Recent NHL Draft Picks That ALREADY Look Like BUSTS

[@OhNyquist]

I think I had a stroke talking about Soderstrom😂

[@theramplocal]

A but early to tell, some players take longer to develop imo. At the same time seeing his development go the way it has its easy to be discouraged for kings fans

[@jonmendelson1104]

I think it's pronounced Strokedersom.

[@slipperynodd578]

Top 5 pick eh? 😂

[@habsfanhighlights1317]

@@slipperynodd578ok buddy

[@ilai7893]

What are Utah-king about? 😅

[@FirewagonHockey]

Pierre Dorion is the kind of person to sell his house to buy TVs for it

[@yoangaudreau3394]

And hope that the TVs want to stay in Ottawa

[@halion50100]

So you saying Pierre Dorian is the kind of person to sell the TVs to buy the TV stands for them 🤔🤔

[@FirewagonHockey]

@@halion50100 same concept. Or like if he was managing the Oilers, the type of GM to trade Mcdavid to get linemates for him

[@ferriswheeler08]

And those TVs were actually fast food menu boards haha

[@jtom68]

Very Gene the Machine behavior lol

[@eliaminator2313]

Boucher is the GOAT only a matter of time before hes in the top 9 in the AHL 😂

[@DMofPuppets]

"Some draft picks just don't pan out." Enter: Filip Zadina

[@petermills-c1h]

And sometimes an undrafted guy goes to the Hall. Not a perfect science. Remember Luc Robitaille went in the 9th round.

[@Northern_Grace]

Enter Wayne Gretzky. He was not drafted. He had to go through an offer of a WHA team (now extinct) and when the WHA folded and his team didn't merge, his choice was either Edmonton, or 1 other (I forget). Unless the hockey article I read was wrong lol.

[@petermills-c1h]

@@Northern_Grace your facts are a bit off. He was too young for the draft at the time. The agreement between the NHL and the CAHA didn’t allow players under 20 to be drafted until 1980. Gretzky signed with Indianapolis of the WHA at age 17, but was traded to Edmonton after just 8 games and therefore was on the Oilers when they merged with the NHL for the 79-80 season. He was still just 18 but had played one year professionally and was exempt from draft restrictions. (also declared ineligible for the Calder Trophy).

[@Northern_Grace]

@user-we2yt5on9b I knew it was something like that. It was a while since I read it though, so memory was a little fuzzy.

[@petermills-c1h]

@@Northern_Grace your point is still correct. Daigle and Yakupov are prime examples

[@AnaheimRob]

Oh man, everyone's worst nightmare, especially when your team is rebuilding.... A top ten pick that becomes a bust.

[@wainber1]

I consider there to be more pressure on top-10 picks to succeed than later ones.

[@handrew]

Rangers had 3 in a row

[@AnaheimRob]

@@wainber1 ...Without question!

[@AnaheimRob]

@@handrew Yeah, Kravstov is a total bust and Kakko is turning out to be a middle six type. Alexis Lafreniere is starting to look very good though, and the Rangers are still legit cup contenders

[@kurtwpg]

Very few pure busts in the 1st or 2nd spots. Usually from 3-10 there are two.

[@Jesuistimmy]

Damn you are on a streak of upload! Never get tired of watching your videos keep up the good work!

[@TheBestDefenseman]

as a kings fan, it’s kinda crazy seeing our prospect pool slowly decline. we used to have one of the best prospect pools in the league, but now with Bjornfot, Turcotte, Cal Peterson, Kupari, and now even Kalieyev, we’re running out of our young talent.

[@AscendedXSaiyan]

Kupari? He's not a King anymore 🤨

[@brandontong759]

Tobias Bjornfot panthers legend

[@RIS3N1]

​@@AscendedXSaiyan point exactly

[@cliffordjordan9577]

You guys have shit developing

[@highground3403]

That's why it's always established players over prospects. Prospects can look good on paper but who knows if they pan out

[@DizzyDez613]

As a Sens fan, I would like to say that the Boucher pick was unanimously despised when it happened, and needless to say, it still is to this day. Some media people were reporting that there were rumours another team picking shortly after Ottawa was picking, so somewhere around 12-15th overall, was very interested in Boucher. And apparently that’s why Pierre took him tenth instead of trying to trade down. And all of us feel, then just don’t take him at 10. But Dorion is stubborn and took the guy he liked, even though no one person on the planet would have taken this guy at 10. Boucher could still develop into like a fourth line grinder type. He’s had the injury bug since being drafted. And most would argue his injuries are because of his play style, he does it to himself. Idk. But yeah, 99% of Sens fans don’t really expect anything to ever come of him. He’ll never live up to his draft rank. He maybe could have late first, or early second, to a team that was looking for that. And maybe without all the pressure of a top 10 pick, he wouldn’t have tried so hard to “prove himself” only to end up injuring himself. Dorion may have ruined a good player.

