a look back at the 1999 NHL Draft

by AP

The NHL draft is a decent event, it's better than MLB draft but doesn't compare to NFL or even the NBA draft because of the lack of the instant impact player. I love the NHL draft and seeing players I have played against (ie Kaleta) realize their dream, witnissing the betterment of the teams and the excitement that occurs in each draft. Here's a look at 1999 NHL Entry Draft who was selected in the first round and in hindsight, who should've gone based on how their pro careers turned out (forgetting about proper coaching and other circumstances.)

If each team could draft knowing what we all know now and not taking future drafts into account, this is how the first round should've gone. There were 28 picks in the first round of the 1999 draft. In parentheses is the round the player was actually taken.

How bad was the '99 draft? Patrik Stefan was first overall, a career 3rd liner, was taken first overall. Four first round picks never made it to the show and thirteen players played less than hundred games in the NHL during their careers. Vancouver, NY Rangers and NY Islanders all had multiple picks in the first round, Rangers flunked the first round exam, Islanders got a C+, and Vancouver aced the first round exam with an A. The Islanders had four first round picks and this is why Mike Milbury is the worst gm in history of sports (Millen being a close 2^nd along with Isiah)If all four of these first round picks would have paid off, we would be talking about another Islander dynasty not a 15 year contract to a decent goalie.

1. Atlanta - Patrik Stefan (Ryan Miller, 5th)
Atlanta had no choice, the Sedin twins demanded playing together and not being split up (that can't be healthy) so I don't think this pick was horrible but he is considered a bust. Somehow the scouts thought Ryan Miller was a 5th rounder and now he is one of the top young goalies in the NHL.

2. & 3. Vancouver - Sedin Twins (perfect pick)
Vancouver traded up to select the twins, it has worked out well for them ever since.

4. NY Rangers - Pavel Brendl (Tim Connolly, 1st)
Pavel Brendl had the tools of a franchise player but had the makings of a bust instead.

5. NY Islanders - Tim Connolly (Niclas Havelid, 3rd)
Since Connolly was off the board, Havelid makes for a safe pick.

6. Nashville - Brian Finley (Martin Havlat, 1st)
Finley was the best goalie prospect in this draft, no question, but what do scouts know?

7. Washington - Kris Beech (Henrik Zetterberg, 7th)
Why the Red Wings have been so good for so long is they find players like Zetterberg in the 7th round.

8. NY Islanders - Taylor Pyatt (Frantisek Kaberle, 3rd)
Pyatt is justfiable but Kaberle is a solid defensmen.

9. NY Rangers - Jamie Lundmark (Dave Tanabe, 1st)
Lundmark is basically waiver wire player and never met the high expectations of the blue shirts. Tanabe is another solid defensmen.

10. NY Islanders - Branislav Mezei (Patrik Stefan, 1st)
Mezei at least made it and played over a 100 games, Stefan played four times that many.

11. Calgary - Oleg Saprykin (Taylor Pyatt, 1st)

12. Florida - Denis Shvidki (Mike Comrie, 3rd)

13. Edmonton - Jani Rita (Nick Boynton, 1st)

14. San Jose - Jeff Jillson (Niklas Hagman, 3rd)

15. Phoenix - Scott Kelman (Jordan Leopold, 2nd)

16. Carolina - Dave Tanabe (Chris Kelly, 3rd)

17. St. Louis - Barret Jackman (Ryan Malone, 5th)

18. Pittsburgh - Konstantin Koltsov (Martin Erat, 7th)

19. Phoenix - Kirill Safronov (Radim Vrbata, 7th)

20. Buffalo - Barrett Heisten (Adam Hall, 2nd)

21. Boston - Nick Boynton (Branko Radivojevic, 3rd)

22. Philadelphia - Maxime Ouellet (Alexander Khavanov, 8th)

23. Chicago - Steve McCarthy (perfect pick)

24. Toronto - Luca Cereda (Mikko Eloranta, 9th)

25. Colorado - Mikhail Kuleshov (Barrett Jackman, 1st)

26. Ottawa - Martin Havlat (Garnet Exelby, 7th)

27. New Jersey - Ari Ahonen (Alex Auld, 2nd)

28. NY Islanders - Kristian Kudroc (Mike Commodore, 2nd)

Best Draft - Pittsburgh

Worst Draft - Toronto, NY Rangers, Philadelphia, Phoenix (to be honest, a lot of teams)

Biggest Bust - Pavel Brendl and Brian Finley tied

Steal of the Draft - Buffalo Sabres taking Ryan Miller 5th Round