In the offseason I was very disappointed to know that the Wild has decided to keep first round bust Benoit Pouliot. Drafted in the first round Pouliot is another reminder of the players selected in 2005 that we could have had instead of Pouliot.

Let’s take a look at the players who were drafted after Beniot Pouliot in the first round of the 2005 entry draft, Anze Kopitar, 11th by the LA Kings, Marc Staal 12th New York, Tuukka Rask 21 Toronto and T.J. Oshie 24th by the St Louis Blues. I am sure that Kopitar, Staal, Rahd and Oshie would look a lot better than the slacker wearing number 67. Frankly I find that Pouliot is a brutal reminder of the horrible first round draft choices that Doug Risebrough made during his tenur in Minnesota. Another reminder is the first rounds busts as James Sheppard.

A line that Kurt Russell immortalized in the 2004 movie, “Miracle,” and a line that fits perfectly with the crossroads that Benoit Pouliot’s career is at.

Drafted 4th Overall in the 2005 Entry Draft, Pouliot was drafted as the Minnesota Wild’s “Next Big Thing.”

Taken just three spots behind Sidney Crosby and ahead of names like Carey Price, Devin Setoguchi, and Anze Kopitar, Pouliot was expected to give the Wild the scoring punch beside Marian Gaborik that they had needed for so long.

Entering his fourth pro season, Pouliot has yet to live up to those lofty expectations.

In 52 NHL games, he has tallied just 7 goals and 14 points. After an impressive rookie campaign with the

 Houston Aeros in the 2006-07 season, one that saw him tally 19 goals and 36 points as a rookie, Pouliot was expected to contend for a roster spot on the big squad the following season. He was even given the opportunity to play pivot between Gaborik and Pavol Demitra in what would form the team’s top line.

Unfortunately, Pouliot didn’t quite make the cut. He did, however, earn a late season call up that saw him get a couple goals in the last eleven games of the season. [Bleacher Report]