Who had all the tools but just couldn’t make it?

[5 Minute Major]

Jeff Spicolli’s father.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Evgeny Artyukhin. Absolute specimen of a human. Huge, could skate, physical, and every so often would miraculously remember how to play hockey for a couple seconds to get himself a goal or two. Unfortunately he was a bit of a meathead.

I loved Artyukhin! He played an acceptable game and wasn't afraid to do anything.

Other than that, Rob Schremp is an honourable mention.

 

[TheStatican]

I still believe the only reason Alex Nylander hasn't stuck in the NHL is because he pisses coaches off

That's his sixth tool, which makes him one of the leagues onky six-tool players. Few are as skilled as he is in that regard.

 

[Tom Polakis]

Enver Lisin played 61 games in Phoenix, Speedy as hell with a decent shot. Some of his plays were highlight-reel quality, but he never made it in the NHL. Got traded to the Rangers for Lauri Korpikoski, where he had substandard numbers, and then went on to play in the KHL for 12 seasons after only 135 NHL games. YouTube informs me that he set the all-time fastest skater record in a KHL all-star game skills contest.

 

[Mike C]

Me

But you rebounded by becoming such a great musician!

 

[weaponomega]

Ryan Spooner

Great skater, stick handler and playmaker. Had good hockey sense as well but refused to play any defense, and would pout when Julien moved him to wing because of the lack of defense.

If he cared enough to put in the effort he could have been a consistent 50 - 60 point player.

 

[Miro4Norris]

Ivan Fedotov sounds like a definition of the thread title

 

[dahrougem2]

I loved Artyukhin! He played an acceptable game and wasn't afraid to do anything.

Other than that, Rob Schremp is an honourable mention.

Schremp only had good hands. Bad skater, low effort, mediocre shot, soft, etc. No surprise he failed.

 

[Ratbath]

Obviously nobody fits this criteria. Maybe the question should be about guys only missing one tool? Seems like most people trying to answer have chosen no brain as their one missing tool

 

[ultra63]

Drouin may fit this category now

 

[Stive Morgan]

Galchenyuk would probably be a perennial 30-30 guy if he could overcome his demons.

 

[Sugi21]

Andrei Kostitsyn had all the tools but lacked the drive and heart!

 

[authentic]

Nikolai Zherdev is probably the best player I've seen who never had a 70 point season. Watch a highlight reel of his and he had insane size and skill.

 

[Jyrki]

David Booth. Insane speed with good/size strength and a nice set of hands. But boy, did he never learn to keep his head up... no wonder he racked up injuries quickly.

 

[Bank Shot]

Jesse Puljujaarvi

Big, strong, fast, heavy shot, crazy draft pedigree.


Probably played his last NHL game.

Can't stickhandle.

 

[Bank Shot]

Jack Johnson. All the physical tools to be an all-star defenceman.

Kept getting chance after chance because NHL GMs probably figured he would be able to put it together, but he never did.

 

[The Kingslayer]

Lonny Bohonos

 

[The Hockey Tonk Man]

Feel like Chistov & Schremp could have had good careers

 

[Samsquanch]

Curtis Lazar. Best answer ive seen in here by a mile, and yes I know I'm humble.

He had no trouble scoring in big games and in international tournaments as a junior aged player (set a U14? scoring record and was a WJC stud). He had every athletic tool and intangible you could ask for in a prospect, and the drive to make an impact all over the ice.

And if all else, he had a "supposedly" heavy caliber NHL ready shot to make up for his clear lack of elite playmkaing skills, if there were any offensive doubts about his impact as a middle six player.

But like the poor scarecrow in the wizard of Oz, Curtis Lazar will be singing to the moon until hes old about about how he wished he'd had a brain.....

 

[Jumptheshark]

Brian Fogerty

Bruce Boudreau

Aaron Brand

Forgety had off ice issues.

BB was to slow for the nhl but perfect for the Ahl and IHL

Feel like Chistov & Schremp could have had good careers

Schemp was his own worst enemy

 

[Reality Czech]

Gordon Bombay

 

[Based Anime Fan]

Jacob Josefson

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

Benoit Pouliot. Had the tools but no box to put them in

Was going to mention him, but surprisingly he did play what turned out to be a lot of NHL hockey (625 games).

But yeah, his talent was far beyond the impact he ultimately ended up having.

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

Ryan Spooner

Great skater, stick handler and playmaker. Had good hockey sense as well but refused to play any defense, and would pout when Julien moved him to wing because of the lack of defense.

If he cared enough to put in the effort he could have been a consistent 50 - 60 point player.

Good one.

Ryan Donato (IMO) is in a similar boat

 

[Craig Ludwig]

Julien Gauthier seems like one of those guys right now. He has a ton of speed, a very good shot, good hands, good size and puck protection ability. All the tools are there. Can't seem to figure it out.

Not over for him but chances are he won't live up to his potential.

Nah, Gauthier had size and skating, but no hands or offensive ability.