Editor's Note: The stats within are only for 5-on-5 hockey from the 2009-10 season. Yep, even strength only, as that's all the info Behind the Net has, which is nothing to sneeze at given that the majority of hockey is played at ES. Still, it's interesting information to chew on and Frank did a good job putting it together.

In the Martin v. Tallinder FanPost, Murdoc and I had a short discussion about Brian Rolston's ability to hit the net. Seems I was a bit, well, wrong, when I implied that Murdoc (or any one of us bloggers for that matter) would be able to hit the net better than Brian. Behind The Net has data based on shot type for all the players. I used a subset of that data to determine who is best at hitting the net. Using the Total portion, I added columns that calculated and ranked the percentage of missed shots out of all shots taken. The results were surprising, and not just for Mr. Rolston. I can use this data to conclusively predict that Dainius Zubrus will be among the next Devil players traded. You'll see why I say that when you see the table, which I've subtly modified to include a few recent ex-Devils.

I used 20 games and 10 minutes per games as my cut-off. Primarily because I wanted to see where Paul Martin fit in and also because of where someone else appeared in the table. So, here are the current and some recent ex-Devils. I also ranked defensemen separately from forwards. There are 344 forwards and 225 defensemen that made the cut, so you have a frame of reference when looking at the bottom feeders, so to speak.

TOI/60 - Time On Ice in minutes. G - Goals. SH - Shots on goal saved by goaltender. MS - Missed net.
DIST - Average shooting distance. SPCT - shooting percentage (European-style, includes missed shots.)
Total also includes backhands, deflections and wrap-arounds and will not match the sum of the other three categories.

As far as highly rated Devil or ex-Devils forwards go; Nicklas Bergfors led the league in shot accuracy (measured in this way) last year. Surprisingly, Matt Halischuk was second overall in the league out of players who played 10 minutes per game for at least 20 games. Next on the list of best Devil forwards was Dainius Zubrus. Since it would seem the Devils are trading forwards based on their ability to hit the net, Dainius is likely on the short list. But as far as Devil forwards go, Brian Rolston is next on the list and amongst the top 15% of forwards in the league. If you include defensemen, he ranks just outside the top 11%. Surprise, surprise.

Now, looking at a few other Devils; On defense, Anssi Salmela and, wait for it, Mike Mottau are the top two, both ranking in the top third of the league. If Andy Greene is to step into Paul Martin's skates as the #1 offensive defenseman, he has to practice his shooting. 10% more of his shots missed the net than did Martin's. I wouldn't be too concerned at Zach Parise's almost 25% rate. Other top forwards who rank below him include, Vincent Lacavalier (25.99%, 106th among forwards), Mike Knuble (who led the league in shooting percentage out of "full-time" players, 26.28%, 114th), Sidney Crosby (26.96%, 127th), the much drooled over Tomas Plekanec (27.27, 143rd), and Alexander Ovechkin (31.11%, 257th). Oh, and the player with over 20 goals rated the lowest? Daniel Sedin, 34.31%, 314th. And our "buddy" down the turnpike, Jeff Carter, was next worst of 20 goal scorers, 33.70% and 305th. And going back to Parise; the only 20 goal scorers with a better shot accuracy were Henrik Sedin (21.97%, 29th), Matt Moulson (23.12%, 49th) and Rick Nash, (24.62%, 75th).

So when asked to determine which Sedin twin is which, have them each take 30 shots on net, the one that misses 10 or more is Daniel. Just for kicks, here are the league's 20 goal scorers: