High-priced NHL first-round busts
 

High-priced NHL first-round busts

 

Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders is the latest in a long list of first-round picks that have proven to be disappointing and costly. Here is a look at some high-priced NHL first-round picks

 
February 19, 2013
 
 
 
<b>Rick DiPietro, 1st overall by the New York Islanders in 2000</b>
 

Rick DiPietro, 1st overall by the New York Islanders in 2000

Photograph by: Jean Levac, The Ottawa Citizen

 
<b>Rick DiPietro, 1st overall by the New York Islanders in 2000</b>
After a solid start to his career, DiPietro signed a 15-year $67.5 million deal with the Islanders back in 2006. Since then, the goaltender was sidelined more often than not with injuries.
<b>Alexandre Daigle, 1st overall by the Ottawa Senators in 1993</b>
Alexandre Daigle was drafted first overall by the Ottawa Senators in 1993 and signed what was at the time the largest-ever initial contract in NHL history -- five-years, $12.25 million. He famously said "I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two". Daigle played 616 regular season and 12 playoff games in the NHL, while Chris Pronger, drafted number two in 1993, has played almost twice as many games, was selected to play in six NHL all-star games, won the Norris and Hart trophies, a Stanley Cup and two Olympic gold medals.
<b>Brett Lindros, 9th overall by the New York Islanders in 1994</b>
The Islanders first-rounder signed a five-year, $7.5 million contract, a hefty amount at the time. However, concussions limited Eric's brother to 51 games and seven points in the NHL.
<b>Pavel Brendl, 4th overall by the New York Rangers in 1999</b>
The former Calgary Hitmen star scored only 22 points in 78 games in the NHL and has been out of the league since 2005-2006. He earned about $3 million during his short NHL career.
<b>Patrik Stefan, 1st overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999</b>
Stefan, who drafted first overall ahead of Daniel and Henrik Sedin, was supposed to be a solid 70-80 point contributor throughout his career, but only broke the 40 point barrier twice in seven NHL seasons. Nevertheless, he earned about $6 million during his tenure with the Thrashers and Dallas Stars.
<b>Vincent Lecavalier, 1st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1998</b>
At one point, Lecavalier was an absolute bargain. But in 2008, Vinny signed a 11-year, $85 million deal that is widely considered to be one of the worst NHL contracts in recent years.
<b>Alexei Yashin, 2nd overall by the Ottawa Senators in 1992</b>
In 2001, the Senators traded the mercurial forward to the New York Islanders for Zdeno Chara, Bill Muckalt and a draft pick that became Jason Spezza. The Islanders then re-signed Yashin to a 10-year, $87.5 million contract. Chara went on to become a perennial All-Star. Yashin, not so much.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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5/22/2013 11:35:35 AM
 
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