A GOOD statistician will acknowledge the fact that their analysis is subject to misinterpretation. They will also admit that their analysis is only as good as the data that they have to work with.

Far too many analytics supporters want to use only the information readily available at their fingertips, ignoring an extremely large number of unanswered questions and then come to absolute conclusions.

So many things that affect each play are never accounted for. THAT is the shortcoming of analytics. Ice degradation, player injuries during game, muscle fatigue, mental issues and hundreds of other things will make a difference on every single play. None of these things are currently accounted for by analytics.

Analytics experts need FAR more quantifiable data if they want to claim accurate results. I'm not talking about basic mathematic facts, I'm talking about true analysis. Until analysts can actually gather more information to build an accurate picture, perhaps they should stop trying to claim that they can tell the rest of us the future.
- sportsjunkie007

Perhaps you can explain how this can be a quantifiable measure?

This is getting a little blown out of proportion. Marincin will likely be back in no time, I think they are just trying to send a message about rewarding players for their efforts. Nurse should get a 9 game look but I eventually hope he gets sent down.
- RonPielep

I think Nurse is to receive 9 games no matter what and then return to the OHL.

This is getting a little blown out of proportion. Marincin will likely be back in no time, I think they are just trying to send a message about rewarding players for their efforts. Nurse should get a 9 game look but I eventually hope he gets sent down.
- RonPielep

This isn't about the 9 games Nurse will play. It's about the games Klefbom will play. The Oilers are not so strong that they can afford to play weaker guys in their lineup and still pull off victories.

This isn't about the 9 games Nurse will play. It's about the games Klefbom will play. The Oilers are not so strong that they can afford to play weaker guys in their lineup and still pull off victories.
- Matt_Henderson

You are making it sound like Marincin is some sort of high end defender. At this point it is a coin toss between those two guys. Hopefully both spend time in the AHL. Right now they decided that it's Klef's job to lose. Not a real big deal.

Well if it makes you feel better the Flames sent down Jooris...

Well if it makes you feel better the Flames sent down Jooris...
- whipper334

Who?

Well if it makes you feel better the Flames sent down Jooris...
- whipper334

Who cares?

Who?
- Lahey

True story...

But he did have s great camp.

You are making it sound like Marincin is some sort of high end defender. At this point it is a coin toss between those two guys. Hopefully both spend time in the AHL. Right now they decided that it's Klef's job to lose. Not a real big deal.
- Lahey

I hoped that the post made it clear that it is actually not a coin toss

I hoped that the post made it clear that it is actually not a coin toss
- Matt_Henderson

Because corsi?

Edmonton's move to bring in a high end stats guy was a publicity move to create a couple more tiers of Oiler fans for Katz to profit from. This year is all about Mc David make no mistake.

Edmonton's move to bring in a high end stats guy was a publicity move to create a couple more tiers of Oiler fans for Katz to profit from. This year is all about Mc David make no mistake.
- thegooddr

Why not Eichel?

Because corsi?
- ChetManly

Because last year is all I got out of it. Guys like Marincin who barely had spots last year really don't own a spot to lose. Whoever is the better player any given day should have it. At this point Marincin didn't do anything to cement the spot as his and Klefbom showed better according to the team. Only a matter of time before he's back though.

Edmonton's move to bring in a high end stats guy was a publicity move to create a couple more tiers of Oiler fans for Katz to profit from. This year is all about Mc David make no mistake.
- thegooddr

It would be hilarious if the Oilers got either of McEichel.

I think silently Lahey is hoping for it...

Because last year is all I got out of it. Guys like Marincin who barely had spots last year really don't own a spot to lose. Whoever is the better player any given day should have it. At this point Marincin didn't do anything to cement the spot as his and Klefbom showed better according to the team. Only a matter of time before he's back though.
- Lahey

This is the biggest thing. I believe it was Jonathan Willis that pointed out on twitter that the exact same thing was done with Petry a couple years back.

If the GM and coach agreed that #1 time in the AHL will benefit Marincin, then so be it. Marincin isn't the difference between winning the cup and a repeat performace of Dubnyk's standard.

Sure, Marincin's move is one that not many people like, but it is what it is.

It would be hilarious if the Oilers got either of McEichel.
- whipper334

Hilarious because the season was failed or because both of them are incredibly talented?

Hilarious because the season was failed or because both of them are incredibly talented?
- ChetManly

Do you really have to ask that question...

Perhaps you can explain how this can be a quantifiable measure?
- ChetManly

A system of grading ice quality would have to be created to begin with. Each NHL rink has unique weather, refrigeration systems, maintenance teams and many other things that would affect the starting product.

The quality deteriorates as the game goes on. At it's most basic, this could roughly accounted for by breaking down every period into smaller segments, allowing for more snow and ruts. For more accurate results, analysts would need to find a better way to measure the degradation.

The ice continues to degrade (slightly) every period of the game. The short time that the ice gets to "set up" between periods is not as effective as the long time that the ice gets between events. Ever hear announcers mention bad ice caused by last night's concert or circus at the arena?

Is the game fast paced with a lot of stops and starts? That's going to degrade the ice faster than a slow, methodical game will.

Get the picture? Even the small things need to be measured and included in analysis. At least they do if you want an accurate analysis. Right now nobody is measuring anything except the very largest pieces of data. They are ignoring all of the underlying qualifiers.

I want to get those answers that analytics experts are promising. The problem is, nobody has enough data to give reliable and accurate analysis.

This is the biggest thing. I believe it was Jonathan Willis that pointed out on twitter that the exact same thing was done with Petry a couple years back.

If the GM and coach agreed that #1 time in the AHL will benefit Marincin, then so be it. Marincin isn't the difference between winning the cup and a repeat performace of Dubnyk's standard.

Sure, Marincin's move is one that not many people like, but it is what it is.
- ChetManly

Personally I'm not happy at all with the decision. All I can say is klefbomb better continue playing good, we can't afford a poopty start to the season

I think Nurse is to receive 9 games no matter what and then return to the OHL.
- ChetManly

I don't know about that, with the spotlight not so much on CrabMan, he may look like one of the best D you have after the nine games.

I think he stays, Drysattle too.

Matt Henderson: Demoting Marincin Was A Mistake
- Matt_Henderson

AMEN SISTER! #freemarincin

Personally I'm not happy at all with the decision. All I can say is klefbomb better continue playing good, we can't afford a poopty start to the season
- OilerFan16

This really is the problem. We shouldn't be banking on either of them in order for this team to have success. This team needs Nikitin, Fayne, Petry and Schultz to perform well. Those are the guys that should be eating up the minutes. Banking on Klefbomb or Marincin to be the game changers is just a mistake.

I don't know about that, with the spotlight not so much on CrabMan, he may look like one of the best D you have after the nine games.

I think he stays, Drysattle too.
- Byfuglien Ate Me

I don't know that Nurse even gets 9, but what the hell happens if he does end up staying? Really throws a wrench in to the "plan" for the defense.

I don't think he should stay pass those 9, but if he brings a physical brand of defense while not hurting the team it's going to be hard to send him back.

You are making it sound like Marincin is some sort of high end defender. At this point it is a coin toss between those two guys. Hopefully both spend time in the AHL. Right now they decided that it's Klef's job to lose. Not a real big deal.
- Lahey

Actually, its not a coin toss, if you actually bothered to read his blog.

Perhaps you can explain how this can be a quantifiable measure?
- ChetManly

It can't be really....which is why we rely on the human mind (i.e. scouts) for this type of stuff.