10 Biggest NHL Draft Busts (2004-2012)

Who were the 10 biggest NHL Draft Busts from 2004-2012? These are all first round picks. Players who fell below the expectations of their draft position like Nail Yakupov could have been included, but at least he earned an NHL job. Instead the true top 10 list should be players most fans have never heard of.

1) Zach Hamill, Boston 2007, 7th overall: Played 20 NHL games and 349 AHL games as a top 10 pick. He was a good playmaker but lacked the size and foot speed to stick in the NHL.

2) Scott Glennie, Dallas 2009, 8th overall: Injuries did play a role in his being a draft bust.

3) Dylan McIlrath, Rangers 2010, 10th overall: He has managed to play 43 NHL games but is still languishing in the minors at age 25.

4) Kyle Beach, Chicago 2008, 11th overall: He was expected to be the next Milan Lucic, but it never materialized.

5) Duncan Siemens, Colorado 2011, 11th overall: Was once described by the Hockey News Future Watch as "the biggest bust in his draft class".

6) AJ Thelen, Minnesota 2004, 12th overall: He holds the distinction of highest draft pick not to sign an entry level contract in the salary cap era.

7) Marek Zagrapan, Buffalo 2005, 13th overall: He scored 127 PTS in the AHL on his 3-year Entry Level Contract with 0 NHL GP. Did not get a 2nd NHL contract. Returned to Europe.

8) Sasha Pokulok, Washington 2005, 14th overall: Pokulok was passed over in his first draft after playing in the tier II Saskatchewan Junior League, only to be taken a year later after playing NCAA. He bounced back and forth from AHL to ECHL on his ELC, eventually leaving for Europe.

9) Ryan O'Marra, Winnipeg 2005, 15th overall: O'Mara did get 33 NHL GP but struggled to produce offense at the professional level.

10) Patrick White, Vancouver 2007, 25th overall: Canucks GM Dave Nonis went off the board to draft this kid several spots before his pre-draft rank. He went directly to Europe after coming out of college and did not get offered an NHL entry level contract.