Having a high draft pick is a great feeling for any general manager in the NHL. But, it is also a huge possibility. Not every number one pick can be a Steven Stamkos, a Sidney Crosby, or an Alexander Ovechkin. Sometimes you need to really do research to figure out whether or not a player is for real, or if a few good seasons is just a fluke. Let’s take a look at past draft busts in the National Hockey League.
5. Greg Joly, D, Washington Capitals, First overall, 1974.
Joly scored 92 points in 67 games as a junior player, yet only scored 97 in his entire career in the NHL. He was one of the most coveted defenseman in the draft in 1974, yet turned out to be a huge fluke. He only played 44 games in his rookie season because of a knee injury. For the remainder of his career, he was hampered by those knee injuries.
4. Brian Lawton, LW, Minnesota North Stars, First overall, 1983.
Lawton scored ten goals in his rookie season, but then only scored twenty one time in the remainder of his short NHL career. He was traded numerous times, and was the property of eight different teams throughout his career. His final career numbers went as follows: 483 games, 112 goals, 154 assists, 366 points.
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3. Pat Falloon, RW, San Jose Sharks, Second overall, 1991.
Falloon had two consecutive 60-goal seasons in juniors with Spokane, and was picked after Eric Lindros in the 1991 draft. Of course, he was overshadowed by all of the Lindros controversy, and wound up playing with Lindros in Philadelphia for a few seasons. He hit the 25-goal mark twice, but was clearly a bust. He was a slow skater, and his weight was not muscle, so he was unable to throw his body around well. His nickname was often known as “Fat Balloon”. Falloon’s final career numbers were 575 games, 143 goals, 179 assists, 322 points.
2. Alexandre Daigle, C, Ottawa Senators, First overall, 1993.
A prolific scoring machine in juniors with Victoriaville, Daigle was inked by the Sens to a five-year, $12.5-million deal. The Montreal native produced 20 goals and 51 points as a rookie, but he did not surpass that point total in a career that saw him skate for six teams. His career numbers include 616 games, 129 goals, 198 assists, 327 points.
1. Patrick Stefan, LW, Atlanta Thrashers, First overall, 1999.
This guy just plain sucked. You can see one of the worst bloopers in NHL history at the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI0CFWPxdss , where Patrick Stefan missed an empty net with ten seconds left, and then watched as his team gave up the tying goal eight seconds later. Stefan is known as the worst first overall pick in NHL history statistically, as one can see: 455 games, 64 goals, 124 assists, 188 points. Stefan spent his career between the Atlanta Thrashers and the Dallas Stars, and retired at the young age of 27.
I hope as a Flyers’ fan that James Van Riemsdyk turns out to be a great draft pick, or he could eventually be on this list as well.
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2 months ago
I could play better than Stefan, and I'm a washed up has been.
from 2 months ago
You're a washed up never was, Ken! LOL!
Not sure I agree with these guys--they were busts, but top busts all-time? You got guys on here with multiple 20-goal seasons and who scored almost four points every five games over a ten year career. Not saying I could come up with a better list, but I can criticize yours, LOL!
2 months ago
Yep, it looks like I was wrong about Daigle being the worst. I didn't realize Stefan's already retired, that's brutal.
2 months ago
i would nominate the whole 1999 Draft 1st round with the exclusion of about 4 players (Havlat, Sedin twins, Tanabe)..what a terrible 1st round that turned out to be
from 2 months ago
Eh Connolly has been better than Tanabe..not like that's saying much..
2 months ago
See thats what i love about my red wings.. They almost always trade off there high # pick for a lower spot that will fit the team . I mean look at the draft #'s of most of our team ..
GO WINGS..
Is it hockey again???
2 months ago
Great article! I wholeheartedly agree with every pick!
2 months ago
I'd add Radek Bonk to this list. #3 overall pick and never really amounted to much.
2 months ago
Daigle was WAY more hyped then Stefan, who was a first overall pick in arguably the weakest draft in NHL history. IMO, Daigle is the biggest bust but this is a pretty good list.
2 months ago
ahaha great!! i think its a toss up between stefan and daigle, it could go either way
2 months ago
I agree with these, but Brian Lawton had a lot of issues with different teammates in Minnesota. There was a program on the NHL Network that I seen a few years ago that showed how Lawton was pretty much harassed in practice by his own team and how it effected both on and off the ice.
That being said, I think there were quite a few names that could have gone before his in 1983. Yzerman, Neely, Tocchet, Tikkanen to name a few.
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