Where Do Stats Matter Most? Goalies?

[Pantokrator]

It is only save percentage. GAA is a team statistic.

It is all relative, but I agree with this. I would like to add wins as being a team statistic. If a team limits shots, only gives up low percentage shots, and clears rebounds, the goalie, no matter who he is (unless it is a Flyers goalie, in particular Brian Boucher) will have great numbers.

I remember a game several years ago, Devils vs. Vancouver in which Brodeur faced 8 shots. Yet Brodeur gets accolades for a shut out while at that time the likes of Luongo was facing 40 shots a game with Florida. I am not saying this to make Luongo out to be better than Brodeur (I'd take Brodeur from a few years ago), I am just trying to show that a goalie facing 8 low percentage shots will likely save them. It's not Brodeur's fault, he played/plays on great teams. This is why I hate goalie stats, although I think of them all, sv% is the best indicator.

 

[Alfredsson11]

SV% is what I like

this, GAA is something you take with a grain of salt

 

[um]

 

[Chairman Maouth]

+/- is very overrated. It's a team stat, and doesn't consider match-up issues (ie. Pronger and Chara always going up against other teams top lines).

It's also only indicative of anything accurate when a large enough sample size is available. I'd give a good plus/minus rating far more merit now than earlier in the season.

 

[mimic]

It is all relative, but I agree with this. I would like to add wins as being a team statistic. If a team limits shots, only gives up low percentage shots, and clears rebounds, the goalie, no matter who he is (unless it is a Flyers goalie, in particular Brian Boucher) will have great numbers.

I remember a game several years ago, Devils vs. Vancouver in which Brodeur faced 8 shots. Yet Brodeur gets accolades for a shut out while at that time the likes of Luongo was facing 40 shots a game with Florida. I am not saying this to make Luongo out to be better than Brodeur (I'd take Brodeur from a few years ago), I am just trying to show that a goalie facing 8 low percentage shots will likely save them. It's not Brodeur's fault, he played/plays on great teams. This is why I hate goalie stats, although I think of them all, sv% is the best indicator.

Still could be argued it means nothing. Then you have to take in quality of shots and take the bias out of the hometeam scorekeeper which neither can be done.

 

[Alfredsson11]

Osgood is one of the top10 greatest goalies of all time in your opinion?

you cant measure top players based on stats alone, yes they play a big part but..

 

[Ronk]

save % is fine but it doesn't take into account the quality of chances, nor does any stat. So for goaltenders would it be more of an eyeball test by watching several of them and getting an idea of what each brings to the table?

 

[mimic]

you cant measure top players based on stats alone, yes they play a big part but..

Exactly my point when I replied to someone who said the only thing that matters for goalies is wins.

 

[Bill McCreary]

I actually think stats are most worthless when considering goaltenders. There's a measurement that considers when goalies make the big saves at the big times, it's called the Stanley Cup.

 

[Lario Melieux*]

Aren't you a caps fan? That picture doesn't look like theod.... i mean varlam... oh nevermind...

 

[Pantokrator]

save % is fine but it doesn't take into account the quality of chances, nor does any stat. So for goaltenders would it be more of an eyeball test by watching several of them and getting an idea of what each brings to the table?

I like this the best. Too often people only rely on stats because they don't actually watch the goalies - although I am guilty of this myself! I must be justly condemned with those whom I condemn!

 

[HP00]

I dont really look at stats at all, I look at the goalie and determine where his head's at.

 

[jabberhockey]

To quote Twain, "there are lies, damned lies and statistics." That said, here are my favorites:

For goalies: 1) SV% 2) Shutouts 3) GAA
For forwards: 1) Points 2) Goals 3) Assists
For defense: 1) Time on Ice 2) Points 3) +/-

I'm not all that keen on the +/- statistic unless I'm comparing players on the same team.