Murray has an eye for talent, I doubt he needs a pie chart to tell him if a player is good or not
- Nucker101

That my be true of Murray, but we need to make issue with anyone that makes reference to watching the games and using analytics in support.

I'm actually mocking who think that way, but i see your point. No more small talk
- neem55

I really can't see anyone who'd want a team full of small guys, or would take two prospects all else being equal and drafting the smaller one. It's actually kind of ridiculous to think otherwise.

I'm not saying you need a team full of huge guys but pretending it doesn't matter on a forecheck targeting a crucial Dman is rather comical.

“...the playoffs are more interesting with the Leafs in them, but as Canuck fans more satisfying would be to see them lose in game 7 of the final.”

- Don Taylor

I paraphrased a bit, but that was the gist.

So it really wasn't truly analytics based then, it was a collective process. I highly doubt he totally ignored the scouts eye tests as well. So it's much more likely that analytics were just a piece of the pie rather than being the central focus.
- Nucker101

Hmmm, i'd say analytics played a more important part than most organizations. People generally make decisions based on what they're most comfortable with......that's true in all facets of life and business. If your background is analytics then you're more likely to lean on it.

“...the playoffs are more interesting with the Leafs in them, but as Canuck fans more satisfying would be to see them lose in game 7 of the final.”

- Don Taylor

I paraphrased a bit, but that was the gist.
- 1970vintage

I have my Bill Murray memes all set to go for tonight.

I'm actually mocking who think that way, but i see your point. No more small talk
- neem55

Hmmm, i'd say analytics played a more important part than most organizations. People generally make decisions based on what they're most comfortable with......that's true in all facets of life and business. If your background is analytics then you're more likely to lean on it.
- golfingsince

There's plenty of evidence that suggests he was reliant on analytics, but they were proprietary and very different than the typical stuff you see today(shot quality measured by distance from net, one timers, zone entries with possession, etc are much more mainstream).

From another article behind the Athetlic paywall:

The Chayka life story, including how he c-founded Stathletes, how he knew in college he was going to be a GM, and how one of his first actions when he became GM was asking OEL for his ideal D partner. OEL's answer was Nik Hjalmarsson.

Seem very analytical

Chayka is in a grey area. He's too much of a stats guy for the old school crowd, but the stats guys don't embrace him because his stuff is all proprietary/not public so people can't really evaluate him.

Statletes recommended MTL do the Subban-Weber trade (against the wishes of the MTL advanced stats guy)

John Chayka gave an interesting talk on using MRIs to essentially measure hockey IQ.

Also unrelated but funny tidbit in the comment section:

One other thing not mentioned is the massive reach on Barrett Hayton. There’s a video somewhere of Stan Bowman and Mark Kelley (director of amateur scouting) completely baffled and laughing at the pick.

So it seems weird to use him as a poster boy of analytics failing when even the analytic nerds didn't agree with a lot of his moves. Sure, technically he is using analytics, but clearly they were very different than what most people use.

That my be true of Murray, but we need to make issue with anyone that makes reference to watching the games and using analytics in support.
- Makita

It's fun. Who doesn't like to have fun?

It's fun. Who doesn't like to have fun?
- Load Management

via GIPHY

This. Some weird comments in here.

To me, Brandon Sutter is undersized, he's very thin for a NHL'er at his height. His hits don't make a big impact, he does tend to get knocked over easier than other players. He relied on his speed which has since disappeared due to soft tissue injuries.
- Nucker101

Sutter wasn't undersized, he just didn't use his size.

I really can't see anyone who'd want a team full of small guys, or would take two prospects all else being equal and drafting the smaller one. It's actually kind of ridiculous to think otherwise.

I'm not saying you need a team full of huge guys but pretending it doesn't matter on a forecheck targeting a crucial Dman is rather comical.
- golfingsince

I'd rather have Kane than matthews on a playoff run, similar amount of skill. There's more to it than size or speed. It's also not relevant to point out a team of smaller guys, no one has said that. But the average size of nhl forwarsds has gone down the last 5-6 years. Period. Skill and speed over size. If you can have all three, even better. Looking forward to Matthews choking tonight.

“...the playoffs are more interesting with the Leafs in them, but as Canuck fans more satisfying would be to see them lose in game 7 of the final.”

- Don Taylor

I paraphrased a bit, but that was the gist.
- 1970vintage

If the Leaf's lose, there's a good chance I get banned.

Sutter wasn't undersized, he just didn't use his size.
- manvanfan

190 lbs at 6'3" is considered is considered light for his height, that's a pretty low BMI by NHL standards.

For an average citizen, that's perfectly fine, but not by NHL standards. He's basically considered to be skinny in the NHL.

Judging by the Yotes drafts, all those mental tests didn't exactly pay off. But hey, at least we know Barrett Hayton is a nicer kid than Quinn Hughes
- Nucker101

The years that John was at Arizona vs the years of Benning.

Van finished .003 ahead of Arizona.

The years that John was at Arizona vs the years of Benning.

Van finished .003 ahead of Arizona.
- manvanfan

Arizona was supposed to be finishing up their rebuild, Benning was charged with rebuilding an old declining team with no prospect pool

If the Leaf's lose, there's a good chance I get banned.
- VanHockeyGuy

Apparently Price is 6-2 with a .944 S% in game 7’s

For you betting types.

Sutter wasn't undersized, he just didn't use his size.
- manvanfan

He's 6'3 190lbs. The average in the NHL is 6'1 and 201 lbs.

Like Nucker said, he's thin.

Arizona was supposed to be finishing up their rebuild, Benning was charged with rebuilding an old declining team with no prospect pool
- Nucker101

Arizona finished ahead of Van this year too. That wasn't even included.

I'd rather have Kane than matthews on a playoff run, similar amount of skill. There's more to it than size or speed. It's also not relevant to point out a team of smaller guys, no one has said that. But the average size of nhl forwarsds has gone down the last 5-6 years. Period. Skill and speed over size. If you can have all three, even better. Looking forward to Matthews choking tonight.
- neem55

Would you rather Kane or Toews during those Chicago runs?

He's 6'3 190lbs. The average in the NHL is 6'1 and 201 lbs.

Like Nucker said, he's thin.
- golfingsince

So he's over heighted but underweighted. Ok gotcha. Just have to make sure the players are proportioned properly that we draft.

Apparently Price is 6-2 with a .944 S% in game 7’s

For you betting types.
- 1970vintage

If Toronto loses this, the analytics community takes a hit, the rebuild department takes a hit, Shanaplan takes a hit. What else?

So he's over heighted but underweighted. Ok gotcha. Just have to make sure the players are proportioned properly that we draft.
- manvanfan

You're so obtuse.

You made another stupid statement that was quickly refuted so turn it into something else. Congrats!

You're so obtuse.

You made another stupid statement that was quickly refuted so turn it into something else. Congrats!
- golfingsince

You didn't refute anything.


I don't think you understand how boring it is talking to you. It's fully intentional that I hope you don't reply.

Apparently Price is 6-2 with a .944 S% in game 7’s

For you betting types.
- 1970vintage

I went MTL under 5.5

Apparently Price is 6-2 with a .944 S% in game 7’s

For you betting types.
- 1970vintage

So he's due for a stinker?