BeeRYCE 2 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 Opposite of the other thread, who are the players in the NHL that basically proved all critics wrong? It doesn't necessarily have to be a draft steal, or an undrafted player... But also players who were criticized for being picked high in the draft but turned around and proved everyone wrong. I'll name some players off the top of my head... Martin St. Louis Brian Rafalski Pavel Datsyuk Theoren Fleury David Perron (He was initially cut from the OHL draft in his draft year) Cory Murphy (Nobody knew he was, and people thought Yzerman was crazy for having him play for team Canada in the Senior Championships last spring... Turned to be a pretty big part in Canada's win. Now he plays for Florida and isn't doing bad at all. Good for him) Now... The main event... SIDNEY CROSBY. Yes, first overall pick, yes, under the media microscope constantly... BUT, for every person who said he was going to excel at top level in the NHL, there was a person out there saying he'd be another Alexander Daigle. Now he is probably the best player in the world, accomplished some NHL records, and most people are (or at least should be) doubting themselves for ever saying he wouldn't succeed. He is a surprising player, and I say that from a standpoint where I, MYSELF, was a doubter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arnoldbuck 0 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 Haha, I like how Syd has made an appearance in both threads. I notice you put St. Louis on the list, seeing as how he wasnt drafted thats a decent statement towards suprising player. I recall Ed Belfour wasn't drafted either. Though he tapered off towards the end of his career. He was pretty dominant early on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
imisssergei 0 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 Luc Robitallie Patrick Roy Dominik Hasek Ed Belfour Curtis Joseph Doug Gilmour Adam Oates Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacK_Attack 108 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 (edited) Steve Rucchin, played CIAU/CIS hockey. That's about as rare as it gets for late bloomers. Also, Steve Thomas was undrafted. Edited March 26, 2008 by MacK_Attack Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 Adam Oates Luc Robitaille Curtis Joseph Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 (edited) There's no point in even mentioning European players, since the scouting isn't as good overseas, and scouting isn't an exact science as it is even with North American players. Hell, the Wings have several Europeans that have been better than expected, and several others like Grigorenko, Bykov, Kuznetsov, Anders Ericsson, that turned out to be busts. Edited March 26, 2008 by GMRwings1983 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BeeRYCE 2 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 There's no point in even mentioning European players, since the scouting isn't as good overseas, and scouting isn't an exact science as it is even with North American players. Hell, the Wings have several Europeans that have been better than expected, and several others like Grigorenko, Bykov, Kuznetsov, Anders Ericsson, that turned out to be busts. Yep, totally agreed. That's why I didn't mention any Alfredssons, Zetterbergs, Fedorovs, etc. The reason I did mention Datsyuk though is because even in the Russian leagues, he was constantly scratched because of his size and inconsistant effort. The thought of him moving up to the NHL was a huge laugh at one point, and now he is one of the best players in the NHL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 Yep, totally agreed. That's why I didn't mention any Alfredssons, Zetterbergs, Fedorovs, etc. The reason I did mention Datsyuk though is because even in the Russian leagues, he was constantly scratched because of his size and inconsistant effort. The thought of him moving up to the NHL was a huge laugh at one point, and now he is one of the best players in the NHL. I completely disagree, scouting is going on all over the world, there shoudln't really be any difference when we are talking about more recently drafted players. Going back to Fedorov's draft days is a different story. Fedorov was drafted pretty late. Everyone knew about his skill, but he wasn't picked early because they didn't know if he would ever come to the NHL. It was different times back then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 There's no point in even mentioning European players, since the scouting isn't as good overseas, and scouting isn't an exact science as it is even with North American players. Hell, the Wings have several Europeans that have been better than expected, and several others like Grigorenko, Bykov, Kuznetsov, Anders Ericsson, that turned out to be busts. Eriksson wasn't a bust. He was the sixth best defenseman in his draft class and he was the sixth defenseman taken, was a top-four defenseman on the Stanley Cup champions as a rookie, and has been the top defenseman for three teams. He is only viewed as a bust by people who unrealistically expected him to be another Lidstrom. And if that is the standard, there hasn't been a defenseman to enter the league since 1980 who isn't a bust. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 So if they don't scout Europe well what is the deal with AO? I am pretty sure he was highly scouted and plenty of people knew about him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BeeRYCE 2 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 I completely disagree, scouting is going on all over the world, there shoudln't really be any difference when we are talking about more recently drafted players. Going back to Fedorov's draft days is a different story. Fedorov was drafted pretty late. Everyone knew about his skill, but he wasn't picked early because they didn't know if he would ever come to the NHL. It was different times back then. I don't know, there was a period where the transfer agreements were all fine and dandy, but even nowadays it's a problem. If there wasn't a transfer agreement problem, we would see more Russians in the first round. Alexei Cherepanov would have maybe been a top 5 last summer, and Nikita Filitov will go in the low first round this year also when he should be a top 3. The point I'm trying to make is, transferring players from overseas is still an issue, and unless the European player is a nationally known standout, they won't even get a smell of the first 3 rounds. The issue mostly deals with Russians I realize but there is a slight issue with other European nations as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cern 0 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 If this season is any indication, Pascal LeClaire. Dunno if he'll end up being consistant, but this season has been ridiculous for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BeeRYCE 2 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 If this season is any indication, Pascal LeClaire. Dunno if he'll end up being consistant, but this season has been ridiculous for him. Not too surprising though. He was selected 8th overall, and labelled a next big thing by many. He better do well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 What about a guy like Tim Thomas? He may not win a Vezina but he has been pretty solid for some not that great Bruins teams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BeeRYCE 2 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 What about a guy like Tim Thomas? He may not win a Vezina but he has been pretty solid for some not that great Bruins teams. There's THE player I forgot! When I was done my initial post, I knew I forgot someone significant, and that would be the one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Majsheppard 203 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 Timmy Thomas is the only guy this year that really surprised me. Maybe Tobias in Atlanta, but thats just because its Atlanta. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 Boston has no faith in him, I think you put him in a team like Det, Dal, Ana, Pit, Ott (esp here) and he is a well known goalie. Put a real threat in front of him or a real responsible D in front of him and he is very good. At times he is over aggressive but I think that is because he is used to standing on his head. I think he has a lot of Ozzie in his game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacK_Attack 108 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 Ty Conklin's resurgence was fairly unexpected. Brad Boyes was given up for dead by San Jose and Boston. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzerfan1999 81 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 Early on in his career, Cleary was a disappointment. Now he has become an unexpected surprise! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
#19=Legend 29 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 (edited) Ty Conklin's resurgence was fairly unexpected. Brad Boyes was given up for dead by San Jose and Boston. Off topic. But seeing that you put up a blue jays avatar, my step dad was drafted to the blue jays, and the phillies. He didnt go because he threw out his arm. and he won a college world series with University of Miami Chris Sarmiento ok, back on topic. lol Edited March 26, 2008 by #19=Legend Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted March 26, 2008 Who is surprising? Well, I'd say a good chunk of the Wings roster---none of them were on the radar when they were drafted! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BeeRYCE 2 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 Who is surprising? Well, I'd say a good chunk of the Wings roster---none of them were on the radar when they were drafted! They're are not suprising, because our scouting is notoriously good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hckypete96 3 Report post Posted March 26, 2008 kozlov vladdy kipper brett hull datsyuk zetterberg homer lidstrom Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
