I am curious what you use to determine a good defensive player over a weak one
- senstroll

in addition to the good-old 'eye-test' on positioning / defensive play, shot blocking and takeaways, i would start of with stats on:

TOI and SHTOI split up in percentages by zone play (offensive/neutral/defensive) and these then divided by team puck posession (yes/no).

don't think these data exist for nhl though (at least not open access)

Mathews

Matthews

in addition to the good-old 'eye-test' on positioning / defensive play, shot blocking and takeaways, i would start of with stats on:

TOI and SHTOI split up in percentages by zone play (offensive/neutral/defensive) and these then divided by team puck posession (yes/no).

don't think these data exist for nhl though (at least not open access)
- MaximusAurelius

What about numbers of goals against while on?

My favourite bit about that is Mulcair shouting at him "You animal!"
- AdamFrench

Yeah it made the other parties look pretty silly with the over the top antics, yelling and finger pointing.

Matthews

also, this is sorta a good problem to have, regarding our blue line issue..

but like I said before, I hope we don't make the WRONG choice like we did with Colborne...

Carrick should stay. The last 2 spots (6th, and extra D) will be a hard choice...

His beard would absorb 90% of the damage
- AdamFrench

He would pull Backes and tug on the beard

Mathews
- PlatosRepucklic

Nice goal.

What about numbers of goals against while on?
- burn

yes but that does not take into account TOI and differences in quality of goaltenders

Are you (frank)ing kidding me dude?

You're the king of spin. If he was having this type of success in Toronto your dialogue would be "Yeah, but.."

Kessel sucked last season and the Leafs got the return they got because it was the only deal there was to make at the time he needed to be moved. The risk was too high to keep him. If they waited and he put up the season he just did the return would have been worse. He's putting up points because he's playing on the 3rd line, away from the oppositions top checkers, which is where we all said he would have success. But your perpetual Leafs can do no right attitude skews your opinion. Last year you ripped on him, this season you had nothing to offer up, and now that he's having success you have the chance to say something negative, which is what you like to do.
- BetterCallSaul

"Leafs can do no right"... I love that... this is the same guy who continued to defend Bernier based on stats which he chose to select seemingly on a game by game basis - or more pointedly after the first shot of every game.

This commentary - not Saul's - is EXACTLY why the Leaf fan base gets criticized by other fan bases.. and exactly why the historical management of the team has succumb to the stupidity of the fan base, over valuing players and at the same time criticizing others.

Absolutely why guys like Simmons, Berger earlier, and the like continue to have an adoring and dedicated following. If there wasn't such a following there'd be no continued spew ...

i) lamenting the Kessel trade and CHOSING to look only the positive aspect of Kessel now... is delusional
ii) complaining about the Kessel trade not returning enough (a trade made at the end of a subpar season for Kessel - based on his performance over a two series playoff season (selective short term delusional thinking)

refusing to see a player for what they are...

but not surprising really - same mindset that allows some delusional "fans" to stay married to Bernier.

guys are all Richards for not telling me hockey was on

Matthews

also, this is sorta a good problem to have, regarding our blue line issue..

but like I said before, I hope we don't make the WRONG choice like we did with Colborne...

Carrick should stay. The last 2 spots (6th, and extra D) will be a hard choice...
- MCharisma91

Colborne sucked here. Don't regret that one but.

So Valiev and Loov are the only ones that have to clear?

I thought Percy and SH have to clear too..

Colborne sucked here. Don't regret that one but.
- Phenom

playing on the 4th line..lol.

someone is crying over Joe Coldburns?

Colborne sucked here. Don't regret that one but.
- Phenom

Good lord, that guy was given every chance to succeed, and failed miserably.

Nobody wanted that guy to play for the Leafs more than me.

But when they traded him for a coupon to Blockbuster Video, I was shocked they got as much as they did.

I'm happy he's now an NHL regular, but yeah, c'mon, the Leafs did the right thing.

yes but that does not take into account TOI and differences in quality of goaltenders
- MaximusAurelius

But compraring those number against his team negates that.

And yes it does take TOI into account as it is shown as g/60

what a laser of a wrist shot from Matthews

So Valiev and Loov are the only ones that have to clear?

I thought Percy and SH have to clear too..
- MCharisma91

Loov and valiev are the only one that don't have to clear.

what a laser of a wrist shot from Matthews
- RickJames77

Love him on the point on the powerplay

Loov and valiev are the only one that don't have to clear.
- burn

oh poop, my bad...I must've read wrong..that it said they have to

thanks for clearing it up!

playing on the 4th line..lol.
- MCharisma91

He showed nothing. Period. He found a good situation in Calgary. Good for him.

Yeah it made the other parties look pretty silly with the over the top antics, yelling and finger pointing.
- BKups

It's bi-partisan stupidity.

Love him on the point on the powerplay
- PlatosRepucklic

TBH, kids good everywhere, along the wall, down low, up high on the point

It's bi-partisan stupidity.
- AdamFrench

JT