[@Whitesquall123]

So I shouldn't get a Boucher jersey??

[@scottdunlop7442]

​@@Whitesquall123 bruh.

[@Whitesquall123]

@@scottdunlop7442 we could get matching home and away ones. You in?

[@JHockeyFan]

The Rangers were that team reportedly interested in Tyler Boucher. Just like they were reportedly interested in Jay O’Brien in 2018. The Rangers literally baited two franchises into reaching on complete busts

[@nolananderson4782]

Turc has finally had an extended healthy stretch, and he's gotten NHL time and passed the eye test. He probably projects as a winger at this point, but that really is what the Kings need now

[@dangshnizzle6929]

Hawks fans would unironically tell you Lukas Reichel belongs in this vid

[@nahiyanishtiaque1283]

Sucks that Boucher can’t even try and prove the bust allegations bcuz he’s hurt all the time

[@arandomdudeontheinternet5792]

As a kings fan I feel the same way about Turcotte, trust me, it ain’t just Boucher

[@Psycho-PL]

Still disappointed the Sens didn't pick Wallstedt

[@michaelkeller5927]

He fell right to the oilers and they traded back to the Wild who then drafted him. Now that is idiotic

[@tomhwm913]

@@michaelkeller5927 Not if Skinner wins the cup for them

[@missstar219]

@@tomhwm913LOL

[@jackthetight]

Footnote with Vasily Podkolzin, with the power forward archetype he was given you need to be a bit patient. They are known as late bloomers not to mention the turmoil Vancouver was in when Podkolzin came over from Russia. The potential is still there if things can start to click.

[@NewDesignVinylGraphics]

Bro power forward player type 😂 what is this franchise mode

[@NewDesignVinylGraphics]

He sometimes ends up being a 90 overall if given time on the top line, but if he doesn't grow in year 1 he usually gets buried in the bottom 6 and doesn't grow.

[@jackthetight]

@@NewDesignVinylGraphics Power Forward was used as a way to describe players as early as the 80s. Long before EA included the term in their games starting in NHL 07

[@IanStrain23328]

@@NewDesignVinylGraphics Power Forwards have been a thing before EA even started making NHL games. Cam Neely, was a Power Forward and he was playing in the 80s. Who actually used to also be on the Canucks before we gave up on him and then he blossomed in Boston.

[@NewDesignVinylGraphics]

@@IanStrain23328 lol I know just the way he worded it " power forward archetype "

[@brettmckenzie5034]

Podz didnt put up points last season but he looked great on the forecheck and never really looked out of place. I think a full season under tocchet will do wonders for him and if puck luck goes his way I’m predicting 15-20 goals.

[@nonyabusiness-f9e]

vancouver fans say this literally every year lol..

[@brettmckenzie5034]

@@nonyabusiness-f9eah yes every fan has said this for years even tho tocchet has coached one full season

[@sucraf1]

@@brettmckenzie5034 Yes, stupid people say that. LOL.

[@Stoney037]

Turcotte I could see replacing that Arvidsson type role for the Kings next season. With all the injuries next year will be CRUCIAL for him

[@ilai7893]

I think Podkolzin needs another chance, with Joshua presumably leaving as FA I hope he gets to play with Garland and really get to pop off

[@JD200_]

Podkolzin should be able to take Joshua’s spot when he leaves

[@johanjotun1647]

He played big in Jr's, he's just not heavy enough on his skates to drive the net and create the same kind of chaos, he's had to learn how to contribute all over again he can't use the brute force he used to cause the NHL D is too big and strong.

[@DaltonM1967]

i wish

[@Flyers48]

Still clearly clearly to be a bad top ten pick. Didnt even score that much in AHL ...

