NHL · 1 year ago

5 Biggest Busts from the 2017 NHL Draft

Zack Cook

Host · Writer

Shane Bowers
Draft Position: 28th overall, Ottawa Senators

Despite first round picks being valued at a high level, it's hard to hit on them and make a quality NHL player near the end of the round. There was certainly some merit for the Senators selecting Shane Bowers where they did, but the pick didn't materialize, and he was later dealt away in a trade. Bowers played in just nine NHL games and has yet to record a point.

Career Numbers: 9 GP, 0 G, 0 A, O P

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Nolan Patrick
Draft Position: 2nd overall, Philadelphia Flyers

We want to be careful with this one because Nolan Patrick was very unlucky. Patrick has dealt with his some serious injuries, including concussions, which have made it difficult to find any consistency in the NHL. No one ever questioned the talent level with Patrick, but inconsistencies early on, which were expected, along with injuries, equated to him never being able to meet expectations. At the end of the day, even though Patrick is considered a draft bust by many, the most important thing here is his overall health and quality of life.

Career Numbers: 222 GP, 32 G, 45 A, 77 P

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Lias Andersson
Draft Position: 7th overall, New York Rangers

When you have a top 10 selection in a draft class, you're banking on that player being a solution in the organization. The New York Rangers liked the makeup and skill that Lias Andersson brought to the table, it just never panned out. When you have a player like Andersson, it was always going to be top six or bust, and that's exactly how this played out. Andersson has carved out a nice career in the AHL, but he certainly didn't live up to expectations for the Rangers at his draft slot.

Career Numbers: 110 GP, 7 G, 10 A, 17 P
Kristian Vesalainen
Draft Position: 24th overall, Winnipeg Jets

Kristian Vesalainen entered the Winnipeg Jets prospect system with a lot of traits that NHL teams covet. He had the size and hands to do damage, but that really has yet to transpire for the Finnish forward. We're not willing to write him off just yet because it sometimes takes bigger forwards longer to figure it out, but he's on a tight leash at the moment and right on the line as a potential bust.

Career Numbers: 70 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 P
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Cal Foote
Draft Position: 14th overall, Tampa Bay Lightning

It's not as though Cal Foote is out of the league, he just hasn't made the type of impact we've been looking for. Entering the NHL, we were expecting more of a two-way presence, even if the defense was what got him to the league. The points just haven't come from Foote, and he's been the type of defender that's been in and out of the lineup at this stage in his career. You'd like for better value in that range if you're re-drafting in Tampa Bay.

Career Numbers: 145 GP, 5 G, 15 A, 20 P
Shane Bowers
Draft Position: 28th overall, Ottawa Senators

Despite first round picks being valued at a high level, it's hard to hit on them and make a quality NHL player near the end of the round. There was certainly some merit for the Senators selecting Shane Bowers where they did, but the pick didn't materialize, and he was later dealt away in a trade. Bowers played in just nine NHL games and has yet to record a point.

Career Numbers: 9 GP, 0 G, 0 A, O P

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Nolan Patrick
Draft Position: 2nd overall, Philadelphia Flyers

We want to be careful with this one because Nolan Patrick was very unlucky. Patrick has dealt with his some serious injuries, including concussions, which have made it difficult to find any consistency in the NHL. No one ever questioned the talent level with Patrick, but inconsistencies early on, which were expected, along with injuries, equated to him never being able to meet expectations. At the end of the day, even though Patrick is considered a draft bust by many, the most important thing here is his overall health and quality of life.

Career Numbers: 222 GP, 32 G, 45 A, 77 P

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5 Biggest Busts from the 2017 NHL Draft

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