FanHouse Jordan Schroeder

A rather odd story was making the rounds in western Canada Thursday. The rumor involved Vancouver Canucks first-round pick, Jordan Schroeder. He's a forward with the University of Minnesota, and was one of the top freshmen in college hockey last year.

The rumor had Schroeder signing an entry-level deal with the Canucks, then either making the team (possible) or playing the season with the Everett Silvertips, who own his Western Hockey League rights (more likely).

Like its NFL, MLB and NBA counterparts, the NHL draft is an inexact science, and is often times a relative shot in the dark. Its past is littered with No. 1 picks that were supposed to be "the next one," that turned out to be complete and utter failures. Take, for example, 1993 No. 1 overall pick Alexandre Daigle, who, upon being selected by the Ottawa Senators with the top pick was quoted as saying: "I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two."

The player selected with the No. 2 pick that year? Defenseman Chris Pronger. Like I said, it's an inexact science.

One of the debates that usually gets brought up this time of year is whether players out of the NCAA or the Canadian Major Junior programs turn out to be the best pros. After the jump, some data on the subject as well as some comments and opinions from a couple of NHL scouting directors.