The Flyers just paid 6 mil for 50 yr old Kimmo Timonen his past season. Nisky is getting paid.
- all-pgh

But at least 2 mil of that was spent on getting a walker attached to each of his skates

And that sums up the misconception about stats. They aren't 100% fool proof, but most people that use them extensively already know that. It's just about increasing the probability of being correct. Stats do that.
- Ryan_Wilson

On a somewhat related note, I had a thought while reading a tweet you sent about Pierre (I think it was your tweet, anyways). A lot of attention is paid to people in the pro hockey business who openly say they don't like or trust or use fancy stats, or make statements in that vein.

Do you think it's possible some of these people are being not exactly truthful about whether they use fancy stats? Maybe they don't want to tip their hand, or don't want to give the competition any hints. I don't have any specific examples of who I think would do this.

For the record, I take Pierre's statements at face value, because I think he's arrogant enough to brag about "his way" of analyzing hockey.

Only thing that is 100% about stats, is that they are not fullproof 100% of the time
- Guile

There's no magic bullet when it comes to building a winning team. Just tools that help with the decision making and guesswork.

There's no magic bullet when it comes to building a winning team. Just tools that help with the decision making and guesswork.
- BulliesPhan87

No magic bullet? Well then I guess I won't be signing Magneto to my fantasy team next year.

On a somewhat related note, I had a thought while reading a tweet you sent about Pierre (I think it was your tweet, anyways). A lot of attention is paid to people in the pro hockey business who openly say they don't like or trust or use fancy stats, or make statements in that vein.

Do you think it's possible some of these people are being not exactly truthful about whether they use fancy stats? Maybe they don't want to tip their hand, or don't want to give the competition any hints. I don't have any specific examples of who I think would do this.

For the record, I take Pierre's statements at face value, because I think he's arrogant enough to brag about "his way" of analyzing hockey.
- BulliesPhan87

I don't know what advantage you would have by hiding your usage of data.

But at least 2 mil of that was spent on getting a walker attached to each of his skates
- Guile

OHHHHHHHHHHH just wait...the offseason hasnt started yet and im sure there is a blank check waiting for kimmo .

OHHHHHHHHHHH just wait...the offseason hasnt started yet and im sure there is a blank check waiting for kimmo .
- jmdodgeser4

I heard they were buying him his own Cheese Steak stand in the arena for his retirement ten years from now.

And that sums up the misconception about stats. They aren't 100% fool proof, but most people that use them extensively already know that. It's just about increasing the probability of being correct. Stats do that.
- Ryan_Wilson

I think advanced stats are useful and relevant, but frankly I do not use them or look at them all that often. I am not paid to make decisions regarding a lineup or prognosticate the outcome of a game. I use enough data collection and analysis in my day job. The incorporation of them in this blog is the writer's prerogative and it works to make the postings more informative. For me, however, i would rather just open up a pop and watch the game and leave the number crunching for other tasks.

Beat me to it. Try getting Nisk to a 5-7 year deal at 5.5mill to 6.0/year & then try to extract what you can for Letang. Value is low but there are teams that will give something to get him & roll the dice he could return to even 80% of his Norris nomination year. Even if Pit got an Oilers 1st & Gagner for Letang, I could see them doing that. They are that desperate for a top pairing Dman.
- Kevin R

2015 1st and gags
letang



u can resign niskanen

I don't know what advantage you would have by hiding your usage of data.
- Ryan_Wilson

I'm not exactly sure either, maybe it's a mass conspiracy to keep the Leafs in the dark?

I think advanced stats are useful and relevant, but frankly I do not use them or look at them all that often. I am not paid to make decisions regarding a lineup or prognosticate the outcome of a game. I use enough data collection and analysis in my day job. The incorporation of them in this blog is the writer's prerogative and it works to make the postings more informative. For me, however, i would rather just open up a pop and watch the game and leave the number crunching for other tasks.
- Tiogadog

I'm paid so you don't have to waste your personal time looking it up.

2015 1st and gags
letang



u can resign niskanen
- hugefemale dog77

How in the world does Gagner help us? He doesn't.

How in the world does Gagner help us? He doesn't.
- Oneonta Penguin

The Umberger for Gagner rumors certainly don't make him any more valuable.

That #3 overall pick is very important/tempting though. We're talking about Draisaitl or Reinhart among a bunch of other possibilities.

But, I just don't see it happening.

