If you quit Ruutu and Umberger is a good list
Loui, said to be a future #1 or #2 centerman, he still hasn't done it yet.
By who? He's a winger. I don't think he's played center 1 game since coming to North America, and certainly hasn't played center with the Stars.
Not all my picks were complete busts, however they didn't meet the hype either.
Stephen Weiss (although a first round pick, and still young, he was hyped as the next Yzerman, leadership and all)
Fedor Fedorov (as talented as Sergei!)
Steve Kariya (as talented as Paul!)
Mikko Koivu (as talented as Saku!)
Paul Ballentyne (was hyped as a top defensemen for Detroit)
Brian Sutherby (after 2004 Youngstars game, he would become a top player for Washington)
Phillipe Sauve (hyped that he would replace Roy as Avs goalie)
Scott Clemmenson, J-F Damphousse, Ari Ahonen(they were given the same mantle, to replace Martin Brodeur)
Sasha Goc
Scott Barney
Robert Dome
Jesse Wallin
Jonathan Aiken
Jamie Lundmark did get some attention and a modest amount of hype mostly due to being a first rounder. This year he has managed to produce a meagre 4 assists and no goals as a 26 year old player. Most likely his days as an NHL'er are numbered.
He hasn't stepped foot in NA yet, though. The jury really is out on him right now and I don't think he can be nominated for this award.
Re: Igor Gregorenko
I'm going to have to agree on this one. There is still a chance that he could make his mark in the NHL yet.
Mikko will be better than Saku, because Saku is one of the most overrated players in the NHL. At 23, Mikko is already putting up similar numbers. Not a bust at all IMO.
Been around these boards since late 98ish, was there that much Mike Rupp pimping going around?
Well, Schremp has still time to do something as he is only 20/21 years old.Dragan Umicevic
Jeff Woywitka
Jani Rita
The youtube superstar Alexi Mikinov
Rob Schremp
People clamoured over Dragan because he got off to a hot start, Jokinen said something nice about it, and he threw Martin Short around whenever he said "shoot me!". Alexi Mikinov was pretty much faded away (rightfully so) then a video appears of him scoring a nice goal and all of a sudden he is Dr. Wonderful.
I'm a Canadiens fan from waaaaaaaaaaaaaay back but I still offer the following to you:
1980 - Doug Wickenheiser
1982 - Alain Héroux
1983 - Alfie Turcotte
1984 - José Charbonneau
1985 - Mark Pederson
1988 - Éric Charron
1989 - Lindsay Vallis
1991 - Brent Bilodeau
1992 - David Wilkie
1994 - Brad Brown
1995 - Terry Ryan
1996 - Matt Higgins
1997 - Jason Ward
1998 - Éric Chouinard (pretty well the best of this bunch except maybe for Turcotte)
2000 - Ron Hainsey
I've sometimes wondered, in my moments of frustration and wild fantasy, if these were all picks that were pay-backs to the Devil for the thefts that Sam Pollock pulled off during his reign.