2002 First round draft pick rankings

[Poochie_D]

Rank the following draft picks from the 2002 entry draft. Who's higher on your list? Who's lower? Here's the list:

1 Columbus Rick Nash
2 Atlanta Kari Lehtonen
3 Florida Jay Bouwmeester
4 Philadelphia Joni Pitkanen
5 Pittsburgh Ryan Whitney
6 Nashville Scottie Upshall
7 Anaheim Joffrey Lupul
8 Minnesota Pierre-Marc Bouchard
9 Florida Petr Taticek
10 Calgary Eric Nystrom
11 Buffalo Keith Ballard
12 Washington Steve Eminger
13 Washington Alexander Semin
14 Mtl. Canadiens Chris Higgins
15 Edmonton Jesse Niinimaki
16 Ottawa Jakub Klepis
17 Washington Boyd Gordon
18 Los Angeles Denis Grebeshkov
19 Phoenix Jakub Koreis
20 Buffalo Daniel Paille
21 Chicago Anton Babchuk
22 NY Islanders Sean Bergenheim
23 Phoenix Ben Eager
24 Toronto Alexander Steen
25 Carolina Cam Ward
26 Dallas Martin Vagner
27 San Jose Mike Morris
28 Colorado Jonas Johansson
29 Boston Hannu Toivonen
30 Atlanta Jim Slater

Click to read more...

 

[haelwho]

2 Atlanta Kari Lehtonen
4 Philadelphia Joni Pitkanen
25 Carolina Cam Ward
1 Columbus Rick Nash
3 Florida Jay Bouwmeester
29 Boston Hannu Toivonen
8 Minnesota Pierre-Marc Bouchard
13 Washington Alexander Semin
7 Anaheim Joffrey Lupul
14 Mtl. Canadiens Chris Higgins
5 Pittsburgh Ryan Whitney
11 Buffalo Keith Ballard
24 Toronto Alexander Steen
6 Nashville Scottie Upshall
17 Washington Boyd Gordon
21 Chicago Anton Babchuk
22 NY Islanders Sean Bergenheim
30 Atlanta Jim Slater
12 Washington Steve Eminger
20 Buffalo Daniel Paille
18 Los Angeles Denis Grebeshkov
23 Phoenix Ben Eager
16 Ottawa Jakub Klepis
9 Florida Petr Taticek
10 Calgary Eric Nystrom
15 Edmonton Jesse Niinimaki
19 Phoenix Jakub Koreis
26 Dallas Martin Vagner
27 San Jose Mike Morris
28 Colorado Jonas Johansson

Something like that.

 

[dieseleric]

Rank the following draft picks from the 2002 entry draft. Who's higher on your list? Who's lower? Here's the list:

1 Columbus Rick Nash
2 Atlanta Kari Lehtonen
3 Florida Jay Bouwmeester
4 Philadelphia Joni Pitkanen
5 Pittsburgh Ryan Whitney
6 Nashville Scottie Upshall
7 Anaheim Joffrey Lupul
8 Minnesota Pierre-Marc Bouchard
9 Florida Petr Taticek
10 Calgary Eric Nystrom
11 Buffalo Keith Ballard
12 Washington Steve Eminger
13 Washington Alexander Semin
14 Mtl. Canadiens Chris Higgins
15 Edmonton Jesse Niinimaki
16 Ottawa Jakub Klepis
17 Washington Boyd Gordon
18 Los Angeles Denis Grebeshkov
19 Phoenix Jakub Koreis
20 Buffalo Daniel Paille
21 Chicago Anton Babchuk
22 NY Islanders Sean Bergenheim
23 Phoenix Ben Eager
24 Toronto Alexander Steen
25 Carolina Cam Ward
26 Dallas Martin Vagner
27 San Jose Mike Morris
28 Colorado Jonas Johansson
29 Boston Hannu Toivonen
30 Atlanta Jim Slater

