I think if I were in my 20s or 30s still, it would be a lot easier for me to jump on the bandwagon of the statistical era that the NHL is embracing, even if it is one team at a time. I suppose what dogs me about this subject in my (stubborn) later years is I just don't see how analytics can capture either the spontaneity or the emotions of the greatest sport on this planet. You know, how a player can be wallowing in the doldrums in one locker room, and then suddenly become a key playoff piece in the run to the Cup on another team, and so forth.
I don't deny its more recent popularity, but I just don't see how it can truly capture such elusive elements as a player's ability to make a split-second decision better on one night than another, or while wearing a different sweater.
To me, deep analytical statistics have a more natural home in the sport of baseball, where the pace of the game is much slower, and far less spontaneous. Just me thinking out loud.
GO PENS !!
- skridscousin
While you may think that, the amount of variables that are involved in a hockey game are what makes analytics so effective. If you an find a way to influence even a tiny percentage of those, it's a big advantage over the long term.