The draft yields the most important building blocks for any great sports team. Wasting a top pick can not only set your team back, but also leave you kicking yourself over what might have been. Here’s a look at the Buffalo Sabres biggest draft busts.
7. Barrett Heisten – LW (1999, 20th overall)
Drafted out of the University of Maine, Heisten never signed a contract with the Buffalo Sabres. He appeared in only 10 NHL games with the New York Rangers and did not record a point.
The kicker: Ottawa drafted RW Martin Havlat six picks later.
6. Morris Titanic – LW (1973, 12th overall)
Despite having an all-time great name, Titanic appeared in only 19 NHL games all with the Sabres.
The kicker: Rick Middleton was selected just two picks later and went on to be an all-time Sabre nemesis while playing with the Boston Bruins.
5. Joel Savage – RW (1988, 13th overall)
Savage played in more than 800 games with various minor league teams but only appeared in 3 NHL games.
The kicker: The Sabres passed up a couple other decent wingers who were selected later in this draft. Mark Recchi and Tony Amonte.
Look... An Artem Kryukov sighting!
4. Artem Kryukov – RW (2000, 15th overall)
Kryukov never played a professional game in North America, spending his entire career to date in his native Russia.
The kicker: Would have been nice to have either Brooks Orpik (18th) or Anton Volchenkov (21st) on the Sabres blueline instead.
3. David Cooper – RW (1992, 11th overall)
Cooper played just 30 games in the NHL scoring three goals and seven assists all the with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The kicker: It seems the Sabres have forever searched for a “powerplay quarterback” defenseman and Sergei Gonchar was selected by the Washington Capitals just three picks later.
2. Marek Zagrapan – C (2005, 13th overall)
Zagrapan played three full seasons in Buffalo’s AHL affiliate but couldn’t make it to the NHL. He has since returned to Europe to play in the KHL.
The kicker: Depth at the center position has been a major problem for the Sabres due in part to the absence of Zagrapan. Other centers available at the 13th pick included Martin Hanzal, T.J. Oshie, and Paul Stastny. Yikes!
1. Shawn Anderson – D (1986, 5th overall)
Anderson played 255 NHL games with the Sabres, Nordiques, Capitals, Flyers but was never considered more than a spare part.
The kicker: “Ooh what might have been” if the Sabres instead selected Vincent Damphousse (6th) or Brian Leetch (9th).
wow thats sad
What about Ric Sieling could of had mike boosy
At least Ric Sieling had a productive career. These 7 stiffs completely fizzled!
What about Jiri Dudachek ??? I believe he was the worst !!!
You forget Jiri Dudacek, Andrew Peters and Jiri Novotny, two useless good-for-nothings that should have been mentioned. Oh and that stinkin’ Jap Taro Tsujimoto… man we’ve made some bad decisions in the past. xD
Nice stealing my thunder putz, 20 minutes after me !!
Yeah, we can ride the time machine into the future, see who is gonna pan out, come back & pick the best available, KNOWING that he’s truly the BEST AVAILABLE!
Why didn’t we think of this sooner, did anyone tell Darcy?
Everybody, get on this right away, who has the time machine, how far into the future do we optimally need to go?
OK, how about you look up all the busts that were players selected by OTHER teams, I’m sure it won’t take long ‘cuz no other GM’s EVER misfire on their picks.
@Chemich – You do know Taro Tsujimoto was a made up character Punch Imlach “drafted” as something of a protest/prank, right? Meanwhile, your ethnic slur against Japanese people is totally uncalled for.