Injuries VS Wins
Apr 28, 2008 NHL
Behind the Net has a great article about something many of us wonder about: How many wins do you lose when that top line player gets injured? Here’s the basics of the methodology:
For the last five seasons, I looked at forwards who averaged 19 minutes or more per game and defensemen who averaged 21 minutes or more - and who played between 52 and 74 games with a single team. This roughly corresponds to a team’s top two forwards and top two defensemen. I compared their team’s record with them in the lineup to its record with them out of the lineup.
From this, Hawerchuk determined that a top-tier forward (the guys that get 19min+ of icetime) can cost you about 1.5 wins, whereas a top defenseman (21min+) costs as much as 4 wins.
Tags: behind the net, Hockey, NHL, stats
The Kaleta - Penalties Drawn
Feb 28, 2008 NHL
Kevin from Buffalo Roots wondered last night in BflBlog’s open thread about The Kaleta’s penalty drawing prowess. Behind the Net tracks that, and the numbers for Patrick are outstanding. He’s the best of any player with at least 20 games, drawing 5.2 penalties per 60 minutes of play after last night. Coincidental minors are not counted. Now, it takes him 10 games to get them since he only averages 6 minutes a night but you can clearly see he is relishing his role as an agitator.
Tags: B-Lo Sports, behind the net, Hockey, kaleta, NHL, penalties, sabres
