People forgot how hard it really is to turn prospects into full time NHL players that contribute to the team. Even if you draft well the majority of drafts you’re lucky if 3 picks play 100 or more games. If you find 4 NHL players you’ve done a fantastic job. Harder still is finding legit top end talent beyond the top 10 picks.
Take the 2012 and 2013 Sabres drafts. 8 of 19 picks (24%) have played over 100 games. The 8 are Risto, Zadorov, Compher, Grigorenko, Girgensons, McCabe, Ullmark and Petersen. All are ok to good players, except Grigorenko who is really a bust, but none of the 8 became star players. Of the 8, 6 are 1st or 2nd rd picks. No skaters after the 2nd rd made the NHL. 3 of the 8 were traded or lost before they made an impact on the Sabres and only Girgensons remains in a depth role.
2022 NHL Draft Rankings
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I believe you meant 8 of 19 picks is 42%, no?