Jim Nill joined TSN 1050 radio for their Hockey Analytics program over the weekend, and there were some great tidbits in there. Go ahead and give it a listen for yourself; here are some quick things I pulled out of it. (Nill comes on about two-thirds of the way through the show.)
-Ruff and Nill have brought players in and reviewed their “puck system” numbers, which involve puck possession numbers like Corsi as well as shot attempts, etc. This is a work-in-progress with some of the players who might not buy into the underlying numbers as much.
-Draft decisions seem to still be based primarily on scouting and traditional stats, as there isn’t an infrastructure for advanced analytical analysis for most prospects around the world per Nill.
-Nill attributes the Stars‘ early struggles largely to an inability to “manage the neutral zone,” which he chalks up to an insufficient response by the Stars to other teams’ scouting of their neutral zone tendencies.
-Jim Nill and Lindy Ruff sat down and talked about this article from Travis Yost (which we also looked at in a links post when it came out).
-Lindy Ruff wants to see all five players on the screen when he’s reviewing video of defensive zone coverage. That means diligent backchecking.
-The Stars “tinkered with” player tracking technology using cameras and chips inside jerseys during the Traverse City Prospect Tournament.
-Nill is very aware of his tendency as a former scout and “old hockey guy” to get stuck in his ways, so he is doing his best to find out which numbers can help them evaluate the team. “Numbers don’t lie.”
Lots more good stuff in there, too. Give it a listen while you wait in line to exit the mall parking structure today.
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Tuesday Links are jam-packed with Stars stuff. Early stocking stuffers, folks. And you didn’t even see me creeping down your chimney last night to put them there!
Mike Heika reminds us that the Stars generated a (tied for) season-high 45 shots on goal against Edmonton during their third period comeback and subsequently strange shootout success. [DMN]
Here are some letters to Santa from the Stars that are not actually from the Stars, sources confirm. [Along the Boards]
Missed it yesterday, but Tyler Seguin was named #1 star on Puck Daddy after his deuce in Edmonton. [Puck Daddy]
Lindy Ruff has spoken with one of his former teammates regarding Ryan Garbutt’s recent behavior: Gord Garbutt, Ryan’s father. [DMN]
Julius Honka is now with the Finnish team for the World Juniors, as you surely must have heard by now. [Wrong Side of the Red Line]
Jason Demers is more than just a flashy dresser, but let’s focus on the clothes for a moment. [DMN]
Mike Heika joined the Marek Vs. Wyshynski podcast Monday to talk about Tyler Seguin, why the Stars traded Dillon, and other fun stuff. Mike’s segment start’s around the 10-minute mark. [SportsNet]
In the latest episode of John Scott: Hitman on Skates, we are treated to a good old fashioned butt-ending. Let’s start the pool at a five-game suspension, shall we? [CBS Sports]
For everyone else whose childhood was a montage of Disney Afternoon cartoons, check out Ilya Bryzgalov’s new Darkwing Duck mask. (Maybe the Oilers could use a Tale Spin mask for Scrivens at this point.) [Puck Daddy]
Stephane Robidas will always remember the 2008 WCF run when he thinks of Dallas. [Toronto Sun]
Finally, not every goalie can hop up on top of nets (or boards) like Kari. Check out this fun little moving picture show starring Anton Khudobin:
