Absolutely not.
- Feds91Stammer

Could you explain to me why you don't believe this to be accurate?

Could you explain to me why you don't believe this to be accurate?
- shoreorrpark

puckbase.com

Lindholm is the Ducks best D-man by a long shot. By his own admission a couple weeks ago, after missing training camp and the first month of the season, his game is only getting to where it needs to be in the last 3-4 weeks. His minutes will increase down the stretch. I asked BM at a fan night which of the young core guys were untouchable and he said "Lindholm,... next question", so I don't think anyone will be prying Lindholm away. Vatanen could be had, and maybe even Fowler, but it would take a lot in return.

What's to stop a guy from running a goalie at the most opportune time in the game, say 15 minutes left in the 3rd, in order to get the tender in the observation room for the remainder of said game?
Smith wasn't whining, he made a legit point about the matter.
Also, Faceoffs matter more than you think.
- shoreorrpark

The most simple ten minute excersize would be for someone to look at NHL.com and view the teams that are top ten in faceoffs on a year by year basis and then compare those to the teams that win and make the Playoffs.

Colorado is your current faceoff champ. If anything, faceoffs matter less than I think.

Also, what's to stop that is dignity and respect for themselves as a person and respect for the game.

Concussion protocol exists because when players were in charge of deciding how injured they were, lots of them went insane after their careers were over.

It's unconscionable for Mike Smith to complain about concussion protocol.

I think most people think faceoffs are super important, but what is more important is what you do with the puck after you have it.

A guy like Vermette is great at winning draws, but if he wins it back to his team and they immediately lose the puck or dump it in, kind of defeats the purpose. If Colorado wins every draw, doesn't really matter in the end if they immediately turn it over and lose possession.

On the flip side, constantly losing draws and having to chase and get the puck back can affect a team as well (less time of possession). I've played in games where you are losing every draw and spend all your time trying to get it back and once you do, you have to dump and change. But looking at faceoff wins alone is kind of pointless.

So faceoffs can be important in situations (gaining control on powerplay, clearing zone on penalty kill), but I roll my eyes every time they talk about how dominating Vermette is in the circle.

I think most people think faceoffs are super important, but what is more important is what you do with the puck after you have it.

A guy like Vermette is great at winning draws, but if he wins it back to his team and they immediately lose the puck or dump it in, kind of defeats the purpose. If Colorado wins every draw, doesn't really matter in the end if they immediately turn it over and lose possession.

On the flip side, constantly losing draws and having to chase and get the puck back can affect a team as well (less time of possession). I've played in games where you are losing every draw and spend all your time trying to get it back and once you do, you have to dump and change. But looking at faceoff wins alone is kind of pointless.

So faceoffs can be important in situations (gaining control on powerplay, clearing zone on penalty kill), but I roll my eyes every time they talk about how dominating Vermette is in the circle.
- CptAhab

That is why puckbase.com has a NSPF metric.

I think most people think faceoffs are super important, but what is more important is what you do with the puck after you have it.

A guy like Vermette is great at winning draws, but if he wins it back to his team and they immediately lose the puck or dump it in, kind of defeats the purpose. If Colorado wins every draw, doesn't really matter in the end if they immediately turn it over and lose possession.

On the flip side, constantly losing draws and having to chase and get the puck back can affect a team as well (less time of possession). I've played in games where you are losing every draw and spend all your time trying to get it back and once you do, you have to dump and change. But looking at faceoff wins alone is kind of pointless.

So faceoffs can be important in situations (gaining control on powerplay, clearing zone on penalty kill), but I roll my eyes every time they talk about how dominating Vermette is in the circle.
- CptAhab

This last part is what I was referring to. Situational faceoffs are super important therefore making faceoffs more important than people think. I understand it's not the defining stat but they take place for a reason. I guess we could flip a coin or home team gets to break out first or rock paper scissors.
They're important.

That is why puckbase.com has a NSPF metric.
- Feds91Stammer

Thanks for the site as I was unaware of it.

Just another example of people who think that no criticism towards things they like can be real. Anyone who'd insult your favorite things must just be biased.


Just so you know: on most days I don't even remember that Anaheim, California has a hockey team named after a Disney movie.

I certainly don't irrationally hate them. I have literally no feelings toward them at all: when it comes to the Ducks I am dead inside.

But I do think Bob Murray is one of the worst GMs in the NHL and a perfect example of how incestuous and uncreative the industry is in general.
- James_Tanner

NHL 2014 General Manager of the Year Award winning Bob Murray? He has a very competitive club and usually does it way under the cap. Must be doing something right.

This last part is what I was referring to. Situational faceoffs are super important therefore making faceoffs more important than people think. I understand it's not the defining stat but they take place for a reason. I guess we could flip a coin or home team gets to break out first or rock paper scissors.
They're important.
- shoreorrpark

This is essentially an argument for anecdotal evidence.

99.9% of people who play the lottery are wasting their money. No one would argue that the lottery is a good financial investment or that it is good financial planning.

But for literally everybody who ever won the lottery would disagree. For them, it turned out to be a great investment.

So I do agree that every once in a while a faceoff plays a huge part in a game. That doesn't mean that they should be one of the most featured topics of conversation on an NHL broadcast, but they are.

Thanks for the site as I was unaware of it.
- shoreorrpark

No problem.

If Carlyle wins the stanley cup this year will you please abandon hockey journalism forever?

You're actually getting worse. Let me guess, you're a "progressive" liberal too?

If Carlyle wins the stanley cup this year will you please abandon hockey journalism forever?

You're actually getting worse. Let me guess, you're a "progressive" liberal too?
- gtrman09

Why do you put "progressive" in quotations? If you look up the word, it seems like a weird thing for someone to use an insult. For example "You forward looking improvement tryer" just doesn't have much of a sting.


