Evaluating the Roster: Part 1
The Blues are in a curious position right now. After the Saturday Shootout winner against the Caps, the Blues are now four points behind the 8th place Calgary Flames. The trade market is opening up. Brian Burke and the Sutters have lead the way. Atlanta moved Kovalchuk to New Jersey. The Hawks moved Barker to Minnesota. Blues fans need to ask, where are the Blues at in all of this? What are the Blues looking to do in terms of altering this team for now and the future? Are we a “buyer” or are we a “seller”?
During the Olympic break I will be breaking down the Blues roster, evaluating their ability, current production, and future impact. My goal is not to focus on criticisms or promote certain players. The goal is to cover this roster from Net to Face Off circle to see what we have and where is it going. Step One is to formulate a ranking system. A way to order information to effectively describe, analyze, and discuss Blues personnel.
Former Columbus GM Doug MacLean proposed an interesting point system to evaluate talent on a recent segment from Hockey Central on Fan 590 in Toronto. Doug suggested a seven level system with 7 being a true franchise player and a 1 being an AHL tweener type. I would alter Doug’s impromptu proposal in to something that I feel is a little more representational.
Here are my ranks:
6 – True Franchise Player (Crosby, Ovechkin, Brodeur)
5 – Top Line/Top Pairing/Playoff Level #1 Goalie (Nash, Green, Fluery)
4 – Steady NHL Contributor (Guerin, Gomez, Samuelsson)
3 – Marginal NHL Contributor (Higgins, Drury, Torres)
2 – Role Player (Ryan Johnson, Craig Adams, Scott Walker)
1 – AHL/NHL Tweener or Roster Filler (Derek Armstrong, Yan Stastny, etc)
While sites like Puck Prospectus and Behind the Net do a great job of breaking down the game for statistical analysis, that is not me intent here. I do love stats, but what I am shooting for is more informal and everyday fan friendly. These values are set off some statistical facts and also personal opinion. Allow me to elaborate further.
6 – True Franchise Player
This is a rare number to be use. Few players are consistent top level producers while clutch performers who have taken a team (or teams) in to deep playoff runs. These are the players who have walked and talked.
- Point production is a point a game or better.
- Their play transcends one dimension.
- They are the Captain or “Face of the Franchise”.
- Winning is everything and they’ve done it.
5 – Top Line/Top Pairing/Playoff Level #1 Goalie
This is the guy a hair below the Crosby and Ovechkins of the league. A player who can produce, but hasn’t lead the way to sustained winning. This is the type of player who is coming on to the NHL scene, but hasn’t quite hit “it” yet.
- Producers around a point a game.
- Their play goes beyond one dimension, but could still be limited.
- Helped a team (or teams) to the playoffs, but haven’t progressed in to deep runs.
- Winning is everything, but have come up short.
4 – Steady NHL Contributor
This is your stereotypical “Top 6″ Forward or “Top 4″ Defensemen. A player who is a vital member any winning effort, but is not the type to carry a team or haven’t been able to do it consistently. These players know they have a role and know how to produce with what they are given, but haven’t (or can’t) take the next step to level 5. Age is a factor here.
- Production is in the 40-70 Point range over 82 Games played.
- Can assist in more than one Dimension, but is better suited in their most productive role.
- Been a part of a winning team an played a role or is part of a core of a developing team.
3 – Marginal NHL Contributor
These are players who from time to time can produce, but do not have the consistency. These are also players who would be in the stereotypical “Bottom 6″ Forwards or “3rd Pairing” Defenseman range. The type of player a team expects to not hinder your ability to win, but you do not expect to produce consistently.
- Production is 40 points over 82 Games or lower.
- One dimensional players.
- Developing players.
2 – Role Player
While having a low ranking, this is a position that some thrive in. Role players provide energy, toughness, and defensive strength. Every team needs these types to fill out their roster, low priority is given due to the nature of the game. There is not a need to have an abundance of role players on a team. They are “easily” cultivated and obtained.
- Production is up to about 20/30 points.
- One Dimension and that is all that is expected.
1 – AHL/NHL Tweener or Roster Filler
This player is likely a developing prospect or an injury replacement. Someone who is best suited for the minors, but is up to the NHL for depth reasons. Their production isn’t expected and their role is to just eat ice time without hurting the team.
- Minimal point production.
- Only role is to show up and play a few minutes.
Where do Blues players fit in to this spectrum? We shall see over the coming two weeks as the NHL takes a breather for the Olympics. In that time I will further delve in to where the team stands with new Head Coach Davis Payne. Comparing his tenure to that of Andy Murray’s ill fated 09-10 campaign. I will also break down the forwards, defenseman, goal tenders and near future prospects to see where the team stands before the deadline.
I can tell you that there isn’t a $6 on this team (yet). The rest, you’ll have to come back and see.
