I didn't read the whole blog now - no time. But seeing a few comments, when did analytics become a 'predictor' of results? The current set of #'s is just a history lesson based (Corsi stats at least), on averages & nothing more. Why are people now talking about predicting models of analytics?

Also, the current analytics don't account for even half the 'events' in a game or the environment it's played (it actually doesn't account for 99% of the environment being players, conditions & officiating), so there's no way it can 'predict' anything.

I like the micro stats though (or OTS stats ), actual real numbers from real events. I'd like to see comparative numbers of those babies from how different teams play the same teams & the results.

Side note: there are people that are imposing their views on others with 'their' numbers. I know Gunner youre deep into the analytics of hockey, but you do it a lot selecting or 'cherry picking' stats to support your argument. If you want to show some show them all to get a balanced view. To say you don't use the numbers as a view to be the end all of your opinion at times is like Spanner saying he's an objective person that reasonably sees both sides of an argument - but this is your blog so I for 1 have no issue with you doing it (just pointing it out that's all! ).
- Aussiepenguin

Not sure if you've read the blog yet but the discussion about using analytics as a "predictor" of results come directly from the blog itself.

I have the 10 hour trial... Only tossed it on for a few minutes the other night... Pretty sure he's rated in low 80's.
- MattStrat

How the hell then is our composite goaltending 79? Where is EA pulling this poop from? Their ass?

How the hell then is our composite goaltending 79? Where is EA pulling this poop from? Their ass?
- Victoro311

Yeah the team's offence, defence and goal overall averages haven't really made sense to me in the game for some time now.

It's pretty funny though, the Pens have the lowest goal average in the game currently:

http://bleacherreport.com...ngs-ahead-of-release-date

That doesnt make sense.

How the hell then is our composite goaltending 79? Where is EA pulling this poop from? Their ass?
- Victoro311

Haven't played in a few years now but didn't I see somewhere that they had Fleury rated as the 8th or 9th best goalie overall? That would make me wonder how the Pens couldn't be 1 of the best overall since the other top goalies don't have a backup like Murray. The only other team that I think could even be in the discussion of best overall goaltending would be TB with Bishop & Vasilevskiy.

Clearly hockey analytics are here to stay and they are valuable tools.

The problem with them is twofold...from my point of view.

There's a danger that people will use them to try and 'micro manage' a hockey team. I will always stick by the assessment that good results, including nice fancy stat values, come from the right combination of players, coaches and systems and that putting all the right 'fancy stats guys' together does not necessarily equal the result you hoped for. I have no way of validating this except to say we have seen a number of occasions where the whole seems to be greater than the sum of the parts...and maybe just as many where the sum of the parts should be greater than the whole (but it's not).

Again, I say look at the Penguins from last year...would predictive models (if there are any) have said the players that achieved success together, would have been successful? Would their historical data have suggested the outcomes we saw when they were put together?

I do like how the data is being used to draw more relevant conclusions about what works and what doesn't from a strategic point of view, even if in some cases it just confirms what good coaches and managers already know.

The second problem is that being a hockey stats geek is kinda like being a Trekkie...not everybody thinks Star Trek is as important as you do.

Look, I loved Star Trek when I was growing up and I'm still a fan today. Regardless of whether or not you like Star Trek, you can't really argue against it's impact on our society over the past 50 years.

But as much as I love it, I would never try and convince you that it's as great or important as I or other people think it is -- or that you need to wear a Federation Uniform to see the movies.

It's kinda like that with analytics.

I see the value of the statistics but I just don't think they are as important as some people believe they are.

Seems like the type of crowd that only drinks IPA's they brewed at home because all other craft brews are too corporate now.
- sammy87

Nothing worse than when your at a party and some d bag offers you a home brew. Always tastes like poop, and your considered a Richard if u dont drink it.

Not sure I completely agree with that, in the long term it should hurt the overall product but it's pretty much common knowledge at this point that the aglo users are dominating the sport and are winning all the money it is still growing by the day. At the end of the day the big companies that can offer large guarantee pay outs for minimal buy-ins will always stay solvent because there are too many people in this world that have delusions of grandeur and will gladly part with their money for the chance to win $1,000,000 even if the know they have no chance of ever actually winning it. I see it much like the Powerball, even though the average person knows they really have no chance of winning, they don't mind dropping $20, $40 or $100 for the chance at being rich. The only way daily fantasy sports is going to change is if it becomes regulated.
- jaydogg1974

Maybe for the big games. Still the sites should have an incentive to limit profitability of sharks. fish will keep playing and eventually the rake takes their money. Sharks remove money from the eco system.

Nothing worse than when your at a party and some d bag offers you a home brew. Always tastes like poop, and your considered a Richard if u dont drink it.
- Grinder47

Oh no. Free beer. The sky is falling.

This will only matter to people who like playing EA's NHL series, but apparently MAF is ranked in the top ten of goalies at a 90 but the Pens composite score for goaltending is a 79. How bad did they make Matt Murray?
- Victoro311

don't think they made murray bad. also maf is ahead of bishop and rask acording to nhl 17 think they honestly just (frank)ed up cuz they can't decide what to give murray.

finland getting beat by usa. just the way I like it.

Finland is a much more skilled team than the USA and seem to be winning the possession game. Unfortunately they are losing the game. I'm only watching to see how Maatta looks and he looks healthy and mobile. The commentators just gave a glowing conversation about him. He also had that game winner the other day where he picked the top corner. That's the benefit of practicing with Crosby, Malkin and Kessel every day, even the dmen are snipers by the end of the year.

Finland is a much more skilled team than the USA and seem to be winning the possession game. Unfortunately they are losing the game. I'm only watching to see how Maatta looks and he looks healthy and mobile. The commentators just gave a glowing conversation about him. He also had that game winner the other day where he picked the top corner. That's the benefit of practicing with Crosby, Malkin and Kessel every day, even the dmen are snipers by the end of the year.
- Dcoms

rinne is laying an egg. he is really bad this game. also usa is doing good defensivly and quick is having a good game.

rinne is laying an egg. he is really bad this game. also usa is doing good defensivly and quick is having a good game.
- martox

Laine looks amazing he is a lot of fun to watch. Rinne let in 2 bad goals for sure but he's been good ever since.

finland getting beat by usa. just the way I like it.
- martox

Any team with Justin Abdelkader deserves to lose badly.

finland getting beat by usa. just the way I like it.
- martox

Finland is making it a game might not be enough time left but it makes USA look bad.

Oh no. Free beer. The sky is falling.
- Victoro311

Its not free. You pay for it by having to taste something horrible and wrecking your GI when its not brewed properly. You get what you pay for.

Finland is making it a game might not be enough time left but it makes USA look bad.
- Dcoms

I went to bed when it was like 10 min left so I missed it

Not sure if you've read the blog yet but the discussion about using analytics as a "predictor" of results come directly from the blog itself.
- jaydogg1974

Yes read it - I'm even more sceptical of the results these types of 'searches' will provide. Would you agree with his results that Lundqvist is that far ahead of the rest? (If my understanding of the information is correct)

I went to bed when it was like 10 min left so I missed it
- martox

Finland will be giving you nightmares Martox!

Its not free. You pay for it by having to taste something horrible and wrecking your GI when its not brewed properly. You get what you pay for.
- sammy87

Drink first, worry about consequences in the morning. That's been the moto for years now and I only have a couple scars to show for it.

Any chance EA can incorporate Corsi, Fenwick and HERO Charts in to NHL 17 or 18?