| Is 468 Bigger Than 257? |
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As the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings prepare for the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals, Canucks Fanz Columnist Farhan Devji questions if the Red Wings amateur scouting staff has been that much better than Ron Delorme (as seen on the right), Thomas Gradin, and co. over the last 5 years. By Canucks Fanz Columnist: Farhan Devji Before you start sending me hate-mail and/or questioning if I even have a shred of knowledge about this game that “unites” us all, let it be known that the following is merely a statistical breakdown comparing the scouting of the “SHUD OF DRAFTD KOPITARZZ” Vancouver Canucks and the golden standard “we drafted Henrik Zetterberg in the 7th round” Detroit Red Wings over the past 5 seasons. No biases, no opinions, and certainly no feelings. I’ll just show you that “it is what it is” and if that doesn’t work for you, “I’ll drive you to the airport.” However, if you’re still with me, it might benefit you to brush up your math skills before you read any further. Okay, now with that out of the way, let us begin. First question: Is 468 bigger than 257? Assuming you answered “yes,” consider this. The players that the Vancouver Canucks have selected over the past 5 National Hockey League Entry Drafts have played a grand total of 468 at the NHL level, whereas, the Detroit Red Wings’ players over the same time period have only played 257 NHL games. Now if you ask any NHL scout about how they rate their own performance in previous drafts, they’ll tell you that they rate success by “games played.” Therefore, 468 is not only bigger than 257, it is also better. Second question: Is 129 bigger than 88? This one is a little closer and it may require the use of one of those overpriced graphing calculators, but once again, assuming you answered “yes,” chew on this. The players that the Vancouver Canucks have selected over the past 5 National Hockey League Entry Drafts have recorded a grand total of 129 points at the NHL level, whereas, the Detroit Red Wings’ players over the same time period have only recorded 88 points. Now, last time I checked, looking at point totals is another way to rate the success of any player at any level (hopefully that doesn’t classify under the “opinion” category). Third question: Is 2 bigger than 1? Not only is 2 bigger than one, it is actually also the double of 1! Out of the players that the Vancouver Canucks have selected over the past 5 National Hockey League Entry Drafts, the ‘Nucks currently have 2 who can be considered “impact players” in their lineup: Ryan Kesler and Alexander Edler. While, out of the players that the Detroit Red Wings have selected over the past 5 National Hockey League Entry Drafts, the ‘Wings currently only have 1 who can be considered an “impact player” in their lineup: Johan Franzen. I realize this one may be pushing against the “biases” category, but I offer my sincere apologies that I don’t consider Darren Helm an impact player just yet, despite a fantastic playoff run as a “role player.” Fourth question: Is 2 greater than or equal to 2? With hope, I’m not coming off as presumptuous by assuming that you answered correctly. Over the past 5 National Hockey League Entry Drafts, the Vancouver Canucks have selected 2 late-round steals: Jannik Hansen and Dan Gendur. While, the Detroit Red Wings have done the same by selecting Darren Helm and Logan Pyett. Say what you want about Gendur not having proven anything outside of junior, but when you lead your team in scoring as a 7th round pick, I sure as hell consider you a late-round steal. Besides, Pyett hasn’t proven anything outside of junior either. Bias? I don’t think so. I’m having some trouble coming up with a closing sentence without any bias or opinion, so I’ll just bring up the million dollar question once again and with that, feel free to form your own biases and opinions: Is 468 bigger than 257? Farhan Devji is the author of a hockey based novel, "The Hockey Farmer." For more information, visit http://www.thehockeyfarmer.ca.tp Discuss article here.                |
