Best and Worst Draft Picks by Teams during the Past Decade -NHL Special Part 2
Boston Bruins (Northeast Division)
We have the Boston Bruins up next and being a team that has stayed consistent over the years in their attempts to achieve greatness; they deserve to be ranked high on any list when it comes to grading National Hockey League (NHL) teams.
Bruins have become one of those teams that are willing to take risks when selecting in the entry draft and sometimes, it is a hit or a big miss. Over the past decade, Bruins have managed to pick up some top-level physical players that are willing to get
the job done whatever the circumstances.
Best Pick in the Past Decade: Milan Lucic (2006)
Milan Lucic, a defensive left winger who was picked up by Boston as the 50th overall during round-two of the 2006 entry draft, has really established himself as one of the best fighters in the league.
Not only does he put himself on the line each and every night but also puts up big numbers with 60-plus point seasons for the past two straight years.
He was a major factor in their 2011 Stanley Cup championship and provides them with extensive physical depth in the offensive part of the game.
Along with Lucic, Boston also picked up Patrice Bergeron in 2003. Both have become starring players for the Bruins and continue to remain loyal to the club and the game.
Tyler Seguin has also emerged as a top-level player for Boston. He was picked up as the second overall by the Bruins after the top position went to Taylor Hall as Edmonton Oilers took the first pick.
Worst Pick of the Past Decade: Lars Jonsson (2000)
Bruins are not that big of picking European players, who have speed and shooting as their forefront, but Boston invested heavily in Lars Jonsson by picking up the Swedish defenseman as their seventh overall selection in 2000.
He failed to impress Boston at any level, which led to the team eventually getting rid of him and not even having him play in primetime hockey. Lars scored his first major league job with Philadelphia Flyers with just two assists in the eight games he appeared
with them during 2006-2007.
The Borlange, Sweden native, continued playing with the Philadelphia Phantoms in the American Hockey League (AHL) for two seasons until ultimately going back to Sweden and playing for Brynas IF Gavle.
Jonsson is one of the few players in history to be picked as one of the top 10 and then going on to not getting a permanent job in the NHL and having to return home.
To be continued in Part 3...
(The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.)
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