[@jonmendelson1104]

Not only was it a high pick, but Arizona gave up pick 11 and 45 to pick Soderstrom. Philly took Cam York with 11 and Egor Afanasyev (who is just starting to get a few NHL games) at 45.

[@Flyers48]

Im pretty sure Arizona gave up pick 34 to trade up from 14 to 11 to take Soderstrom. Flyers took York at 14 who is good top 4 dman and Brink at 34 who was decent 3rd liner this year. Terrible all around for Arizona.

[@jonmendelson1104]

@@Flyers48 Nope, I think you're combining a few of their trade-ups. A couple of years ago they traded 27, 34, and 45 for pick 11 to get Geekie (Sharks took Bystedt, Lund, and Havelid). This was a trade on June 21, 2019 where they traded pick 45 and 14 to get pick 11.

[@Flyers48]

​@@jonmendelson1104 Kind of. I forgot the Flyers used that extra 2nd round pick you gave us, for moving up from 14 to 11, to then move up in 2nd round to 34 to grab Brink. I forgot we made another trade in 2nd round using your pick to move up to get higher 2nd rd pick. But overall your original point still stands that you paid to move up from 14 to 11 to take Soderstrom making it even worse. Not to mention picked Soderstrom over guys like Boldy, Caulfield, Harley, York who were all taken 12-18.

[@jonmendelson1104]

@@Flyers48 Ah, I didn't look down to that pick to see the details. My mistake. (Also, I'm not a Utah/Arizona fan, I'm a Sharks fan. My team didn't pay to move up).

[@montecristo6031]

One major bust is Lukas Reichel of the Chicago Blackhawks. He was a 17th overall draft pick and originally scouted as a Top 10. He has been a complete bust at the NHL level. Even when surrounded by NHL players like Toews and Kane he couldn't produce and isn't even a bottom 6 forward at this point. He's bounced up and down from the AHL to the Big Club several times but that is mostly due to injuries plaguing the Blackhawks. Yet for some stupid reason, Kyle Davidson gave him a 2-year extension for NOT producing. (insert face palm)

[@crazyand2099]

Surprised to not see Filip Zadina, we took him 1 spot ahead of QUINN HUGHES.

[@crazyand2099]

Hell, you could throw Rasmussen in there too, 9th overall, outclassed by a lot of guys taken after him, seem like a career 3rd liner. Or Dennis Cholowski, taken at the end of the first round and seems like a career AHLer.

[@MrHunterbg]

These are about prospects who looks like busts. Zadina just is a bust. Big difference.

[@zross3357]

Video idea: Active players with the most playoff games without winning a cup

[@billymays7210]

I’m guessing Ryan Suter. Poor guy.

[@tomhwm913]

I would not call a player like Tyler Boucher a bust. He was never expected to be that good in the first place. His draft position is so ridiculous that I don't think Sens fans ever believed he's gonna be a star player.

[@brianlowe3831]

Kirby Dach. Yes plagued with injuries, and definitely was rushed into the nhl. But 3rd overall nah. Maybe top 12-15

[@Thrashman-ye4cf]

Chicago shouldn’t have let him and Debrincat go. They could have developed nicely together and Kirby might be seen as a better player today.

[@JeanJames-z3t]

​@@Thrashman-ye4cfyes as a hab fan hes better but duo to his injury we started falling apart but if he gets injured again next season hes not going be with us anymore

[@LudiColorado]

@@Thrashman-ye4cfnah it was worth it for the picks, the Hawks were spinning their wheels for several years it was time to tear down

[@Thrashman-ye4cf]

@@LudiColorado I get that, but Kirby and Debrincat are still young. Why not keep them around to build around as your core? Instead of just giving them away for draft picks. Chicago might not be as far into a rebuild as they are right now if that was the case.

[@cam2159]

Reaching can be great or awful Great : Easton Cowan Awful : Tyler Boucher

[@TheJimmyStDenisShow]

i remember i want torucotte on the wings but at the end of the day m thankful it didnt happen

[@Dutchovenderlinde]

That 2019 draft had some terrific players yet also dominated this video. Crazy!

