8 First Overall Picks who were busts.

When it comes to using a your No.1 Overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft, you always want to make sure you pick an impact player that can become the future superstar of your team. For example Pittsburgh, Chicago and Tampa Bay, who have selected Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, and Steven Stamkos, respectively, have grown as teams since selecting these superstars. However, there have been moments where teams choose the wrong player with their No.1 pick and as a result their teams have suffered for it. These are 8 first round picks that were total busts. 8. Erik Johnson (2006) Although Johnson still plays defence at a top level on the Colorado Avalanche, he never quite lived up to the hype. He has never cracked 40 points in any of his eight NHL seasons, nor has he ever had a plus-minus rating above plus-5 in any year. When you look back at who was drafted after him — Jordan Staal, Jonathan Toews, Niklas Backstrom, Phil Kessel, Derrick Brassard, and Kyle Okposo — it’s hard to argue that Johnson was a good selection. 7. Gord Kluzak (1982) Kluzak was limited to just 299 career games (all with Boston), in which he registered 123 points. His short career was due to injury problems. His 11 knee surgeries, forced him out of the game by the end of 1990. Selected after him in the top-10 were Brian Bellows, Gary Nylund, Ron Sutter, Scott Stevens, and Phil Housley. 6. Doug Wickenheiser (1980) Wickenheiser's success at the junior level had many thinking he was the next big thing. The Montreal Canadiens thought enough of him to use the #1 Overall pick on him. Unfortunately for them, he never adapted as well to the game at the professional level. He totaled a mediocre 276 points in 556 career games and was drafted ahead of the likes of francophone superstar Denis Savard, who Montreal fans really wanted with that pick. Also selected after Wickenheiser with the top six picks were Dave Babych, Larry Murphy, and Paul Coffey. 5. Greg Joly (1974) He was selected by the Washington Capitals in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft after a successful junior career with the Regina Pats. Unfortunately, he never lived up to the hype he had developed in junior. His career high in points in a season in the NHL was just 27, which came in the 1977-78 season with the Detroit Red Wings. He bounced around the NHL and AHL his entire career, never  reaching his full potential with any team. 4. Alexandre Daigle (1993) This is one first round pick that lives in infamy. Daigle is considered one of the biggest draft busts of all-time. Some went so far as to accuse the Ottawa Senators of intentionally losing games in the season prior to the draft in an effort to tank and select Daigle with the No. 1 pick. After a solid rookie season with 20 goals and 51 points, it would prove to be his best season as well. His work ethic was often questioned and a lack of effort was obvious. On top of it all, the next selection after Daigle was Chris Pronger, followed by Chris Gratton, Paul Kariya, Rob Neidermayer, Victor Kozlov, and Jason Arnott. 3. Brian Lawton (1983) In his draft, Lawton was selected ahead of such players as Steve Yzerman, Cam Neely, Pat LaFontaine, John MacLean, Russ Courtnall, and Tom Barrasso — all of whom went in the top-10 in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. His plying career was mediocre at best, as he recorded 266 points in 483 games played. Then Minnesota GM Lou Nanne even admitted that selecting Lawton (pictured at left below) first might have been a mistake, claiming if he could have a do-over, he would take Barrasso instead. 2. Rick DiPietro (2000) When you hear the name Rick Dipietro, the idea of the worst contract in NHL history certainly comes to mind. He was also one of the worst #1 Overall picks in history. DiPietro was drafted out of Boston University and hopes were high. Unfortunately, he only went on to play 318 career NHL games and recorded a terrible .902 save percentage overall. Somehow, amidst the bad numbers and numerous injuries, he garnered a 15-year contract worth $67.5 million dollars from the New York Islanders. He was subsequently bought out in 2013. The players taken after Dipietro in 2000 were Dany Heatley, Marian Gaborik, Rostislav Klesla, Raffi Torres, and Scott Hartnell. 1. Patrik Stefan (1999) Hopes were very high for Patrick Stefan in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Unfortunately, his claim to fame is one of the worst misses on an empty net goal ever. Stefan was selected first in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers, a franchise which has numerous draft misses on its resume. Stefan was supposed to be an offensive dynamo, but never netted over 40 points in any NHL season and finished his career with just 188 points in 455 NHL games played. Just to add insult to injury, the two picks following Stefan’s selection were Daniel and Henrik Sedin, both of whom are Art Ross Trophy winners. Did we leave any out?