The best current player, who was a high draft pick, that did NOT have a break out rookie season?

[TheBeard]

Didn't Jack Hughes have like 50 points combined his first two seasons?

 

[God]

What's a high draft pick? top 15 or first round?

Chris Kreider wasn't very good even in his D+5 season, then became a consistent 20g/20g guy, before exploding into a 52 goal scorer at age 30 and keeping pretty good pace since with 39 and 36 goals in the seasons following that.

 

[elmaco]

Dylan Strome about to join this list with a 100 point year

Late late late bloomer, but better than never.

 

[HabsQC]

MacKinnon literally won the Calder at age 18. He's the exact opposite of this.

Kucherov and Draisaitl are the obvious names here.

The thread says break out season. One might say that he did not break out during his rookie season. He regressed after his rookie season then really broke out 4 seasons later , but I get what you're saying and was really unsure of bringing him up.

 

[Voight]

Late late late bloomer, but better than never.

When he was in Chicago he had a couple of solid years, obviously nothing equating to what you'd expect from a 3rd overall pick but he wasn't a complete bust

MacKinnon literally won the Calder at age 18. He's the exact opposite of this.

Kucherov and Draisaitl are the obvious names here.

Kucherov wasn't a high pick.

 

[Byron Bitz]

Dylan Strome was literally given away by the very weak Chicago Blackhawks. In hindsight, I’m sure they would like that move back.

Strome is my answer.

Stroke isn’t a top player though. Right now all he is is a guy off to a hot start. Need to see him do this for a full season before he qualifies.

 

[Voight]

Brayden Schenn had 18 points in 54 games, over a full season that comes out to 27 points.

 

[NotCommitted]

Ignoring D-men because for them it's so rare to be great as rookies.

It really comes down to what's considered a "break out season" - like personally I wouldn't consider MacKinnon's rookie year as one. Sure, it was a good season for a rookie, but it's not like he was anywhere near a top player in the league or even close to the player he eventually became and the next few years were starting to look a bit concerning. So my pick would be MacKinnon easy.

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

Who's the best example today of a great current player, who went HIGH in the draft, but didn't have a break out first season?

So they are absolutely a top player now, but didn't have that "top draft pick amazing rookie season"

Who comes to mind?

Leon Draisaitl.

Got sent to jrs after 37 games where he only scored 9 pts.

 

[Breakers]

Mackinnon won the Calder

What the hell is this thread and him being mentioned

 

[Leafs87]

Steven Stamkos. 46 points in 79 games during his rookie season. He really broke out in the next season. But probably not gonna win this thread, tho.

Hardly an awful first year, especially for that era

I’d say Hughes or Drai. Drai legit looked like he may not be NHL material and got sent down late in the season, essentially burning an ELC year for nothing

 

[Avs2022]

Man he was a joy to watch that series against Minnesota. Shame Nino had to end the ride.

Avs lose every game 7 OT.

 

[Sky04]

The best answer is Leon Draisaitl

 

[CashMash]

Draisaitl is coming to mind.

Maybe to a lesser extend MacKinnon.

Mack had a great rookie season, though! The few seasons after were... Meh

 

[Dust]

Draisaitl or Jack Hughes. Dallas Eakins and John Hynes as coaches don't help things.

 

[Rydgar]

Tyler Seguin had a really mediocre first year with 22 points despite being drafted #2. He broke out the following year though.

 

[Regal]

Tyler Seguin had a really mediocre first year with 22 points despite being drafted #2. He broke out the following year though.

Forgot about Seguin. That’s a good one.

 

[ijuka]

Lol at so many people saying MacKinnon. One of the best 18yo rookies in history. Absurd.

 

[the_fan]

MacKinnon

 

[FerrisRox]

Draisaitl is coming to mind.

Maybe to a lesser extend MacKinnon.

MacKinnon scored 63 points as a rookie. He absolutey doesn't qualify for this.

 

[TanguaySauce]

Who's the best example today of a great current player, who went HIGH in the draft, but didn't have a break out first season?

So they are absolutely a top player now, but didn't have that "top draft pick amazing rookie season"

Who comes to mind?

Drai is probably the answer

EDIT

 

[Sky04]

Mackinnon is probably the answer

The top draft pick who won the Calder and was the top rookie in his 1st year is the best answer? Lmao reading comprehension?

 

[TanguaySauce]

The top draft pick who won the Calder and was the top rookie in his 1st year is the best answer? Lmao reading comprehension?

I corrected myself lol

 

[LemonSauceD]

I think Slaf might make this list one day.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Steven Stamkos. 46 points in 79 games during his rookie season. He really broke out in the next season. But probably not gonna win this thread, tho.

Thanks to the Mulletman.

Tyler Seguin had a really mediocre first year with 22 points despite being drafted #2. He broke out the following year though.

He wasn't really slotted high in the Bruins lineup.