Top 5 NHL 1st Overall Draft Pick Busts

Not saying Taylor Hall will turn out anything like these guys because I agree with him going first, but with all the draft buzz I thought it would be fun to look at some of the first overall failures!

5. Brian Lawton - 1983 by the Minnesota North Stars

483GP - 112G - 154A - 266PTS

Note: The North Stars were glad to take Lawton as the first US born player to go at #1, and so were the Red Wings who ended up with Stevie-Y.

Who they could have taken:

Pat LaFontaine: 3rd overall (865GP - 1013PTS)
Steve Yzerman: 4th overall (1514GP - 1755PTS)
Cam Neely: 9th overall (726GP - 694PTS)

4. Greg Joly - 1974 by the Washington Capitals

365GP - 21G - 76A - 97PTS

Note: The first overall pick led his Caps to a grand total of 19 wins in 160 games over his first two seasons.

Who they could have taken:

Wilf Paiement: 2nd overall (946GP - 814PTS)
Clarke Gillies: 4th overall (958 - 697PTS)
Bryan Trottier: 22nd overall (1279GP - 1425PTS)

3. Patrik Stefan - 1999 by the Atlanta Thrashers

455GP - 64G - 124A - 188PTS

Note: Just 7 years after being number 1, Stefan found himself in retirement, but I'd want to retire too after missing that empty net against the Oilers in 2007.

Who they could have taken:

Daniel Sedin: 2nd overall (705GP - 547PTS and counting)
Henrik Sedin: 3rd overall (728GP - 572PTS and counting)
Martin Havlat: 23rd overall (543GP - 450PTS and counting)

2. Alexandre Daigle - 1993 by the Ottawa Senators

616GP - 126G - 198A - 327PTS

Note: "I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two"
- Alexandre Daigle after being picked #1 overall.
He deserves a kick in the mouth, I think we all remember Mr. Pronger a lot better than him.

Who they could have taken:

Chris Pronger: 2nd overall (1104GP - 661PTS and counting)
Paul Kariya: 4th overall (989GP - 989PTS and counting)
Jason Arnott: 7th overall (1099GP - 873GP and counting)


1. Gord Kluzak - 1982 by the Boston Bruins

299GP - 25G - 98A - 123PTS

Note: It was close, but eleven knee surgeries later here's your worst, just 299 games is the least by any 1st overall pick.

Who they could have taken:

Brian Bellows: 2nd overall (1188GP - 1022PTS)
Scott Stevens: 5th overall (1635GP - 908PTS)
Phil Housley: 6th overall (1495GP - 1232PTS)
Salt in the wound - Dave Andreychuk: 16th overall (1639GP - 1338PTS)


That's my opinion anyway, who have I missed?

Buster

Sharks, Bruins and Coyotes Lock up Key Components

The San Jose Sharks took care of some much needed business today, locking up forward Patrick Marleau and playoff hero Joe Pavelski to long term deals.

The 6' 2" and 220 lbs Marleau has spent his whole career with the Sharks and recently helped Team Canada claim the gold at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Last season the 30-year-old was very successful, playing in all 82 games and recording 44 goals to accompany 39 assists, for an impressive total of 83 points. His 83 points marks his best total since the 2005-06 season, and his 44 goals were a career high in that respect. The 3-time NHL All-Star and franchise points leader lead his team to the Conference Finals this past season. His deal will see him earn $6.9 million per year for the next 4 seasons. He was set to become a free agent on July 1st.

Meanwhile, 25-year-old Pavelski also signed a 4-year deal, his sees him make $4 million per season. Pavelski had another solid season as a member of the Sharks, he netted 25 goals and added 26 assists for 51 points in just 67 games. "Little Joe", as he may be called, was anything but "little" in the playoffs, where he managed 9 goals and 17 points in just 15 games. He was a crucial piece to San Jose in the playoffs, and also to Team U.S.A.'s silver medal effort in Vancouver. The 5' 11" and 194 lbs Pavelski has also spent his entire career as a member of the Sharks.