Nash
Lehtonen
Semin
Ward
Pitkanen
Bouwmeester
Lupul
Ballard
Higgins
Bouchard
Whitney
Toivonen
Upshall
Eminger
Steen
Klepis
Paille
Slater
Nystrom
Bergenheim
Eager
Niinimaki
Babchuk
Gordon
Grebeshkov
Taticek
Koreis
Vagner
Morris
Johansson

 

[dieseleric]

2 Atlanta Kari Lehtonen
4 Philadelphia Joni Pitkanen
25 Carolina Cam Ward
1 Columbus Rick Nash
3 Florida Jay Bouwmeester
29 Boston Hannu Toivonen
8 Minnesota Pierre-Marc Bouchard
13 Washington Alexander Semin
7 Anaheim Joffrey Lupul
14 Mtl. Canadiens Chris Higgins
5 Pittsburgh Ryan Whitney
11 Buffalo Keith Ballard
24 Toronto Alexander Steen
6 Nashville Scottie Upshall
17 Washington Boyd Gordon
21 Chicago Anton Babchuk
22 NY Islanders Sean Bergenheim
30 Atlanta Jim Slater
12 Washington Steve Eminger
20 Buffalo Daniel Paille
18 Los Angeles Denis Grebeshkov
23 Phoenix Ben Eager
16 Ottawa Jakub Klepis
9 Florida Petr Taticek
10 Calgary Eric Nystrom
15 Edmonton Jesse Niinimaki
19 Phoenix Jakub Koreis
26 Dallas Martin Vagner
27 San Jose Mike Morris
28 Colorado Jonas Johansson

Something like that.

What has anyone in this group done to deserve to be ranked higher than Nash (except Ward's Conn Smythe)

 

[Poochie_D]

2 Atlanta Kari Lehtonen
4 Philadelphia Joni Pitkanen
25 Carolina Cam Ward
1 Columbus Rick Nash
3 Florida Jay Bouwmeester
29 Boston Hannu Toivonen
8 Minnesota Pierre-Marc Bouchard
13 Washington Alexander Semin
7 Anaheim Joffrey Lupul
14 Mtl. Canadiens Chris Higgins
5 Pittsburgh Ryan Whitney
11 Buffalo Keith Ballard
24 Toronto Alexander Steen
6 Nashville Scottie Upshall
17 Washington Boyd Gordon
21 Chicago Anton Babchuk
22 NY Islanders Sean Bergenheim
30 Atlanta Jim Slater
12 Washington Steve Eminger
20 Buffalo Daniel Paille
18 Los Angeles Denis Grebeshkov
23 Phoenix Ben Eager
16 Ottawa Jakub Klepis
9 Florida Petr Taticek
10 Calgary Eric Nystrom
15 Edmonton Jesse Niinimaki
19 Phoenix Jakub Koreis
26 Dallas Martin Vagner
27 San Jose Mike Morris
28 Colorado Jonas Johansson

Something like that.

Bouchard, Toivenen and Lupul ahead of Higgins? Have they really shown more? This kid is looking like a Selke candidate this season.

 

[haelwho]

What has anyone in this group done to deserve to be ranked higher than Nash (except Ward's Conn Smythe)

It's more about potential for me, but I see what you mean. I think Lehtonen is going to end up being the best goalie in the league (he won 7 of his first 9 starts this year), Pitkanen is easily the best defenseman on the Flyers (probably in the entire Atlantic division as well), and Ward, well you said it. Nash has slumped a bit early this year and had a bit of an injury riddled season, my opinion could easily change in a month but we'll see how he recovers, it'll show a lot about his character. No goals in 7 is tough to break.

Bouchard, Toivenen and Lupul ahead of Higgins? Have they really shown more? This kid is looking like a Selke candidate this season.

