Ranking the 10 Biggest Draft Busts in the NHL Since 2000

While many stars have emerged from the NHL draft, a number of promising players have fallen short of expectations. Players selected in the top 10 of the first round are expected to have successful NHL careers, but some notable exceptions failed to achieve fame.

Several factors can contribute to a top-10 pick falling short of NHL stardom. Serious injuries can cut short a promising career. Some encounter difficulty adapting to the NHL game. Some European players struggle with the culture shock of living and working in North America. 

The following slideshow examines the 10 biggest draft busts since 2000. This listing only includes players who were selected among the top 10 picks in their respective draft year. The ranking is based upon their selection in their draft year. 

10. Zach Hamill

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Position, draft year and team: Center Zach Hamill was selected eighth overall in the 2007 NHL draft by the Boston Bruins.

NHL totals: 20 games played, no goals, four assists, four points.

As a WHL and Canadian Major Junior First Team All-Star with the Everett Silvertips, Hamill appeared to have a bright future as an offensive forward when he was selected by the Bruins. Though he netted 262 points in the WHL, Hamill was unable to make the transition to the NHL.

After spending parts of three seasons with the Bruins, Boston traded Hamill to the Washington Capitals in 2012. He was then dealt to the Florida Panthers in 2013. He also failed to stick with the Vancouver Canucks as a free agent.

According to HockeyDB.com, Hamill split last season between the AHL's Utica Comets and the KHL's Barys Astana. This season, he's playing for Finnish club HPK Hameenlinna.

9. Lars Jonsson

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Position, draft year and team: Defenseman Lars Jonsson was selected seventh overall in the 2000 NHL draft by the Boston Bruins.

NHL totals: Eight games played, no goals, two assists, two points, plus/minus of minus-four.

Despite being a high first-round draft pick, Jonsson saw very little NHL action. Though he was selected by the Bruins, GreatestHockeyLegends.com reports the two sides failed to agree on a contract, and he opted to remain in Sweden.

Jonsson eventually signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2006 as an unrestricted free agent. He spent only two seasons with the organization, mainly with the AHL farm team.

Following his brief North American hockey tenure, Jonsson returned to Sweden in 2008. He spent the remainder of his playing career there until arthritis forced his retirement in 2013.

8. Al Montoya

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Position, draft year and team: Goaltender Al Montoya was selected sixth overall in the 2004 NHL draft by the New York Rangers.

NHL totals: As of Dec. 14, Montoya has played 100 games, with a record of 39-28-15, a 2.60 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and five shutouts.

The first Cuban-American player in the NHL, Montoya starred with the University of Michigan Wolverines. He backstopped Team USA to gold at the 2004 World Junior Hockey Championships.

Though selected by the Rangers, Montoya never played a game for them. After nearly five seasons with the Arizona Coyotes, New York Islanders and Winnipeg Jets, Montoya currently plays for the Florida Panthers.

Now 29, he has carved out a career as a dependable NHL backup. Still, that's far short of expectations for a goalie who was selected so high in the draft. 

7. Nikita Filatov

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Position, draft year and team: Left wing Nikita Filatov was selected sixth overall in the 2008 NHL draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

NHL totals: 53 games played, six goals, eight assists, 14 points.

Filatov was a star with CSKA Moscow's junior team and led Russia in points at the 2008 World Juniors. His speed, work ethic and maturity were among the attributes that enticed the Blue Jackets to take him sixth overall.

Despite his promising skills, Filatov struggled during his tenure with the Blue Jackets. Unhappy over his playing time early in the 2009-10 campaign, he was transferred at his request to CSKA Moscow for the remainder of the season. 

In June 2011, the Blue Jackets dealt Filatov to the Ottawa Senators, where he lasted only nine games during the 2011-12 season. Having failed to adjust to the NHL game, Filatov continues his playing career in Russia. HockeyDB.com indicates he's now with the KHL's Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo.

6. Gilbert Brule

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Position, draft year and team: Center Gilbert Brule was selected sixth overall in the 2005 NHL draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

NHL totals: 299 games played, 43 goals, 52 assists, 95 points.

Brule enjoyed a stellar junior career with the WHL's Vancouver Giants. He was the leading scorer in the 2006 Memorial Cup tournament. Brule was also the third-highest Canadian skater selected in the 2005 NHL draft. 

Sadly for Brule, he was unable to successfully adapt to the NHL game. Following three seasons with the Blue Jackets, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in July 2008 for Raffi Torres.

