Ryan Wilson: My Day At the Pittsburgh Analytics Conference and Erie Otters Game My Day At the Pittsburgh Analytics Conference and Erie Otters Game

Well... Buff is doing everything in their power to get McDavid. McDive for McDavid. That team is brutal. I actually hope they get him. Keep him in the east.

you are one step closer to being THE ONE now RW. seriously though, you couldn't have paid me to sit through that conference... so I'm glad someone interested was there to break it down to a 5 minute read. As much as I have no desire to delve into analytics, I have learned enough about them from this blog to have a basic understanding and thats appreciated. all that said though, I gave my wife a gun with one bullet in it and told her "if I ever start watching hockey and stop loving the beauty of the game in favor of looking for zone starts, and shots attempted, etc, please shoot me."

you are one step closer to being THE ONE now RW. seriously though, you couldn't have paid me to sit through that conference... so I'm glad someone interested was there to break it down to a 5 minute read. As much as I have no desire to delve into analytics, I have learned enough about them from this blog to have a basic understanding and thats appreciated. all that said though, I gave my wife a gun with one bullet in it and told her "if I ever start watching hockey and stop loving the beauty of the game in favor of looking for zone starts, and shots attempted, etc, please shoot me."
- ChrisMS

This is a sentiment I am on board with. I understand the #fancystats and I can appreciate their use but I love the chaotic beauty side of the game far more than watching Craig Adams to see if he has a successful zone entry.

Was everyone at this conference wearing animal costumes and peeing in liter boxes?

Was everyone at this conference wearing animal costumes and peeing in liter boxes?
- Grinder47

The funny thing is they contribute more to society than anti intellectuals like yourself. But we all understand you lash out because you're insecure with yourself/your life and your own intellect, maybe you should see a shrink

you are one step closer to being THE ONE now RW. seriously though, you couldn't have paid me to sit through that conference... so I'm glad someone interested was there to break it down to a 5 minute read. As much as I have no desire to delve into analytics, I have learned enough about them from this blog to have a basic understanding and thats appreciated. all that said though, I gave my wife a gun with one bullet in it and told her "if I ever start watching hockey and stop loving the beauty of the game in favor of looking for zone starts, and shots attempted, etc, please shoot me."
- ChrisMS

Yes as interesting as this stuff is I just enjoy the game as I always have and then read all the work someone else does breaking it down and writing about it for me. for anyone actually doing all this it's either for their career or its a hobby so I'd assume they enjoy it in their own way.

My girlfriend has Crosby in our fantasy league and needless to say my team got a thorough beating last night

on Connor McDavid....
on the advanced stats....

Yes as interesting as this stuff is I just enjoy the game as I always have and then read all the work someone else does breaking it down and writing about it for me. for anyone actually doing all this it's either for their career or its a hobby so I'd assume they enjoy it in their own way.
- ImScore71

I enjoy reading the statistical breakdown of the games and players. I'm certainly not thinking about them while I'm watching a game, but I think it's interesting insight to what the coaches are trying to do. Games are chess matches.

What I don't understand is why people get their panties in a twist over statistical breakdowns of hockey games? If you don't like it, don't read it. No need to mock a guy that put's in a tremendous amount of work.

I enjoy reading the statistical breakdown of the games and players. I'm certainly not thinking about them while I'm watching a game, but I think it's interesting insight to what the coaches are trying to do. Games are chess matches.

What I don't understand is why people get their panties in a twist over statistical breakdowns of hockey games? If you don't like it, don't read it. No need to mock a guy that put's in a tremendous amount of work.
- madmike71

This, it looks like they are easily offended by... statistics?
If you don't think it's valuable or worth it, just don't read it. How hard can it be?

I think our team is playing too well, so now people don't have a lot to complain and are migrating to other topics like... statistics.


....

The funny thing is they contribute more to society than anti intellectuals like yourself. But we all understand you lash out because you're insecure with yourself/your life and your own intellect, maybe you should see a shrink
- ImScore71

statements like that imply you are too secure in your own obviously superior intellect. why should he see a shrink when he has someone as insightful as yourself to treat him.

I enjoy reading the statistical breakdown of the games and players. I'm certainly not thinking about them while I'm watching a game, but I think it's interesting insight to what the coaches are trying to do. Games are chess matches.

What I don't understand is why people get their panties in a twist over statistical breakdowns of hockey games? If you don't like it, don't read it. No need to mock a guy that put's in a tremendous amount of work.
- madmike71

I think, and maybe I'm just speaking for myself, that people find it interesting but that it is almost like the pens have a blogger who specializes in analytics 1st, the pens second. feels like a gyp sometimes. this blog perfect example... couple sentences on the game, majority of blog on an analytics conference. Now before RW points it out, I aint gonna make too much of stick about it usually cause I sure as poop aint interested in utilizing my own time to offer people an alternative. the I dont like so I shouldnt read it would essentially push pens fans off hockeybuzz.

I had a long boring day at work yesterday, so I tuned in to the live stream stream of the analytics thing for a while. Some interesting stuff, and some people who are wicked smart.

