NHL-ready or not?

[MuPPeT666]

So, I'm asking if any of the draft hardcores can post which players went immediately from draft to being NHL-regulars (in, let's say, past 6-7 drafts).

I know for some recent ones (Kane, Gagner...) and obvious ones (Crosby). But, who else?


(Why? Because I think that is a very important thing for the Kings - this year, drafting a player who is closer to being ready is more important than drafting someone with higher upside. Next year should be the breakout year, and as we can see, our players need help. Especially on the blueline.)

[D0wntime]

the number of players that have gone straight into the nhl from the draft in the last 5 years or so is so small, and the ability to tell without seeing them play against nhl competition nearly impossible, that it is unlikely the kings will draft anyone who is a lock to start next season. with the exception of a sidney crosby you just cant really tell for sure if someone is nhl ready at 18 years old without seeing them play against men. you'll notice that when a recent draftee cracks the lineup out of camp its usually a surprise.

[The Natural]

There's a number of NHL ready players in this year's draft. Whether they crack the their team's lineup or not will be up to whatever team takes them...

A good, key attribute to pay attention to when reading reports on prospects is size. Though it will ultimately depend on how well the prospect performs down the stretch to determine where he's drafted, how he performs at camp and how he fits into the team's immediate plans.

[symbology]

From what I have been reading, there might be a few players from this draft that "could" be NHL ready. Probably 1-2, and maybe even 3-5 players.

You never know though.

Not that I think we need more offence, but I'm curious as to why nobody hear discusses Filatov. He has been tearing it up as of late and has moved up the rankings considerably.

[Brodeur]

Originally Posted by Muppet666

(Why? Because I think that is a very important thing for the Kings - this year, drafting a player who is closer to being ready is more important than drafting someone with higher upside. Next year should be the breakout year, and as we can see, our players need help. Especially on the blueline.)

That is such a bad stategy.....I can think of numerous players who made the NHL "first" but eventually became less productive than others who got another year at juniors and then some time in the AHL. I'm not sure if you're implying that you think a 2008 drafted defenseman will be able to jump into the NHL immediate....because history would say that's just not a good bet.

But to answer your original question:

2007: Kane, Gagner, Perron (he is 19 and went undrafted in 2006)
2006: J.Staal, Kessel
2005: Crosby
2004: Ovechkin (no NHL that season, but undoubtedly "ready"--Malkin probably wasn't)
2003: M.Fleury (dumb dumb dumb move by Pittsburgh), E.Staal, Horton, Zherdev, Michalek, Brown, Burns (played sporadically, used at F a lot, now at D), Bergeron
2002: Nash, Bouwmeester, Bouchard

So, Jay Bouwmeester was the only D out of that whole bunch that stuck as an NHLer immediately after being drafted. If you want instant gratification, you're going to hope for a forward.

And even then, a lof of these players weren't that good in their rookie year. Nash put up something like 17 goals. Staal and Horton were learning the ropes.

A bigger aspect is that these draftees are only 17 or 18. Where were you when you were 17? Would you be able to handle a six month grind like the NHL? One story that rings kinda true to this is when Jason Arnott was a young player for the Oilers. He had all the skill in the world, but he had no idea how to cook for himself. Eventually the junk food piled up and he grew a poor reputation for being lazy. He got shipped out to New Jersey and lived with Scott Stevens' family for awhile. Essentially he got a mom again and got back in shape and realized his potential. In that respect, teams are a bit smarter nowadays trying to latch their key young players with proven veterans.........as opposed to letting a bunch of young guys live together.

[Brodeur]

Basically the whole "getting a guy now" just smells like the late 90s Islanders. How many prospects did they ruin/give up on too early?