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1) Hockey analytics have a long way to go to catch up with the NBA, for example, but things are heading in the right direction.
One area that has gained quite a bit of traction over the last year or so is passing. Thanks to the work of Ryan Stimson,
who you can follow here, and his staff there is now passing data available on pretty much every player to suit up in the NHL over the last year or two.
A lot can be done with said numbers but one of the key stats to come from it is shot assists. This helps quantify a player's passing ability and shows just how frequently a player creates shooting/scoring opportunities for teammates.
Here are the shot assist (and shooting numbers) for Calgary Flames' defensemen.
As you can see Mark Giordano and Dougie Hamilton lead the way in terms of generating shots. Jakub Nakladal also proved to be quite good in that area, although over a smaller sample size and against lesser competition.
T.J. Brodie doesn't generate much in the way of shots but no blue liner on the roster was better at setting up shot opportunities for teammates; he was actually among the best in the league in that regard. Brodie created almost nine of them per 60 minutes of 5 v 5 while Dennis Wideman was a distant 2nd averaging ~7.5.
To nobody's surprise Ladislav Smid and Kris Russell is where offense went to die. Neither player generated much for the Flames in terms of shots or creating looks for others.
It's interesting to see Nakladal fared so well given it's late August and he still doesn't have a contract. Considering his underlying numbers are solid, his passing numbers are solid, and he can generate looks for himself it's safe to say he is an NHL caliber player. He deserves a shot somewhere.
2) EA Sports has been releasing player ratings by position for NHL 17 and, as expected, Johnny Gaudreau was among the highest rated left wingers.
It's a good thing Gaudreau was featured high on this list as no other Flame was rated in the top-10 at any other position. Yes,
Mark Giordano was snubbed again.
Recent posts:
Flames sign Sean Monahan to seven-year extension
Flames sign Jamie Devane to PTO
Flames re-sign Tyler Wotherspoon
NHL Network ranks Gaudreau among top-20 forwards
Gaudreau deserves more money than Monahan
Michael Ferland should score more next season
Flames deserve credit for finding cheap, quality solutions in goal
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