Chances are...

The NHL can be a game of chance, especially when it comes to drafting players. However, when it comes to drafting the 1st overall pick of a NHL draft, things are a bit more predictable. Yes, over the history of the NHL draft there have been some serious busts... Painful, embarrassing picks that never panned out at all. *cough Brian Lawton.

However, team scouting has become extremely advanced these days, and it is rare that you will ever see a 1st overall pick be a total bust. Just look at some of these picks over the recent years.

- Alex Ovechkin

-Sidney Crosby

-Patrick Kane

-Steven Stamkos

-Taylor Hall

-Ryan Nugent Hopkins

-Nathan MacKinnon

-Aaron Ekblad

-Connor McDavid

-Austin Matthews.

Now that doesn't mean the 1st overall pick will always be the best player of the draft. In 2006, Erik Johnson was drafted first overall by the St.Louis. Now Erik Johnson is not a terrible player. However, he fails to comparison to other players drafted in the top 5 of that draft. (Jonathan Toews, Jordan Staal, Nicklas Backstrom, and Phil Kessel)

Which brings me to the famous 2012 NHL draft. The "Fail for Nail" campaign.During that season, Nail Yakupov was clearly ahead of the other draft eligible players. He had that flair, that offense talent oozing out of his pours, which all scouts love. There was however the debate about whether his teammate Alex Galchenyuk was a better choice. (and who was more of a complete player) Luckily for Montreal Canadiens fans, Galchenyuk had been dealing with injuries. So many scouts felt that Yakupov was less of a risk to take as the 1st overall pick. Well sorry to say, but chances are they were wrong...

After an impressive start to his NHL career, and a highlight real goal , things quickly went downhill for Yakupov. Many felt he was one dimensional, and a defensive liability. During his 4 seasons with the Oilers, he was a total plus/minus of -88. Yikes!! Now, many teams can manage with those numbers, IF the player is able to produce on the score sheet. However "Yaks" has never scored 20 goals, nor more than 40 points in a season, yet...

I say yet, because I felt a change of scenery would do him justice. I always felt he could fit well with his old linemate Alex Galcheynuk, and I was disappointed when Montreal didn't bring Yakupov over. Nevertheless, when St.Louis traded for him, for VERY little, I thought the Blues had a potential steal in their pocket. (Especially with the prospect of him playing on a line with Tarasenko) He started the season off pretty well. (3 points in his first 5 games) Then he totally fell of the radar. (only 1 point since then) He has been a regular healthy scratch this season, and already appears to have a fractured relationship with coach Ken Hitchcock.

I still have hope for Yakupov. I like the energy he brings, he just needs to be more of a team player. Mature, grow up. Follow the example of Alexander Radulov. Still, chances are that next year, you will see Yakupov in a KHL jersey. Also chances are I made a bad choice taking him in my NHL hockey pool...... Dohh.... Chance are I will regret that decision. For all those people who took a chance on Yakupov, the below video is for you: