Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMagicMan
I'm no expert, but based on stats, why would Heiskanen and Brnnstrom go so high, with so few points?
Why would Makar go so high, in a lesser league, in the AJHL?
Why was Liljegren ranked so high, with only 6 points?
I'm just trying to understand what the scouts are looking at, as I'm not sure what I'm missing. Based on the stats, I would think Valimaki should be the first defensemen selected. Why was he the 5th?
Any thoughts would help me in my rookie way of looking at things.
Thank you.
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Scouts don't draft based on stats. All the players you're comparing play in different leagues so you can't even begin to compare their stats
What are scouts looking at? The players! They watch them when they hop over the boards and focus on them the entire shift. They watch how they defend, how they fight for pucks, how physical they are, how well they move the puck, how well they skate the puck, basically everything they do. After that they have to decide how good they think that 17-18 year old kid will be in 5-6 years in the NHL. Is it hard to compare kids playing in the AJHL vs other kids playing in European pro leagues? You're darn right it is! That's why its a hard job and that's why it isn't an exact science.
Makar went high because he was the most dynamic offensive defensemen in the draft. Heiskanen went high because he was considered the best overall defenseman in the draft. Liljegren had a disappointing year and that's part of the reason he dropped, scouts were disappointed with his decision making it sounded like. Why did he have only 6 points? He was playing in a European men's professional league against men getting limited ice time.
In general trying to evaluate defensemen based on offensive stats is silly. There's a lot more to defending then getting assists. What would their point totals tell you about how well they can clear the crease? What would their point totals tell you about how well they win puck battles in the corners? What would their point totals tell you about how well they angle forwards off? What would their point totals tell you about how good they are at utilizing their stick defensively? Nothing!
Point totals are a horrible way to evaluate defensemen. The only way you can scout players is to watch them.