NHL Players Who Looked Like BUSTS.. But Proved Everybody Wrong

[@RobTalksHockey]

Can you name a player who took a couple extra years to breakout? Also, Kakko or Hughes? 🤔 VHL Forum 👉🏼 www.vhlforum.com/

[@case5149]

Kakko for sure

[@guyami8892]

Jumbo Joe took a while to get his game together.

[@18laxX]

The comparisons need to stop, it’s embarrassing for Kakko at this point

[@pooblog]

Obviously not your dog The first video he was in he became my favourite character

[@topiheimola69]

Kakko. Totally not biased.

[@dereklasker5350]

The label of “bust” should not be allowed to be used until age 23

[@thatsportsguy983]

I’d say 24, 25 at the latest. By then you know what you have for sure ceiling wise with the majority of guys

[@nathanmeagher7869]

this shit happens in the NFL too, where if a rookie QB doesn't come in and light it up immediately like Mahomes or Herbert they're labeled bust

[@IHateMyAccountName]

@@nathanmeagher7869 ^ Mahomes even had a year to sit behind Alex Smith.

[@sootcoot8712]

or not at all

[@martintorres8982]

26

[@floridaman735]

Everybody who said Hughes was a bust after his rookie year overreacted hard! I think a lot of the Devils fans knew from the start that Hughes just wasn’t ready to play in the NHL right off the bat and they knew in a few years he would pick up the pieces and become a great player, and boy were they right! Jack Hughes is a beast and he will have around 650 points or more in his career!

[@khgrikjhff811]

cringe

[@floridaman735]

@@khgrikjhff811 stop describing your life. 😂😂😂

[@jackr3630]

@@floridaman735 you sound so full of yourself it’s annoying

[@Max-hs4vu]

Idk about that. He will be an upper level player but i don’t think he will be a star. we will see though

[@floridaman735]

@@Max-hs4vu well at least we can agree that the Devils have a bright future with great young players!

[@loganteal8696]

Points don’t tell the story of Hughes’ rookie year. If you watched him play, he made good plays but his teammates could not finish at all.

[@christiantretter4605]

Soooo true

[@blondedzero]

fr he was so unlucky during his rookie year

[@carterlenihan3961]

Expect for another player like nail yakapoov jk I agree

[@sainlovesluppi487]

Story of almost every game that year it sucks that he got hurt early this year he was looking amazing

[@jordanfedirchuk1558]

Great to see Bennett doing well in Florida. They didn’t really put him in a spot to succeed here in Calgary. Guy is a beast in the playoffs

[@mp40submachinegun81]

Said this forever, watched him all the time in the OHL, he was playing a totally different game in Calgary. Found a fit in florida and is looking like he used to.

[@BraydenEllis]

Guy is a beast in the playoffs. He just wasn’t able to play in the playoffs much in Calgary

[@painnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

@@BraydenEllis lol he played 4x in the playoffs with the flames

[@craigborth8047]

@@BraydenEllis u slow?

[@santerimakinen2222]

I think a key factor in Puljujärvi's great performances this season has been the fact that he has learned to speak English. It's a lot easier to play when you can communicate properly :D

[@jp9608]

Certainly makes it easier as a fan to love him!

[@SaintThaG]

Pizza 73 a golden retriever and free skate sharpenings= success

[@Litti100]

Good game hotel sleep 😃

[@kirkshairpiece6741]

He was also a homesick 18 year old from an isolated Finnish farm community. He had lots to overcome and needed to mature.

[@tylerflannigan2583]

also the Oilers have played him bottom six his whole career until he LEFT the organization and is now stuck on the final year of his contract, so they may as well figure it out with him instead of lose him for nothing or diminish his skill to that of a fifth round prospect.

[@horticultureharry6198]

Yes, 2 games completely proves everyone wrong on Hughes. Nail Yakupov had a goal and an assist in Russia last night so it looks like he’s a star again.

[@RobTalksHockey]

Don't disrespect the Yak.

[@FBCGodfather]

He's disrespecting you. For including Hughes on this list. Woooow. Two games this year boys. Got a point or two. SUPER STAR!!

[@Huntsman2013]

@@FBCGodfather this aged well lol

[@Heytherebuds]

​@@FBCGodfather99 points

[@TheRealLulZ91]

@@FBCGodfather99 points last season bud

[@kailor449]

I can't remember a single person (that at least watched him play) call Jack Hughes even close to the worst 1st pick in history

[@MotivationMadness]

Wait holy smokes what a throwback, are you in the VHL or was that an ad? I was in the league from S5 to S20, former GM of the New York Americans back in the day until I didn't have the time to do weekly PT with KZbin full-time 👀

[@moon_5054]

Hey! I am part of the Recruitment team in the VHL, who were you back in the day? and would you like to get back into it?

[@MotivationMadness]

@@moon_5054 Brandon Best / Brandon Azevedo were my player names! Was given the keys to turn around the short bus at the time. A lot of good memories! It would be fun, although I am extremely time restricted (which is why I dropped off due to not being able to complete Point Tasks). Who knows, maybe ;)

[@moon_5054]

@@MotivationMadness Oh nice!!! Would love to see you come back around and maybe even just be a welfare clicker :) Lots has changed and you may even recognize some of the people in discord!

[@scracing4212]

Watching the way Johnny Drouin has been playing lately - he could definitely end up being a late bloomer. Used to watch him when he played with MacKinnon here in Halifax and the style and finesse that this kid played with is unmatched to date... I have been watching him closely lately and he has been putting his all on the line - curious to see if he can have a breakout season (or two) before the end of his career.

[@perfectdark287]

Jack Hughes gives me Claude Giroux vibes. Seems like he will be a #1 center on a solid team, will play on team USA in the Olympics, will make the all star team occasionally, will be a very solid 2 way player. But wont win a ton of awards or cups

[@brycejonathan384]

I do enjoy the addition of having buck bumble as the song in the background during the ad read. An absolute classic

[@innyikoli6868]

As a Flames fan I'm so happy to see Bennett do well in Flordia !

[@andrewpoole160]

Channel is growing rapidly in popularity because content is awesome. Also your dog is very cute!

[@machinegunc1325]

I’ll do that trade, doggo for likes. WE WANT MOOOORE. We love the woofer

[@Mdrobile]

Hey man i just found your channel out of nowhere. Im late to the party. Love your content. Cheers!

[@RobTalksHockey]

Thanks for the support my guy!

[@yoholmes273]

Ride or Devils fan here - Jack Hughes is the man. Now one has to understand Jack Hughes was a child when he was drafted. Jack was an acned faced 18 year old 160lb boy who never played against grown men. I for one am not into watching children attempt to develop on the NHL level but the fact Jack made it out his first season alive was a huge win. Unfortunately I was at The Kraken game when Jack was injured and the setback has been huge for the team. Jack truly is the straw that stirs the drink in NJ. That being said there is another first overall pick in NJ who honestly is playing terribly, especially for now being a veteran, first overall pick, & team captain Nico. Jack Hughes is indispensable to The Devils whereas I would trade Nico tommorrow.

[@toastgalaxy776]

wdym veteran? nico was drafted in 2017 4 years is not a veteran lmao 🤣

[@archiiebarrett]

Nico is a playmaker. Yeah, he isn't the point gathering star we expected, but he is still valuable. We got Bratt, Vesey and Zacha... Sharo may finally have broken out, and above all, we got friggin Mercer, who'd have thought.

[@yoholmes273]

@Mike Schwab Stating facts is not making "excuses" bra. And you named two guys...who also sucked while they were learning to develop on the NHL level before they broke out. Neither of them was a 160 pounds either nor playing in the toughest division in hockey.

