Stefan Matteau - Winger
After the New Jersey Devils were able to sign forward Ilya Kovalchuk to a mega-contract deal back in the 2010 offseason, the NHL handed out a penalty to the Devils which would see the team forfeit future draft picks. As a part of that penalty, the Devils had the option to forfeit a first-round-pick at either 2012, 2013 or 2014’s NHL Draft.
The Devils and (then) general manager, Lou Lamoriello, decided to utilize the team’s first-round draft pick in 2012 and what was considered one of the weaker draft classes in recent memory. With the 29-overall-selection, New Jersey made a bold move and drafted Stefan Matteau from the United States Development Team.
Yes, the son of former New York Ranger, Stephane Matteau … let’s not continue with that story.
While it was a risky move to follow through using the first-round draft pick, Matteau was destined to be one of the Devils’ biggest draft busts of all-time. Prior to being drafted, the Quebec, native was labeled as a bottom-six forward more times than not, but New Jersey and (then) team scout David Conte, felt as though he’d pan out to be a legitimate power forward.
According to Mike Morreale of NHL.com, Matteau envisioned himself being an NHL caliber skater similar to James van Riemsdyk, Scott Hartnell or Vincent Lecavalier.
Well, Matteau struck out on that one, literally.
In parts of three seasons with New Jersey, it was apparent Matteau wasn’t cut out to be an NHL skater; he was heavy on his feet, never utilized his “size” which was his supposed strength and he was never in a good position out on the ice to make matters worse, either.
There were rumors that he had an attitude problem and didn’t appreciate that he wasn’t seeing enough ice time – granted he was lucky to have even made the Devils’ roster from 2013-2016.
In 44 career games with New Jersey, Matteau netted three goals and recorded two assists for a total of five points, and his play also entailed a plus/minus rating of -10. For a skater that averaged 10:00 of ice-time per game, the plus/minus rating speaks volumes.
Here are list of notable skaters that were drafted after Matteau; Tanner Pearson (Los Angeles, 30); Colton Parayko (St. Louis, 86); Shayne Gostisbehere (Philadelphia, 78) Jimmy Vesey (Nashville, 66) Matt Murray (Pittsburgh, 83); Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg, 130) Frederick Andersen (Anaheim, 87).
Current GM, Ray Shero, eventually traded Matteau to the Montreal Canadiens in Feb. of 2016.
Considering how important draft picks were for the Devils at the time and that the team could have forfeited that year’s first-round-pick, Stefan Matteau goes down as New Jersey’s biggest draft bust since 2000.
