Top 10 Draft Busts

By Eric Bancker


10. Rick DiPietro

This could be a little controversial since DiPietro still has time to turn his career and around and he hasnt been that bad either but was he worth the first overall pick in 2000? He also signed a 15 year/$67 million contract in 2006. DiPietro has only averaged 34 starts a season in his eight years in the league.

Notable players drafted in the 2000 draft. Dany Heatley (2nd), Marian Gaborik (3rd), Anton Volchenkov (21st), Ilya Bryzgalov (44th). The Islanders cross-town rival the New York Rangers drafted goaltender Henrik Lundqvist with the 205th pick in the same draft. Lundqvist averages 35 wins a season and is the only goalie in NHL history to win 30 games in each of his first five season. 35 wins a season compared to 34 games a season....no comparison.

9. Bryan Fogarty

Fogarty drew comparisons to Bobby Orr and with a 155 point season in the OHL in 1988-1989 you could tell he was ready for a great NHL career. The Quebec Nordiques felt the same way when the drafted him with the ninth pick in 1987. Fogarty's big downfall was his addiction to alcohol, which ended up taking his life.

Notable draft picks in 1987: John LeClair (23rd), Eric Desjardins (38th), Theo Fleury (166th)

8. Rico Fata

Fata had expectations to be a go-to guy as a secondary scorer for the Flames. In his 208 junior regular season games, he scored 188 points. The second he put on a professional jersey though, it just did not fit right. Fata would struggle in the NHL and then get bounced to the AHL and then tear it up.

Notable players drafted in 1998: Nik Antropov (10th), Simon Gagne (22nd), Scott Gomez (27th), Brad Richards (64th), Pavel Datsyuk (171st)

7. Pat Falloon

The first pick in the San Jose Sharks history was less then a memorable one. Falloon was the the second pick behind Eric Lindros and although he didnt have a horrible career he didnt live up to expectations whatsoever and is considered to be one of the biggest busts in NHL history.

Notable draft picks in 1991: Scott Niedermayer (3rd), Peter Forsberg (6th), Brian Rolston (11th), Alexei Kovalev (15th)

6. Joe Murphy

Murphy was supposed to give the Red Wings a one-two punch when they drafted him in 1986. They already had a young Steve Yzerman and Murphy was brought in to make sure the Wings would be a team to reckon with. Murphy's work ethic was always a problem among the Red Wings coaching staff. He had a decent career but he was a bust for the Red Wings.

Notable players drafted in 1986: Vincent Damphousse (6th), Brian Leetch (9th), Adam Graves (22nd)

5. Patrik Stefan

In 1997 the Thrashers came to Atlanta and they needed a player that could lead them to the Stanley Cup. In 1999 they drafted Patrik Stefan and he never really was able to find his niche. He only reached 40 points two times in his career. There was also his career ending moment in January of 2007. Stefan was playing for the Dallas Stars and Stefan was on a breakaway toward the Oilers open net and instead of easily depositing the puck into the net he over skated and fell down which lead to the Oilers leading a rush back down the ice where Ales Hemsky scored with two seconds left to tie the game.

Notable players drafted in 1999: Daniel Sedin (2nd), Henrik Sedin (3rd), Martin Havlat (26th)

4.Pavel Brendl

When the Rangers drafted Brendl in 1999, which might be the biggest year for busts, they felt like they had a future big time goal scorer. Brendl only tallied 22 points in 78 games. He has since spent his time in the SEL and the KHL where he has found his comfort zone but then again Marcel Hossa has found the same comfort zone in the KHL so Im not that impressed.

Notable players drafted in 1999: Tim Connolly (5th), Martin Erat (191st)

3. Hugh Jessiman

In 2003 the Rangers made yet another bad draft choice when they went with Hugh Jessiman with the 12th overall pick. The only reason the Rangers drafted Jessiman is because he is friends with the Dolans, who own the Rangers. Jessiman is the only player drafted in the 1st round of the 2003 draft to not play a game in the NHL. Great move by the Rangers

Notable players drafted in 2003: Dustin Brown (13th), Zach Parise (17th), Ryan Getzlaf (19th), Mike Richards (24th).

2. Brian Lawton

Lawton drew comparisons to Wayne Gretzky and he was nowhere close to being that good. Lawton's best season saw him reach 44 points and his numbers only dropped from there.

Notable players drafted in 1983: Steve Yzerman (4th), Cam Neely (9th), Dave Granger (12th).

1. Alexandre Daigle

Daigle was considered to be a future superstar and a no brainer of a pick. Daigle never lived up to the expectations. Daigle never ever lived up to his potential though he did have two 50 point seasons in his five years in the Ottawa. After being traded three times, he decided to spend two years in Hollywood to try an acting career. After that he had a half a season stint with the Penguins until Minnesota gave him a last chance.

Notable players drafted in 1993 draft: Chris Pronger (2nd), Paul Kariya (4th), Jason Arnott (7th).