[@jean-philippedoyon9904]

Alex Turcotte looks like a perfect target for Kent Hugues and the Canadiens. He could use a change of air and a new kind of coaching...I'm curious to see him with a dynamic coach like Martin St-Louis ? Same with Kaapo Kakko but that contract pretty much put an end to the rumours in Montréal so...

[@Unholy_Louie]

Kaapo would be a better target imho. I wonder what kind of price NY would let him go for...

[@heathclark318]

Turcotte reuniting with Caufield could be what the doctor ordered.

[@amberfinnsson3113]

Too small hard pass

[@Unholy_Louie]

@@amberfinnsson3113 He's the same size as Suzuki, come on dude. A SINGLE inch would make him 6'0. Still, not the guy I would trade for this offseason, I think Hugues can do better for a similar price. Lot of available targets, it's wild.

[@amberfinnsson3113]

@@Unholy_Louie I’d recommend doing some more research. Nick Suzuki has 20lbs on him, they are far from the same size. Even if they were the same size that would be an argument not to add him.

[@drewcrews3967]

Great video guy!!! I think what could make it better is to highlight some of the stars that were drafted AFTER these guys. Better players that these teams passed on to pick these guys.....

[@anthonydemaio4631]

As a Rangers fan, I thought it would have been best for both the Rangers and Kakko to move on from each other, but him admitting he was awful and then signing for one year shows he is committed to do something. I hope it is the case and he can pull through but it looks tough.

[@ShinyMew76]

Another Rangers fan here (also Avalanche), I don’t think he will be the elite player you’d expect from a #2 pick, however being a consistent NHLer is still very valuable. And I don’t think he is just a 4th liner either. He plays very physical, and skates okay. He does put up some points. I think we could send him elsewhere for a fast offensive defenseman.

[@cedriclauzon5133]

kakko=armia

[@kylecherpak4306]

aye, got my hometown Erie Otters in the clips around 6:30

[@CentTV]

Let’s go Otters

[@Swanstats]

For a second I thought those were my hometown Saskatoon blades😂

[@MattHockeyGuy]

I dont understand why everyone hates the take that kakko is a bust. Bro he was said to be on par with Jack Hughes. Im aware he went second but bro can barely hold a roster spot. He should be labelled a bust at least for the rangers

[@axe2grind244]

Hate that take all you want, if you are selected 2nd overall in the NHL you are expected to be good right away...end of story. Lafreniere is a bust too..as far as NHL 1st overall picks are concerned.

[@NickSuzuki14]

I didn't get it even on draft day why Turcotte went ahead of Zegras/Caufield. Yes even factoring in size.

[@The-gooch-est]

To be honest with you, had LA went with either one of those guys over turcotte, they would be in this video. As a kings fan I swear we ruin talent in our system. We take offensive guys and beat it out of them to implement defensive mindedness.

[@timomajere]

I wonder how many of these players will be on a different team next year.

[@southpawjimmy9735]

Sometimes these guys have slow starts, surpassed by the shiny new object, branded a bust and never get a second chance.

[@elypevets5633]

After Holland picked Zadina Canucks took Quinn Hughes. Then the Oilers got Evan Bouchard. Ouch

[@redrangers12330]

Kaapo Kakko was the first player I thought of when I saw this title

[@arandomdudeontheinternet5792]

I thought Rangers fans were saying that Lafrieniere was a bigger bust

[@evanfeehan8212]

@@arandomdudeontheinternet5792as an Islander I’ve relished how poorly Kakko and Laf were playing their first few seasons. Laf had a much improved season this year so I think the jury is still out on him. Kakko is a major bust at this point because he doesn’t even have trade value.

[@GizmoBeach]

@@arandomdudeontheinternet5792 Stupid Rangers fans. That dude has put up pretty good numbers (excellent shooting percentage, as well) while being given basically 3rd Line minutes on a vet-laden team, particularly his first three years. His Junior season was so-so, but the more time he’s been given, the more he’s produced. He’s not prone to giveaways, and he’s shown he can be physical (141 hits the prior season, last year focused more on offense.) Just because he hasn’t put up McDavid or even Jack Hughes numbers doesn’t make him a bust. On a team like New Jersey, he would’ve seen more opportunities, same as Bedard this past year (hence him going minus-44)

[@arandomdudeontheinternet5792]

@@GizmoBeach I’m not a Rangers fan, I have a friend who is one that acts like Lafrienere is the worst player in the league. As a Kings fan myself I know what it’s like having a bust like Cal Petersen, Rasmus Kupari, or (I guess for both teams) Lias Anderson. I know me mentioned Turcotte in the video but he has really only had 1 season where he was healthy so I don’t feel like he has really had the chance to develop the same way as some of the other ways mentioned

[@SaunaPerkele_5]

One of the biggest busts

[@rodchester3]

As a Rangers fan I'm already completely preparing myself for the chaos offseason next year if Lafreniere has a down year and Kakko breaks out for like 60 points since that would be the most Ranger thing ever...