Like I said, potential. Just because the draft happened 4 years ago doesn't mean these guys are done developing. I see Bouchard as a 70 assist guy with the right linemates and Lupul as a 30 goal scorer. I see Toivonen as a top 10 starter, but I haven't really seen much of he or Higgins being on the west coast so I guess I can't say with any certainty.

 

[Evilo]

Whitney really doesn't look bad at 5th overall.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Whitney really doesn't look bad at 5th overall.

Tied for 9th in the league in scoring among defenseman, 2 pts off the lead. he still has some facets to work on, but no, is not looking bad at all at 5th.

 

[12# Peter Bondra]

Why did Taticek go 9th OA? He now is in the CZE Republic after being in the AHL for 4 years.

 

[Chaos]

85444587. Martin Vagner

What a spare.

 

[Smyth94]

Jesse Niinimaki what a bust

 

[Redwingsfan]

Jesse Niinimaki what a bust

i wouldn't say that just yet. he is actually startting to look pretty good out there.
he has 13 points in 17 games in the SEL.

 

[Smyth94]

well he aint oiler property anymore so in terms he is with the oil

 

[Redwingsfan]

Bouchard, Toivenen and Lupul ahead of Higgins? Have they really shown more? This kid is looking like a Selke candidate this season.

ok i will do a top 10 for you. is this right???

chris higgins
rick nash
kari lehtonen
joni pitkanen
alexander semin
cam ward
joffrey lupul
p-m bouchard
ryan whitney
alexander steen


cant you just accept that there are guys that doesnt feel the same about higgins that you do. personally i would rank him around 10. before steen. isn't that good enough. to move up 4 spots.

 

[J17 Vs Proclamation]

ok i will do a top 10 for you. is this right???

chris higgins
rick nash
kari lehtonen
joni pitkanen
alexander semin
cam ward
joffrey lupul
p-m bouchard
ryan whitney
alexander steen


cant you just accept that there are guys that doesnt feel the same about higgins that you do. personally i would rank him around 10. before steen. isn't that good enough. to move up 4 spots.

Jay Bouwmeester? Bouwmeester is a #1 Dman, and how people rank Higgins, Steen, Ward, Lupul and Whitney over him is beyond me. It is ridiculous how underated he is on here now. I'd take most of the guys listed above over Ward too, one playoff run can sure make a guy overated.

 

[X-SHARKIE]

Morris had a bad car accident last year and had to sit out his junior year, but he's back this year and is a legit NHL prospect. He had two goals, and two assist over the weekend on a bad team against a very good one in Michigan and even got the Huskies an upset Saturday Night.

He has nearly averaged a point a game in his career on a pretty bad Northeastern Program yet you guys think he's worse than Martin Vagner? Niinimakki? KOREIS? How?

I agree he was taken too high, but if we're speaking of first rounders a lone, why is he behind guys with no NHL chance any more when he's still a legit prospect?

 

[Patty Ice]

Morris had a bad car accident last year and had to sit out his junior year, but he's back this year and is a legit NHL prospect. He had two goals, and two assist over the weekend on a bad team against a very good one in Michigan and even got the Huskies an upset Saturday Night.

He has nearly averaged a point a game in his career on a pretty bad Northeastern Program yet you guys think he's worse than Martin Vagner? Niinimakki? KOREIS? How?

I agree he was taken too high, but if we're speaking of first rounders a lone, why is he behind guys with no NHL chance any more when he's still a legit prospect?

Off the radar prospect...out of sight, out of mind. Really no need to question them "why?" because the answer is easy. Best just to update them.

 

[417]

ok i will do a top 10 for you. is this right???

chris higgins
rick nash
kari lehtonen
joni pitkanen
alexander semin
cam ward
joffrey lupul
p-m bouchard
ryan whitney
alexander steen


cant you just accept that there are guys that doesnt feel the same about higgins that you do. personally i would rank him around 10. before steen. isn't that good enough. to move up 4 spots.

Can't you accept the fact that he feels strongly about Higgins and thinks he should be ranked ahead of the players he mentionned?

