I have been dreaming that one day someone would build a team that is highly skilled and don't feature anchors. Most of the teams have these players, they are not skilled, they can't drive the play, overall they are well below average at the most important part in hockey, setting up and scoring goals. They are usually physical players. Enforcers or defensive defensemans. Analytics group has been pretty clearly against the old way of thinking that you need to have big bodies in the bottom6 that play dumb'n'chase hockey.
Joe Sakic has built that team. It is all about the puck possession. Incredible talented back-end (4-5 offensive/puck-moving Dman) that can move the puck without breaking a sweat, most of them are as skilled as forwards so offensive zone cycles are very dangerous when everyone can make that key pass or beat their man one on one. Most of the forwards are great play-drivers, there are no passengers. Of course they need a system that encourages them to keep the puck as much as possible. They don't dumb the puck unless they are forced to do it, because it is a lot more beneficial to exit and entry zones with possession. They do line changes with the puck as much as possible.
So how these "analytic darlings" have played? Had a fairly good start to the year, but nothing to get overly excited. Then they ran into injury problems. Now they are healthy again and have elevated their game to a completely new level. NHL hasn't really seen this kind of domination in a while.
Last 8 games Avs have out-shot teams 336-172 and out-scored 34-11.
5on5 possession, expected goal and scoring chance numbers this year are pretty crazy too. Leading corsi for%, fenwick for%, shots on goal for%, expected goals for% and scoring chances for%. And we aren't talking about tiny leads here. I would put most value on expected goals for%, Avs are at 59.08. Second in the league sits at 54.94. 15th in the league sits at 50.65. So the difference between first and second is almost as wide as between second and 15th.
And the craziest part is that every single regular (at leats 100mins 5on5) is above 50% in all of the aforementioned categories. Worst xG% in team belongs to J.T. Compher, 50.97.
This is the modern way to build a hockey team. Sakic has found a massive edge for Colorado. I am a bit jealous because my team is run by old-school hockey minds, but at least it is real treat to watch Colorado play.
Stats are from Natural stat trick.
Joe Sakic has built that team. It is all about the puck possession. Incredible talented back-end (4-5 offensive/puck-moving Dman) that can move the puck without breaking a sweat, most of them are as skilled as forwards so offensive zone cycles are very dangerous when everyone can make that key pass or beat their man one on one. Most of the forwards are great play-drivers, there are no passengers. Of course they need a system that encourages them to keep the puck as much as possible. They don't dumb the puck unless they are forced to do it, because it is a lot more beneficial to exit and entry zones with possession. They do line changes with the puck as much as possible.
So how these "analytic darlings" have played? Had a fairly good start to the year, but nothing to get overly excited. Then they ran into injury problems. Now they are healthy again and have elevated their game to a completely new level. NHL hasn't really seen this kind of domination in a while.
Last 8 games Avs have out-shot teams 336-172 and out-scored 34-11.
5on5 possession, expected goal and scoring chance numbers this year are pretty crazy too. Leading corsi for%, fenwick for%, shots on goal for%, expected goals for% and scoring chances for%. And we aren't talking about tiny leads here. I would put most value on expected goals for%, Avs are at 59.08. Second in the league sits at 54.94. 15th in the league sits at 50.65. So the difference between first and second is almost as wide as between second and 15th.
And the craziest part is that every single regular (at leats 100mins 5on5) is above 50% in all of the aforementioned categories. Worst xG% in team belongs to J.T. Compher, 50.97.
This is the modern way to build a hockey team. Sakic has found a massive edge for Colorado. I am a bit jealous because my team is run by old-school hockey minds, but at least it is real treat to watch Colorado play.
Stats are from Natural stat trick.
