Yesterday was the launch of the NHL's foray into advance stats on its website. The link to their advance stats page is here.
There are a couple things on the site that I find interesting:
- Calling them Enhanced Stats is probably a better - and more accurate - way of describing them.
- I get the need to rename them, as it makes it easier for new fans to understand them. Changing Corsi to SAT (Shot Attempts) and Fenwick to USAT (Unblocked Shot Attempts) does make understanding them easier. I do like the fact that hockey has actual names to these stats though.
- That being said, I like how they changed PDO to SPSV% (Shooting Plus Save Percentage). It has that baseball stat feel to it.
- It is odd that their rates include both per-20 and per-60 minutes. They could have just stuck with per-60 like other sites.
- Breaking down assist into first and second, showing penalties taken/drawn, and having an average shot length for each player are nice additions.
Overall this is a great move for the NHL. The first phrase is a good start, as the layout is neat and they have detailed explanations for each data set on display. The NHL is still behind in some areas and probably won't match the likes of war-on-ice and the defunct ExtraSkater. It is a process though, and for an initial showing (and what is also planned for later) the NHL looks to be on the right track.
Trade Me Right F***ing Now (Except There)
Earlier this week, ESPN's Craig Custance wrote about what places were undesirable to players with no-trade clauses (paywall). From the article, the least desirable places are:
1. Edmonton
2. Winnipeg
3. Buffalo
4. Ottawa and Toronto
Some of the reasons given were bad weather, an unsuccessful team, and team in Canada.
Looking at the top of the list, the reasons given make sense. On the weather front, Edmonton and Winnipeg are frontrunners, as winters there aren't pleasant (so I've heard). For mediocrity, all five teams hit the mark. Outside of Winnipeg's playoff push this season, all the teams on the list have been wafting in mediocrity for some time (in Edmonton's case, since 2006-07). Outside of Winnipeg, the teams listed are currently in a rebuilding phase, and it may take a couple years for them to become competitive and inch (centimetre?) their way off the list.
The Canada factor does bring up a few points. Along with climate and bad teams, the pressure put on teams by the media and fans could make a player think twice about a place. Taxes may also play a factor this as well. With all that said, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver weren't named, and - surprise surprise - all three of them currently hold a playoff spot. Being competitive does have its advantages.
Just a quick word about Montreal: it is surprising that they weren't named. Having a good group of players and a competitive team does help a ton, but there are many factors that could hinder a players desire to play there. Along with media/fan pressure, the high tax rate and distinct culture of Quebec seem like factors that would push a player away. Thankfully, they don't seem to (side note: Go Habs!)
