Looking Back On the First Round Of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft

With the Stanley Cup playoffs heading towards the conference finals and the 2011 NHL Entry Draft inching closer and closer, I thought I would take some time to evaluate the first round draft class from five years ago. There has been ample time since this draft has occurred, as most of these prospects have developed and only five of them have yet to play an NHL game. There are some very recognizable players from this draft, including some of the league's stars. There are also some players that one cannot believe were taken in the first round, and are all but destined to be classified as busts from their drafting teams' fan base. So here's my breakdown of the best, the worst and those still developing.

There are many notable names that came out of the first round of the 2006 NHL draft class. Jonathan Toews, Nicklas Backstrom, Claude Giroux and Phil Kessel are star players for their respective teams. Jordan Staal has proven that he can play even without Crosby or Malkin dealing with the opponent's top defenses. Michael Grabner emerged this year as a goal-scoring threat in all situations. Two players featured in this group, Erik Johnson and Chris Stewart, were traded for each other in a four-player deal during the 2009-10 season. Kyle Okposo has been a consistent scoring threat for the goal-strapped Islanders, while Peter Mueller was having a solid career until a concussion knocked out his entire year. Forward Michael Frolik scored 21 goals in each of his first two seasons. Most of, if not all of these names are recognizable by hockey fans everywhere. They are some of the biggest faces in the game and have had impacts on their respective teams in the five years since they have been drafted. Four of them have already made it to the NHL All-Star festivities. These are the cream of the crop from the 2006 Entry Draft.

There are a fair share of busts and players that one would not believe were drafted in the first round. Mark Mitera was taken 19th overall by the Anaheim Ducks and has not played an NHL game yet. He spent four years at the University of Michigan where he had a good career as a puck moving defenseman, but unfortunately for him that has not translated to the pro game. His lack of ability to stay healthy and lack of an offensive game as a pro has hampered his ability to crack the NHL roster in Anaheim. David Fischer was taken by the Montreal Canadiens one pick after Mitera, and was not signed by the Habs after a four year career at the University of Minnesota. He did not progress as expected by the Montreal brass and did not get offered a contract. He signed with the ECHL's Florida Everblades where he enjoyed a moderately successful first pro season, though he has a lot of work to do to get to the NHL level and even try to justify his first round selection. Defensemen seem to be the theme of this part of the article, as Dennis Persson may not be able to justify his first round selection either. The solid defensive-minded Swede never was a big point producer back in the SEL or their junior leagues, but the Buffalo Sabres were intrigued with his defensive presence when they selected him 24th overall. After three AHL seasons, he has yet to make his NHL debut and he might not earn another contract from the Sabres.

There are a few NHL regulars that have not developed as planned but are still sticking with the NHL teams that selected them. James Sheppard was a scoring dynamo with his Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL, but after his selection at 9th overall in 2006, he has yet to replicate those stats in the pro game. His career highs in the NHL are five goals, 19 assists and 24 points which all came in his second season in 2008-09. His entire 2010-11 season was wiped out by injury, and Sheppard is going into the off-season as a restricted free agent. Jiri Tlusty was taken 13th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs and has actually played 157 NHL games in parts of five professional seasons. He has not been able to stick with either the Leafs or the Hurricanes and though he has found scoring success in the American league, he can not replicate those stats in the NHL. Derick Brassard set career highs this year, his fourth NHL season, with 17 goals and 30 assists for 47 points. The one time 116-point scorer from the QMJHL was once thought to be the solution to Rick Nash's center problem but it is now more likely that Brassard is more suited to the second line center role. While having some success with Nash, he was not scoring consistently to receive the quality ice time in Columbus.

There are still a few players developing their games that can make an NHL impact in the next season or two. Jonathan Bernier has finally gotten his chance as a full-time NHL goaltender this year, though he has not been spectacular this season. It is a learning experience and being the backup behind an established starter is a difficult job to adjust to after being a starter with little competition for years. Down the road LA will have to choose which goaltender will be their starter, as they are too good and will cause a logjam in the crease. Ty Wishart is now with his third NHL team, but he is by no means a bust. He is in his third professional season, was acquired by the New York Islanders in the Dwayne Roloson deal and totaled 20 games, scoring his first NHL goal and registering four assists. There are openings on the blueline on Long Island next season, and Wishart will look to take one and prove his worth as a former first round pick. It is only Chris Summers' first full pro season, yet he has already made his NHL debut with the Phoenix Coyotes, playing two games earlier this year. The big Summers (6'2", 180 pounds) does not have much of an offensive game, but he is responsible enough in his own zone to warrant a spot. Trevor Lewis finally cracked the Kings lineup and took on a checking role this year. In a few years down the road, he has the ability to be a good 15-20 goal scorer on the wing.

There it is folks. Some players panned out nicely, and some didn't. There are the superstars and there are the nobodies, as in every draft. With the 2011 NHL Entry Draft coming up in late June, just remember that not all draft picks work out in the end. Then again, some just take a little bit longer to find their game and apply it at the highest competitive level in the world. Look out for the next Toews, Giroux or Tlusty in the coming draft in St. Paul, Minnesota.