Compete Level

Grand Moff Larkin wrote: ↑Sat Mar 23, 2024 2:15 pm The Winnipeg Jets,

Grand Moff Larkin wrote: ↑Sat Mar 23, 2024 2:15 pm The Winnipeg Jets,

Too many of the draft picks were duds, but the biggest example came in 2005, when MacLean’s top amateur scout, Don Boyd, wanted the Blue Jackets to take Slovenian center Anze Kopitar with the No. 6 overall pick.

Instead, MacLean went with his gut and drafted Gilbert Brule, who turned into a journeyman NHLer whose career ended with several seasons in Russia.

At the 2008 draft, the Blue Jackets selected Nikita Filatov with the No. 6 overall pick. His NHL career amounted to 53 games and six goals. Once, when brought into a meeting with coaches to show him the benefits of following the puck to the net, Filatov stepped back, appearing confused before proclaiming: “Filly don’t do rebounds.” In drafting Filatov, Columbus passed on 11 first-round picks that year who have played at least 500 NHL games, including standout defenseman Erik Karlsson.