Biggest prospect Busts!

[rangerdanger]

So, there's quite a lot of prospecting around these here parts. I might be more guilty of this than many, but I know there's a number of other swami soothsayers that post here regularly.

One of the aspects that make Dynasty leagues so much fun, in fact the probably the primary aspect is prospect acquisition. Whether through draft or trade, many of us spend hours researching prospects, watching games and video. Sometimes I think I have more fun rebuilding a depleted franchise than taking a stacked franchise to the finals. Well, it's even more special if you've taken a depleted roster and rebuilt it into a contender.

Anyone who's been through this surely knows well what it's like to nab that top prospect only to find them shlubbing along in the AHL 4 years later. It doesn't really matter how good that prospect seems in the beginning, any level of talent can be squandered. It's completely rare to have a sure thing. Names like Crosby, McDavid and Ovechkin come to mind. But most often, even the best players carry some doubt. Jack Eichel looks like the real deal. But only a few months ago, some owners were starting to worry if he'd ever be that PPG player they were hoping for.

I thought it would be interesting to look at some of the biggest prospect busts in the last 20 years or so. And perhaps to bring up some current prospects that people think might bust, or at least not reach their expected potential.

Nail Yakupov comes to mind as one of the biggest busts in recent history. This guy seemed to have it all. He should have done what Laine has done. But she me years later, he can't even suit up for a thin St. Louis team.

While not quite at Yakupovs level, another couple of guys recently were Cody Hodgson, Holland and it looks like Curtis Lazar. All though I guess you can argue the jury is still out on Lazar. But he certainly doesn't look like he'll ever be that 55 to 65 point team captain that I think many expected.

Some current guys I think are ripe to be busts I think are Anthony Duclair, RNH, Ryan Strome and dare I say Landeskog.

As far as prospects go, there must be something about the Stromes as I think Dylan Strome has a very high chance to bust. Some others, Pavel Zacha, Dal Colle, Dubois and Juolevi.

As good as Dylan Strome seems, I don't think it'd be as big a bust as Yakupov.

[PrairieDog]

Some that come to mind:

Nikita Filatov
Patrick O'Sullivan
Nikita Filatov
Patrik Stefan
Nikita Filatov
David Rundblad
Nikita Filatov
Alexandre Daigle
Nikita Filatov
Rick DiPietro
Nikita Filatov

[rangerdanger]

Some that come to mind:

Nikita Filatov
Patrick O'Sullivan
Nikita Filatov
Patrik Stefan
Nikita Filatov
David Rundblad
Nikita Filatov
Alexandre Daigle
Nikita Filatov
Rick DiPietro
Nikita Filatov

Thats a damn fine list. DiPietro is a big one. Daigle! Oh my. Man he looked great.

But yea, Filitov might take the cake.

[FinnishFlash]

Some that come to mind:

Nikita Filatov
Patrick O'Sullivan
Nikita Filatov
Patrik Stefan
Nikita Filatov
David Rundblad
Nikita Filatov
Alexandre Daigle
Nikita Filatov
Rick DiPietro
Nikita Filatov

I second this list. I totally drank the Kool aid on Filatov. Regret that.

Magnus Paajavri anyone? Thought he was going to be a star.

[PrairieDog]

I second this list. I totally drank the Kool aid on Filatov. Regret that.

Magnus Paajavri anyone? Thought he was going to be a star.

Yeah I gave up a crapload to get NF in the draft (2nd overall after Stamkos) and never even put him in my lineup.

MPS is definitely a good one. Ryan Strome looks like he fits the bill too. Frolik is a solid NHLer, but Jagr-Lite he ain't.

[StuntMan12]

I read that Filatov's problem was his drive and work ethic. That he had all the talent in the world but didn't work out and dedicate like he should have. Apparently he is attempting a comeback to the NHL and is apparently re-dedicating himself. 40 pts in 57 games in the KHL this year.....you never know lol

[Mr. Guru]

Zach Hamill
Luc Bourdon
Jack Campbell
Joey Hishon
Scott Glennie
Petr Taticek
Kyle Beach

All of these guys were a top 10-15 pick, I think anyways.

