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New Jersey Devils: Top 3 draft busts since 2000

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Mattias Tedenby – Winger

There was much anticipation for the Devils future on offense after New Jersey selected Swedish born, Mattias Tedenby, with the 24th-overall-selection at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

However, for a number of reasons, Tedenby never developed into the NHL playmaker that he was scouted out to be.

While the small forward ended up making his NHL appearance much sooner than a majority of the team’s former first-round draft-picks (2010-11), “Teddy’s” inconsistent performance on the ice eventually impacted his status in the team’s everyday lineup on offense.

The left-handed shooter skated in 58 contests for the Devils in 2010-11 and even recorded six points in his first seven games played with New Jersey (three goals, three assists). His third career goal was scored in exciting fashion and really impressed Jersey’s fanbase after he found the back of the net on a penalty shot against the Washington Capitals in a 5-0 victory.

Still, the remainder of the season was an ongoing struggle for Tedenby, considering he would only record 16 points in his next 51 games with the Devils (five goals, 11 assists).

While the youngster was surrounded with plenty of talent in 2011-12, and the Devils reached the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, Tedenby only netted one goal and chipped in five helpers for a total of six points in 43 regular-season games. It had appeared the writing had been on the wall for the 5-foot-9 forward who was constantly pushed off of the puck along the boards and struggled to compete with league’s stronger skaters.

Tedenby only dressed in a total of 19 games over the next two seasons (one goal, one assist), before he officially called quits on playing in the NHL after the 2013-14 season. Though, he did also spend parts of each of those past three seasons skating in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Albany Devils.

Keep in mind that former New Jersey Devils forward, Adam Henrique, was also selected by the Devils at the 2008 NHL draft but with the 82-overall-selection.

The former Devil in Tedenby has spent the past four seasons overseas playing for the HV71 Jonkoping of the Swedish Hockey League.

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Kyle McKenna is a freelancer who covers the NHL for Elite Sports New York, Hooked On Hockey Magazine & Fansided. Follow him on Twitter @KMcKenna_tLT5 and use the hashtag #McKennasDigest to have your NHL questions featured in an article or answered over his weekly NHL podcast.