There are two hurdles that I see with advance stats:
1) They are often complicated, either in what exactly they show, or the presentation. Gentille talking about using them in mainstream journalism was good, as was the Yinz cam guys talking about simplifying the charts and stuff.

2) The stats are limited by the data available. The ZTT stuff seemed cool, but there are a lot of holes in the data that they work with.

There have been rumors about smart chip technology for years in everything from footballs and hockey pucks to being worn by players. This would be a game changer. If you could accurately say how fast a player moves the puck forward or true possession time/speed/zone location/etc, that would be awesome.

I think, and maybe I'm just speaking for myself, that people find it interesting but that it is almost like the pens have a blogger who specializes in analytics 1st, the pens second. feels like a gyp sometimes. this blog perfect example... couple sentences on the game, majority of blog on an analytics conference. Now before RW points it out, I aint gonna make too much of stick about it usually cause I sure as poop aint interested in utilizing my own time to offer people an alternative. the I dont like so I shouldnt read it would essentially push pens fans off hockeybuzz.
- ChrisMS

He didn't watch the game, He watched Connor McDavid. I have to admit, I would have rather done the same.

I'll breakdown last nights game for you.... Buffalo is terrible in every aspect of NHL hockey. They would probably have trouble beating some AHL teams at times. The Pens owned them all night.

statements like that imply you are too secure in your own obviously superior intellect. why should he see a shrink when he has someone as insightful as yourself to treat him.
- ChrisMS

Why shouldn't I be secure with my own intelligence? I'm not the one who needs to project and fabricate poop in any article about "advanced" statistics to take shots at "nerds". But hey you're always one step down from behaving the same way as grinder and working yourself up about things you claim to dislike so maybe I should start with you first.

OH and nothing was implied outside of what you felt like projecting but nice try

Paul Martin to VAN for Nicklas Jensen. Thoughts?

I think, and maybe I'm just speaking for myself, that people find it interesting but that it is almost like the pens have a blogger who specializes in analytics 1st, the pens second. feels like a gyp sometimes. this blog perfect example... couple sentences on the game, majority of blog on an analytics conference. Now before RW points it out, I aint gonna make too much of stick about it usually cause I sure as poop aint interested in utilizing my own time to offer people an alternative. the I dont like so I shouldnt read it would essentially push pens fans off hockeybuzz.
- ChrisMS

I don't think we need much of a breakdown from last night. Crosby dominated and the Sabres are terrible pretty much sums it up.

Paul Martin to VAN for Nicklas Jensen. Thoughts?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Honestly I know nothing about him outside his stats page and bio. What do you like about him other than age and pay?

Why shouldn't I be secure with my own intelligence? I'm not the one who needs to project and fabricate poop in any article about "advanced" statistics to take shots at "nerds". But hey you're always one step down from behaving the same way as grinder and working yourself up about things you claim to dislike so maybe I should start with you first.

OH and nothing was implied outside of what you felt like projecting but nice try
- ImScore71

but apparently you need to project and take personal pot shots at a member of this blogging community. your response to me was hypocritical to the extreme. friendly ribbing is one thing, out and out shots at someone is unnecessary. members of this blog have been there before and I havent seen them around so much lately due to people getting tired of being personally attacked instead of having their opinions challenged.

look, if your a furry and found that insulting, just say so.

I don't think we need much of a breakdown from last night. Crosby dominated and the Sabres are terrible pretty much sums it up.
- Ben37

but... but...but...

but apparently you need to project and take personal pot shots at a member of this blogging community. your response to me was hypocritical to the extreme. friendly ribbing is one thing, out and out shots at someone is unnecessary. members of this blog have been there before and I havent seen them around so much lately due to people getting tired of being personally attacked instead of having their opinions challenged.

look, if your a furry and found that insulting, just say so.
- ChrisMS

This is comical.

but apparently you need to project and take personal pot shots at a member of this blogging community. your response to me was hypocritical to the extreme. friendly ribbing is one thing, out and out shots at someone is unnecessary. members of this blog have been there before and I havent seen them around so much lately due to people getting tired of being personally attacked instead of having their opinions challenged.

look, if your a furry and found that insulting, just say so.
- ChrisMS

Look I'm sorry for venting back to you but I have no pity or remorse for grinder who feels the need to mock gunner or anyone who agrees with or appreciates what he writes, nor do I like his constant pot shots at people he thinks are geeks or nerds in dawn near every article. Now I know someone will say I should just ignore him but since hardly none else will call hi out I felt the need to call him what he is, an idiot with personal issues against anyone who thinks differently than himself who feels the need to bring up his disdain for anyone who enjoys the analytical reviews of the game.

Ok I was confused after the first paragraph...


So let's get back on topic... pens are doing great but tweaks are needed. Wish they would play greiss and others against worse place teams... not saying change the whole line up but give some guys a chance to play. One game is not going to hurt the team...

BB is back in lineup for wbs today.. still 0-0

I would like to see a big trade in the nhl just bc I like them.

Like to see edm do something. Also I can't believe how good Pearson and forsberg have been playing. ..oh wait no I'm not I waited shero to get them.

This is comical.
- madmike71