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.