Draft dodgers - 03-15-13
It's not often you see two undrafted players among the top ten in goal scoring in the NHL.
It's even rarer when you see those two undrafted players on the same team.
And it's extremely unlikely you would flank a former first overall pick in an NHL draft with two undrafted players on his wings.
But that's exactly what happened with the Penguins this season. Pascal Dupuis and Chris Kunitz (above), each deemed unworthy of being selected by an NHL team when they were eligible find themselves among the league's leading goal scorers just past the midway point of this shortened season.
Combined, they have accounted for 31 goals. No other NHL team has more offense from undrafted players this season:
| Team (Total Goals) |
Player, Position | Goals |
| Penguins (31) | Chris Kunitz, LW Pascal Dupuis, RW |
18 13 |
| Lightning (19) | Cory Conacher, C Martin St. Louis, RW Teddy Purcell, RW Marc-Andre Bergeron, D |
7 7 4 1 |
| Devils (18) | David Clarkson, RW Ryan Carter, C Stephen Gionta, RW Andy Greene, D |
10 3 3 2 |
| Canadiens (17) | David Desharnais, C Rene Bourque, LW Josh Gorges, 2 Francis Bouillon, D Raphael Diaz, D |
8 5 2 1 1 |
| Flames (13) | Curtis Glencross Roman Cervenka, C Mark Giordano, D |
9 3 1 |
| Canucks (12) | Alex Burrows, RW Jason Garrison, D Andrew Ebbett, C Chris Tanev, D Dale Weise, RW |
5 4 1 1 1 |
| Red Wings (11) | Damien Brunner, C Brian Lashoff, D |
10 1 |
| Capitals (9) | Joel Ward, RW Jay Beagle, C Steve Olesky, D Aaron Volpatti, LW |
6 1 1 1 |
| Flyers (8) | Matt Read, RW Ruslan Fedotenko, LW |
8 1 |
| Maple Leafs (8) | Tyler Bozak, C Colton Orr, RW |
7 1 |
| Stars (8) | Brenden Dillon, D Ryan Garbutt, C Vernon Fiddler, C Matt Fraser, RW |
3 3 1 1 |
| Sharks (7) | Dan Boyle, D Matt Irwin, D |
4 3 |
| Blue Jackets (6) C | Mark Letestu, C | 6 |
| Islanders (4) | Keith Aucoin, C | 4 |
| Senators (4) | Dave Dziurzynski, LW Andre Benoit, D Stephane Da Costa, C |
2 1 1 |
| Avalanche (3) | Cody McLeod, LW | 3 |
| Blues (3) | Andy McDonald (3) | 3 |
| Bruins (3) | Rich Peverly, C | 3 |
| Hurricanes (3) | Chad LaRose, LW Tim Wallace, RW |
2 1 |
| Coyotes (2) | Rob Klinkhammer, LW | 2 |
| Kings (2) | Davis Drewiske, D Dustin Penner, LW |
1 1 |
| Panthers (2) | Jarred Smithson, RW Mike Weaver, D |
1 1 |
| Blackhawks (1) | Sheldon Brookbank, D | 1 |
| Predators (1) | Bobby Butler, RW | 1 |
| Rangers (1) | Dan Girardi, D | 1 |
| Ducks (0) | - | - |
| Jets (0) | - | - |
| Oilers (0) | - | - |
| Wild (0) | - | - |
(Photo: Chris Young/Canadian Press)
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