If I had to whittle it down, I'd guess the top five (realistic) candidates that I can think of right now (off the top of the head) would be (in no particular order):
-Mike Van Ryn
-Todd Nelson
-Mike Vellucci
-Kris Knoblauch
-Derek Laxdal
Guys who WAAAY overkicked their coverage under Laxdal in EDM:
1. Michael St. Croix - Was an ELITE WHL player and became a 4th round NHL pick. He never even made the AHL as a full-time player.
2. Mark Pysyk - Top-end WHL D - 1st round NHL pick. He's an okay bottom-pair NHL player (really a 7th/reserve guy on a good team).
3. Travis Ewanyk - Hard-nosed, powerforward prospect and 3rd round NHL pick. Couldn't stick in AHL. Playing in German minor league.
4. Griffin Reinhart - Drafted 4th overall in the NHL draft. Wasn't even a good AHL player. Not even good in KHL. Playing DEL.
5. Curtis Lazar - Elite WHL power-center. Looked like Mike Fischer part two. Topped out at NHL 4th line. Won't be more.
6. Mitch Moroz - Hard-nosed, powerforward prospect and 2nd round NHL pick. Not even a good ECHL player. Has a regular job now.
7. Mason Geertsen - Big, nasty, stay-at-home D. 4th round NHL pick. Shaping up to be a decent bottom three AHL defender.
8. Henrik Samuelsson - Hard-nosed, powerforward prospect and 1st round NHL pick. Not even a good ECHL player. Has a regular job now.
9. Keegan Lowe - Big, nasty, stay-at-home D. 3rd round NHL pick. Shaping up to be a decent bottom three AHL defender.
10. Brett Pollack - Big, skilled forward prospect and 2nd round NHL pick. Couldn't stick in AHL. Good ECHLer, playing in DEL now.
That doesn't even count a bunch of 5th and 6th and 7th round picks that looked great in the Dub and later went on to do nothing.
I'm talking the Edgars Kuldas, Dysin Mayos, Ashton Sauntners, Dylan Wrucks and Martin Gernats of the world. Looked great once.
So, why would I bring up this list of names? Well, the Edmonton Oil Kings were a true CHL powerhouse back in the Laxdal days.
They were not only unbelievably good, but unbelievably fun to watch. They played just like you'd want our teams to play.
Despite looking like they were blessed with all of these elite players, time has shown they ALL overachieved. That's coaching.
Laxdal got a team together quick, got them all to play way over their heads, have tons of individual and team success and WIN.
^ that's all in four years!
Then after four seasons he leaves. The next four seasons they go 34-31-7, 29-36-7, 23-43-6, and 22-42-8 - ZERO winning seasons.
What's more is that during those four years after he leaves there are almost no NHL picks and NONE in the first 4 rounds. None.