Yes i recall many people thinking he was a bum... agreed if does not make it his first year doesn't mean he is a bust signing.. you look for solid play... i think the reason he will make it is the one thing you really cannot teach... decision making.. and according to all of the scouting reports, butcher is a very cerebral player, which should compensate for any talent deficiencies ..
the devils biggest problem is competently moving the puck up to the forwards with quick decisive and accurate break out passes... this seems to be butchers finest attribute which tells me it could be a could fit for NJ.. leaving lovejoy as the only true grenade handler in this regard. greene, severson, moore,santini. mueller. butcher all seem or at least are said to have this part of their game in tact.. that's a big deal for this team
I don't really remember people thinking that he was a bum - just wouldn't amount to much....but I think your comment about 'decision making' is the key there -
Even early in his career, Greene showed that he made good decisions, and seemed to have an extra dose of composure on the back end. I remember them saying he was a 'college guy' and he thought the game well. I think the knock on him was that he was a competent skater but certainly wouldn't blow your doors off - he showed no offense really early on and he wasn't particularly physical - and was in danger of getting pounded behind the net...
basically - he was everything he is today, but without the confidence - and he just *matured* into a fine defenseman.
I think that is the whole key. Guys like greene and santini and (hopefully) butcher are playing the game well in their heads - and just need time for their bodies and confidence to catch up to the speed and grind.
Guys like Gelinas, Urbom, Moore and (maybe) Merrill - have the physical tools to suit the NHL but are frustrating because their heads need to catch up.