Also inking up key players recently were the Boston Bruins and Phoenix Coyotes.

The Bruins reached a deal with playoff workhorse Johnny Boychuk for 2 more seasons, the contract totals $3.75 million. The 26-year-old defenseman had a great season with the Bruins and an even better playoffs. He was key to the Bruins upsetting 3rd seed Buffalo in the first round of the playoffs. Boychuk scored a total of 5 goals and 15 points in just 51 regular season games and added 6 more points in a mere 13 playoff contests. However, the 6' 2" and 225 lbs Boychuk was more noted for his defensive attributes and hard hitting style. He also logged a lot of minutes alongside Captain Zdeno Chara during the playoffs.

The Coyotes were the last to get in on the spending, resigning Polish forward Wojtek Wolski. Wolski was late season acquisition by the Coyotes, who acquired the 24-year-old from the Avalanche. His 2009-10 season totals included 23 goals and 42 assists for 65 points in 80 games, split between the two clubs. The 6' 3" and 210 lbs Wolski will $7.6 million over the next 2 seasons.

As both the Entry Draft and NHL Free Agency dates near, there will certainly be more teams looking to lock up players for next season. Teams will also be looking to free up cap space in the coming days, likely via trades. Stay tuned and enjoy the Draft!

Buster

Latest Bruins Buzz

As reported, the Bruins recently acquired F Nathan Horton from the Panthers. Horton will have to bring some much needed offense to a Bruins squad that was at the bottom of the league in goal scoring. Last season the 6ft 2in and 230lbs, former 3rd overall pick in 2003 scored 20 goals and added 37 assists for 57 points in a mere 65 games. The 25-year-old Horton has scored at least 20 goals in each of his last 5 seasons, but has had some injury troubles lately, which has to be of concern of many Bruins fans. Their Bruins struggled all season keeping key players off of the injured list. The big forward has great shooting and skating abilities, especially considering his large frame. Horton has also never played in a single playoff game and was speculated to have wanted out of Florida.

Also coming to the Bruins is 6ft and 197lbs forward Gregory Campbell. The 26-year-old managed just 2 goals and 17 points last season, after recording 13 markers and 32 points the previous year. Son of the NHL's Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell, Gregory is a strong two-way player. He is useful on the penalty kill and has great speed to accompany his chippy style of play.

Besides the 3rd round pick in 2011 and 15th overall pick in this year's draft, which became expendable after acquiring the 2nd overall pick, the Bruins will lose D Dennis Wideman. The 6ft, 200lbs blueliner had a disappointing season, recording 6 goals and 30 points in 76 games. That is down considerably from his 08-09 totals, where he had 13 goals and racked up 50 points. The 27-year-old had some great moments in Beantown, but he also had his fair share of disappointments. Last season, he was "booed" off the ice by Bruins fans, do to questionable defensive play.

The deal became a viable option for Boston, considering they had 2 picks in the first round of the draft. Also, Horton and Wideman have very similar contracts, at around $4 million each. With the limited cap space the Bruins have, they had to be getting a player back that was equal to or less than what they were giving up in terms of salary. It should also be noted that with this pick, the Panthers have a very nice collection of picks early in this year's draft.

With Wideman leaving, there is a considerable hole on the Bruins blueline (Boychuk also still unsigned). Many rumors have been swirling that the Bruins have interest in the Leafs D Tomas Kaberle. As you may remember, a deal involving Kaberle was very close with the Bruins last season around this time. That deal involved Kessel gonig the other way at the time. This time around, the Bruins are apparently shopping F Marc Savard, who just this season resigned a long-term contract. The Bruins would also like to dump G Tim Thomas and his bloated salary, after he lost his starting job. However, with the plethora of goalies the Leafs currently have, they likely won't be interested in the former Vezina winner.

In my opinion, the Bruins will definitely need to find another defenseman or two before next season. However, dropping salary will be a must for that to happen. With offensive troubles as it is, I don't think moving Savard would be wise. If a team for some reason is interested in Thomas, that route would be much more logical.

The draft is getting closer and closer...who's Boston getting?

