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During the summer of 2005, few people in the hockey world had to ask the question that we pose in the title of this article: Who would you rather have? Benoit Pouliot or Guillaume Latendresse? Over four years later the question is definitely valid and we will attempt to help you along with a verdict.

Prior to the ‘05 draft the Central Scouting Bureau had Pouliot ranked as the #2 overall skater in North America, while Sidney Crosby was #1 and Bobby Ryan was #3. There was little doubt in anyone’s mind that the skilled forward with great skating ability and a hard shot was destined to be an NHL star. Pouliot was drafted 4th overall by the Minnesota Wild, one spot before Canadiens franchise goaltender Carey Price.

That same year, Guillaume Latendresse, the big bodied power forward who was coming off a 43 goal, 83 point QMJHL campaign in which he played only 51 games, was selected 45th overall – one spot after Colorado Avalanche star center Paul Stastny. The idea with Latendresse was that he was a player who needed some development time but could eventually become a 2nd or 3rd line player at the NHL level.

Fast-forward to November 23rd, 2009. The Montreal Canadiens traded Latendresse to the Minnestoa Wild in exchange for Pouliot in a deal that most observers filed under the term “minor trade”. The Canadiens organization was exhausted trying to get the big-bodied Latendresse to go to the net, and the Wild were allegedly equally frustrated with the once highly touted Pouliot’s lack of work-ethic and consistency. The trade barely made headlines, and the most common thought was the oft clichéd, “maybe a change of scenery will get these guys going”.

Well, two months after the deal that no-one noticed, maybe a change of scenery WAS all that was needed to get both players going. Since joining the Wild, Latendresse has 13 goals (19 points) in 27 games, only one of which has come on the powerplay. Latendresse is going hard to the net and has quickly endeared himself to Wild head coach Todd Richards. Lately he’s been playing on a line with Kyle Brodziak and Martin Havlat. Meanwhile Pouliot has done just the same, scoring 10 goals (11 points) in 15 games for the Canadiens and is seeing ample ice-time playing on the 2nd line with set-up man Scott Gomez and Russian enigma Sergei Kostitsyn.

So we ask, is this all for real? Was a change of scenery all it took to get both of these skilled guys playing to their potential, helping their NHL clubs, and becoming waiver-wire gold for pool owners?

Even four-plus years after they were drafted it is probably still too early to tell. It’s important to remember that both players are still very young – Latendresse is 22 and Pouliot is 23. My belief is that Pouliot will be the more valuable player to own in your hockey pool long-term. He’s a better skater than Latendresse and is certainly the more skilled player.

Benoit Pouliot is overall the more skilled player and still carries the potential to be an NHL star. Guillaume Latendresse carries significant offensive skills but will need to continue to drive to the net consistently – something he refused to do in Montreal, and ultimately could end up as a top-6 power forward long-term.

Ray Irwin is the chief editor at School Your Pool Fantasy Hockey, the authority advice for fantasy hockey, the NHL, and NHL prospects. http://www.schoolyourpool.com