#19

Best Picks- Keith Tkachuk (1990) & Ryan Getzlaf (2003)

Worst

Stefan Cherneski was a highly regarded prospect known for his offensive skills and playmaking ability. Cherneski was playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Brandon Wheat Kings at the time of his draft. Unfortunately, Cherneski’s career was plagued by a series of devastating injuries. He suffered multiple knee injuries that required surgery, ultimately preventing him from ever playing a single game in the NHL. Despite his potential, the injuries limited his ability to fulfill his promise as a top prospect. These injuries were the primary reason for his designation as a bust, as they prevented him from ever reaching his full potential.

Jakub Koreis was a skilled forward from the Czech Republic, known for his size and offensive ability. At the time of his draft, Koreis was playing for the HC Plzen team in the Czech Extraliga. Koreis struggled to transition his game to the North American style of play. After being drafted, he spent most of his time in the minor leagues, playing for the Coyotes’ affiliate teams. He never managed to secure a spot in the NHL roster and eventually returned to play in Europe. Koreis is considered a bust because he failed to live up to the expectations associated with being a first-round pick.

Mark Mitera was a defenseman known for his size, physicality, and defensive abilities. Mitera played college hockey at the University of Michigan before being drafted. Mitera’s professional career did not go as expected. He struggled to find consistency and failed to make a significant impact at the NHL level. Mitera played a few games in the NHL but spent the majority of his career in the minor leagues. Injuries also played a role in hampering his progress. Although he was considered a solid defensive prospect, his lack of offensive production and inability to secure a regular NHL role led to his designation as a bust.

Logan MacMillan was a forward known for his two-way play and physicality. MacMillan was playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for the Halifax Mooseheads at the time of his draft. MacMillan struggled to live up to the expectations of a first-round pick. He never played a game in the NHL and spent the majority of his career in the minor leagues. Injuries, inconsistent play, and a lack of offensive production were significant factors that contributed to his status as a bust. Additionally, MacMillan faced some off-ice issues, including legal troubles related to a domestic incident, which further hindered his career progression.

In summary, Stefan Cherneski’s career was cut short by injuries, Jakub Koreis failed to adapt to the North American style of play, Mark Mitera struggled to secure a regular NHL role, and Logan MacMillan faced a combination of on-ice and off stuff.

Winner- Logan MacMillan- Logan MacMillan is often regarded as the biggest disappointment or bust among the group. Logan MacMillan, selected 19th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, failed to make any significant impact at the NHL level. He never played a single game in the NHL and spent the majority of his career in the minor leagues. MacMillan struggled with injuries, inconsistent play, and a lack of offensive production throughout his career. Additionally, his off-ice issues, including legal troubles related to a domestic incident, further hindered his progression.

#18

Best Pick- Petr Sykora (1995)

Worst

Mattsson, was some dude who is almost impossible to find stuff on was drafted by the Flames in the first round, holds the distinction of being one of the few players from that group who never graced the NHL ice. Instead, he devoted the majority of his professional career to his native Sweden. Between 1995 and 1998, Mattsson gained a taste of North American hockey, representing the AHL’s Saint John Flames in a total of 174 games👍. However, he eventually returned to Europe to continue his journey.

Renowned for his unwavering consistency, Mattsson left an indelible mark during his time in Sweden. His contributions aided Sweden in securing the coveted gold medal at the 2006 World Championship, and he proudly boasts four Swedish Elite League championship titles. Following his retirement in 2012, Mattsson seamlessly transitioned into the coaching realm. For the past six years, he has served as an assistant coach for the SHL’s Malmo Redhawks, imparting his knowledge and experience onto the next generation of players.

Jens Karlsson, a left winger from Vastra Frolunda in the Swedish Elite League (SEL), was chosen as the 18th overall pick in the 2001 NHL Draft. However, despite high expectations as a potential power forward with his imposing 6-foot-3, 213-pound stature, Karlsson never had the opportunity to play a single game in the NHL, let alone for the Kings.

Contrary to predictions, Karlsson’s performance took a downward turn. After a remarkable 24-goal season in 1999-2000 with Vastra Frolunda, he struggled to replicate his success, managing only single-digit goal totals over the next five seasons in Sweden. It is safe to say that his initial burst of brilliance turned out to be short-lived, earning him the label of a one-season wonder.

Chet Pickard, an elite goaltender for the Tri-City Americans in the Western Hockey League (WHL) during the mid to late 2000s, unfortunately fell short of expectations in his professional career, making him an NHL draft bust. Despite an impressive junior career, his performance at the AHL level left much to be desired, leading to his eventual demotion to the ECHL, where he continued to disappoint over the next three seasons.

In 2014-15, Pickard decided to take a break from hockey, but he returned the following season, signing with Iserlohn of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) in Germany. There have been rumors suggesting that he still harbors aspirations of playing in the North American professional leagues. Chet’s younger brother, Calvin, had a more successful NHL career and was selected in the second round of the 2010 NHL draft by the Colorado Avalanche. However, Chet Pickard’s own journey in professional hockey was marred by underachievement and struggles to establish himself at the highest levels of the sport.

Despite being named the WHL and CHL goalie of the year in 2007-2008 and earning accolades as part of Canada’s World Junior team, Chet Pickard’s transition to professional hockey did not go as planned. His only NHL appearance was a brief call-up in 2012, and he was not offered a new contract by the Nashville Predators after the 2011-2012 season. He subsequently played in Sweden and then signed with the Edmonton Oilers’ AHL affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons, in 2013-2014. Ultimately, Pickard’s career took him through various European leagues with limited success, leaving him labeled as a first-round draft bust.

Looking back, there were several notable players selected after Pickard in the 2008 NHL draft who have had more successful careers, such as Jordan Eberle, Michael Del Zotto, and John Carlson. It is safe to say that the Nashville Predators would have preferred to have any of those players in their system instead of Pickard, whose career trajectory led him to the ECHL, the bottom tier of professional hockey.

Winner- Jens Karlsson. Easily the guy may have never even skated on an ice surface outside of Sweden. Even though Chet Pickard is the most disappointing as far as the hype and where they went he still doesn’t get the title of worst as he really isn’t bad. Remember I am looking for the worst. Even Jesper Mattsson gave the Flames Organization three seasons in the farm in Saint John.