I think your question begs to ask a rather simple question... what's the difference? Regardless of their role, they all get their name inscribed on the Cup in equal font.
- skridscousin

Exactly. Being fortunate of being on a good team shouldn't be indicative of their value as an individual player.

Someone is going to point out shortly he didn't have good possession numbers. I like him so I won't do it
- dbell646

He's had a negative Relative Corsi every season of his career. There ya go.

He's had a negative Relative Corsi every season of his career. There ya go.
- cory7321

when you type that into your computer does it make you want to punch yourself in the face?

when you type that into your computer does it make you want to punch yourself in the face?
- nbartley9

Kind of...

Kind of...
- cory7321

hahaha very nice, I hate stats so freaking much; if you cant watch a player and decide what kind of player he is there is a enormous problem.

hahaha very nice, I hate stats so freaking much; if you cant watch a player and decide what kind of player he is there is a enormous problem.
- nbartley9

Not just stats, I hate replays too. If you can't divine literally all the information about a play at first glance, you don't deserve to understand it.

I think some of us wonder if a Spalling type player could have been had for less money. I understand it's only been pre-season, but I kept hoping to see some kind of individual effort that makes me think he's better than average at something/anything. I'll keep an open mind, but I can't stop thinking that I'd rather have Stempy back for less than half of what they're paying Spalling.
- madmike71

I've got a feeling Spaling is going to be a player that people either love or hate. I personally like him. He is always working hard, he's strong on the boards, but the most important aspect I see right now is responsibility. Sure you aren't going to see many flashes of offensive brilliance from him but what you do see is total commitment to his lines responsibility to the team. I have yet to see him out of position or make a stupid play that resulted in a scoring chance against.
It's good to offset our high risk offensive players with low risk defensive forwards.

Also that line of Spaling Goc and Comeau was amazing last game.

hahaha very nice, I hate stats so freaking much; if you cant watch a player and decide what kind of player he is there is a enormous problem.
- nbartley9

That is why I find it funny when guys like Doughty and Crosby say that they don't really care about Corsi or Fenwick. The bloggers have turned them into a big thing, but they guys that they are using the tools to evaluate don't care at all about them.

If you need a fancy stat to know that puck possession is a good thing then I just don't know. Maybe it's time to start watching baseball.

Not just stats, I hate replays too. If you can't divine literally all the information about a play at first glance, you don't deserve to understand it.
- BulliesPhan87

This

That is why I find it funny when guys like Doughty and Crosby say that they don't really care about Corsi or Fenwick. The bloggers have turned them into a big thing, but they guys that they are using the tools to evaluate don't care at all about them.

If you need a fancy stat to know that puck possession is a good thing then I just don't know. Maybe it's time to start watching baseball.
- Ben37

You'd think those bloggers were getting gobbled up by NHL employment the way these guys go on about advanced statistics!

That is why I find it funny when guys like Doughty and Crosby say that they don't really care about Corsi or Fenwick. The bloggers have turned them into a big thing, but they guys that they are using the tools to evaluate don't care at all about them.

If you need a fancy stat to know that puck possession is a good thing then I just don't know. Maybe it's time to start watching baseball.
- Ben37

Why would an athlete care about corsi? How does it help their game in any way?

It is a way to evaluate talent and further break down the nuances of the game. It is another tool in making your decisions more precise. You don't want to use it, fine then don't. But you can't act like it is nothing. Teams have been using for years now and they are hiring these stat guys like crazy because it works.

You'd think those bloggers were getting gobbled up by NHL employment the way these guys go on about advanced statistics!
- BulliesPhan87

Precisely! Or they're trying damn hard.

I've got a feeling Spaling is going to be a player that people either love or hate. I personally like him. He is always working hard, he's strong on the boards, but the most important aspect I see right now is responsibility. Sure you aren't going to see many flashes of offensive brilliance from him but what you do see is total commitment to his lines responsibility to the team. I have yet to see him out of position or make a stupid play that resulted in a scoring chance against.
It's good to offset our high risk offensive players with low risk defensive forwards.

