I based my initial quick impression using the adjusted scoring metrics from Hockey Reference, which strongly favor Panarin. But on closer inspection it looks like the calculations for 2019-20 are probably screwed up, so mea culpa there.

Still, 94 points in 82 games for St. Louis in the deadest part of the dead puck era versus 95 in 69 for Panarin, on pace for 112 in 81.

Scoring is 17.5% higher leaguewide this year than in 2004. Boost St. Louis' totals by 17.5% and you get ... 110 points.

St. Louis actually won the Art Ross / Hart that year while Panarin did not win the former and probably won't win the latter (even though I think he should), but you can argue Panarin had tougher competition.

At the very least it's close.
- Sven22

I've been a Panarin man since he was 20 playing in butt(frank) nowhere next to Chris Simon and saying how he was going to take the NHL by storm, but Marty St. Louis has the hardware, the story and the career to take this imo. He's also the only one who was missed by "modern" scouting outside of Panarin/Bob/Kunitz etc.

Regular season BOB can be added to the conversation

I've been a Panarin man since he was 20 playing in butt(frank) nowhere next to Chris Simon and saying how he was going to take the NHL by storm, but Marty St. Louis has the hardware, the story and the career to take this imo. He's also the only one who was missed by "modern" scouting outside of Panarin/Bob/Kunitz etc.
- AdamFrench

I agree, I think St. Louis is the correct choice right now.

I think Panarin could overtake him, but we'll have to see how the next handful of seasons play out (if they play them at all ...). One or two more MVP-caliber seasons plus several more very good ones and the conversation starts to get interesting.

Regular season BOB can be added to the conversation
- KINGKENZO

Best undrafted player: Tim Kerr

4 consecutive years of 54,54, 58 and 58 goals and another with 48. Best net front pp player perhaps of all time and he did it in an era where it was basically legal to mug a guy in front of the net. 370 goals and 674 career points in 655 games and finally, during his prime, his centers were usually Dave Poulin or Peter Zezel neither of whom was a top line center.
- BiggE

Kerr also currently holds the record for PP goals in a season with 34. With today’s game, that record is likely safe for a while.

Martin St. Louis: 1,033 points, Hart Trophy, 2 Art Ross Trophies, Lester Pearson Trophy and a HOF member. Pretty solid case for best undrafted player of all-time.

Edit: someone mentioned Adam Oates and his 1,420 points in 1,337 games gives him a higher and better points per game ratio than St. Louis who was just under a point per game pace. Oates does lack the hardware of St. Louis though.

Eklund: Contest Time!: Best Undrafted NHL Player EVER + Calder Nominees and Buzz@1
- Eklund

Marty St. Louis, Curtis Joseph, Ed Belfour, Joe Mullen, Adam Oates, Tim Kerr, Borje Salming, Dino Ciccarelli, Brian Rafalski.

As much as I loved CuJo, I think the answer’s gotta be Marty St. Louis.

10x All-Star, 3X Lady Byng, Ted Lindsay award, Stanley Cup, and HHOF. Pretty good for a guy who was overlooked because she was small. No doubt Calgary hates the fact that they let him go

Martin St. Louis. Case closed.
- AdamFrench

Mark Giordano would also fit in that equation, length of career & a Norris Trophy is pretty impressive for an undrafted player.

I would give Adam Oates my vote, with St. Louis a close second.

Marty St.Louis, Adam Oates or Eddie the Eagle

As much as I loved CuJo, I think the answer’s gotta be Marty St. Louis.

10x All-Star, 3X Lady Byng, Ted Lindsay award, Stanley Cup, and HHOF. Pretty good for a guy who was overlooked because she was small. No doubt Calgary hates the fact that they let him go
- Gsyms17

Sexist pig.

Let's get this party rolling baby!!!

Curtis Joseph, Ed Belfour, Joe Mullen, Adam Oates, Tim Kerr, Borje Salming, Dino Ciccarelli, Brian Rafalski.
- gergeswillems

Me: "How did Salming manage to finish top-5 in Norris voting seven years in a row without winning it?"

Checks winners.

Orr, Orr, Potvin, Robinson, Potvin, Potvin, Robinson.

Yeah, that'd do it.

If Panarin stayed in Chicago they still wouldn't come close to winning their division. But maybe Kaapo Kakko could fill the void in NYR and put up 90 points.

You gotta give the Calder to Huggy Bear. He plays on a weaker team them Cale, and he was a dominate force all year long and will just get better with age

Me: "How did Salming manage to finish top-5 in Norris voting seven years in a row without winning it?"

Checks winners.

Orr, Orr, Potvin, Robinson, Potvin, Potvin, Robinson.

Yeah, that'd do it.
- Sven22

And if Orr didn't have to retire so early (knees), neither Potvin or Robinson would've won the Norris. I always wonder what would've happened if the great Bobby Orr was able to play another decade. ☹️ Do the Habs still win 4 consecutive Cups from 76-79? I doubt it. We'll never know.

What? No love for the reigning Norris Trophy winner?? Gio All The Way!

Hands down...


Loof Lirpa

And if Orr didn't have to retire so early (knees), neither Potvin or Robinson would've won the Norris. I always wonder what would've happened if the great Bobby Orr was able to play another decade. ☹️ Do the Habs still win 4 consecutive Cups from 76-79? I doubt it. We'll never know.
- gergeswillems

If Orr had stayed healthy, remained with Boston (which he presumably would have if not for Jacobs being scared off by the injuries and revising his contract offer) and played until, say, age 40 (as Robinson did) he would have overlapped 10 years in Boston with Ray Bourque. Even if Orr in his 30s would have been 70 percent the player that Orr in his 20s was, that is still terrifying.

If he had played until 48 like Chelios did he would have retired in (checks notes) 1997.

Martin St.Louis.

If Orr had stayed healthy, remained with Boston (which he presumably would have if not for Jacobs being scared off by the injuries and revising his contract offer) and played until, say, age 40 (as Robinson did) he would have overlapped 10 years in Boston with Ray Bourque. Even if Orr in his 30s would have been 70 percent the player that Orr in his 20s was, that is still terrifying.

If he had played until 48 like Chelios did he would have retired in (checks notes) 1997.
- Sven22

However, Bruins are likely a much better team with Orr still playing and finish much higher in the standings. So they wouldn't have the opportunity to draft Bourque 8th overall in 1979. Wait, they got 100 points in 78-79. How did they get #8 overall?

However, Bruins are likely a much better team with Bourque still playing and finish much higher in the standings. So they wouldn't have the opportunity to draft Bourque 8th overall in 1979. Wait, they got 100 points in 78-79. How did they get #8 overall?
- gergeswillems

Originally the Kings' pick. They traded it 1978 for Ron Grahame.

Whoops.

Originally the Kings' pick. They traded it 1978 for Ron Grahame.

Whoops.
- Sven22

Thanks. BIG whoops! Rob Ramage, Perry Turnbull, Mike Foligno, Mike Gartner, Rick Vaive, Craig Hartsburg and Keith Brown were all drafted before Ray Bourque was.

The correct answer is:

1. Ed Belfour
2. Adam Oates
3. Martin St. Louis