[@jeffreyval9665]

@@archiiebarrett a #1 overall pick has to be more than just a playmaker. A guy picked that high has gotta be a top tier point producer. He's fallen below the radar for whatever reason and nobody seems to talk about him or care about his production.

[@Heytherebuds]

Let's look at this past season. Nico,Bratt,Hughes and Mercer did awesome

[@Seanavery0016]

Where’s Sean Avery?

[@nyrangers124]

Low key I was wondering when you were gonna post your next video lol I checked an hour ago and nothing was posted. Love your vids man

[@RobTalksHockey]

Thanks my dude

[@WolfRebel]

Any Flames fan who watched games could see that Bennett had potential And the fact he was being played with players on the fourth line that would vanish the next year was an insult to the guy. We just wouldn’t do anything with him It was bittersweet, but seeing him thrive in Florida is a relief. The man deserves better and he’s getting it

[@realarniegrape]

I’m in Calgary and he WAS given chances on top lines repeatedly over his many seasons here and did nothing! The Flames were extremely patient with him, too patient in my mind. So when they traded him I had no issue with it whatsoever. It’s a shame he could never do in Calgary what he’s doing in Florida but we was given a looooonnnggg time here and it was never going to happen.

[@PanPanOB]

I worked for the Frontenacs during the Sam Bennett/Michael dal Cole era. Great time to be around the rink. Lawson Crouse is hands down my favorite. Did an interview with him after his world junior gold medal win in Toronto. Awesome times!

[@ronryan7398]

He should never had been put in the line-up at 18. To NHL GM'S and coaches: NOT EVERY 18 Y/O IS CONNOR McDAVID!!!!!! As a matter of fact, most aren't.

[@squidsfc6372]

Kakko has been looking really nice since coming back from injury this season. Maybe he’s finally finding his groove

[@sinodanotsnhoj625]

so dope to see how much this channel has grown over the years, been here since 1k! great job rob

[@RobTalksHockey]

Thanks for the continued support my man. I remember ya

[@soulknife20]

Jack Huges was in a kinda weak draft class. Very few players in that class have seen a lot of play time. Caufield was in that class and he had to back to the AHL this year. Newhook just started playing. Byram has been Allright. You get "weak" draft classes sometimes. Very few players can start right away. Everyone is looking for that next MacDavid, Crosby, Ovechkin. It just doesn't always happen. Hughes will be fine.

[@nickmolinelli2781]

3:07 MY GUY WHAT IS THAT SCREEN SAVER AND CAN I HAVE IT

[@RobTalksHockey]

It’s an NFT. $5,000 and it’s yours. No screenshotting

[@nickmolinelli2781]

@@RobTalksHockey damn why do you have to do this to Jesse turning him into an nft

[@archiiebarrett]

Not only do we have Hughes, but when he comes back, we got the Hughes/Mercer combo. It's okay to be scared people.

[@ohpestyy1816]

yea well we got Drai and mcdavid

[@ancientkeyboardwarrior]

@@ohpestyy1816 no one cares oilers fan. Go ride their tail coats some more

[@xMiisTx]

@@ohpestyy1816 yet a bum ass city like Winnipeg has your number, embarrassing

[@DropshotVSGames]

We also have hischer and Bratt and Zacha. The devils are building and with this young core of players they are gonna be a really good team for a lot of years

[@519garbageman2]

love the perfect dark music in the background. audio nostalgia

[@ColeNollavook]

Jack Campbell went from being the top goalie prospect in hockey to being a write-off to leading the league in GAA

[@busorenkin55]

Sam Bennett now has 38 points in 39 games with Florida (21 goals 17 assists) playing 2C minutes

[@chrispswann6825]

Don't judge a prospect until they're at least 21 years old. Lots of players are just late bloomers

[@xboxrules8472]

Canucks picked Elias Eriksson at #5, what a BUST.

[@OfficialAzyria]

am i still hearing Goldeneye music? i just got done playing 2 hours of it.. or do you really have awesome music in the video?