[@visse3615]

Tbh, the more chsos the better in my opinion. Rangers need to change something. One or two things have not helped so far either. So more the merrier 😂

[@omfg322]

Hoglander also looked like a bust but broke out last year, im confident podz can do the same

[@The_Mobile_Jockey]

Haven't seen any picks yet but because he said 2019 I already know Kappo Kakko is gonna be on here

[@salianni16]

At least you can say that Kakko is a player that has really lived up to his name!

[@dannyl-p1543]

I still think Boucher can find a role in the NHL, just gotta stay healthy to develop

[@PeterDrake]

Yah. I have a problem with calling him a bust. A bust is someone who has had an opportunity to develop and just hasn't. Boucher has had so much bad injury luck that there hasn't been much opportunity to develop. Give him a full year of health and development time and if he doesn't progress then sure, call him a bust. That's not to say it was a good pick. Using a top 10 pick on a guy who might be a third liner if all works out well is just crappy. They thought he had more offensive skill than he's shown. That's bad player evaluation.

[@DH-vj2bw]

Soderstrom made some progress this year defensively but only really got to where he should have been after year one in the AHL. His technical skating is good, but his foot speed is slow which makes it hard for him to compensate for his size. Gap management is improving but still not good. Bad turnovers across his own zone. He can shoot the puck though. But that’s not enough.

[@blowstuffup1]

For recent players drafted 1st overall I am going with Alexis Lafreniere. I am hoping he improves from last years totals(57 points), so I am not completely writing him off yet. He just isn't performing what I believe a 1st overall forward should be at after 4 years. I expect someone drafted 1st overall for forwards should have at least 1-2 70+ seasons by now. Last year he was within 13 points, which was by far the best season as he never even reached 40 points in any of his first 3 seasons.

[@JBM425]

There was once a guy who was thought to be a reach when a team took this guy with their first pick and 7th overall in 2011. Mark Scheifele kinda turned out OK. Sometimes those reaches pan out, sometimes they are a bust.

[@neostar63]

Podkolzin will never live up to his draft position but he likely carves out a career as a 15-20g third liner that’s good defensively and strong on forecheck.

[@natalieloveshockey]

i was waiting for kaapo kakko. as a rangers fan i really hope that him being re-signed leads to a trade

[@SaveznaRepublikaJugoslavija]

I’d say Broberg is finally living it up this year, so glad he exploded these playoffs

[@logginginvids]

….exploded? He’s got 8 games, 2 goals these playoffs Which is fine and great that he’s doing well, but he barely played up until the finals.

[@SaveznaRepublikaJugoslavija]

@@logginginvids Not offensively, just compared to how he played before

[@dianedyck3474]

@@logginginvidsI knew if given a chance that broberg would be good….hes doing it now and I’m so happy we didn’t trade him….just look at Holloway …. He’s been injured forever and this year he totally has blossomed ….looking forward to the future in Edmonton…it looks pretty good !

[@freiflug83]

You forgot to mention Turcotte is made of glass. Don't blame you for not remembering since he's not on the ice for long stretches

[@stockey]

I heard, Hughes might be interested in Turcotte.

[@greathoonta3461]

To give Podkolzkin credit: he’s a physical player who thrives on out muscling his opponents. Being only 22 means he’s got a long way to grow still. Give him time.

[@declanmoore5959]

When Podz played the few games this season he was anything but invisible seems to me like he really upped his physical game I’m sure with time he’ll start scoring more

[@BehsUnited]

Turcott looked good this year with limited role then got destroyed on a hit and never played....hes done hes scared of getting a concussion and that plays a big role on how aggressive you can play

[@waynehough13]

I’m a NYR fan and I do like Kakko but I have to agree, hasn’t lived up to the expectations when we drafted him

[@Whitesquall123]

He has way too many Ks in his name. That's the biggest issue, imo.

