There were several issues with the pick itself at the time. Olli Maata was falling fast and was still available at 21 (he was going around 14 where the Flames picked in several mocks). The fact the Flames as an organization preached the need to get younger while still trying to win with Iggy and Kipper yet draft a 5+ year project pick. Things got worse when Feaster and Weisbroad spoke to the media saying they got the best player in the draft.
Where the organization was at the time it really was a head scratcher and the overhype just made everyone roll their eyes. Looking at the Feaster era the Jankowski pick, playoff guarantees, RoR offer sheet, and Iginla trade really helped cement the entire organization as a laughing stock basically from the Phaneuf trade in the Sutter era until Burke was hired
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