The Penguins "Moneyballed" Neal

[stardog]

Great article and good topic of conversation.

Makes you wonder what the same analysis states about current rumored trade targets.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/spor...hockey-pays-off-for-penguins/article10122427/

Click to read more...

 

[IcedCapp]

I read that article yesterday. It's really interesting. I wish the Pens would be a little more secretive about it, to be honest.

But the overriding thought that kept going through my head as I read it was "Neal's not really a power forward anymore" and the team doesn't really have him play like one.

 

[wgknestrick]

Great article and good topic of conversation.

Makes you wonder what the same analysis states about current rumored trade targets.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/spor...hockey-pays-off-for-penguins/article10122427/

Or WTF they were adding up to conclude, "We need Tanner Glass"

 

[fragmag]

Interesting to read that they used this to get Vokoun.

 

[Crafton]

Interesting to read that they used this to get Vokoun.

i'm not sure 'used' is the operative word. more like they bolstered the confidence of their decision by looking at these advanced statistics.

 

[Bengui]

Discrediting advanced statistics is just as stupid as worshiping them. As they become more and more accurate, teams will start relying on them more often

 

[Crafton]

Discrediting advanced statistics is just as stupid as worshiping them. As they become more and more accurate, teams will start relying on them more often

don't really see anyone discrediting advanced statistics in here. or was that more of a general comment?

 

[Harv]

I love advanced statistics as they tell me Nazim Kadri plays sheltered minutes and that's why he's excelling so much.

Don't tell that to Leafs fan tho..

 

[IcedCapp]

I love advanced statistics as they tell me Nazim Kadri plays sheltered minutes and that's why he's excelling so much.

Don't tell that to Leafs fan tho..

hmmm...

1) The coach has pretty much said that he's been playing "easier" minutes, but that that's changing, as he's earned the right to play against the toughest assignments. He played against Stamkos the entire night earlier this week and was a +3.

2) He's better than a PPG player. Sheltered or not, I'll take a PPG on my team. Malkin's line plays pretty sheltered minutes when you factor in QoC and zone-starts. It's not a bad thing, it's a good thing. Malkin (and Kadri) will take advantage of it.

3) Yay advanced stats!

 

[steveg]

Thanks for sharing the article. Very interesting...

 

[eXile59]

I like that we are using stuff like that as long as it's only part of the reason we bring a player in. There are too many variables present in hockey that aren't present in baseball to rely too much on stats.

 

[plaidchuck]

The same stats that said TK the last few years was the most clutch on the team?

 

[KeepitinPitt]

Good read, but let's be honest, they didn't need advanced statistics to tell them Neal + Malkin/Crosby would be awesome. I think most people on this board knew that at the time and they didn't need to hire an analytics company. I'm glad the Pens are using every means available to scout players though.

 

[Bengui]

don't really see anyone discrediting advanced statistics in here. or was that more of a general comment?

general comment... If you go on the main board, every time they are brought up, half the people argue they're completely worthless, and the other half see them as hard proof.

 

[chethejet]

Maybe Richards and now Malkin centering the line he played on has a lot to do with his formula. He is however not a forward who can beat anyone one on one with any regularity. Is he a very good scoring forward or is he a forward who presently has a great shot who has to develop more of an overall game. When he draws the attention of a defense he becomes pretty ordinary. But he is young and can develop into a player who can take the puck and go end to end. Presently he just doesn't have the moves or speed to do so.

 

[#66]

So it takes advanced statistics to say...

Neal with Malkin will be great
Neal with Richards will be good
Neal with Letestu will be meh

Great job and a rally clap for the pro's.

 

[Darth Vitale]

That article is as much a plug for that stats company as anything else. Bordering on a PR piece as it doesn't really go into any detail other than "The Penguins like the Analytics, bro."

 

[stardog]

Or WTF they were adding up to conclude, "We need Tanner Glass"

Haha... yeahhhhh poor guy. Like his fire and desire.

Not had a banner type season otherwise.

 

[stardog]

What I found interesting is the Pens went after Neal over other guys whom they moneyballed. Anyone care to speculate who any of the other targets were?

 

[Allie Kitsune]

The other thing is, it seemed like at the time, Goligoski for Neal seemed like the most obvious trade in the universe. Didn't multiple people on the boards call it before it happened?

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

My calculations tell me Iginla would look good with Crosby .

 

[Master Shake*]

If he 'Moneyballed' Neal then what the hell did he do with Morrow

 

[Lamar Latrell]

If he 'Moneyballed' Neal then what the hell did he do with Morrow

Milburied

 

[Darth Vitale]

Milburied

Got a real chuckle out of that one. We'll see what happens but your theory is certainly within the realm of possibility.