[@TheDarthXeno]

I think the big thing working against Kakko is the fact he was drafted after Hughes. I don't think that needs much explanation

[@lowtierduster-7254]

it’s sad because i wanna cheer for these guys as they’re my age. as an oiler fan broberg has looked really good in the past 6 games really happy and expect him to be a mainstay next year on the back end

[@imagreatbigman]

I have full confidence that Podz will have a strong season next year.

[@AwesomeZach]

I think Soderstrom will be a solid top 4 option for Arizona. Their right side has an opening on the second pair I think he will be fine.

[@JustinMogollon199]

Kakko is not a bust. He's just been getting cursed with injuries (or when David Quinn was our coach, got benched for making mistakes despite having a great game). The rookie season was ok, but he scored 10 goals, which is definitely the minimum for forwards, and he would have done more if it wasn't for COVID. Next season, his points dropped, but it was due to less games, which actually means he was playing better. The 2021-2022 season, he struggled because he was out with injuries. But even then, he was playing his best season, and he was pointless in the first 10 games. If we removed those 10 games, he would be scoring 18 points in 33 games, and if it was a full season, it would be like last season where he played his best season with 40 points and almost 20 goals. This season was like 2 seasons ago where he dropped because of injuries. He missed almost 2 months due to injury, and when he came back in January, he scored 11 goals to make it to 13 goals. Kaapo Kakko is not a bust. We've seen that from him in 2023, and I know he will bounce back and continue to do well. It takes time, patience, and proper development. You can't just expect every Top 3 draft pick to instantly become Connor McDavid the moment they get drafted. It takes time. I mean, look at Alexei Lafreniere. Everyone was calling him a bust (but not me. I never viewed him as bust, and I knew it was a matter of time before he dominated), and look at him now. He is playing his best hockey as he got almost 30 goals and 60 points (which nearly puts him in the Top 5, and puts him 3rd in goals. He had more goals than Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck!), he got a hat trick, and he got 8 goals and 14 points in the playoffs this season, which would put him 4th in scoring (he had more points than Chris Kreider and Adam Fox), and tied for 1st in goals (with Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck)! Lafreniere LITERALLY proved all the haters and doubters wrong (and supporters and fans like me right). If Lafreniere can become a star, so can Kakko. Just give it time.

[@SaunaPerkele_5]

Kakko is bust. Don't know how you can try to pretend he isn't. He's one of the worst busts.

[@casewojo6186]

Zadina biggest bust I’ve ever seen.

[@ChrisDove40]

Don’t remind me

[@joechriste7052]

Yakupov

[@casewojo6186]

@@ChrisDove40 over Hughes…… imagine the difference in the rebuild if we grabbed Hughes instead.

[@joshfortier991]

Yakupov was so much better than zadina bro just look at the stats​@@joechriste7052

[@IanStrain23328]

@@casewojo6186 As a Canucks fan, I dont wanna imagine that. I thank whichever GM you had at the time of his drafting for taking him. Was it Ken Holland? I know he was the GM of the Wings at some point.

[@Maxharddrive64]

GMs all over the league trying to make an educated guess and project on what an 18 year old's hockey future might be Is No gauranteed or easy task

[@IanStrain23328]

Podkolzin should be taking the spot that Joshua is leaving. Heres hoping he can put on some weight here this off season of muscle so hes a bit bigger. We also have to remember that he got hit pretty hard back on October 25th of this season while he was down in the AHL. So that was pretty bad for his development.

[@LudiColorado]

Surprised no Kirby Dach, definitely rushed to the NHL as Bowman was famous for. When healthy he’s definitely an NHL caliber player but he’s had horrible injury luck and definitely hasn’t lived up to #3 overall. Lukas Reichel also looking a little spooky (not a top 15 pick but close) at the NHL level but Chicago was dreadful last year, I’ll give him another year since he’s looked really good at times in the AHL

[@johnkenneally4662]

Bruins usually take first round busts. Hoping this year is different with # 25, the big forward, Letorneau.

[@QuickManEXE]

If they continue to develop Podkolzin properly rather then rushing him, i think he could rebound big time and be a decent player.

