People think of marquee names like Alexandre Daigle (#1 overall in 1993) and Patrik Stefan (#1 overall in 1999) as huge NHL draft busts. But at least those guys had careers. (Daigle played 616 NHL games, Stefan 455.)
The true NHL draft busts are the players you've likely never heard of. Young stars who barely saw the inside of an NHL locker room.
Every player on this list was selected in the top six of his draft year. Not one of them played more than 200 NHL games.
Alexandr Svitov, Center, 2001
Selected: 3rd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL totals: 37 points in 179 games for the Lightning and Blue Jackets, 2002-2007.
Drafted ahead of: Mikko Koivu, Dan Hamhuis, Ales Hemsky.
Daniel Tkaczuk, Center, 1997
Selected: 6th overall by the Calgary Flames at the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL totals: Centerman scored 11 points in 19 games with Calgary, 2000-01.
Drafted ahead of: Marian Hossa, Daniel Cleary, Brenden Morrow.
Alexandre Volchkov, Right Wing, 1996
Selected: 4th overall by the Washington Capitals at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL totals: 0 points in 3 games with Washington, 1999-2000.
Drafted ahead of: Derek Morris, Dainius Zubrus, Daniel Briere.
Steve Kelly, Left Wing, 1995
Selected: 6th overall by the Edmonton Oilers at the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL totals: 21 points in 147 games with Edmonton, Tampa Bay, New Jersey, Los Angeles and Minnesota, 1996-2008.
Drafted ahead of: Shane Doan, Jarome Iginla, J.S. Giguere.
Jason Bonsignore, Center, 1994
Selected 4th overall by the Edmonton Oilers at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL totals: 16 points in 79 games with Edmonton and Tampa Bay, 1994-1999.
Drafted ahead of: Jeff O'Neill, Ryan Smyth, Mattias Ohlund.
Scott Scissons, Center, 1990
Selected: 6th overall by the New York Islanders at the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL totals: 0 points in 2 games with the Islanders, 1990-94.
Drafted ahead of: Derian Hatcher, Keith Tkachuk, Martin Brodeur.
Dave Chyzowski, Left Wing, 1989
Left wing selected 2nd overall by the New York Islanders at the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL totals: 31 points in 126 games with the Islanders and Chicago, 1989-1997.
Drafted ahead of: Stu Barnes, Bill Guerin, Bobby Holik.
Daniel Dore, Right Wing, 1988
Selected 5th overall by the Quebec Nordiques at the 1988 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL totals: 5 points in 17 games with Quebec, 1989-1991.
Drafted ahead of: Jeremy Roenick, Rod Brind'Amour, Teemu Selanne.
Neil Brady, Center, 1986
Selected 3rd overall by the New Jersey Devils at the 1986 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL totals: 31 points in 89 games with New Jersey, Ottawa, and Dallas, 1989-94.
Drafted ahead of: Vincent Damphousse, Brian Leetch, Craig Janney.
Fred Williams, Center, 1976
Centerman selected 4th overall by the Detroit Red Wings at the 1976 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL totals: 7 points in 44 games with Detroit.
Drafted ahead of: Bernie Federko, Reed Larson, Randy Carlyle.
Barry Dean, Left Wing, 1975
Selected 2nd overall by the Kansas City Scouts at the 1975 NHL Entry Draft
NHL totals: 81 points in 165 games with the Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia, 1976-79.
Drafted ahead of: Dennis Maruk, Brian Engblom, Doug Jarvis.
Ray Martyniuk, Goaltender, 1970
Selected: 5th overall by the Montreal Canadiens at the 1970 NHL Entry Draft
NHL totals: 0 games.
Drafted ahead of Darryl Sittler, Mike Murphy, Billy Smith.