The Ducks have zero chance of winning the Cup. It's a minor miracle they're even in a playoff spot.

I guess ultimately, what I'm trying to say is that if you had the knowledge to accurately know whether or not I was in fact getting worse, you'd know for sure 100% what my political views are.

Hey Tanner, any chance you think that by the deadline or maybe the off season the Coyotes would engage the Ducks in talks for Vatanen with some of our young forwards as the bait? He plays right D and would look great next to OEL. Maybe I am way off, but it seems that Anaheim needs to get younger and faster up front with Perry/Getzlaf starting to slow down a tick....

Great win for the Yotes the other night! Some may say, winning doesn't matter as long as you had more shots on net. But I don't believe that. I watch the games. In a rebuild year its nice to watch the young guys like Dvorak, Perlini, Chychrun Crouse and Deangelo play. Also having them play with older guys on each line to learn from. Like Doan and White. Not overwhelming the rookies or rushing guys up that are not ready. Great coaching by Tippet. This is a process. If they screw it up they could destroy the rookies. Just look at Edmonton over the last 10 years. Coyotes will be fine. Next year they will be better.

This is essentially an argument for anecdotal evidence.

99.9% of people who play the lottery are wasting their money. No one would argue that the lottery is a good financial investment or that it is good financial planning.

But for literally everybody who ever won the lottery would disagree. For them, it turned out to be a great investment.

So I do agree that every once in a while a faceoff plays a huge part in a game. That doesn't mean that they should be one of the most featured topics of conversation on an NHL broadcast, but they are.
- james_tanner1

I understand the stats for faceoffs don't matter, but most games are won/lost from a faceoff...so as a coach you want the best chance to get tha puck on the draw.

Hey Tanner, any chance you think that by the deadline or maybe the off season the Coyotes would engage the Ducks in talks for Vatanen with some of our young forwards as the bait? He plays right D and would look great next to OEL. Maybe I am way off, but it seems that Anaheim needs to get younger and faster up front with Perry/Getzlaf starting to slow down a tick....
- gmiel1980

That's not a terrible idea at all. Vatanen could be a good pick up.

Great win for the Yotes the other night! Some may say, winning doesn't matter as long as you had more shots on net. But I don't believe that. I watch the games. In a rebuild year its nice to watch the young guys like Dvorak, Perlini, Chychrun Crouse and Deangelo play. Also having them play with older guys on each line to learn from. Like Doan and White. Not overwhelming the rookies or rushing guys up that are not ready. Great coaching by Tippet. This is a process. If they screw it up they could destroy the rookies. Just look at Edmonton over the last 10 years. Coyotes will be fine. Next year they will be better.
- Gomey

No one said winning doesn't matter as long as you get the most shots. The reason you'd care about the shots is because you want to know whether your team can keep winning or if they are just for pretend.

And yeah, great coaching. I agree, nothing says good coaching like Making Ryan White your most used forward and Luke Schenn your most used D (5v5).

Why do you put "progressive" in quotations? If you look up the word, it seems like a weird thing for someone to use an insult. For example "You forward looking improvement tryer" just doesn't have much of a sting.


The Ducks have zero chance of winning the Cup. It's a minor miracle they're even in a playoff spot.

I guess ultimately, what I'm trying to say is that if you had the knowledge to accurately know whether or not I was in fact getting worse, you'd know for sure 100% what my political views are.
- james_tanner1

I put it in quotes because the ones who say they are progressive are actually in favor of extremely regressive policies. Just like Hillary Clinton was "pro-women" even though she gets her campaign funding from from countries that abuse women. Just like all the little fascists that run around screaming "No fascist USA". Like all the socialists calling calling our president a nazi when the nazis were a socialist party (National Socialist German Workers' Party).

I've read many of your blogs, not enough to have picked up on your political leanings before. But the way you determine your narrative and then cherry pick some meaningless stats to back it up, rather than analyzing games visually, made me think you were probably a liberal and I must be right if you're arguing that the label of "progressive" is genuine.

No one said winning doesn't matter as long as you get the most shots. The reason you'd care about the shots is because you want to know whether your team can keep winning or if they are just for pretend.

And yeah, great coaching. I agree, nothing says good coaching like Making Ryan White your most used forward and Luke Schenn your most used D (5v5).
- james_tanner1

Yeah, Luke Shenn was not the most used D (5v5). White was also not the most used forward. But who needs facts in Trump world? But they each played very well and got more playing time. Also both got an assist and helped win the game. That's what a good coach does, Guys that play well get ice time. Not just the superstars.

I put it in quotes because the ones who say they are progressive are actually in favor of extremely regressive policies. Just like Hillary Clinton was "pro-women" even though she gets her campaign funding from from countries that abuse women. Just like all the little fascists that run around screaming "No fascist USA". Like all the socialists calling calling our president a nazi when the nazis were a socialist party (National Socialist German Workers' Party).

I've read many of your blogs, not enough to have picked up on your political leanings before. But the way you determine your narrative and then cherry pick some meaningless stats to back it up, rather than analyzing games visually, made me think you were probably a liberal and I must be right if you're arguing that the label of "progressive" is genuine.
- gtrman09

Hilary Clinton is a pretty (frank)ing bad example of a true Liberal, Bubba. Shame on you.

Ryan White has 7 goals this year in 44 gms. That's four more goals than Duclair. in 41 gms. That goes to show how bad Duclair was this year. I hope The Duke can find his game next year. I hope they sign White next year too.

A lot of this doesn't add up with the stats. I will try to come back later and give it the rebuttal it deserves.
- James_Tanner

Can't wait

How arrogant James to label pro athletes as not educated, and not critical thinkers. Have you ever heard of this human trait called emotion? It's about competitive spirit.

Stealth tank.