Prospects since 2020 on the verge of busting

[Goblin]

Who are relatively recent prospects (from the last 4-5 years) who were highly drafted or touted, who seem to be either on the verge of busting, or at the very least, ending up as something much lower than what they were expected to become?

 

[LeProspector]

Tyler Boucher
Topi Niemela
Filip Mesar
Sam Honzek
Logan Mailloux
Alexis Lafreniere

 

[TheFinnishchamp]

Tyler Boucher
Topi Niemela
Filip Mesar
Sam Honzek
Logan Mailloux
Alexis Lafreniere

Niemelä was a third round pick, obviously his showings in WJC got him attention but for his draft position he has been an average pick.

 

[LeProspector]

Niemelä was a third round pick, obviously his showings in WJC got him attention but for his draft position he has been an average pick.

Was hyped like crazy after that WJC because of that award and is now a bust.

 

[EveryDay]

Yakemchuk.

 

[Leviathan899]

Tyler Boucher
Topi Niemela
Filip Mesar
Sam Honzek
Logan Mailloux
Alexis Lafreniere

And right near the top of the list, Alex Turcotte.

 

[LeProspector]

And right near the top of the list, Alex Turcotte.

He was drafted in 2019, so doesn’t meet OP’s criteria

 

[Nicko999]

Tyler Boucher
Topi Niemela
Filip Mesar
Sam Honzek
Logan Mailloux
Alexis Lafreniere

Mailloux? Lafreniere?

Logan Mailloux is having great playoffs in the AHL. Could get a chance with the big club at camp or he could be used as a trade asset. But too early to call him a bust especially considering he was a 31st pick.

Lafreniere is a disappointment but I wouldn't call him bust (unless he's out the NHL in a few years)

 

[LeProspector]

Mailloux? Lafreniere?

Logan Mailloux is having great playoffs in the AHL. Could get a chance with the big club at camp or he could be used as a trade asset. But too early to call him a bust especially considering he was a 31st pick.

Lafreniere is a disappointment but I wouldn't call him bust (unless he's out the NHL in a few years)

If Mailloux was good, he would have already made the Canadiens putrid defence, as a 2021 draft pick, he’s defensively on the verge of being labeled a bust.

OP said this:
“or at the very least, ending up as something much lower than what they were”
If that isn’t Alexis Lafreniere, I don’t know what is lol

 

[Nicko999]

If Mailloux was good, he would have already made the Canadiens putrid defence, as a 2021 draft pick, he’s defensively on the verge of being labeled a bust.

He just turned 22. He needs to work on his defense but it's not his style, he will always be an offensive D-man. The work with him is to bring his defensive game to a passable level.
His offensive game is high end (4 pts in 7 games in the NHL this year).

There are only 10 D-man in the NHL from that draft. Mailloux was a very late 1st rounder. Unfair to label him as a bust.

 

[EveryDay]

If Mailloux was good, he would have already made the Canadiens putrid defence, as a 2021 draft pick, he’s defensively on the verge of being labeled a bust.

OP said this:
“or at the very least, ending up as something much lower than what they were”
If that isn’t Alexis Lafreniere, I don’t know what is lol

Putrid defence? We aren't talking about Ottawa here.

 

[LeProspector]

He just turned 22. He needs to work on his defense but it's not his style, he will always be an offensive D-man. The work with him is to bring his defensive game to a passable level.
His offensive game is high end (4 pts in 7 games in the NHL this year).

There are only 10 D-man in the NHL from that draft. Mailloux was a very late 1st rounder. Unfair to label him as a bust.

Montreal already has their offensive defender on the blue line in Hutson, if Mailloux makes it It won’t be with Montreal. You can’t have 2 defensive black holes on the blue line if you want to win.

 

[LeProspector]

Putrid defence? We aren't talking about Ottawa here.

I agree, Ottawa is ass.

 

[EveryDay]

Montreal already has their offensive defender on the blue line in Hutson, if Mailloux makes it It won’t be with Montreal. You can’t have 2 defensive black holes on the blue line if you want to win.

Maybe another team could use him if not MTL.

 

[Nicko999]

Montreal already has their offensive defender on the blue line in Hutson, if Mailloux makes it It won’t be with Montreal. You can’t have 2 defensive black holes on the blue line if you want to win.

Could very well be used as a trade chip. But that doesn't make him a bust.

 

[Static]

Jacob perreault, sadly. Spent time in the ECHL last season. COVID really screwed up his development.

 

[HighLifeMan]

Tyler Boucher
Topi Niemela
Filip Mesar
Sam Honzek
Logan Mailloux
Alexis Lafreniere

Odd having Honzek here at this point. He was a mid round 1st who made the Flames roster out of camp. He may not have had a standout year in the AHL as a 19/20 year old but 90% of his draft class was still playing junior hockey. It's not as if he was ever pegged as a surefire first liner talent.

 

[ManByng]

I'd be shocked if hands of stone Tyler Boucher turned into anything more than a 4th liner in the NHL !

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Was hyped like crazy after that WJC because of that award and is now a bust.

You can’t call a third rounder a bust when third rounders almost never make the NHL.

In order to be a bust, you had to have high expectations to begin with.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

You can’t call a third rounder a bust when third rounders almost never make the NHL.

In order to be a bust, you had to have high expectations to begin with.

TBF, OP requested highly drafted or touted prospects. Niemela was highly touted after that WJC.

 

[Kennerback]

Tyler Boucher
Topi Niemela
Filip Mesar
Sam Honzek
Logan Mailloux
Alexis Lafreniere

I agree with Mesar... Mailloux's stock has recently gone up. Maybe if he looks bad at camp he'll be back on the list.

 

[sabremike]

Jack Quinn sucks so bad nobody even thought to mention him.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Holtz

 

[OneSharpMarble]

Montreal already has their offensive defender on the blue line in Hutson, if Mailloux makes it It won’t be with Montreal. You can’t have 2 defensive black holes on the blue line if you want to win.

Hutson isn't a defensive black hole, why don't you watch some hockey before you yap?

 

[IsThatSemin]

Lapierre isn’t quite a bust, but considering g his early praise he’s trending his way on to this list. He has managed to stay healthy as well which was the worry. Has shown flashes but just hasnt made that leap yet and it probably won’t be in DC