flyers guy said:
Stevex:
When breaking down points per minute for this last season, Hemsky's production was nearly double that of Sjostrom's. Compare rookie seasons and Hemsky's production was far more than double Sjostrom's when breaking it down by their time on ice. And if you want to bring age into the discussion you're not helping Sjostrom much, as he's older than Hemsky.
Only just seen this post.
When breaking it down by points per minute, that is correct. However what I was referring to was that Sjostrom's
goals per minute rate is actually better despite significantly less powerplay time (30 seconds per game compared to over 2.30 for Hemsky).
Hemsky had a significantly more offensive role than Sjostrom who has played mostly on the 3rd and 4th defensive lines of one of the worst teams in the NHL. Hemsky has a lot more assists, but his goalscoring is very similar.
When I mentioned age I was referring to their developmental 'age'. I know that's not that clear from my post but I was simply recalling off the top of my head. Hemsky is a year ahead of most of his contemporaries, so its no aspersion on Sjostrom that he is slower to mature.
Lehtinen has put up big numbers in Finland and in the NHL, while Sjostrom has only put up some above average numbers in the WHL. I don't see Sjostrom having the offense (Lehtinen would have much better numbers if not for sacrificing much of his talent by being so committed to defense) or the stifling defense to be nearly as good as Lehtinen. Radivojevic has put up better numbers than Sjostrom in juniors, the AHL, and the NHL, so I highly doubt the difference between the two is as big as your comparison makes it sound. In 28 career AHL games, Sjostrom only has 1 goal and 8 assists. That hardly makes me want to take him over many players in his draft class, let alone in the top 10. It's still early, but I'm skeptical of a skill player that I've been unimpressed with on numerous occasions and one that hasn't put up numbers anywhere but the WHL.
Numbers numbers numbers... they can only tell you so much as Im sure you're aware. We all have to look at them but its far far better to watch the player.
Incidentially Sjostrom is not a "skill player" - that's a mistake. Hemsky is a skill player. Sjostrom is an all-rounder, two way player with energy and real skating ability and strong character. It is true he isnt putting up big numbers in the AHL but he has been playing on two of the worst AHL teams... really dire teams.. nobody has put up any numbers of any consequence on those teams except the goaltenders! Not to mention it *is* only 28 games split over two seasons.. a rather small sample to judge on, and a bit picky considering he has played well enough in 57 games at a higher level in the NHL. Nobody really cares what your numbers were before the NHL when you've made it.
Phoenix fans have seen a ton of both Radivojevic and Sjostrom and I believe you'd find there is very little doubt who they would think is the better player. Radivojevic was a hugely popular player but he will never be more than an third line player who might in a career year step up to the second line and manage 20-25 goals at the very very best. Sjostrom is already able to play in this role and has real potential to be a genuine 2nd liner who can step up to the 1st line. Incidentially he has already played on the top line which Radivojevic never did in Phoenix.
Radivojevic is a good all-rounder player but limited to the third line energy role. Lehtinen is another all-rounder but what marks him out, what makes him valuable is the level to which he can perform in every situation - which is why he'll never be just a third liner and Sjostrom clearly has the potential and tools to be the same type of player.
BTW - be careful before declaring Lehtinen and Radivojevic have put up better numbers. Its not very clear. Wanna know what Lehtinen did his first NHL year? 6 goals in 57 NHL games. (The having-to-play-defensively argument doesnt wash because it applies just as much to Sjostrom). Radivojevic hasnt really got definitively better numbers either.