
Edmonton surrendered a compensatory pick to the Sharks after hiring Todd McLellan, selecting Michael Robinson, who did not crack the NHL and currently has no contract.
The Columbus Blue Jackets received a compensatory pick after hiring John Tortorella, which the Canucks used to select Jonah Gadjovich. Gadjovich played in the AHL and NHL with the Sharks before signing with the Florida Panthers and winning the Stanley Cup with them.
While most players did not reach the heights of Kucherov or DeBrincat, the NHL wisely discontinued the compensatory pick rule. Teams should not be penalized for hiring new executives or coaches. These players will always be linked to this short-lived rule, which lasted only one year.