05:54 AM
11/21/24
11/21/24
December 29, 2008
Getting more (or less) for your money: Canadian Business Online has put together a list of the National Hockey League who offer the best (or worst) value for their salaries last season. Anaheim centre Ryan Getzlaf makes the list of cheap gems, while Los Angeles defenceman Rob Blake gets nailed for poor production.
The defenceman's job is to prevent goals from being scored.
That kind of oversimplifies it, though, doesn't it? To base a defenseman's value purely on the goals allowed while he is on the ice shows a real lack of understanding (especially for a Canadian publication!) Not since Bobby Orr revolutionized the position has a defenseman's job been merely to prevent goals. They initiate the forward rush, quarterback the power play, and put more than a few pucks in the net. But then again, to value a forward only based on point production is inappropriate. A great checking line can be all the difference in a game, especially when it gets tight, like in the playoffs. Guys like Ovechkin and Crosby put asses in the seats, but guys like Madden and Peca can steal a series for you.
Not to harsh on the article too much, though. It was fun to look at players in those terms, simplified or not.