Rank with Caution

The Anti Mock Draft Approach

The annual NHL Draft ranking season is upon us, and with it comes a flood of identical, consensus lists. But for the small, highly-specialized teams inside NHL war rooms, the reality is rough. Creating rankings isn’t real—unless you are putting them on someone’s table, meaning they are built for the specific needs of that table. General Managers don’t draft consensus players, they build for themselves and the franchises identity.

The Problem with the Echo Chamber

The most significant philosophical challenge in modern scouting is the media’s influence. If the team that’s picking a player clouds your judgment, you’re probably listening to the media. An independent scout or decision-maker must think for themselves and ask the ultimate question: Tell me something I haven’t heard 20 times.

The best evaluators are those who possess conviction. Don’t be afraid to be wrong; understanding why you were wrong usually gives a better understanding of the game and the player. This is how you stay out of the echo chamber. Critical thinking and forming your own opinions that aren’t based on where you think they will get drafted based on TSNs mock drafts.

Method to the Madness

Although I am one of those nobodies I have found a method to my madness to keep myself honest and consistent.

1. Translatable Traits and Identity

The focus must be exclusively on the players that have the most translatable pro traits. This means evaluating the how over the what. A player’s game must be easiest to provide their identity as a player at the NHL level. If a prospect’s game relies on scoring with unsustainable dominance, but their core skills are weak, the translation is poor. If their identity is built on elite Skating and high Smarts (Hockey IQ), the translation is smooth, regardless of draft-year point totals.

2. The 4-S Evaluation Framework

I use the expanded 4-S framework to break down foundational, translatable physical and cognitive traits to get a broad scope of what a players strengths are and how they use them to mitigate their weaknesses.

Size- The strength and reach combined with the physicality to win battles and execute play through contact.

Skill- The ability to be deceptive and purposeful puck handlers and high-end playmakers in all the three zones.

Smarts- The ability to read, anticipate, and manage the game in all three zones.

Skating- The speed, pace, mobility and edge work. Transition style, involvement and execution.

Bus driver vs Passenger

This evaluates a player’s pace, urgency, and the speed at which they deploy their skill. It assesses whether a player can elevate the tempo of the entire game vs players that rely on their linemates to do so. A player who dictates the pace of a game and makes a significant impact in all three zones by using their toolkit alone.

Cycle of Possession

A players ability to constantly gain, maintain, and create offensive zone chances while eliminating defense zone threats make their teammates better. The ability to win pucks back, maintain possession and turn relentless pursuit into positive offensive opportunities consistently wears down opponents and forces defensive breakdowns. Players who impact the Cycle of Possession on a shift by shift basis make adaptable linemates and dependable all situations players.

Staying True to the Craft

At the end of the day, scouting isn’t about being right first — it’s about being right for the right reasons. Rankings should reflect a belief system, not a popularity contest. Every list tells a story about how you see the game and what you value in a player. My approach might not fit neatly within the consensus, and that’s the point. The moment you stop thinking for yourself is the moment your evaluations lose meaning. So here’s to staying honest, curious, and just a little bit mad in pursuit of better hockey minds