A Look At The 2004 Calgary Flames Draft Pick

After a blockbuster 2003 Draft class, the Calgary Flames went right back to struggling picking out players.  The 2004 Draft was the last official NHL event before the lockout of 2004-2005 and meant that the Flames had plenty of time to develop the pick.  Unfortunately, it didn’t work out well for the Calgary Flames and their pick only played two games.  First overall was Alexander Ovechkin to the Washington Capitals and second overall was Evgeni Malkin to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Flames picked 24th overall and watched many players go by that could have changed the course of Calgary Flames’ history.

Kris Chucko, the Calgary Flames’ 2004 Draft pick,  had the misfortune of struggling with concussions and was forced into an early retirement at the end of last season. While the Flames could not see that coming when they picked him up, it is still unfortunate for the Flames and Chucko.

Other players that went after Chucko:

• Cory Schneider
• Mike Green
• David Booth
• Brandon Dubinsky
• Alex Goligoski
• Alexander Edler
• Ryan Callahan
• Kris Versteeg
• Pekka Rinne
• Mark Streit

Not the amount of talent (in terms of quantity of players, not quality of) but the players of the 2004 Draft are making an impact on their teams now while Chucko works to recover in retirement.  An unfortunate situation for all involved.