It’s far too early to call Mark McNeill a bust. He’s still only 23 years old and is coming off a pretty good season in the AHL. Players in his position have bloomed late and found their place in the NHL.
But that’s the path McNeill is on right now. Drafted with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, McNeill found himself clearing waivers five years later. Not only was McNeill unable to earn a spot on the Hawks’ roster out of training camp, but his stock has dipped to the point that the other 29 teams weren’t interested in taking a flier with practically zero risk.