He has a genetic disorder that doesn't let him play hockey.
- TheSabresTaco

doesn't change the fact that he floated on the ice


might be the softest sabre ever, waiting to see if a certain center rekindles his love for the game

The 10th overall pick hasn't had a lot of winners over the years. The Avs seem to have hit with Travis Jost in 2016, and definitely did with Mikko Rantanen in 2015, but Nick Ritchie in 2014 by the Ducks, and these many busts with only a few hits. Some people get excited when they hear 10th overall pick like it's an NFL pick but trading Risto for a less talented D and a 10th overall is meh.

2013 Valeri Nichushkin W Chelyabinsk (RUS) Dallas Stars
2012 Slater Koekkoek D Peterborough (OHL) Tampa Bay Lightning
2011 Jonas Brodin D Farjestad (Swe) Minnesota Wild
2010 Dylan McIlrath D Moose Jaw (WHL) New York Rangers
2009 Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson LW Timra (Swe) Edmonton Oilers
2008 Cody Hodgson C Brampton Vancouver Canucks
2007 Keaton Ellerby D Kamloops (WHL) Florida Panthers
2006 Michael Frolik RW Kladno (Cze) Florida Panthers
2005 Luc Bourdon D Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL) Vancouver Canucks
2004 Boris Valabik D Kitchener Rangers (OHL) Atlanta Thrashers
2003 Andrei Kostitsyn LW/RW CSKA Moscow (Russia) Montreal Canadiens
2002 Eric Nystrom LW U. of Michigan (NCAA) Calgary Flames
2001 Dan Blackburn G Kootenay Ice (WHL) New York Rangers
2000 Mikhail Yakubov C Tolyatti-2 Chicago Blackhawks
1999 Branislav Mezei D Belleville Bulls (OHL) New York Islanders
1998 Nikolai Antropov C Torpedo UST-Kamengorsk (Russia) Toronto Maple Leafs
1997 Brad Ference D Spokane Chiefs (WHL) Vancouver Canucks
1996 Lance Ward D Red Deer Rebels (WHL) New Jersey Devils
1995 Radek Dvorak RW Ceske Budejovice HC (Czech) Florida Panthers
1994 Nolan Baumgartner D Kamloops Blazers (WHL) Washington Capitals
1993 Jocelyn Thibault G Sherbrooke Faucons (QMJHL) Quebuc Nordiques
1992 Andrei Nazarov LW Moscow Dynamo (Russia) San Jose Sharks
1991 Martin Lapointe RW Laval Titan (QMJHL) Detroit Red Wings
1990 Drake Berehowsky D Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) Toronto Maple Leafs
1989 Bobby Holik C Dukla Jihlava (Czech) Hartford Whalers
1988 Teemu Selanne RW Jokerit Helsinki (FNL) Winnipeg Jets
1987 Jayson More D New Westminster Bruins (WHL) New York Rangers
1986 Jocelyn Lemieux LW Laval Titan (QMJHL) St. Louis Blues
1985 Dan Gratton C Oshawa Generals (OHL) Los Angeles Kings
1984 J.J. Daigneault D Longueuil Chevaliers (QMJHL) Vancouver Canucks
1983 Normand Lacombe RW U. of New Hampshire (NCAA) Buffalo Sabres
1981 Garth Butcher D Regina Pats (WHL) Vancouver Canucks
1980 Jim Fox F Ottawa 67's (OHA) Los Angeles Kings
- GilPerreault11

So you're saying the Sabres could get a player as talented as Selanne ....

When we traded for him everyone Including me thought we got a franchise center

Good days
- gerbe75pts

Franchise center? Naw, 2nd line maybe

So you're saying the Sabres could get a player as talented as Selanne ....
- 100goalseason

1/37 chance

1/36 chance
- GilPerreault11

I always wished Zagrapan turned into a good player for the Sabres.

Had a great idea for a sign at the game after he scored.

The sign would have read: "Take 2 Zagrapan and call me in the morning."

I always wished Zagrapan turned into a good player for the Sabres.

Had a great idea for a sign at the game after he scored.

The sign would have read: "Take 2 Zagrapan and call me in the morning."
- 100goalseason

never gave him a shot

very frustrating watching mair as our second line center while zags was having a 49 point season in portland


and the way darcy handled gogulla

honestly, that was when I found my rope's end with darcy

I always wished Zagrapan turned into a good player for the Sabres.

Had a great idea for a sign at the game after he scored.

The sign would have read: "Take 2 Zagrapan and call me in the morning."
- 100goalseason

another 10-13 Sabres bust. I think he was 13.

another 10-13 Sabres bust. I think he was 13.
- GilPerreault11

kid averaged 42 points a season in ahl, learning north america game

I think it's more darcy not giving him a shot

kid averaged 42 points a season in ahl, learning north america game

I think it's more darcy not giving him a shot
- homiedclown

That pick was supposed to be Crosby

kid averaged 42 points a season in ahl, learning north america game

I think it's more darcy not giving him a shot
- homiedclown

A 42 pt center former 1st round pick would be royalty now. Darcy had some odd views.

I saw this on another site:

Rasmus Ristolainen Pts 41 HITS 206
Oscar Klefbom Pts 21 HITS 49

Yeah, nice, lower scoring, soft Darcy D with a bust at 10. This is a short bus discussion site by some.

kid averaged 42 points a season in ahl, learning north america game

I think it's more darcy not giving him a shot
- homiedclown

Teams usually go out of their way to give their 1st round picks a chance. Have no clue why they didn't give Zagrapan a fair shake.

I saw this on another site:

Rasmus Ristolainen Pts 41 HITS 206
Oscar Klefbom Pts 21 HITS 49

Yeah, nice, lower scoring, soft Darcy D with a bust at 10. This is a short bus discussion site by some.
- GilPerreault11

Risto is not the problem, but part of the solution

While statistics of past events hold serious water on this board, I don't think it's a viable comparison to say, well, this pick historically wasn't as successful as others. If anything, it's a coin flip. Every pick, all the time, is a coin flip. And guessing heads or tails and getting it right depends on the GM/staff making the pick.

Just remember that Botts could have had any player that was drafted below CM, but chose CM. Those who think "CM fell into our lap" don't remember how disappointed EVERYONE was on this board was when we drafted him.
- TheSabresTaco

Still...
I’m not trading guys like O’Reilly & Risto for a “coin flip”
That would be very dumb

Mike Bossy also "fell into Bill Torrey's lap" just after the Sabres took Ric Seiling. My point is the draft is a crap shoot sometimes. It is up to the General Manager to identify the best player possible to take. If Mittelstadt was available (and if he turns out to be a good one) then Botterill was smart to take him. It is just the way you look at it.
- sabreadvocate1

Sure,
but even the best GMs make picks that end up not working out
Some on here act like Botts is gonna pick “Mittelstadt” EVERY time
Well, that’s just not realistic