The 27th pick, a history

The Hurricanes pick 27th in the first round of tonight's NHL Draft, and a 20-year sample of players drafted in that position indicates they have a shot at an All-Star — but a slim one. Going back five years (it's too soon to say much about anyone drafted since 2003, although Washington's Jeff Schultz (2004) is a legitimate NHLer already) and taking a look from 1984-2003, one player clearly stands out: Joe Nieuwendyk, taken 27th by the Calgary Flames in 1985. He's one of three players taken in that spot of All-Star caliber, with Scott Mellanby (1984) and Scott Gomez (1998) the others. Overall, 17 of the 20 have played in the NHL, seven of the 20 played more than 500 NHL games and 11 were notable NHLers: Nieuwendyk, Mellanby, Gomez, Benoit Brunet (1986), Mark Fitzpatrick (1987), Tie Domi (1988), Steve Staios (1991), Rhett Warriner (1994), Cory Sarich (1996), Ben Clymer (1997) and Jeff Tambellini (2003). The three wipeouts: Mike Morris (2002), Ari Ahonen (1999...