so have we agreed on the Bernier Couturier deal yet?
- BorjeFan4Ever

You're nuts...

not in the last 10 years or so it's not, and that's really the only time period you can talk about for "top pick busts" anymore. Scouting and drafting is WAY better than it was 15 years ago...
- Big_Lightnin

1998 busts: Stuart at #3, Allen at #4, Vitaly Vishnevsky at #5
1998 successes: None

1999 busts: Mezei at #10
1999 successes: None.

2000 busts: Klesla at #4, Jonsson at #7
2000 successes: None

2001 busts: None
2001 successes: Komisarek at #7

2002 busts: Questionable. Whitney at #5 and Pitkanen at #4
2002 successes: Bouwmeester at #3

2003 busts: None
2003 successes: Suter at #7, Phaneuf at #9
2003 Questionable: Coburn at #8

2004 busts: Barker at #3, Valabik at #10
2004 successes: None.
2004 questionable: Smid at #9

2005 busts: Lee at #9, Bourdon at #10
2005 successes: Jack Johnson at #3 (questionable)

2006 busts: None
2006 succeses : Erik Johnson at #1 (questionable)

2007 busts: Hickey at #4, Alzner at #5, Ellerby at #10
2007 successes: None

2008 busts: None
2008 successes: Doughty at #2, Bogosian at #3, Pietrangelo at #4, Schenn at #5 (questionable)

That's really as far as we can go because it's impossible to get a good read on anybody's career until they've put a few years into the NHL.

Also, a note about the methodology: I am judging players based on expectations and draft ranking. For example, Erik Johnson is a good defenseman, but did he live up to the hype of a #1 pick?

The point is that defenseman rarely live up to hype of being selected in the 95th percentile of all players. In fact, most teams steer clear of defenseman with their top picks for that reason. It's a lot easier to project forwards.

no. He's better than Bozak, but worse on faceoffs, maybe not as good as Kadri looks like he will be, and not as defensively strong as Grabo.
- Big_Lightnin

okay - so if true - why bother?

that smurf would get killed by the Bruins in the playoffs.

You can add his hot chick to the mix...


- Flyfreaky

bet ya she got the brazillian going on

bet ya she got the brazillian going on
- zazzle

I was hoping more for the Kenyan...

You're nuts...
- Flyfreaky

I'm hurt.

Now that Kipper has retired, look for the Flames to pursue Bryz.






Sweet. Im an insider :D

seemed to do ok Washington...

though pretty easy to just get more coke there
- Big_Lightnin

i'd have to agree with ya there

And Clowe


Clarkson-Gordon-Clowe



- jbold

(frank) that I want

Lupul-Kadri-Clarkson

Clowe not worth the money he wants to play 3rd line

I'm just saying, you get this guy on the top line:



Kessel would be looking really good.

I'm not talking about from a hockey perspective - I'm just saying Kessel might actually look attractive.

And Lupul?

Oh my God - he'd be off the freakin' charts hot!
- Atomic Wedgie

He already is

1999 busts: Mezei at #10
1999 successes: None.

2000 busts: Klesla at #4, Jonsson at #7
2000 successes: None

2001 busts: Komisarek at #7
2001 successes: None

2002 busts: Questionable. Whitney at #5 and Pitkanen at #4
2002 successes: Bouwmeester at #3

2003 busts: None
2003 successes: Suter at #7, Phaneuf at #9
2003 Questionable: Coburn at #8

2004 busts: Barker at #3, Valabik at #10
2004 successes: None.
2004 questionable: Smid at #9

2005 busts: Lee at #9, Bourdon at #10
2005 successes: Jack Johnson at #3 (questionable)

2006 busts: None
2006 succeses : Erik Johnson at #1 (questionable)

2007 busts: Hickey at #4, Alzner at #5, Ellerby at #10
2007 successes: None

2008 busts: None
2008 successes: Doughty at #2, Bogosian at #3, Pietrangelo at #4, Schenn at #5 (questionable)

That's really as far as we can go because it's impossible to get a good read on anybody's career until they've put a few years into the NHL.

Also, a note about the methodology: I am judging players based on expectations and draft ranking. For example, Erik Johnson is a good defenseman, but did he live up to the hype of a #1 pick?

The point is that defenseman rarely live up to hype of being selected in the 95th percentile of all players. In fact, most teams steer clear of defenseman with their top picks for that reason. It's a lot easier to project forwards.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Hurts to say it, but Komi was not a bust.

That's some good research, though.

(frank) that I want

Lupul-Kadri-Clarkson

Clowe not worth the money he wants to play 3rd line
- Big_Lightnin

And trade for Clutterbuck and sign Scuderi

i'd have to agree with ya there
- Dozzer

didn't play together that much though (5 on 5).

And trade for Clutterbuck and sign Scuderi
- jbold

won't sign in Canada

And Clowe


Clarkson-Gordon-Clowe



- jbold

Oh gawd, forget Clowe....not worth the money.

Hurts to say it, but Komi was not a bust.

That's some good research, though.
- Atomic Wedgie

Yeah, trying to get a read on Komi was the most difficult part. On one hand, he was pretty good for a few years, but on the other, he basically didn't play after age 29 and will probably retire early.

(frank) that I want

Lupul-Kadri-Clarkson

Clowe not worth the money he wants to play 3rd line
- Big_Lightnin

Thats a beautiful line.

BICKELL

didn't play together that much though (5 on 5).
- Big_Lightnin

must of had only one mirror and razor blade on the bench

Yeah, trying to get a read on Komi was the most difficult part. On one hand, he was pretty good for a few years, but on the other, he basically didn't play after age 29 and will probably retire early.
- Leeman4Gilmour

That's not scouting, though.

He got injured and was never the same.

You could also argue that the game changed - became much faster, and he couldn't keep up. But once again, that's not the fault of scouting - they said he could play in a hook, hold and chop league. And he could.

BICKELL
- Leafland

$$$

Yeah, trying to get a read on Komi was the most difficult part. On one hand, he was pretty good for a few years, but on the other, he basically didn't play after age 29 and will probably retire early.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Alzner is the opposite of a bust

must of had only one mirror and razor blade on the bench
- Dozzer

Teams have a coke cap now - it's hard to fit all that stuff within the budget.

Teams have a coke cap now - it's hard to fit all that stuff within the budget.
- Atomic Wedgie

Leafs are right up against it.

$$$
- jbold

3 words.

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