All of them busted out. All of them fooled me.

I remember watching Campbell win a memorial cup with Windsor, gold for the USA world Juniors (as a backup), bronze for the USA World Juniors and win Goalie of the tourny AND still busted out.

[audiopile]

Zach Hamill
Luc Bourdon
Jack Campbell
Joey Hishon
Scott Glennie
Petr Taticek
Kyle Beach

All of these guys were a top 10-15 pick, I think anyways.

All of them busted out. All of them fooled me.

I remember watching Campbell win a memorial cup with Windsor, gold for the USA world Juniors (as a backup), bronze for the USA World Juniors and win Goalie of the tourny AND still busted out.

To be fair, Bourdon never got a chance. RIP.

@OP. I have a feeling about D Strome being a disappointment. Crazy to think how these guys can fall so short of expectation. Yakupov being the biggest offender of late. Unfortunately for me I had Eichel, Marner, W Nylander and S Reinhart as over hyped prospects so I passed on them in my drafts over the last few years. Landed pool party at 4th and was totally stoked and now I'm getting nervous with the Keller hype and him going much later in the draft. But I digress.

[StuntMan12]

Zach Hamill
Luc Bourdon
Jack Campbell
Joey Hishon
Scott Glennie
Petr Taticek
Kyle Beach

All of these guys were a top 10-15 pick, I think anyways.

All of them busted out. All of them fooled me.

I remember watching Campbell win a memorial cup with Windsor, gold for the USA world Juniors (as a backup), bronze for the USA World Juniors and win Goalie of the tourny AND still busted out.

Bourdon was a promising d man (ohlund like). he didnt bust he died man c mon

[Mr. Guru]

He was a bust in our little fantasy games.

[Polecon]

Gilbert Brule - 6th overall in 2005 to the Blue Jackets - blew top 3 picks in two pools for this guy and waited and waited and ...

[rangerdanger]

He was a bust in our little fantasy games.

Yea, I guess I was meaning fantasy busts more than just NHL busts, but some great posts throuought. Filitov got me too. Magnus does stand out of late.

Lol. I also thought Eichel to be overhyped. Nylander a bit too. Ouch.

Campbell is another guy forgot about. He was the keeper to have at one point.

Certainly worry about Dylan Larkin.

The Keller situation is starting to feel like the Eichel situation. Not that he will be like Eichel, just the exterior perspective and situation. EspeciLly after thinking Eichel was overhyped, I'd probably bite on Keller this year regardless. Well he also looks very good and I think could be.

Sanhaim is another I'm concerned about. That is a situation where the situation could negatively effect a player, in that case getting buried.

Is MacKinnon a bust relative to expect ration? He's certainly not a bust in general. Like he will be a decent NHL player. I'm starting to think it might be enough below expectation to consider him a relative bust, perhaps after another year or two.

[2014olympicgold]

Alek Stojanov
RW

107GP, 2G, 5A, 7Pts, 222PIM
14Playoff games, 0G, 0A, 21PIM

7^th overall in the 1991 draft.

[PrairieDog]

Gilbert Brule - 6th overall in 2005 to the Blue Jackets - blew top 3 picks in two pools for this guy and waited and waited and ...

That reminds me - Nikolai Zherdev.

[PenguinHunter]

Zach Hamill
Luc Bourdon
Jack Campbell
Joey Hishon
Scott Glennie
Petr Taticek
Kyle Beach

All of these guys were a top 10-15 pick, I think anyways.

All of them busted out. All of them fooled me.

I remember watching Campbell win a memorial cup with Windsor, gold for the USA world Juniors (as a backup), bronze for the USA World Juniors and win Goalie of the tourny AND still busted out.

This is the player that came to mind for me... man I remember watching him with the WheatKings that one year... he was so good... what happened!?