The 2012 NHL playoffs have come and gone, with the eighth seeded LA Kings winning their first Stanley Cup title in franchise history. As we edge closer to the draft on Friday, several struggling franchises hope to become the LA Kings next year, and squeak into the sports betting playoffs and go on a magical run. However, as is the case in any draft, all 30 GM’s are taking a gamble, not knowing which players will make it to their main rosters and which will flame out. Today we’ll look at a couple of draft busts since the lockout in 2004 – 2005.

Nikita Filatov was drafted with the sixth overall pick in the 2008 NHL draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. At the time, the Blue Jackets, a team often joked about for their bad luck, believed that Filatov would be a top play making forward on a line with franchise star Rick Nash. Instead, Filatov’s time with the Blue Jackets was seen by many as four wasteful years, as his ego got the better of him. Filatov appeared to not want to play on the defensive side of the ice, which put him in hot water with then Head Coach Ken Hitchcock. As a result, Filatov was traded to the betting online Ottawa Senators this past season. While in Ottawa, Filatov’s work ethic was once again questioned, and he quickly fled to the KHL.

Another huge draft bust was the LA Kings fourth overall selection in the 2007 draft, defenseman Thomas Hickey. At the time, Hickey was supposed to be the future of the Kings defensive core potentially pairing up with Jack Johnson. Instead, Hickey has been passed by many other prospects in the Kings organization, including 2008 second overall pick defenseman Drew Doughty. While Doughty has helped the Kings lift their first Stanley Cup banner, Hickey is wondering when his betting software time will be.

Being a Head Coach in the NHL comes with a lot of responsibility. Not only do you have to guide your players to victory on a nightly basis, but you are also the face of your franchise until your sports betting contract ends. Too many times, the best NHL Coaches aren’t able to guide their teams to the Stanley Cup. Meanwhile, rookie Head Coaches who haven’t paid their dues, or coaches with talented rosters but seemingly no game plan win the biggest trophy in sports. Today we’ll look at a couple of the best NHL coaches to never win the Stanley Cup.

Lindy Ruff Buffalo Sabres (1998 – present) – As the currently longest tenured Head Coach in the NHL, Ruff is residing in unwanted territory, as he has yet to hoist the betting online Stanley Cup. In Ruff’s second season as the Sabres boss, he took his team to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Dallas Stars. The Stars would eventually win the Stanley Cup in six games, after Brett Hull kicked the puck in the net. That would be the closest Ruff would ever get to the Stanley Cup, as despite a few Eastern Conference Finals appearances since, he has yet to return.

Ron Wilson – As the Head Coach with the fifth most wins in the history of the NHL, it is hard to believe that Ron Wilson has never won the Stanley Cup. Wilson was the first ever coach of the Anaheim Ducks, which was followed by a Stanley Cup appearance and loss to the Detroit Red Wings as a member of the Washington Capitals. Despite having his most success with the San Jose Sharks, Wilson will always be remembered as the coach who couldn’t win with such a talented team. After failing to get the Toronto Maple Leafs back to relevancy, we wonder what is next for betting software legend Ron Wilson?