Being a talent evaluator is very similar to being a major league hitter. Even the very best manage to miss more than they connect. 

Such is the business of assessing and projecting 17- and 18-year-olds who are still actively maturing physically, emotionally, socially and mentally. What looks excellent today, may turn sour tomorrow. Conversely, deficiencies today could blossom into strengths down the line. 

No one in this industry owns a crystal ball. But clearly, some complete their roles better than others. And I believe that it’s a combination of tireless work, and a proper set of criteria to look out for. 

However, at the end of the day,  there will still be misses. With the NHL Draft Lottery set for Tuesday night, I’m here to shed some light on a few of my most glaring mistakes over the years and what I’ve learned from them. I'll be taking my licks for the rankings spanning between 2016-2018. 

I’ll add a quick caveat that on these earlier boards I made I was more limited in the volume and quality of video that I had access to. Additionally, my role in the hockey world has expanded over the years to the point where I spend what equates to full-time hours scouting and writing on these players.

I also hope that I’ve gotten better as time has rolled on. 

With all that said, what follows is my mea culpa.