November will be different and after the mid point of this month the road games pick up a great deal.
- Al

The circus road trip in Nov should be a good barometer of how the season may go for the Hawks.

Thanks Al. I know in that example I used to examples that confirmed what I was thinking, maybe because I found what I wanted to find, and that makes it dangerous. I totally agree there is a right way to watch a hockey game, and I think there are plenty of people who know how to do it on both sides of the aisle. The article that really got me to support the stats for an individual player comparing Alex Semin and Zach Parise. At the time, I thought of Semin as a less talented version of Ovechkin (though not by much) and Parise as a talented player, but also as one who does the "little things" to help his team win, as opposed to Semin, who had developed a reputation as "floater" and a guy who isn't a winner. If you had asked me two years ago who I would have rather had, Parise would have been my answer undoubtedly, and just because I went to camp at Shattuck as a kid.

But after reading an article that showed, there was really no difference in their possession metrics, that both seemed to drive play, but neither at the level of elite 2 way centers, and that due to media bias, and, unfortunately and ignorantly on my part, nationality, I'd judged a player I'd seen a handful of times, and let every little mistake he made feed my confirmation bias as a lazy, losing player. Since that article, every Wild or Carolina game, I almost solely watch Parise or Semin when they are on the ice (except against the Hawks, but I still make an effort to watch them) and have noticed that I agree with the numbers, Parise doesn't do more "little things" than Semin. In fact, their play on the boards is very similar, both are responsible defensively, and talented (albeit in different ways) offensively. I think this is a fantastic example of how these "advanced" (such a bad word, really its still just counting) stats took a knowledgable hockey fan's opinion, made him question maybe what his eyes were seeing and his ears were hearing, and really watch the game more closely, and for that reason has a better understanding of the game.

Why I believe in team possession stats can be summed up by this link http://www.habseyesonthep...a-visual-guide-to-fenwick

I think we're all fortunate that you have the platform to write and express your opinions, keep up the good work and I'll keep reading.
- rollpards19

Just starting to understand some of these metrics. I don't like those that are too complicated mathematically or that I can't calculate myself - QB rating, for example, or WAR.

But: Fenwick Close questions: vey does it include SOG + missed shots, but (apparently) not shots blocked? Why not include shots blocked by the other team?

Kesler is injury prone. I'd rather have Bolland back before taking on Kesler, the champion of divers.
- EKolb13

I agree. Out here in Vancouver I watch a lot of Canuck games(cheering for the opposing team each night) Kesler is embarrassing. His negativity is cancerous and he always has an excuse to why his line hasn't played well. I can remember a game against LA in the playoffs a couple years ago. He was battling with Richards and pulled one of his famous dives. Richards looked at him in disgust and just shook his head

Steve Downie and the Flyers getting PUMPED again by the Caps


Jeremy Roenick ‏@Jeremy_Roenick
It's scary watching what's happening in Phili. I don't get it. Look out !!!! What's gonna happen next?

Steve Downie and the Flyers getting PUMPED again by the Caps

- philco28

I wonder if Rayzor is still likely his decision to sign with Philly. I don't blame him for wanting to play more. But it hasn't worked out well for him from a team success perspective.

I wonder if Rayzor is still likely his decision to sign with Philly. I don't blame him for wanting to play more. But it hasn't worked out well for him from a team success perspective.
- DarthKane

He made his decision and it was a bad one.

He made his decision and it was a bad one.
- philco28

6-0 now. Ouch.

He made his decision and it was a bad one.
- philco28

Raanta and the rights to Lalonde, for Emery and a 3rd? Waive the Bulin Wall?

Raanta for Emery and a 3rd? Waive the Bulin Wall?
- Ogilthorpe2

Might was well just recall Raanta.

...and where's the rights to Lalonde???!!!

Might was well just recall Raanta.


- DarthKane...and where's the rights to Lalonde???!!!

Fixed

He made his decision and it was a bad one.
- philco28

Agreed. If Raanta is not quite ready next year, perhaps Hawks take another look at him again after he posts some horrendous #s behind that Philly D. He'll also have had a season to realise he's not starter material anymore and would likely come cheap.

Raanta and the rights to Lalonde, for Emery and a 3rd? Waive the Bulin Wall?
- Ogilthorpe2

Don't forget Beach...

Raanta and the rights to Lalonde, for Emery and a 3rd? Waive the Bulin Wall?
- Ogilthorpe2

Like the Lalonde part, but don't want to give up on Raanta just yet
#Hasek

How are the Flyers this bad? They are getting smoked by an Ovechkinless Capitals team....Joel Ward has a hattrick? WTF?

How are the Flyers this bad? They are getting smoked by an Ovechkinless Capitals team....Joel Ward has a hattrick? WTF?
- faustus1500

Hearing Razor danced with Holtby...anybody see it ?

Hearing Razor danced with Holtby...anybody see it ?
- philco28

looks like a big brawl at 5:31 of the 3rd and Razor and Holtby were involved...

http://sports.yahoo.com/n...l/boxscore?gid=2013110115

looks like a big brawl at 5:31 of the 3rd and Razor and Holtby were involved...
- Glenman12

Thanks G-Man

Thanks G-Man

- philco28

here ya go Phil...full line brawl and Razor cleans Holtbys clock...

http://www.youtube.com/wa...=UUxplsYwPGQVKyiopBAdCMYA

Raanta and the rights to Lalonde, for Emery and a 3rd? Waive the Bulin Wall?
- Ogilthorpe2

You main like The Wall has waived at a lot of pucks this year?

here ya go Phil...full line brawl and Razor cleans Holtbys clock...

http://www.youtube.com/wa...=UUxplsYwPGQVKyiopBAdCMYA
- Glenman12

Suspension for Razor?

He kept coming while Holtby was trying to back off.

here ya go Phil...full line brawl and Razor cleans Holtbys clock...

http://www.youtube.com/wa...=UUxplsYwPGQVKyiopBAdCMYA
- Glenman12

Thanks again brother


Wayne Simmonds did EXACTLY what i'd want to see a guy on a team getting whooped do....and he schools the young'n Tom Wilson.

Thought Razor pulled the DOUCHE move by wailing on Holtby after he buckled his counterpart...but looked like Holtby skated the length of the ice to confront Emery....so C'est la vie

So who doesn't make the play offs? Rangers or Flyers? Or both?

Steve Ott should be on the Hawks radar as a tough Center. Expect he is. Don't argue the Cap we will make it work,

So who doesn't make the play offs? Rangers or Flyers? Or both?
- UnnamedSource

My bet. Neither. Flyers are a mess. Rangers have no offense at all. Couple that with their back end not playing anywhere near what they are capable of. Looks like a long season for them too.

Steve Ott should be on the Hawks radar as a tough Center. Expect he is. Don't argue the Cap we will make it work,
- PEIHawkFan

He is known on this board as the legendary Steve Gretzky Ott......