[@RobTalksHockey]

You heard correctly. First video game I played growing up aha

[@puckproject4109]

Hey Rob you should do a video on the most surprising players of the year so far

[@teegantserpes7291]

Love the Videos! Great Vid!

[@RobTalksHockey]

Thank you!

[@mr2slick910]

Bring the dog in more he reminds me of my golden retriever her name is Rosy and she is. Four years old also another banger video by you 😎😎‼️‼️

[@jellypopmaster5059]

This comment made my day better!

[@mr2slick910]

@@jellypopmaster5059 np bro ofc

[@shadowlurkers9837]

i’m gonna be honest I used to be bored of ur videos but loved ur thumbnails and it made me click all the time but then i’d see “rob talks hockey” so i’d click off but then I gave ur videos a chance and ended up loving it.

[@Mark-pz9xw]

Love your videos, Rob! Any chance of doing a feature on next load of generational talent from outside North America? Matvei Michkov looks to be the next Russian one.

[@jordanlibke]

The bison king pol part is a machine I'm so happy oilers didn't give up on him he has the potential to be one of the greats

[@jordanlibke]

@Mike Schwab oh muffin did my auto correct upset you? I'm sorry sweetheart next time I have a english teacher standing over my shoulder I'll get them to double check my work for you 🤣🤣

[@GordonSlamsay]

the worst thing that could happen with any young player is getting drafted to a Canadian organization. the media here is brutal if you underperformed for even like 10 games

[@pierrepellerin249]

Kakko and Hughes are both bust, Lafreniere is looking like one too. Hughes has played 2 games this year and you say he's no bust cuz he had 2 goals? yeah well, he hasn't proven anything yet and until he does, he's a bust (for a no 1 draft pick)

[@austinmcmillan1877]

Nothing against Rob but Pierre luc Dubois is the one who is drafted third overall in 2016

[@RobTalksHockey]

I was referring to the fact that he was ranked 3rd behind Matthews and Laine. It was a surprise when Dubois went 3rd

[@stephentyler4352]

I have been watching Sam Bennett closely since his days in the OHL with the Kingston Frontenacs. He has been a beast for a very long time. I knew he would be successful at some point in time. It has been inevitable in my eyes!! ❤️‍🔥

[@nathanpihl7442]

Wasn't Erik Johnson in the USNTDP when he went #1 in 2006?

[@RobTalksHockey]

Yes but he played in the NCAA the next season

[@musictobemurderedby4952]

Unless ur mcdavid or Crosby kane exc. 1st overall pick should spend at least a year in the minors be4 coming up in the nhl, Lucas Raymond is the best player in his draft year he was 4th overall

[@reasonablerage4370]

Lol its way too early to say if Raymond is the best.

[@christiansnyder8761]

Just realized 2 minutes in Goldeneye N64 music in the background.

[@ffej4895]

I'm happy Bennett got traded from the Flames. That trade has send his career in a much better direction.

[@TheMattG2]

Bro I use that goldeneye pause music to study to all the time lmao

[@derickstanford5334]

I always hated how little we played Bennett. So happy to see him succeeding in Florida

[@soccerkiller3]

I like Hughes. He is a good player, I think he just needs to catch a stride. Don’t forget his first year was a weird one that was locked to divisional games only. And he was on the team that was next to last in the East division. I don’t blame him for struggling

[@Ohio_Isnt_Real]

Teams need to learn to not rush players development a year in the AHL never hurt anyone

[@killermon117]

The senators would have been so bad if not for Belleville

[@rugbyelite1361]

Lol got that common use goldeneye music in the background eh?🤣

[@tmoonias807]

As an NJ fan I think being drafted in NJ (at this time) will automatically come with some doubt in a draft pick/prospect

[@XxNoMErcY99xX]

I really like this channel but this video could literally be renamed "overreacting to a few good games by young players" Saying Hughes will be the next Kane based on TWO GAMES is pretty silly at best...

