a) In some cases, I find the advanced statistics available influence my opinion as I've seen them be very accurate.
b) It would be completely impossible to form every opinion based on advanced statistics given the limited ones available. There's no way to use them for goaltending, for example, or to evaluate special teams play. There are simply a set of situations where advanced stats can help, as when teams (Toronto, Anaheim) or players (Kadri, Fraser) are massive outliers in things like shooting percentage or PDO, and a regression is likely.
c) In my opinion, it's undeniable the Leafs central weakness is their possession game, and the organization's main focus for improvement should be on improving in that area in order to make the next step. Randy Carlyle has said something similar recently when Bob McKenzie asked about improving possession - and this is why analytics are often referenced for this area of their game. You can win without being a good possession team; it is often simply more difficult and harder to sustain. Corsi/Fenwick, or shot attempt metrics of any kind, if used properly, are a very good indicator of possession.
I play hockey, and have for nearly 20 years. Members of my family have played professionally. I'm from a traditional, hockey crazy city and have attended 50+ games a year my whole life. My opinions on hockey are not all about advanced statistics; the way I would frame it is that, out of all the writers for mainstream outlets, I'm one of the few who considers these numbers at all in my work. I think they add considerable value.
If you want analysis without any of this taken into account, you can pretty much read any other newspaper writer out there, rather than picking on the one guy who uses this new information.
Sorry - I can't respond to everyone in this thread. I'm not having a bet with anyone here - that's not something The Globe would condone - but I've put my reputation on the line with my picks, as always. I don't think the Leafs finishing with eight fewer points than they were on pace to a year ago is that unreasonable, as I think they will score fewer goals and suffer more serious injuries, among other things. I will say this: If Bernier is as good as he's looked so far, there's no question they make the playoffs. Predicting what an inexperienced goaltender will do is very, very difficult, though, and I had him more in line with his career averages.
I'm always very accessible - I answer most people on Twitter and email. Thanks.