#3

Best Picks- Dennis Savard (1980) & Henrik Sedin (1999)

Worst

Title: The NHL Draft Bust: Alexander Svitov’s Missed Potential

Alexander Svitov, the third overall pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, had high expectations placed upon him after being selected after the likes of Ilya Kovalchuk and Jason Spezza. The Tampa Bay Lightning saw Svitov as a key piece in their rebuilding efforts, envisioning a formidable duo with Vincent Lecavalier on their top line. However, Svitov’s career in the NHL turned out to be a major disappointment, making him a draft bust.

During his rookie season in 2002-03, Svitov played 63 games for the Lightning but managed to record just eight points, consisting of four goals and four assists. The following season, he appeared in only 11 games for Tampa Bay before being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Unfortunately, Svitov’s tenure with the Blue Jackets wasn’t much better, as he played just 29 games for them in the same season.

Svitov’s struggles continued as he spent the next two years bouncing between the American Hockey League and the Russian Superleague. He made a brief return to the Blue Jackets for one final season in 2006-07, playing 76 games but contributing only 18 points (seven goals and 11 assists). In total, Svitov’s NHL career spanned just 179 games, in which he scored 13 goals, assisted on 24, and accumulated 37 points. However, he did showcase his physicality with 223 penalty minutes, including 145 in the 2006-07 season.

While Svitov was considered a top prospect heading into the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, his performance in Tampa Bay fell far short of expectations. Although he had shown some promise with his point totals in the Russian league, his lackluster rookie season raised doubts about his ability to succeed in the NHL. The Lightning organization and fans had hoped for a significant contribution from Svitov, but his career failed to live up to the initial hype.

In hindsight, Svitov’s NHL journey was plagued by missed opportunities. Other players selected after him, such as Mikko Koivu, Mike Cammalleri, and Jason Pominville, went on to have successful careers, highlighting the disappointment surrounding Svitov’s selection. Ultimately, his inability to deliver on his potential and make a lasting impact in the league cemented his status as an NHL draft bust.

Alexander Svitov’s career serves as a reminder that even highly-touted prospects can fall short of expectations. The unpredictability of the NHL draft and the challenges faced by young players transitioning to the professional level can result in outcomes that diverge significantly from initial projections. Unfortunately, Svitov’s story is one of unfulfilled potential and serves as a cautionary tale in the world of professional hockey.

Winner- Alexandr Svitov. As bad of a pick as Cam Barker was at #3 there is Svitov.

#2

Best Picks- Marcel Dionne (1971) & Evgeni Malkin (2004)

Ryan Murray and Andrei Zyuzin were both second overall selections in different NHL drafts. Let’s compare their draft hype, career performance, and assess which player is considered the bigger draft bust.

Ryan Murray was drafted second overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to the draft, Murray was highly regarded as a top defenseman prospect. He played for the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and was known for his strong two-way game, hockey sense, and leadership qualities. Murray was projected to be a reliable and impactful defenseman at the NHL level.

Unfortunately, Murray’s career has been marred by injuries. He has struggled to stay healthy, missing significant time due to various injuries, including multiple shoulder surgeries. These injuries have limited his development and hindered his ability to reach his full potential. While Murray has had some solid seasons when healthy, he has been unable to consistently perform at a high level. Despite the setbacks, he has managed to carve out a career in the NHL, playing for the Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, and the Edmonton Oilers where he recently signed.

Andrei Zyuzin, on the other hand, was drafted second overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to the draft, Zyuzin was a highly touted Russian defenseman who played for the Russian national team and the Moscow Dynamo in the Russian Superleague. He possessed excellent offensive skills, including a powerful shot and good puck-moving abilities. Zyuzin was expected to make an immediate impact in the NHL.

However, Zyuzin’s career did not live up to the high expectations. He struggled to adapt to the NHL. His defensive game was often a huge liability, and he failed to consistently contribute offensively. Zyuzin bounced around the NHL, playing for multiple teams, including the San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild, and Chicago Blackhawks. Despite being given numerous opportunities, he failed to establish himself as a reliable NHL defenseman.

