[belsarius]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

If you ask me, the anxiety surrounding Sven (and this also goes for the much-maligned Jankowski) goes beyond just Sven. His struggles are symptomatic of 30 years of 1st round picks that have either failed to live up to their potential or busted outright. Dion is the only 1st rounder going back to 1984 (Gary Roberts) that has actually gone on to have a lucrative career, and the Flames gave him away for nothing.

It's frustrating as a fan to see it happening again to a player many thought was a sure thing after ripping up the WHL and scoring 3 in 5 during the emergency callup.

So yes, it's something that should, and is, receiving a fair bit of attention. Those picks need to count because a franchise that continually mishandles and blows their most important picks is not going to find success, even if the late-round drafting yields the odd gem.

Well Cory Stillman may not have been flashy but 700 points in 1000 career games and two Stanley cups is a pretty lucrative career. Your point is pretty valid though, 3 guys in 30 years is not exactly a stellar drafting record.

As for Sven I really think when he played on a line with Byron and Jooris a couple weeks before he got sent down he really got a feel for what is going to be required to be successful on this team. It may not have translated as well to his last few games but it seems like something sunk in and it is working on the farm. Turning the corner for sure, but I think the rest of the season down there with the odd few game call up for a reward might be best.