The thing is, most people who didn't want Brady Tkachuk didn't want him just because they were only stat watching and his numbers weren't outstanding in the N.C.A.A. (a much older league for a teenager to be playing in than the CHL). So, the reasons for their opinion were kind of pathetic.
People don't realize that stats watching actually is quite accurate. You will not find a guy who doesn't have great stats in junior that has great stats in the NHL. If it happens, it's not even worth mentioning. I'm sure that just by stats watching, you could have better drafts sometimes than teams that spend millions of dollars to go and see them. People love to bash stats watching....but it's actually quite accurate. But yes, having great stats in juniors does not also automatically means you'll succeed as pro either. I know that, don't worry.
Now, yes, there are WAY other factors to take into consideration. But the Tkachuk evaluation or lack thereof wasn't botched because people didn't see him play. I did see him. You saw that he had a good IQ. You saw that he was a fine skater. You saw that he was responsible defensively. You saw all that. What you didn't see....and what sometimes happens, is that there are particular players that will have a greater effect playing with better players despite a better opposition than playing with average teamates while having a worst opposition. And Tkachuk, because of his body, and surely because of his Tkachuk genes, kinda forgot to be intimidated.....A big hurdle for almost every other kid that joined the league. He didn't have that. So those were overlooked.
Yet, again....let's be a little patient. If we can't put a guy in a bust category after 1 year, pretty sure we can't put a guy in a hero category after 1 year too. Also, I will tell you that others in that top 10 and beyond are coming. And will be very very good.