 

[Slats432]

That Niinimaki pick is just terrible. Off the board with your first round pick...way out there.

50th Euro ranked player. I remember watching the draft and thinking....why? Why? WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Raisy]

2 Atlanta Kari Lehtonen
4 Philadelphia Joni Pitkanen
1 Columbus Rick Nash
3 Florida Jay Bouwmeester
5 Pittsburgh Ryan Whitney
7 Anaheim Joffrey Lupul
8 Minnesota Pierre-Marc Bouchard
13 Washington Alexander Semin
11 Buffalo Keith Ballard
25 Carolina Cam Ward
14 Mtl. Canadiens Chris Higgins
29 Boston Hannu Toivonen
12 Washington Steve Eminger
24 Toronto Alexander Steen
6 Nashville Scottie Upshall
20 Buffalo Daniel Paille
10 Calgary Eric Nystrom
22 NY Islanders Sean Bergenheim
17 Washington Boyd Gordon
18 Los Angeles Denis Grebeshkov
21 Chicago Anton Babchuk
16 Ottawa Jakub Klepis
23 Phoenix Ben Eager
28 Colorado Jonas Johansson
19 Phoenix Jakub Koreis
27 San Jose Mike Morris
30 Atlanta Jim Slater
15 Edmonton Jesse Niinimaki
26 Dallas Martin Vagner
9 Florida Petr Taticek

 

[The Viking Fury]

6 players currently have contracts with the caps:
Semin, Eminger, Taticek (suspended, in Czech.), Klepis, Gordon, and Johansson

I find that to be a little humourous

 

[Famous Flames]

Vagner's in the basement for sure.

 

[FrankMTL]

ok i will do a top 10 for you. is this right???

chris higgins
rick nash
kari lehtonen
joni pitkanen
alexander semin
cam ward
joffrey lupul
p-m bouchard
ryan whitney
alexander steen


cant you just accept that there are guys that doesnt feel the same about higgins that you do. personally i would rank him around 10. before steen. isn't that good enough. to move up 4 spots.

Always the same response huh? Ya we see its a hab fan..he's happy with Higgins, but your always just waiting for a Hab fan to write something about their own players so you can jump on it...give it a rest...we all know habs fans overate their players sometimes, big deal...live with it. Don't waste your energy baiting them back..and ya I realize I've responded to a couple of your posts but its because your always jumping on Habs fans..there's a lot of them and your fighting a losing battle...Write something contructive next time instead of typing the obvious sarcastic remarks that everybody is thinking..

 

[FrankMTL]

What do you guys think of PM Bouchard...how has he performed this year?? Is he still worthy of that high a draft position??

 

[DaveG]

1 Columbus Rick Nash
2 Atlanta Kari Lehtonen
25 Carolina Cam Ward
4 Philadelphia Joni Pitkanen
8 Minnesota Pierre-Marc Bouchard
3 Florida Jay Bouwmeester
5 Pittsburgh Ryan Whitney
29 Boston Hannu Toivonen
13 Washington Alexander Semin
14 Mtl. Canadiens Chris Higgins
7 Anaheim Joffrey Lupul
11 Buffalo Keith Ballard
24 Toronto Alexander Steen
6 Nashville Scottie Upshall
21 Chicago Anton Babchuk
22 NY Islanders Sean Bergenheim
27 San Jose Mike Morris
12 Washington Steve Eminger
18 Los Angeles Denis Grebeshkov
17 Washington Boyd Gordon
23 Phoenix Ben Eager
16 Ottawa Jakub Klepis
20 Buffalo Daniel Paille
30 Atlanta Jim Slater
19 Phoenix Jakub Koreis
9 Florida Petr Taticek
10 Calgary Eric Nystrom
15 Edmonton Jesse Niinimaki
28 Colorado Jonas Johansson
26 Dallas Martin Vagner