Quote:
Originally Posted by bucksmasher
Sorry if this has been asked or discussed before but....how is upside determined or estimated? What factors are considered?
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Bit of a broad question. Sounds like you're basically asking how scouting works and what factors in to that.
Scouts assess players on:
-size/strength
-skating
-puckhandling
-shot
-vision/playmaking/passing
-hockey sense
-defensive play
-offensive play
-competitiveness
-leadership
-consistency
They do that by watching the players. They watch them against older players, against their peers. They try to watch them in different situations to see how they react to adversity. Watch them when their linemates are injured, watch them in the playoffs, etc.
Then from there it is all projection. How much room to develop does the player have? How strong and fast will they be in a few years? How does their skill stack up to NHL calibre players? Are they teachable? Do they have the character to persevere? How much have they improved over the last year? Two years? How much more can they improve?
The basic question scouts try to answer is, "How good will that player be in the NHL in 5 years if they develop properly?" Perhaps a secondary question is, "What role will that player play in the NHL?" Those answers determine a player's upside. MacKinnon could be a superstar 1st line centre in the NHL if he develops, that's his upside.
Don't know if that was the answer you were looking for