nytimes.com
Devils' Sixth-Round Pick Bratt Becomes Franchise Player
The New Jersey Devils drafted Jesper Bratt in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL Draft, a decision that proved to be a significant steal, as Bratt has since become a key player for the Devils, highlighting the uncertainty inherent in the NHL draft process and the value of advanced analytics in player evaluation.
- How did the New Jersey Devils' use of a statistical model and assessment of Bratt's potential influence their decision to draft him in the sixth round?
- Bratt's late selection stemmed from concerns about his size, relatively low production in the under-18 world championships (attributed to defensive assignments), and his playing in the second Swedish league. However, the Devils, using a statistical model and recognizing his speed and skill, saw his potential, a decision vindicated by his career trajectory.
- What long-term implications does Bratt's successful career have on future NHL draft strategies, particularly concerning the evaluation of smaller, skilled players?
- Bratt's journey highlights the inherent uncertainties of NHL drafts, emphasizing the potential for late-round picks to become franchise players. The Devils' success with Bratt exemplifies the value of advanced analytics in player evaluation and suggests a shift away from prioritizing size above skill and speed in draft strategies.
- What factors contributed to Jesper Bratt's unexpected late selection in the 2016 NHL Draft, and what were the immediate consequences for both Bratt and the New Jersey Devils?
- In the 2016 NHL Draft, Jesper Bratt, projected for rounds 2-3, surprisingly fell to the sixth round. The New Jersey Devils unexpectedly selected him at pick 162, a decision now lauded as a significant steal, given Bratt's subsequent career success and current status as a key player for the Devils.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative is framed as a success story of the New Jersey Devils, highlighting their shrewd draft pick and Bratt's subsequent success. The headline and opening paragraphs emphasize Bratt's anxiety and the Devils' eventual triumph, potentially influencing the reader to perceive the situation as the Devils' strategic brilliance rather than a combination of factors.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, although phrases like "steal of the draft" and "franchise-altering player" are positive and subjective. While these terms enhance the narrative, they could be replaced with more neutral alternatives like "successful draft pick" and "significant contributor".
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the New Jersey Devils' perspective and Bratt's experience, potentially omitting other teams' scouting processes and rationales for not drafting him earlier. While acknowledging some concerns other teams had (size, international tournament performance), it doesn't delve into the specifics of their decision-making or offer alternative viewpoints. This omission could leave the reader with a potentially skewed understanding of the situation, focusing only on the Devils' success in drafting Bratt.
False Dichotomy
The narrative subtly presents a false dichotomy by portraying the situation as either a significant oversight by other teams or a brilliant steal by the Devils. The reality is likely more nuanced, with various factors influencing each team's draft choices.
Sustainable Development Goals
The story of Jesper Bratt highlights how talent can be overlooked due to factors like size and perceived lack of production in certain contexts. His eventual success in the NHL demonstrates that providing opportunities to individuals from diverse backgrounds and challenging biases in talent assessment can lead to positive outcomes, reducing inequality of opportunity in professional sports. The fact that statistical models identified his potential, even when traditional scouting methods fell short, shows the potential of data-driven approaches to reduce bias in talent identification.