Highest unused entry draft pick in NHL history?

[Arto Kilponen]

I know that teams have said sometimes in 11th round and so on that "no thanks, we draft no-one", but what's the highest pick ever that was unused? I was also wondering that is it theoretically possible that a team doesn't use the first overall pick at all? How would NHL react to that?

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[pnep]

1983 DRAFT QUICK FACTS

 

[Mayor Bee]

1983 DRAFT QUICK FACTS

The forfeited picks from St. Louis were #48, 69, 90, 111, 132, 153, 174, 195, 216, and 237. #6 (John MacLean) had previously been traded to New Jersey, and #27 to Montreal for Guy Lapointe.

 

[Arto Kilponen]

Very interesting story, I had no idea of that one. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Jumptheshark]

1983 DRAFT QUICK FACTS

I thought the Blues were not scheduled to pick to the 4th or 5th round

3rd round it is

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_NHL_Entry_Draft

 

[Hoser]

The highest pick ever passed on was 3rd overall in 1965. The talent pool that year was so shallow (the sponsorship system was still entrenched and most players of draft age were already sponsored) that the Maple Leafs didn't bother making a pick. They didn't just pass on that first round pick either, they elected to not participate in the draft at all.

The Blues attempted to draft an ineligible player in 1967 with the third overall pick; their pick was subsequently annulled and they passed on the rest of the draft. Toronto also passed on their 9th overall pick.

 

[Arto Kilponen]

The highest pick ever passed on was 3rd overall in 1965. The talent pool that year was so shallow (the sponsorship system was still entrenched and most players of draft age were already sponsored) that the Maple Leafs didn't bother making a pick. They didn't just pass on that first round pick either, they elected to not participate in the draft at all.

The Blues attempted to draft an ineligible player in 1967 with the third overall pick; their pick was subsequently annulled and they passed on the rest of the draft. Toronto also passed on their 9th overall pick.

Sounds like this is a perfect answer!

 

[Canadiens1958]

Eligibility Rules Changed

The highest pick ever passed on was 3rd overall in 1965. The talent pool that year was so shallow (the sponsorship system was still entrenched and most players of draft age were already sponsored) that the Maple Leafs didn't bother making a pick. They didn't just pass on that first round pick either, they elected to not participate in the draft at all.

The Blues attempted to draft an ineligible player in 1967 with the third overall pick; their pick was subsequently annulled and they passed on the rest of the draft. Toronto also passed on their 9th overall pick.

1965 saw a change in eligibility rules change - increased from the previous 16 year old qualification to 18 year old players:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1965_NHL_Amateur_Draft

Effectively the non-drafted eligible 1963 players were getting a second chance with no one else eligible.

Leafs drafted Bob Kelly in the 2nd round in 1967:

http://www.hockey-reference.com/draft/NHL_1967_amateur.html