The Atlanta Thrashers liked a lot about Kari Lehtonen when they picked him second overall in 2002.
They liked his winning credentials in the Finnish league, loved his six foot four frame and judged him to be a quality goaltender.
Now playing (and often struggling) for the Dallas Stars, Lehtonen is one of the few goaltenders in recent history to have been picked in the first round. Goaltending is thought to be the most difficult projection to make at the draft, the one NHL teams still haven't figured out.
Most of today's top goalies were plucked deep in the draft or missed entirely.