The Taylor Hall versus Tyler Seguin question -- namely, whom the Edmonton Oilers should take at No. 1 -- is still out there.
The NHL's Central Scouting Service (CSS) has weighed in with its opinion and found in favor of Seguin. I started wondering what predictive value CSS has in broad strokes and, in particular, with close calls on the highest-ranked players. To look at this, I'm going to use a sample from the 2005 through 2008 drafts; CSS changed management and personnel this past decade, so the lockout seemed like a fair place to start.
It's far too early to give an authoritative read on last year's draft, too: Do we know whether John Tavares, Victor Hedman, Matt Duchene or someone else is the best in the class after just one season? No, 2008 is the right place to end.
To continue reading Gare Joyce's breakdown of four years worth of CSS rankings relative to NHL performance -- and to see what that could mean for 2010 -- you must be an ESPN Insider.
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Grant Sonier
Grant Sonier has scouted for six NHL organizations over the past 13 years, most recently for the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2010-11 season. He is a special contributor to ESPN Insider.
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Victoria Matiash
Victoria Matiash has served as a Fantasy Hockey columnist for ESPN.com since 2007, and contributor to NHL Rumor Central since 2010. She lives in Toronto.
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