Winner- Andrei Zyuzin- Andrei Zyuzin had a more disappointing career. While both players failed to meet the expectations set for them as second overall picks, Zyuzin’s inability to adapt to the NHL and consistently contribute at a high level, combined with his lackluster defensive play, made his career more underwhelming. Ryan Murray, despite his injury troubles, has managed to have some productive seasons and has at least shown glimpses of his potential.

#1

Best Picks- Mario Lemieux (1984), Sidney Crosby (2005), & Connor McDavid (2015)

Title: Nail Yakupov vs. Patrik Stefan: Comparing the NHL Draft Busts

Introduction: The NHL draft is a highly anticipated event where teams hope to secure future superstars. However, not every highly touted prospect lives up to the hype. In this article, we will compare two notorious NHL draft busts: Nail Yakupov and Patrik Stefan. We will delve into the pre-draft hype, their respective backgrounds, their NHL careers, the extent of their busts, their current situations, and determine who is considered the bigger bust in the public eye.

Pre-Draft Hype and Background: Nail Yakupov, a Russian forward, entered the NHL draft in 2012 as the consensus top prospect. He possessed exceptional speed, goal-scoring ability, and an electrifying playing style. Yakupov’s strong performance in the OHL with the Sarnia Sting, where he scored 101 points in 65 games, heightened the expectations surrounding him.

Patrik Stefan, a Czech forward, was chosen as the first overall pick in the 1999 NHL draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. Stefan showcased immense talent in junior hockey and played a significant role in the Czech Republic’s gold medal-winning team at the 1999 World Junior Championship. Patrik Stefan was also playing with the now defunct Long Beach Ice Dogs when he got drafted in the International Hockey League.

NHL Careers and Bust Magnitude: Yakupov was selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2012. Initially, he showed promise, scoring 17 goals and 31 points in his rookie season. However, his subsequent performances failed to meet expectations, and he struggled to find consistency. Yakupov’s lackluster defensive play, declining offensive production, and inability to adapt to the NHL game ultimately led to his departure from the Oilers. He bounced around with several teams but failed to regain his form, ultimately fizzling out of the league.

Stefan’s NHL career was defined by a single infamous moment. Playing for the Atlanta Thrashers, Stefan had a chance to seal a victory by scoring an empty-net goal but infamously missed the wide-open net, leading to a turnover and a game-tying goal for the opposing team. This incident overshadowed Stefan’s overall lackluster performance throughout his career. Although he had some decent seasons, injuries plagued him, limiting his impact on the ice. Stefan retired from the NHL in 2007.

Current Situations: Nail Yakupov’s NHL career did not pan out as expected, and after unsuccessful stints with multiple teams, he returned to Russia to play in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). As of now, he continues to play professional hockey in the KHL, striving to resurrect his career and regain his confidence.

Following his NHL retirement, Patrik Stefan moved on from professional hockey. While he may not have found success in the NHL, Stefan has pursued other endeavors, including working in player development and scouting for various organizations. His son played for the Portland Winterhawks in 2022-23 and has been there for 3 seasons.

Public Perception: The Bigger Bust? In the court of public opinion, Nail Yakupov is generally considered the bigger NHL draft bust between the two players. The hype surrounding him as the top prospect created high expectations, and his failure to live up to them was a significant disappointment. Despite showing flashes of talent, Yakupov’s inability to sustain his performance and make a meaningful impact in the NHL contributed to his label as a bust.

While Patrik Stefan’s missed empty-net goal became an iconic and often-derided moment, his overall career was not as heavily scrutinized as Yakupov’s. Stefan’s inability to meet expectations as a first overall pick was undoubtedly a letdown, but his career was marred more by injuries rather than consistent underperformance.

Conclusion: Both Nail Yakupov and Patrik Stefan were highly anticipated prospects who failed to live up to the lofty

Winner-