[@dayron6637]

Still too soon to say Hughes is deserved of the number one I think.

[@noeld6270]

crazy watching this now, when jack hughes is top 10 in the league

[@danetapley2591]

Blues drafted Eric Johnson #1 overall 06, does he count?

[@oscarlevin5952]

Jesse Puljujärvi went 4th overall in 2016 draft. Dubois was 3rd overall in 2016 draft.

[@RobTalksHockey]

He was ranked 3rd

[@oscarlevin5952]

@@RobTalksHockey rank isn't the same as draft. I'm just going based on the aftermath rather than the predicament with ranks. Owen Power was not ranked 1st I don't believe and yet he went 1st overall in the recent NHL draft. he's lit up the NCAA D1 show in University of Michigan at this time.

[@anthonymoring7061]

It's crazy to think that Puljujärvi didn't get power play time on the Oilers.... Like was Kassian really the better option? 🤦‍♂️

[@bill649]

Dude Jack Hughes was not “the first player in NHL history to get drafted 1st overall straight from the USNTDP” Erik Johnson was 1st overall in 2006

[@RobTalksHockey]

He played in the NCAA after he was drafted. Jack Hughes went straight to the NHL. I should've been more specific.

[@rynesierra5184]

It’s crazy to think people thought Hughes was a bust like the kid is young still. You gotta wait a couple more years to truly know if he was a bust not one year where he didn’t light it up

[@dsc4178]

Small sample size, takes 5 years to know who is who

[@jsmusicanddrums]

Speaking of Hughes how did the coyotes pass on Quinn for Hayden....... oh yeah John Chykas brilliance 🤬🤬🤬

[@redmapelleaf]

I am honestly mostly just here for the doggo, he is definitely no bust

[@manden7510]

lol wait, Hughes is no longer a bust because he played good in the only 2 games he played this year? Now that is a brutal take

[@benaucoin6482]

I like seeing all of the nhlers on together in nova scotia during the off season

[@rodchester3]

Waiting on the Kakko addition in pt2

[@BiG_JJ227]

What about Aaron Ekblad? Well he wasn’t a bust but wasn’t up to his potential. Last year this man was a borderline Norris nominee until he got injured. This season rocking the mustache, is still cooking and just hit an ot goal, to tie the record for most consecutive home wins in the modern era.

[@airhead3333]

He was never close to being a bust

[@BiG_JJ227]

@@airhead3333 I said he wasn’t I said he wasn’t to his full potential yet

[@michaelmarano9134]

It’s almost like rookies can’t be judged from their 1st year

[@tomwilson3969]

Let's be honest. Jack Hughes will never be Patrick kane. Kane was basically a point a game from the moment he entered the league. He really hasn't proven anything yet. Jack really hasn't proven anything yet. In reality Jack has only proved the people right that said he was too small and would get injured. Personally I think Jack will reach all-star/superstar level. Put up 65-75 points per year. But he won't be an elite player in the NHL

[@floridaman735]

Dude the guy is only 20 years old, it is unfair to judge him right off the bat, Hughes has the talent to become a 80-90 point scorer, just wait until he hits his prime then we can talk about if Hughes is elite or not.

[@bmass4915]

@@floridaman735 Gretzky was like 19 putting up 140 pts no excuse he stinks

[@porkmanchase3002]

@@bmass4915 You cant compare Gretzky to anybody, Gretzky is on a whole other level 🤦‍♀️

[@floridaman735]

@@bmass4915 first off Gretzky is the best player of time and to compare Gretzky with Hughes is unfair, secondly Joe Thornton only had 7 points in his rookie season and look at him now, he is a potential player for the hall of fame. Any response to that?

[@floridaman735]

@@porkmanchase3002 ikr the guy is an absolute goof. 😂

[@stephenlodico6063]

That trade u offered I accepted.

