I don't think they're garbage. I think they're glorified 4th liners who are being paid like 2nd liners and 3rd liners.
What the **** are we doing?
Why is AA playing 12 minutes?
7 straight games now under 15 minutes.
Again - when he's playing 18 minutes or more.
14 games 9 goals 8 assists 17 points +6
Red Wings record those games: 8-4-2.
Here's AA's stats in his bottom 14 icetime games. (the cut off is 13:30)
14 games 0 goal 4 assists 4 points. -8
Here's the team's record
Hi TOI- 8-4-2
Low TOI- 4-6-4
I'm pretty sure AA only gets played when Holland is showcasing him for a trade.
Kind of like Mrazek at the end of the season.
If it was up the Blashill, I'm pretty sure AA would be on another team.
People will say, "Oh wow, Blash plays him more when he plays well, and benches him when he doesn't."
But that's bull****.
AA's got no rope. He'll be hot for 3-4 games. Then boom, one off game, and he's back to 14 minutes.
Check his game log.
Andreas Athanasiou 2017-18 Game Log | Hockey-Reference.com
I wanted to see other players have the same sort of dynamic.
Here are Mantha's top 14 games (19:06 is the cut off)
14 games 9G 6A 15 points -3
Bottom 14 (15:13 is the cut off)
14 gamees 4G 5A 9 points +3
Mantha is pretty productive in lower icetime games.
On the other hand, his lowest TOI of the season is 12:33 and he's only been below 13 minutes twice.
In terms of wins and loses, in Mantha's.
HI TOI --- 3-9-2
Lo TOI -- 8-5-1
So how about Larkin.
Hi TOI - 3-11-14 +9
Lo TOI - 1-9-10 -6
Not much of a production difference, but a big +/- swing
Larkin team record
Hi TOI - 7-3-4
Lo TOI - 6-8-0
Just for kicks, Zetterberg
Hi TOI - 3G-8-11 -1
Lo TOI - 2-10-12 +9
Zetterberg's production and plus minus are better when he plays less (Less being relative. His 14th lowest is 18:03)
Record wise
Hi TOI - 7-4-3
Lo TOI - 9-4-1
The team does a little better when Z's TOI is on the lower end of the scale.