I'm paid so you don't have to waste your personal time looking it up.
- Ryan_Wilson

I have tried to learn them, but it's flippin Algebra all over again! Now if it was used in the squirts or, dare I say NHL 15, I'd do an all nighter

How in the world does Gagner help us? He doesn't.
- Oneonta Penguin

although I think gagner can be a successful center in the right situation and the right style of wingers beside him (60 a year), im not sure how much he makes u better.

not only that, but it was a response on an assumption that ur wanting to dump letangs contract.
which probably wont be super easy if in fact that's the case.
ud have to find a desperate team in need of defence that would still find it worthwhile to gamble on that contract

2015 1st and gags
letang



u can resign niskanen
- hugefemale dog77

2016 1st and yaks for letang. Hopefully the oilers do crappy again and the pens grab Connor mcdavid at the draft

although I think gagner can be a successful center in the right situation and the right style of wingers beside him (60 a year), im not sure how much he makes u better.

not only that, but it was a response on an assumption that ur wanting to dump letangs contract.
which probably wont be super easy if in fact that's the case.
ud have to find a desperate team in need of defence that would still find it worthwhile to gamble on that contract
- hugefemale dog77

I don't think finding a suitor for Letang will be difficult at all.

And that sums up the misconception about stats. They aren't 100% fool proof, but most people that use them extensively already know that. It's just about increasing the probability of being correct. Stats do that.
- Ryan_Wilson

I'm not saying stats are no good, what I am saying is that stats are an excellent tool to explain the performance of players, not as a predictor. The tool would be invaluable in scouting & player development & could be a beneficial for coaches. So don't get me wrong, there is huge value in stats. But stats alone will not predict how a player performs in upcoming years. Teams that don't use stats to profile for drafting & development, will be left behind. As for using stats to determine whether you should keep or pay a player, you'll have just as much luck putting all on red or black on the roulette wheel. This league, you pay for performance. You want to talk guaranteed contracts, well that's a whole new CBA can of worms.

The Umberger for Gagner rumors certainly don't make him any more valuable.

That #3 overall pick is very important/tempting though. We're talking about Draisaitl or Reinhart among a bunch of other possibilities.

But, I just don't see it happening.
- HopintheCordoba

I don't think a trade rumour changes value much. at least in a gm's mind. they are nearly as reactive or quick to judge as joe fan.


it's writer or blogger that came up with it. there's no indication that there's any really substance to it. I think at this point, knowing what we know about the rumour game, we have to assume 95% of them are total fabrications

I don't think finding a suitor for Letang will be difficult at all.
- BulliesPhan87

Vancouver at 6 and Anaheim at 10 intrigue me. Not just Edmonton at 3. San Jose icks later so I'd assume if they have major interest they'd have to provide something else. Makes me wonder if they'd rather just ride with Burns back at D and find their own solution in the draft.

I also feel like this whole "trade Letang" conversation is deja vu all over again. Hmmm.

2016 1st and yaks for letang. Hopefully the oilers do crappy again and the pens grab Connor mcdavid at the draft
- drummer829

u mean 2015 right?


and no, we wouldn't include yakupov in that deal

I don't think finding a suitor for Letang will be difficult at all.
- BulliesPhan87

meh. maybe not.

but if they were in fact trying to move him so quickly after signing that monster deal, how would that not raise red flags to any other gm?


im not saying they couldn't deal him, but I don't think you'd have a ton of gm's offering hugely valuable packages

I don't think a trade rumour changes value much. at least in a gm's mind. they are nearly as reactive or quick to judge as joe fan.


it's writer or blogger that came up with it. there's no indication that there's any really substance to it. I think at this point, knowing what we know about the rumour game, we have to assume 95% of them are total fabrications
- hugefemale dog77

I agree with you. Just figure if that's something that is actually being entertained then Letang could maybe garner something else.

meh. maybe not.

but if they were in fact trying to move him so quickly after signing that monster deal, how would that not raise red flags to any other gm?

im not saying they couldn't deal him, but I don't think you'd have a ton of gm's offering hugely valuable packages
- hugefemale dog77

Our recent playoff struggles and the interior changes might give a hint or two as to why. Also Niskanen's play over the past 2 years. Personally, I don't see him moved. Especially if they can just get a pick for Niskanen's rights. Orpik is as good as gone. They'll need to rely on 58 and 7 a lot more.

I think we are starting to get off topic here...

Kimmo Timonen has a Philly Cheese Steak franchise possibility as part of his retirement deal from the Flyers. Will it be any good, and are we gonna get a stand in Console?