After struggling through a series of injuries with the Oilers and Arizona Coyotes from 2008-09 to 2013-14, Brule officially announced his retirement on Jan. 1, 2014. However, HockeyDB.com indicates he's now playing for KHL team Yekaterinburg Avtomobilist.

5. Stanislav Chistov

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Position, draft year and team: Right wing Stanislav Chistov was selected fifth overall in the 2001 NHL draft by the Anaheim Ducks.

NHL totals: 196 games played, 19 goals, 42 assists, 61 points.

Chistov showed considerable promise during his Ducks debut in 2002-03, collecting 30 points in 79 games and six points in 21 playoff games. Though no one knew it at the time, that would be the best performance of his NHL career.

After playing only 57 more games with the Ducks from 2003-04 through 2006-07, Chistov was dealt to the Boston Bruins. He played 60 games with the Bruins in 2006-07, which was his last NHL season.

Since 2007-08, he has continued his playing career in Russia. HockeyDB.com indicates he's now playing for KHL team Chelyabinsk Traktor.

4. Benoit Pouliot

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Position, draft year and team: Left wing Benoit Pouliot was selected fourth overall in the 2005 NHL draft by the Minnesota Wild.

NHL totals: As of Dec. 14, Pouliot has played 391 games, collecting 79 goals and 89 assists for 168 points, along with 14 points in 54 playoff games.

Now in his ninth NHL season, Pouliot never played up to expectations as a scoring winger. While he has established himself as a decent checking-line forward, that's not what anyone envisioned for him back in 2005.

Pouliot was a star with the OHL's Sudbury Wolves, becoming the 2005 Canadian Major Junior rookie of the year. After Sidney Crosby, he was the second-highest Canadian player taken in the 2005 NHL draft.

Since 2009-10, Pouliot played for the Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers. On July 2, he signed a five-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

3. Alexander Svitov

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Position, draft year and team: Center Alexander Svitov was selected third overall in the 2001 NHL draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

NHL totals: 179 games played, 13 goals, 24 assists, 37 points.

At 6'3” and 228 pounds, Svitov appeared to have the size and skills to become a dominant NHL center. However, he failed to play up to expectations. Svitov struggled to establish himself during his NHL debut with the Lightning in 2002-03. In 63 games, he managed only eight points. 

The most notable event in his short NHL tenure occurred the following season, when he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Darryl Sydor. While Sydor became a key contributor to the Lightning's Stanley Cup run in 2004, Svitov saw only limited playing time with the Blue Jackets. 

Since 2007-08, Svitov has continued his playing career in Russia. HockeyDB.com indicates he's currently with KHL team Kazan Ak-Bars. His brief NHL career is now a distant memory for Lightning and Blue Jackets fans.

2. Cam Barker

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Position, draft year and team: Defenseman Cam Barker was selected third overall in the 2004 NHL draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.

NHL totals: 310 games played, 21 goals, 75 assists, 96 points, plus/minus of minus-29.

Barker was a star defenseman with the WHL's Medicine Hat Tiger. His size (6'3”, 223 lbs) and puck-moving skills suggested his potential to become a top-two NHL defenseman.

After netting 40 points in 68 games with the Blackhawks in 2008-09, Barker subsequently struggled through injuries and inconsistent play. He was traded to the Minnesota Wild midway through 2009-10, was bought out the following year and spent the next two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks.

After playing in Russia during 2013-14, Barker attended Blackhawks training camp on a tryout basis. On Sept. 27, Pro Hockey Talk's Dhiren Mahiban reported Barker failed to make the cut. Though he's an unrestricted free agent, his once-promising NHL career appears finished.

1. Rick DiPietro

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Position, draft year and team: Goaltender Rick DiPietro was selected first overall in the 2000 NHL draft by the New York Islanders.

NHL totals: 318 games played, with a record of 130-136-31, 16 shutouts, a 2.87 goals-against average and .902 save percentage.

DiPietro was the second goaltender in NHL history selected first overall in the NHL draft. Then-Islanders general manager Mike Milbury coveted DiPietro's puck-handling skills and mobility. Milbury told CBC Sports he traded away goalie Roberto Luongo to the Florida Panthers to make room for DiPietro.

While Luongo achieved stardom with the Panthers and Vancouver Canucks, DiPietro struggled during his early years with the Islanders. By 2006, his play had improved, and he signed a 15-year, $67.5 million contract. Unfortunately, a series of knee and groin injuries soon took a serious toll on his performance.

Between 2008-09 and 2012-13, DiPietro played only 50 games with the Islanders. Bought out in 2013, he made an unsuccessful comeback bid last season with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers. Though he hasn't officially retired, it's obvious his once-promising NHL career is over.