New York Islanders: Top 5 Lou Lamoriello Draft Picks

5 of 7

PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 29: Zach Parise #9 of the New Jersey Devils in action against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on April 29, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Devils 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Number 3: Trading Up For Zach Parise Round 1 Pick 17 2003

When you have a guy in mind in the draft you go up and get him. This worked out perfectly for Lou Lamoriello when he moved up for Zach Parise in the 2003 installment of the draft.

Parise spent the first seven years of his career with the Devils before signing with the Minnesota Wild. He had a very nice stint with the Devils and even a well-remembered goal against Team Canada in the 2010 Olympics.

The 03′ draft was a deep one, but Lamoriello really liked Parise’s game so he went up to nab him. In his seven years with the Devils, he had 410 points (194 goals, 216 assists) in 502 games with the organization.

His best year came in 2008-2009 when he had a 94 point (45 goals, 49 assists) season. From 2008-2010 Parise averaged more than a point per game.

Now, as he’s 33 years old he’s beginning to slow down a bit, but this makes the list so high just because of Lamoriello’s talent evaluating skills. He knew he wouldn’t be able to get Parise where he sat and he went for it.

They never won a cup with Parise, but they did reach the Final with him in 2011-2012 and Parise was a huge part of with 15 playoff points that year.