By the Numbers: Why #73 the Ultimate "What If" in NHL Entry Draft History
In the world of hockey statistics, specific figures serve as shorthand for greatness. We immediately recognize "99" as “The Great One” or "1967" as the end of the “Original Six”. Yet, for the Los Angeles Kings and NHL historians, the number “73” holds a unique, almost miraculous weight. It represents the exact slot in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft where Bernie Nicholls waited while 72 other prospects were called before him.
The 72-Player Head Start
The 1980 NHL Entry Draft at the Montreal Forum was a scout's dream, featuring future Hall of Famers like Denis Savard, Larry Murphy, and Paul Coffey. However, as the first three rounds concluded, Nicholls remained unpicked. By the time the Los Angeles Kings finally used their fourth-round selection at #73 overall, every team in the league had effectively passed on him multiple times.
This oversight remains one of the most staggering scouting blunders in sports history. To be overlooked 72 times and then go on to skate in 1,127 NHL games is a massive anomaly. In fact, of the 72 players drafted before him, only six—Dave Babych, Denis Savard, Larry, Murphy, Paul Coffey, Craig Ludwig, and Jari Kurri—managed to play more games in the NHL. Nicholls didn't just outperform his draft slot; he obliterated the expectations attached to it.
Outscoring the Elite
Once he began wearing the Kings’ jersey, Nicholls evolved into an offensive powerhouse that few could match. The draft-day doubt proved unfounded as he began climbing the all-time scoring ranks. When looking at the 72 players selected ahead of him, only four—Denis Savard, Larry Murphy, Paul Coffey, and Jari Kurri—actually managed to record more career points than Nicholls' incredible 1,209.
To really put that production into perspective, think about the 150-point plateau; Nicholls posted a 150-point season in 1988-89. It’s a mountain so high that only five other names in the history of the sport—Gretzky, Lemieux, Yzerman, Esposito, and McDavid—have ever stood on the summit.
Interesting Fact: Bernie Nicholls is one of eight players to score 70+ goals in one season; and he is one of 18 eligible players with 1,000+ points not to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The Ultimate Fourth Round Legacy
By the time he retired, Bernie Nicholls scored 475 goals. Today, the number “73” stands as a permanent reminder that a draft position is just a label, not a limit. His career is the definitive proof that a superstar can be hiding in plain sight, just waiting for one team to stop overthinking and finally make the call.