It's a nice idea. ATD veterans could serve as co-GMs or advisors to the newbies. And they could prepare a resource a little less frightening than the abysmal ocean that is the ATD bio pool. For example a raw overview grouping players by position and under several different categories (two-way player, physicality, playmaker, goal scorer, offensive all-around player, etc) to make it easier for the non-graduates to look for possible fits and research them further.
I thought about doing this many times before, but it's not so easy because you have to be consistent whatever system you choose.
The best way to do it would probably be to give post-expansion comparables for any pre-expansion player. Unless we just do it for pre-O6 players, which would be the most urgent. My goal is to give a quick caricature of the player.
But even there, it's not easy. Let's try a few ones:
Sprague Cleghorn.
Who the heck is he? I'd say a better Chris Pronger or a lesser Larry Robinson but more nasty and undisciplined than both. Also not as good in the playoffs, but still good.
King Clancy: Peak Anaheim Scott Niedermayer? Much better than Niedermayer in terms of value.
Newsy Lalonde: Mark Messier lite and not as good in the playoffs.
Frank Nighbor: Bobby Clarke without the nastiness. Cornerstone of a dynasty.
Frank Boucher: Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman but more biased towards playmaking.
Howie Morenz: Sidney Crosby in value; more speedy, more bias towards goalscoring, not as good as in the playoffs, slightly better defensively and slightly more physical. Can't think of any stylistic comparable. Perhaps McDavid if he was more physical and better defensively? Basically it's just the speed.
Bill Cook: Jarome Iginla on steroids (including the leadership). For value, a notch below Lafleur and Jagr.
Eddie Shore: A legendary and better version of what Dion Phaneuf was supposed to become after his big early season + the rushing. Undisciplined in the playoffs. Best defenseman and arguably player in the world for a decade. I realize this is insulting to Shore and I should find a better one lol.
Cy Denneny: Some sort of lesser Mike Bossy but bigger and with Policeman abilities. Denneny played more LW than RW though.
Eddie Gerard: Serge Savard but even better as a leader and slightly better offensively. All-time great captain.
Bryan Hextall Sr: Slightly lesser Jarome Iginla, less of a leader, bigger hitter.
Harry Cameron: Lesser Paul Coffey. Hard to coach.
Joe Malone: Slightly lesser Evgeni Malkin in value, but better defensively and more biased towards goalscoring? Perhaps Joe Sakic wouldn't be a bad stylistic comparable.
Not sure how that looks to you.
