To be 'clutch' by definition, Kobe or Michael or LeBron would have to make a statistically significant higher percentage of shots under pressure (or 'crunch' time). They don't. And the guys who appear to be 'clutch' in one season, don't carry it on from season to season. They revert to their mean.
- scottak

That's one definition of clutch. Another is a player whose performance remains at their base level, even when the pressure is the highest. That certainly happens.

If you get the opportunity to watch the Michigan Hockey games...do so, because all three 2021 top ten picks are lighting it up,


D Owen Power

C/F Kent Johnson

and

C Matthew Beniers doing his best Trevor Zegras imitation....

Nope, I will argue that Scott Darling was more "all that" than Lehner has ever shown.
- LAHawk

Yeah especially after his performance in the open g Nashville Predators series where he and Dunc and company came back to win that stinker they got behind in early...

You could’ve easily combined the Rat blog with the clutch blog. No one more clutch than 36.

Also...Put me firmly in the Lehner is definitely not “all that” camp. In fact I would argue he’s barely partially that.
- Ogilthorpe2

Actually, he's a "that and a half" at 260 pounds.

These are all definitional arguments. From the Bleacherreport article:

"So, would I give the ball to Kobe or LeBron in a critical situation? Yes, absolutely. But I wouldn't be doing so because they're "clutch." I'd be doing so because they're great players and that greatness carries over into those crucial situations."

Another way to describe that is "clutch". They perform well regardless of the situation. I'd wager that a lot of this has to do with maintaining the aggression as the situation gets more critical instead of becoming more passive.

There are also a variety of situational effects that would need to be considered before trying to say anything definitively.
- Chunk

For one shot I give it to Larry Bird or MJ.

For one shot I give it to Larry Bird or MJ.
- rpeters01

Reggie Miller.

Good blog. I always liked Bickell, and really didn't mind his contract. I would have liked to see what would have happened if he didn't have MS. I wonder if he could have lived up to his contract.

Also, do you ever sleep?
- tvetter

Definitely think Bickell would have been more productive had he not had MS.

He's done great charity work including being on Battle of the Blades on TV in Canada (like Dancing with the Stars but on ice, of course).

https://www.cbc.ca/televi...d-bryan-bickell-1.5736032

As for my sleep patterns, I'm a night owl and live on the west coast. That and I'm a vampire.

Reggie Miller.
- StLBravesFan

Hate that guy on principle alone, but I can't argue.

I don’t want to pile on, but in baseball is not what you hit, it’s when you hit. In any sport, great players are going to perform in any situation, that’s why they are the best at their craft, but some real good players fold in stressful situations and some thrive. If the adrenaline is flowing you will probably perform at a good level, if you are nervous, well, maybe not so much.

I'm hoping Strome lands somewhere between $2.5-$3M AAV for no more than 2 years.

@PuckReportNHL

Memo DONE DEAL: Boston Bruins agree 2-year, $3.675M AAV extension with Jake DeBrusk.

@RealKyper

Hearing @nhlpa @nhl has no dialogue on weekend for 1st time in weeks. Without knowing repercussions for denying owners request, players tell me they have little choice but to sit/wait. Some say league could threaten to push back start as late as Feb 1st /48 games @Line_Movement

Does Tony Luftman on NHL Network annoy everyone else as much as he annoys me?

The theory of 'clutch' players in any sport has been disproven many times.

https://vault.si.com/vaul...-to-the-guys-on-the-field
- scottak

Well it just says no statistical evidence in clutch hitting, but at the same time i could argue there is clutch pitching. Certain pitchers can get the last out of a game where so many others can't.

I've seen great set up pitchers not be able to get the final out of the game many times and great closers who come into a tie game and really struggle to get out of the inning or not lose the game.

I'm hoping Strome lands somewhere between $2.5-$3M AAV for no more than 2 years.

@PuckReportNHL

Memo DONE DEAL: Boston Bruins agree 2-year, $3.675M AAV extension with Jake DeBrusk.
- Theo Fox

I’d be happy with 3 years, $8-$9 million for Strome.

Reggie Miller.
- StLBravesFan

Only at home where he can push off and not get called for an "O" foul.

