Points or Skill

[starmvp]

There is so much hype around "how many points players are getting" or "this schedule is weaker than that, so they won't get as many points." Yes, points matter, but is it really what a player should be judged on?

[observer]

Not entirely. But, other forms of measurement are more subjective so unfortunately everyone looks at scoring. You must admit the game is won on the scoreboard so coaches/scouts definitely look to players that have a history of scoring. Even the NHL looks to scoring history when selecting players so the first question is probably can the player score. Lots of very nice players out there so it may boil down to which ones can score.

Choice,

Nice player that scores a lot.
Nice player that doesn't seem to score very often.

The quality I see most often underestimated is brains. I see a lot of very nice players, skill wise, but some don't seem smart in their style and positioning. You will score a lot more with a smart linemate.

[The Exiled One]

There is so much hype around "how many points players are getting" or "this schedule is weaker than that, so they won't get as many points." Yes, points matter, but is it really what a player should be judged on?

Ultimately, the only numbers that matter at the highest levels of hockey are in the win column. Players in many different roles are needed to achieve that outcome. Some of them won't have a lot of points but will contribute in other (yet just as important) ways.

The nice the about the NHL is that the have a bunch of different trophies to recognize those different traits (Norris, Masterton, Selke, Clancy, etc). All of those can be won without leading any statistical category.

Of course, you can't win ANY games unless SOMEBODY is putting the puck in the net. Those type of players are easily identified with stats. Also, if you ultimately have the talent to contribute to a winning team in the NHL, odds are that scoring at lower levels will come easier to you than to others, even if that's not your role at the NHL level. I'm sure even Derek Boogaard scored a bunch of points on his bantam team.

To answer your question: Yes, you should be judged on points in order to win the Ross trophy. No, you should not be judged on points in order to win the Masterton trophy. And yes, at the collegiate and pro levels, you should DEFINATELY be judged on the number that appears under the W!!