Buster

Bruins acquire Horton; Plekanec resigns

To Boston: F Nathan Horton, F Gregory Campbell

To Florida: D Dennis Wideman, 1st round (15th overall) pick in 2010, 3rd round pick on 2011



F Tomas Plekanec has also resigned in Montreal for 6 more years, at $30 million.

More a little later...

Contract for Cooke

Recent rumblings say that Matt Cooke has agreed on a new contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins forward was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July first, but this deal will keep him in Pittsburgh for the next three years. Cooke recorded 15 goals and 15 assists in 79 games last season and also rattled off 106 PIMS. He added 4 goals and 2 more assists in 13 playoff games, after his Penguins were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Semi Finals.

Cooke was the center of attention around the league after his blindside head hit on Bruins forward Marc Savard. Cooke didn't get suspended, nor did he even recieve a minor penalty on the play. Savard would miss the remainder of the regular season and wouldn't return to action until the second round of the playoffs against the Flyers. He didn't have his affective play making abilities back however. The controversial hit brought up debate once again on whether these types of hits should be accepted in the NHL.

Personally, I think these hits cannot continue if we want to keep the great players of our game off of the injured reserve!

Update: The Canadiens have resigned Darche to a 1-year $0.55 million contract.

Buster

Boston Bruins: Who's in and who's out

With Dennis Seidenberg and Shawn Thornton recently locked up for the next couple years, it's time to step back and look at who else should be back in Black and Gold next year. With 18 players already signed and just over 4.3 million left in cap space, there is not much room to fill holes. The likes of Rechhi, Begin, Satan and Boychuk headline the most notable unrestricted free agents as of July 1. Restricted free agents Wheeler, Stuart, Paille, Sobotka, McQuaid and Bodnarchuk are also big players moving forward.

But who stays and who goes?

As Mark Recchi continues to age, he continues to produce solid numbers and brings hard work to the line-up every night. His experience is a strong trait to a team that consists of many inexperienced players. His strong playoff performance (10 points in 13 games) also is a great reason to bring back the former cup winner.

Steve Begin was no doubt a top tier penalty killer and added some solid sandpaper to the line-up. Another great worker that wasn't afraid to drop the gloves either. He proved to be a great enforcer that knew his role well within the team.

Miro Satan was another solid performer in the Bruins playoff run, gathering 10 points as well. His chemistry with David Krejci was very noticeable and after Krejci went down to injury, so did Satan's productivity. Less than half a season isn't enough to prove what he can really bring to the table. His track record in Pittsburgh won't support him either. Although he seemed to be a great fit for the stretch run, is he really part of this team moving forward?

Johnny Boychuk really came through at the end of the season and proved to be a very important piece to the defence. His 15 points in just 56 regular season games and 6 playoff points also can't go unnoticed. He logged minutes in the high 20s often in the playoffs and really came through with solid defensive play. His hitting ability wasn't too shabby either. No doubt he would be great to have back, but he will certainly be looking for a raise from his 0.5 million he earned last season.

The collection of restricted free agents will be of concern as well. Wheeler has great size and speed, but should really have produced more last season. Mark Stuart proved he was solid when in the line-up, however keeping him off the injured list seemed a bit of a challenge. Paille had great speed and penalty killing abilities but bringing him back good prove difficult and Sobotka is still waiting for a breakout season. McQuaid and Bodnarchuk should really soon be able to make that next step up as well.

Who do you think Chiarelli should bring back?

With limited cap space, only some of these Bruins will be able to remain Bruins. GM Chiarelli will have work to do and spaces to fill. Trades may also be looked at to free up room to sign as many as the above as possible. However, it is likely that Bruins Nation may be more focused on the Draft than anything. Holding two first round picks can really stir up a lot of options. It will be very interesting to see what he decides to do with those two picks, if he opts to hold them both. However, with the Bruins depth down the middle, it seems like they would prefer Taylor over Tyler. Either way, all there is to do is sit back as the deadlines near and see who's in and who's out for next year.

Buster