Crazy to me remembering them drafting him back in 2009. I think I had just recently moved to Baltimore. I remember at that point in the draft most people wanting Jordan Schroeder because he was said to have top 5 skills or something but was falling because of size. I believe some others wanted Josefson (taken after Kreider by NJ) because he was a C with solid upside.
Most saw Kreider as extremely raw but with potential and were wary because he was coming out of a relatively obscure HS program (compared to the programs that players like Crosby went through).
Lotta people kinda freaking out and thinking it was a waste of a pick, salvaged somewhat by the talking heads saying that he was possibly the fastest skater in the draft.
15 damn years later and here we are and what a way he's changed his game and evolved as a player.