[@jannemiettinen4499]

If Kakko somehow manages to gain a lot of speed and explosiveness, he might still break out. He actually has decent hands and finishing ability, but is always late, because he is too slow for the modern NHL

[@Count3d]

Honestly, surprised about Turcotte, had much higher hopes for him. Guess he was the odd man out on the US NTDP teams. As for Pod... I wanted Boldy. I guess I wouldn't classify Pod as an outright bust... he has been mediocre relative to where he was drafted, other players around his range have definitely passed him, but he can be passably ok. Disappointing but not outright bust like Olli Juolevi. That Boucher pick was super bad... you had two pretty damn good goalies on the board at least, plus Sillinger and Lysell. Sucks about Soderstrom. Kakko I think needs some new scenery.

[@Mike-ge7pe]

Not sure that he’s a straight up bust, but Alexander Holtz was definitely disappointing in his time in NJ. To have to package him with Schmidt and get Cotter in return seems underwhelming

[@Just-a-Canuck]

I would love the Canucks to grab turcotte and put him on that 3rd line, and I also think podz is going to break out like hogs did last season.

[@axe2grind244]

Id like to say everyone Buffalo has drafted but the reality is most of their prospects since 2019 have been good....which makes their lack of success even more absurd.

[@drivethru6155]

Boucher's injuries have completely set his career off on a bad course. He's almost never healthy and the injuries are career altering. I would say him and Turcotte shouldn't be called busts for that reason, it isn't fair to them.

[@MS-ro9dm]

Oo00ooh, that kinda "bust".

[@Watching-hb7pb]

Except for Turcotte the others are potential candidates for my Filip Zadina "I will fill the net with pucks" award.

[@galkanftw]

When you stack a team it grossly inflates all the players worth and numbers.There is more to success than simply putting up numbers.You have to have a role within that team and if there are already 6 better forwards on that team you will never produce numbers on the bottom lines.On the flip side some players are over rated because they were inserted on the top line with really good player support that elevates there game above their actual ability. An example would be Nikushkin who was given every opportunity on Dallasbut imo was a plug he was not good at anything but when given surrounding players like McKinnon and Makar Rantanen then yeah your numbers might go up.

[@yeltsin6817]

I think some of these Players were so good for so long and didn’t have too many challenges. Then they get drafted and all of a sudden they’re not dominant and it really throws them I really like that the rangers stuck with Alex L and he seems to have adapted and will be really good. I think some players need some time to adjust

[@FinnishAmericanOnePieceFan]

Sucks for Turcotte that Seider was picked immediately after😂

[@jwt6577]

No one does more damage to a prospect's reputation than the next couple players drafted.

[@newttella1043]

Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote and Dillon Dube are all off ice duds. Still hope for them depending on court cases.

[@ratedRblazin420]

Kappo Kakko 3:42 it's thrust, not thrusted

[@andrewthompson6453]

i knew Boucher was gonna be a bust but I tried giving him a shot since when they drafted Brady I wasn't a fan at first but boy did that pick make me look dumb....this one never panned out

[@ced_tutorat]

Patience is the key

[@Ole66]

It’s not turcottes fault the team wants him to be a centre and they already have kopitar danault and lizotte they even had to move byfield to the wing . There’s no room at the inn

[@alyssinwilliams4570]

A lot of guys sound like the overwhelming bulk of the Flames first round picks from around 1985 through till about 2012. Yes there are some exceptions (Sam Bennett, Matt Tkachuk, a few others), but very few. I dont know if it was awful scouting, awful development process, both, or something else entirely but guys like Greg Nemisz, Krahn and Irving, Rico Fata, Daniel Tkaczuk, Kent Manderville, the list goes on and on and on. edit: removed max reinhart, he was a 3rd round pick; flames didnt have a 1st or 2nd rounder in 2010

[@gary6754]

Flyers 2024 1st rounder looks like he'll be on this list

[@mikemurphy8996]

If Arizona drafted well they would be stacked. They have been rebuilding and drafting high for 20 years

[@patrickn594]

Honestly, that guy Connor McJesus looks like a complete bust, can't believe he was first overall

[@theramplocal]

I can see him going full yakupov. Signed, a blues fan that bought a yakupov jersey the day we signed him. Not good lol

[@DizzyDez613]

@@theramplocalOuch

[@thatonewriter8043]

I have as many Cups as that guy, and I wasn't even drafted. Clearly a misstep in their rebuild.

