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The NHL draft is an annual event where teams select the most promising young players to join their ranks. While many picks go on to have successful careers, there are always a few that fail to live up to expectations. These players, known as draft busts, can be a disappointment for both the teams that selected them and the fans who had high hopes for their future. In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 draft busts in NHL history.

1. Alexandre Daigle (1993)

Selected first overall by the Ottawa Senators in 1993, Alexandre Daigle was hailed as the next big thing in hockey. However, he failed to live up to the hype and struggled to find his place in the NHL. Daigle's lack of motivation and inconsistent play led to his eventual departure from the league.

2. Patrik Stefan (1999)

Patrik Stefan was selected first overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999. Despite his high draft position, Stefan failed to make a significant impact in the NHL. Known more for his infamous empty-net miss than his on-ice performance, Stefan's career never lived up to expectations.

3. Patrick Stefan (2008)

Selected second overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008, Patrick Stefan was expected to be a franchise player. However, injuries and inconsistency plagued his career, and he never lived up to his potential. Stefan's disappointing performance led to his departure from the NHL after just a few seasons.

4. Nail Yakupov (2012)

Nail Yakupov was selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2012. Despite his promising start, Yakupov's career quickly fizzled out. He struggled to find consistency and failed to live up to the expectations placed upon him. After bouncing around several teams, Yakupov's NHL career came to an end in 2018.

5. Brian Lawton (1983)

Brian Lawton was selected first overall by the Minnesota North Stars in 1983. Despite his high draft position, Lawton failed to make a significant impact in the NHL. He struggled to find his place in the league and never lived up to the expectations placed upon him.

6. Rick DiPietro (2000)

Rick DiPietro was selected first overall by the New York Islanders in 2000. While he showed promise early in his career, injuries plagued him and limited his playing time. DiPietro's massive contract and inability to stay healthy made him one of the biggest draft busts in NHL history.

7. Alexandre Volchkov (1996)

Alexandre Volchkov was selected fourth overall by the Washington Capitals in 1996. Despite his high draft position, Volchkov's NHL career never took off. He struggled to adapt to the North American game and failed to live up to expectations.

8. Alexander Svitov (2001)

Alexander Svitov was selected third overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2001. Despite his size and skill, Svitov failed to make a significant impact in the NHL. He struggled to find consistency and never lived up to his potential.

9. Scott Scissons (1990)

Scott Scissons was selected sixth overall by the New York Islanders in 1990. Despite his high draft position, Scissons never played a game in the NHL. Injuries and inconsistent play derailed his career before it even began.

10. Hugh Jessiman (2003)

Hugh Jessiman was selected 12th overall by the New York Rangers in 2003. Despite his impressive size and skill, Jessiman failed to make a significant impact in the NHL. He struggled to find his place in the league and never lived up to expectations.

The NHL has seen its fair share of draft busts throughout history. These players, who failed to live up to expectations, serve as a reminder that even the most promising prospects can falter when they reach the professional level. While some of these players experienced injuries or struggled to adapt to the NHL game, others simply lacked the motivation or consistency required to succeed. Regardless of the reasons behind their disappointments, these top 10 draft busts will forever be remembered as players who failed to live up to their potential.

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