Using our puck moving metric to identify breakout candidates

We’ve wrote a bunch about how our puck moving metric can be used to break down different team’s defense groups and compare ability across the league. This can be helpful in helping teams identify undervalued players on other teams, determine potential fit (e.g., 2nd/3rd pairing, defense style), etc. Here we look at identifying breakout candidates … More Using our puck moving metric to identify breakout candidates

Puck moving defensemen series: New York Rangers

After racking up 102 regular season points, the New York Rangers were eliminated by the Ottawa Senators in 6 games in round 2 of the 2016/17 Stanley Cup playoffs. How did their D stack up this past year? Let’s examine. ***Note: for detailed methodology and other deep-dives, feel free to check out write-ups here. Rapid … More Puck moving defensemen series: New York Rangers

Defensive ability: How our new metric brings additional context to evaluating defensemen

To date, we’ve focused primarily on puck movement ability by defensemen. Puck movement is a critical skill in today’s NHL and merits the emphasis and value that many teams place on it.  That said, there’s still value in a player’s ability to go out, face the top opposition, and minimize the scoring chances that they … More Defensive ability: How our new metric brings additional context to evaluating defensemen

Examining the Keith Yandle trade: What did Glen Sather see at the time?

Analytics are helpful in that they help you ‘catch’ key trends or insights that are not necessarily ‘catchable’ by the human eye. While obviously not the only part of the equation, analytics are one of many useful tools that should at least be considered in the evaluation of players. It becomes especially interesting to look … More Examining the Keith Yandle trade: What did Glen Sather see at the time?

Puck moving defensemen series: Nashville Predators

The Preds racked up 94 regular season points before making a memorable Stanley Cup run that fell just short. It’s widely known that the strength of this team is it’s blue line – we explore. ***Note: for a detailed overview of our methodology, you can check out our puck movement metric (here) and our approach … More Puck moving defensemen series: Nashville Predators

Revisiting Quality of Competition (QoC)

Overview of QoC Quality of Competition (QoC) is an important metric in hockey (in any sport, really). It’s a measure of the level of competition you face. It becomes increasingly important when trying to compare players who face different levels of opposition; i.e., the rationale being it’s easier to play against a 3rd line consistently … More Revisiting Quality of Competition (QoC)

Free Agent Primer: 6 intriguing defensemen who may be available

The free agent crop on defense isn’t as strong as in past years. However, the 2017 expansion draft has created a unique opportunity. With Vegas looking to deal players for picks, they have a bunch of defensemen who could be available as well. We took a quick look at 6 intriguing names (both good and … More Free Agent Primer: 6 intriguing defensemen who may be available