[@mrex3553]

Can you make a video why players like Adam Larsson has 3 goals / season and still is in the NHL

[@RobTalksHockey]

Hey he's killing it on my fantasy team

[@mrex3553]

@@RobTalksHockey But that is just fantasy ;)

[@douglasberggren7667]

Jack hughes should probebly have played a year in the AHL first before going to the NHL

[@theminnow6040]

1 like for one doggo appearance seems very reasonable to me. Pleasure doing business with ya

[@YuiFunami]

he's one of the things that keep me from crying at each devils peformance

[@MrMeowmixcookies]

To not even mention once, even whisper it, Covid in the midst of Jacks NHL beginnings and how to some, that makes stats you quoted unquotable as theyre thrown out the window, to some. Is a bad job as it is part, only a part, but impactful to the kid being thrown into the ring w grown men

[@Brandon-qd2lb]

Hughes is definitely interesting... I'm not convinced still

[@howdareyouexist]

lol how about now?

[@mcj44]

Lmaoo

[@jotsky3668]

LETS GO RTH GOT A SPONSOR!!

[@fubartotale3389]

Since when is Kane a defenseman?

[@depressedjetsfan9658]

Calling players busts after 1 year is so dumb

[@bmantheawsome77]

same bennet went ultra instinct

[@Makkz_06]

Jack Hughes I thought Matthews came from there?

[@RobTalksHockey]

Matthews was drafted from Switzerland

[@chaiwarrior11]

One good boy like coming up.

[@Tyekiller115]

Everyone thought sam Bennett was a bust look how that turned out

[@hypebeast_dylxn]

The next Kane confirmed???

[@lukerisser9163]

“Jesse pull-apart y

[@nathanielnot4u]

lol “next kane confirmed” bahahahaha

[@nolanmarshall9055]

Disagree with the timing of this. The injury he sustained has ruined players careers. Will he even be back before the trade deadline? Two good games is not enough to say everyone was wrong about him. First wait and see how he plays when he comes back. I have a hard time seeing Hughes being more than a 15 goal , 40-50 pt guy . Although that goal against chicago was pretty legendary

[@coreymcauslan2750]

Plus 1 for doggo.

[@justinpayette2919]

Bison king 3 overall?

[@RobTalksHockey]

He was rated 3rd overall by almost all scouts

[@darrellmackinnon1667]

*Just gonna go ahead and stop you there. Hughes comparison to Kane...?..NO. Losing us, Rob. I'd compare Laine now, to Ovi...before I compared Hughes as being the next Kane. Ovechkin carried a pretty poor conditioned Capitals, in the mid to late 00's with little help, in my honest opinion for many offensive areas that lacked. Hughes on the other hand, I don't see reaching upwards of 30 goals in a season, very often, if at all. I'd say a more agile David Backes, is probably more fair.* #TradeSeversonSoHeCanActuallyWin

[@NotodayUrsidae]

Mmmmmm still wanting to call Hughes a bust

[@fiver-on-yt0642]

Hughes hasn’t played a enough he is only 21

[@hudballnation]

I called jack hughes a bust alot lol didnt except him to break out like thid

[@snicky3594]

This video is gunna age like milk. He legit hasn't done anything and is injured lol

[@rone7982]

Totally agree. He has not done a thing at this point. And I predict he will continue to get injured.

[@thumpyloudfoot864]

You've called Jack Campbell a bust... juat saying...

[@SaintThaG]

Jesse is a monster always was see the thing was he didn’t speak English and had bad morale give the kid a golden retriever pizza 73 and a girl and boom he’s God😂

[@lucasbrownson6670]

I don’t know if anyone thought Bennett was a bust he was just stuck in the most poverty franchise in the league unfortunately

[@Tyekiller115]

Most mediocre team*

[@phattylav]

So what constitutes the “modern era”? Jumbo Joe averaged .12 points per game his first year in Boston. Please tell me you didn’t forget about that nor could you exclude him in your “modern era” considering he’s still playing.

[@RobTalksHockey]

Post salary cap era. I have covered this topic in the past with Jumbo as the focal point