These are all definitional arguments. From the Bleacherreport article:

"So, would I give the ball to Kobe or LeBron in a critical situation? Yes, absolutely. But I wouldn't be doing so because they're "clutch." I'd be doing so because they're great players and that greatness carries over into those crucial situations."

Another way to describe that is "clutch". They perform well regardless of the situation. I'd wager that a lot of this has to do with maintaining the aggression as the situation gets more critical instead of becoming more passive.

There are also a variety of situational effects that would need to be considered before trying to say anything definitively.
- Chunk

This is a good definition of "clutch". Humans are, after all, human and as such each human handles stress differently. Some players are able to play the same under stressful conditions and some are affected by a stressful condition that hampers their ability to play at the same level as they do under less stressful conditions.

The skill level of a player is not a determinate of being clutch, per se, a 4th line grinder can be clutch if he plays at the same level in a 7th game in the playoffs as he does in a non-playoff game - stress does not degrade his play.

I’d be happy with 3 years, $8-$9 million for Strome.
- DarthKane

The question is how low can they push him at 3 years before he says FU and rolls with the one year tender?

Chicago NHL team hires Kendall Coyne Schofield as its 1st female development coach
https://www.cbc.ca/sports...velopment-coach-1.5812712
CBC now referring to the Blackhawks as Chicago NHL team

Chicago NHL team hires Kendall Coyne Schofield as its 1st female development coach
https://www.cbc.ca/sports...velopment-coach-1.5812712
CBC now referring to the Blackhawks as Chicago NHL team
- Ratsreign

Puck the CBC and their commie tactics

GOBBLE...GOBBLE...

I think when a player not known to be clutch, then becomes clutch player, it's more of a mental thing. They seem to focus on the game in front of them, in that very moment. Not thinking about the next game or the remainder of the series .... just the game they are playing at this very moment.. They focus more on the details of the game .... maybe simple things like getting the puck to the net .... going to the greasy areas with more passion then they normally would .... shooting instead of passing at THAT MOMENT ... or passing instead of shooting at THAT MOMENT. Focusing more on their instincts in THAT MOMENT.

I think when a player not known to be clutch, then becomes clutch player, it's more of a mental thing. They seem to focus on the game in front of them, in that very moment. Not thinking about the next game or the remainder of the series .... just the game they are playing at this very moment.. They focus more on the details of the game .... maybe simple things like getting the puck to the net .... going to the greasy areas with more passion then they normally would .... shooting instead of passing at THAT MOMENT ... or passing instead of shooting at THAT MOMENT. Focusing more on their instincts in THAT MOMENT.
- chuckdahammer

Focus. Concentration.

Shutting everything else out but the moment.

Can’t worry about the pressure, the situation, the consequences if you miss the shot. Past success in those situations helps - but past failures are ignored.

The best players in any sport can do that - and have more success in “clutch situations” than the rest.

There are a couple of reports out there that the NHL might grant some of the more financially sound teams some sort of cap allowance/overage/luxury tax situation in order to help all the teams sign their RFA's and other available FA's. If this is the case, I really hope the Hawks steer clear of any of that. All it would do is muddy the waters.

if you can move some pieces around to better round out the lineup or slot some players, fine, but don't add with the hope of putting this team "over the top". I know I'm kind of making up my own problem here, but that situation would be a large load of dook.

There are a couple of reports out there that the NHL might grant some of the more financially sound teams some sort of cap allowance/overage/luxury tax situation in order to help all the teams sign their RFA's and other available FA's. If this is the case, I really hope the Hawks steer clear of any of that. All it would do is muddy the waters.

if you can move some pieces around to better round out the lineup or slot some players, fine, but don't add with the hope of putting this team "over the top". I know I'm kind of making up my own problem here, but that situation would be a large load of dook.
- Chunk

First I've heard of this.

COVID cases popping up on NHL teams. The Golden Knights have 4 while the Blue Jackets have a "significant" number. No exact number so far in reports I've seen but guessing it's more than 4.

Also 2 players at Team Canada's WJC camp have COVID so practices are now temporarily shut down.