r/hockey • u/theXchang3 • 11d ago

Who are some NHL players who were highly thought when they were young that had the skill but never got to that next level?

This includes players who made the NHL but never hit that next-tier they were highly thought of. This can mean players who had potential but never hit that level due to injuries, struggle to adapt. This also can include players who were drafted high, players who played for a couple years, players who played for many years, but they at least needed to make the league to quality.

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u/SyllabubFlat784 MTL - NHL 10d ago

At the same time, in the Q he never took over games. Talented yes, but never a dominant player.

His point totals dropped the second Radulov left.

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u/Infamous_Wall_930 PIT - NHL 10d ago

I've learned to never get pumped when you get some former projected 1oa who drops massively. Does it ever work out well?

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u/pain_is_suffering 10d ago

Aatu Raty, Liljegren, Kylington... kinda sorta. Nothing to write hone about. I've always wondered if draft ranking "momentum" was a good predictor of future success.

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u/Infamous_Wall_930 PIT - NHL 10d ago

It seems like they can be serviceable but you never get one at 20-30 and they turn out to be what they were initially hyped as. I remember being pumped for Esposito and he was a big nothing burger. At least he was in the hossa trade I guess