[@theramplocal]

@DizzyDez613 haha all good man, I still proudly wear it in the rotation and it's quite the conversation starter at games 😃

[@fubartotale3389]

Where's his cup? It's been eight years.

[@mikehynes6506]

I guess the leafs picking a kid who passed away is bust too?

[@connorcallahan7783]

I think Turcotte could benefit from a change of scenery

[@rickyhazel1030]

Turcotte has dealt with massive injuries, this past season was the healthiest he's been since before he was drafted, one thing to about Turc is he impacts the game everytime he's on the ice and he will be with the big club next season, one really shouldn't label an injured player a bust especially when they haven't been pressured to excell at the NHL level, I have felt that Turc is non-starter in trade conversations simply because he's a really good hockey player

[@heathclark318]

He was fairly solid this year too. Think he will be good once given a chance to gell and with luck when it comes to injuries

[@petermills-c1h]

Hasn’t come, not hasn’t came.

[@gerggerggy7757]

Id like the Flyers to kick the tires on Kakko.

[@nolanmarshall9055]

The one reason to forgive the boucher selection is if you look at that draft there was really no one picked 10-15 picks after him that looks anything special at all at this point other than wyatt johnston at 23. If boucher can carve out a 4th role scoring 10 goals a year running around hitting everyone i think its a win

[@sainlovesluppi487]

I hope he isn't but Holtz was scene as the guy who was going to come in and score a lot of goals so far his been okay but nothing of what the devils were hoping he would be.

[@LorraineBunn]

Holtz traded for a bag of pucks today!

[@bho30758]

Trade turcotte back home for a change of scenery, would be a cool idea

[@danglesnipecelly13]

I know it’s from 2018 but man Filip fckn zadina. As a wings fan I was so pumped for him. I loved his game when he was in juniors and he played great at the WJC tournament. Gets drafted and does absolutely nothing. Such a shame. Ken holland simply should have just picked Hughes. It was the absolute safest pick lol

[@weakglovehand]

Kirby Dach,(2019 #3 OA) whose career has been plagued by injury, should be on this list. Currently on IR in Montreal where he was traded to the Canadians for the #13 OA in 2022 (Frank Nazar) and a 3rd rounder #66 OA (Gavin Hayes) neither of which have yet to play 20 NHL games to Dach's 60 since the trade. Since 2022 Dach has played 212 games over 5 seasons scoring 33 goals and 65 assists. Hardly the kind of production from a #3 OA selection.

[@Heytherebuds]

Dishonorable mention: Alexander Holtz

[@draftlegend11]

Podz just needs ice time

[@stevef5888]

Man I gotta say I think you’re way too early on Turcotte and Kakko. Like you said they’re more change of scenery candidates. It’s hard to shine when you never get a chance to play consistently (Turcotte) and Kakko imo was rushed. He needs a reset in a team where he isn’t a focal point. I would love if the flyers somehow got him. Soderstrom I’m not sold on either. D men take a while. Travis Sanheim was pretty awful till he turned 26. May just be a late bloomer. But like you said. MAY be busts. I just have faith in those guys

[@SaunaPerkele_5]

Nah both are busts.

[@itzsombody3239]

Turcotte for Kakko and a 3rd

[@MrABN86]

Hell no, Kakko has waaaaay more upside than Turcotte. And a 3rd doesn’t even come close to equal value. Kakko will definently break out if he’s traded to a team that’ll give him a bigger role.

[@SaunaPerkele_5]

​@@MrABN86don't know about that. Turcotte might surprise and be good

[@gioknows]

Ottawa should have traded down that year to a team in the mid 20’s and their 1st round pick the following year and then traded out of the 1st for another 1st rounder and maybe a 2nd. COVID didn’t allow for decent scouting of prospects that year so it was always going to be a crap shoot. No wonder the cupboard is so empty in that organization. Cheers from Ottawa 🍁

[@Plutoniogen1]

You forgot Jesperi Kotkaniemi

[@tinykappasubaccount5943]

Bruins Need to pick up Turcotte

[@KanersCabride]

Soderstrom is still young d take longer to develop. If his numbers are the same in 12 -24 months from now then sure