ESPN's E.J. Hradek Does The 2001 Draft In Hindsight
As part of ESPN's draft coverage they re-did the 2001 Entry Draft. I found it interesting they had us taking Roy at 4 while Weiss lasted until the 13th pick. Also they had Craig Anderson going 8th Overall.
Of course, you must be an ESPN insider to read that article and that requires a monthly fee, it seems...
Well pay up, cheapskate!!!
I'll just post the two Panthers selections and their explanation. In the 2001 NHL Entry Draft First Round, which was held in Sunrise by the way, The Panthers selected Steven Weiss with the 4th Overall and Lucas Krajicek with the 24th Overall. If Hradek did the draft today the Panthers would have selected the following.
4. Florida Panthers: Derek Roy, C, Buffalo Sabres (2001: No. 32)
Although his goal and point totals have taken a slight dip in each of the past two seasons after a 32-goal, 81-point 2007-08 campaign, Roy has developed into a consistent performer.
24. Florida Panthers: Kyle Wellwood, C, Canucks (2001: No. 134, Leafs)
A clever player, the shifty pivot earned a spot in Vancouver after leaving Toronto. Fast fact: Wellwood has just 30 penalty minutes in 338 regular season games.
He had Weiss going 13th to Edmonton and Krajicek not going in the First Round.
13. Edmonton Oilers: Stephen Weiss, C, Florida Panthers (2001: No. 4)
At 27, Weiss is making some strides forward. He put up a career-best 28 goals last season. The Panthers likely expected more when they took him with the fourth overall pick.
I'd still rather have Weiss than Roy. He's managed to improve himself in the situation he's in, whereas Roy hasn't in a better situation. Weiss was supposed to be a team captain and his realistic upside was in the 70-80 point range. Get him some decent linemates for a full season and you'd likely see him produce in that range now.
I'd still rather have Weiss than Roy. He's managed to improve himself in the situation he's in, whereas Roy hasn't in a better situation. Weiss was supposed to be a team captain and his realistic upside was in the 70-80 point range. Get him some decent linemates for a full season and you'd likely see him produce in that range now.
1. He's not captain.
2. He was projected to be the next Yzerman. Yes, those kind of player comparisions generally don't pan out. In fact they tend to look comical in hindsight. The 70-80 point projection is certainly more realistic, but that's hindsight.
Stevie Y, Stevie Weiss, the name made it too easy really. Based on what they've done so far, it's not that controversial to suggest Roy should have gone higher. However, size was still quite a significant factor in drafting back then (as it is to a slightly lesser extent now), so I doubt Roy would have gone that high.
Eh, I heard the Yzerman comparisons too, but there was also a quote from Adam Graves who knew Stephen as a kid growing up that was released shortly after he was drafted, basically like,' he may not be a star, but he's so well rounded that he's definitely going to be a player. Florida made a great pick.' Turns out, Graves was more spot on than some of the experts.
Plus, hindsight is 20/20. No one would have picked Roy #4 that year, and anyone not picking Weiss or Komisarek basically would have been booed out of town. They were clearly the two best players available at that time. Weiss was an amazing junior prospect. Better numbers than Kadri and Duchene and at the time the OHL was a much lower scoring league. Plus he was a defensive whiz who shut down Spezza in the playoffs that spring. You can't blame the Panthers for making that pick at all.
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