Also that line of Spaling Goc and Comeau was amazing last game.
- stackthepads

Every year there is always 1. If Spaling can be better than any bottom 6 last year, then great. It's not like he's tied up for the next 8 years. His performance shouldn't be that much of a concern. The bottom 6 is vastly better than it has been in several seasons. I am more concerned with what's wrong with Malkin and how well the top 6 does.

A hockey player's opinion on the usefulness of statistics seems about as relevant as a general manager's willingness to block shots.

I think some of us wonder if a Spalling type player could have been had for less money. I understand it's only been pre-season, but I kept hoping to see some kind of individual effort that makes me think he's better than average at something/anything. I'll keep an open mind, but I can't stop thinking that I'd rather have Stempy back for less than half of what they're paying Spalling.
- madmike71

I like Stempniak...don't get me wrong...but they went a different direction and Spaling was part of a trade. They got what they wanted/could from that trade and I don't see --- again -- how that money and Spaling's ability have become such a focal point around here.

It's stupid.

You really want the Penguins to win a cup...trade Malkin and Letang and get 4 players that equal their salary.

A hockey player's opinion on the usefulness of statistics seems about as relevant as a general manager's willingness to block shots.
- BulliesPhan87

My point exactly. Why would a hockey player care about those stats? It changes their game in no way shape or form.

Why would an athlete care about corsi? How does it help their game in any way?

It is a way to evaluate talent and further break down the nuances of the game. It is another tool in making your decisions more precise. You don't want to use it, fine then don't. But you can't act like it is nothing. Teams have been using for years now and they are hiring these stat guys like crazy because it works.
- usethe1-2-2

They don't but the bloggers who love them went nuts when Doughty called Corsi "Crap".

As for me, I acknowledge it's uses. But I am just a fan of the game. I don't need to hyper-evaluate every single aspect of the game to enjoy it. I'm not basing decisions on these tools, I'm watching games from couch to wind down after work.

You'd think those bloggers were getting gobbled up by NHL employment the way these guys go on about advanced statistics!
- BulliesPhan87

What, 4 of them have been hired? Not sure if that is gobbled up.

That's a tough sell though. Who wants a 35 year old sidekick that hasn't shown much value outside of playing with two of the games best and at almost 4 mill a piece! I'm not saying it can't happen, but it is very very unlikely. I'll laugh when those two are Goc's wingers next season though on the third line
- usethe1-2-2

Meaning Goc-Kunitz-Duper or Goc-Kapanen-Oscar?

What, 4 of them have been hired? Not sure if that is gobbled up.
- Ben37

That's infinity percent more pro-stats bloggers than anti-stats writers. Shove that in your spreadsheet and smoke it.

They don't but the bloggers who love them went nuts when Doughty called Corsi "Crap".

As for me, I acknowledge it's uses. But I am just a fan of the game. I don't need to hyper-evaluate every single aspect of the game to enjoy it. I'm not basing decisions on these tools, I'm watching games from couch to wind down after work.
- Ben37

I can respect that. I was picking up a different vibe from your post. That's my bad.

He has shown me good puck control and responsible defensive play. He has really shown me that he can be an effective bottom six player, with the exception of scoring. He has shown little in the scoring department. If you put him with Turd and Downie I think we can have success. Or put him with Goc and Sundqvist.
- usethe1-2-2

I always seem to remember the Nashville announcers calling his name in a favorable light. So, I'm hoping he turns out to be a decent 3/4 line player for us.

I always kept thinking about Spalding from Caddyshack...

Meaning Goc-Kunitz-Duper or Goc-Kapanen-Oscar?
- 87_71_11_29

Kunitz-Goc-Duper.

That's infinity percent more pro-stats bloggers than anti-stats writers. Shove that in your spreadsheet and smoke it.
- BulliesPhan87

HEY!. Quit being logical. Flyer fans aren't allowed to be logical.

Have you ever tried to eat four entire bloggers in one summer? It's not easy.