According to Sports Business Journal, the NHL could be back on ESPN – at least ESPN2 – for the 2008/09 season. Talks about a nine-game regular season package and the playoffs started earlier this month. Of course, a lot of things need to happen before ESPN gets back into the game. For one, NBC has to pass on exercising an option its has for the 2008/09 season, and Versus would have to surrender its cable exclusivity agreement that it holds until 2011. The Versus agreement generates $70-million a year for the NHL so Versus would likely waive its deal if the right kind of compensation came along. While no one should get too excited about a nine-game package, getting ESPN back is a huge step in the right direction for the NHL. For... [Read more]

So the going rate for a second-line centre in the NHL these days is apparently $4-million based on the six-year, $24-million deal that Buffalo recently gave Derek Roy. The Sabres have now committed about $75-million to two players – Roy and Thomas Vanek – after losing Chris Drury and Daniel Briere to free-agency earlier this month. Of course, Buffalo had little choice but to become more aggressive if it wants to stay competitive and give the faithful a good enough team to keep buying season tickets. While some people may be concerned about the Sabres’ ability to remain a top-calibre team given the losses of Drury and Briere, the Sabres will likely remain within the top tier as they have a top-flight goaltender, Ryan Miller,... [Read more]

Following yesterday’s summary of player performance during the second year after a draft, let’s take a look at the best and worst teams with respect to player selection for those who have been fortunate enough to have earned a first or second pick. As with the previous analysis, two periods are used to assess a team’s (or General Manager’s) skill at selecting prospective talent. (1)The change from Year 2 versus the year prior to the draft, which may indicate long-term performance and a General Manager’s ability to pick talent that can contribute immediately. (2) Year 2 versus the year following the draft, which may indicate short-term improvements and the ability of a General Manager to spot... [Read more]

As noted yesterday, the average improvement in total points following the selection of a number one or two pick was 22.9%. While the degree of improvement in total points was wide – extending from -49% to 150% – and some teams clearly better at assessing/trading top draft talent, my general perception is that the average is OK and General Managers are generally proficient at using their top picks. (What do you think? Is 22.9% good enough? Would throwing darts at a board made for better results?) Now let’s look at the second year after a draft. Using the same assumptions as in the original analysis, along with the assumption that most players develop and improve into their second year, we should expect another... [Read more]

< ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> With the draft now firmly behind us, I thought I would take a look at how teams who have had the number one and two picks have faired in the years following. Today we look at the immediate improvement during the first year after drafting a top prospect. < ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /> This analysis is based on all drafts dating back to 1963. Eliminated from the analysis are cases where the team in question did not have a record in the year prior to the draft. This is generally the case during an expansion draft year. In addition, this analysis does not delve into the details of what a team has done with their draft... [Read more]