The key difference, of course, is that while voicing my opinions, I still leave room for others to have their own. You're not going to see me waiting in the weeds to bum rush every last person on here who thinks Homer's doing a great job.
- Tomahawk

I have an honest question because I don't claim to be very knowledgeable about advanced stats. Does the zone entry statistics account for what side of the ice forward enter the zone or is it just a catch all stat for whatever defenseman is on the ice at the time?

He'd be sitting in the press box.
- PLindbergh31

No he wouldn't. If Boychuk was on the Flyers, and MacDonald was on the Bruins. In the normal grass is greener take around here, it would be why can't the Flyers get a defenseman like MacDonald, instead of overpaying players like Boychuck.

That's fair, and if he's more adaptable than so be it. Not like wingers can't be known for good defense either (i.e. Hossa) even though centers are more often in the conversation
- eayost

Has a winger ever won the Selke?

They compare Mac's zone entry numbers with every other player on the Flyers. He is significantly worse than all of them.

Its a trend thats followed him all season with both teams. If he can sure up that part of his game, he can become a very good player because he's shown to be good in both the offensive and defensive zone. His neutral zone play just needs some work. He has a good stick and can skate pretty well. Theres no reason he can't get better in that area if he works on it.
- PhillySportsGuy

Eh, it's not even worth the energy.

I only asked for clarification on his point to make sure I was reading it correctly. But I'm not going to argue the point with him.

Has a winger ever won the Selke?
- PhillySportsGuy

Jere Lehtinen of the Stars - also the last one to do so if Im not mistaken

I have an honest question because I don't claim to be very knowledgeable about advanced stats. Does the zone entry statistics account for what side of the ice forward enter the zone or is it just a catch all stat for whatever defenseman is on the ice at the time?
- MBFlyerfan

They track side of ice, the type of entry (w/ or w/o possession, dumps, break-ups at the line, beats, etc), the guy attacking, and the guy defending.

They compare Mac's zone entry numbers with every other player on the Flyers. He is significantly worse than all of them.

Its a trend thats followed him all season with both teams. If he can sure up that part of his game, he can become a very good player because he's shown to be good in both the offensive and defensive zone. His neutral zone play just needs some work. He has a good stick and can skate pretty well. Theres no reason he can't get better in that area if he works on it.
- PhillySportsGuy

What is significantly worse? Can you quantify that? Zone entry stats have the same problem that all fancy stats do. False data. And far too many variables to compare players to each other. They can't do that definitively, yet, they're used that way repeatedly.

Has a winger ever won the Selke?
- PhillySportsGuy

Jere Lehtinen

I could see the Flyers keeping Akeson for the sole reason that he may not have to play every game. If he comes into camp and just earns a top-9 spot, good on him. But he could very well be our 13th or 14th forward next year.

I could see them carrying two extra forwards and just a 7th dman. They would be able to call Ghost up without worrying about waivers if theres an injury on D. It's also to the point where if he don't make the team next year, a guy like Lauridesen can just be called up and potentially lost to waivers at some point. Just pointing this out because we carried two extra D for most of the year, so it seems to a luxury Berube enjoys.

Perhaps. It's not like it was their plan to have him playing in the playoffs. All of their other goalies are injured. I wonder if they put in a call to Kari Takko to see if he was available tonight.
- PLindbergh31

i would have gone with jon casey.

neee ha boys!!!!! 0.99$ hamberger helper at cascade farmacy! 2 boxes for tonight s game smurfs r DONE!! going back payday and stock up and put some boxes aside for the holidays

Eh, it's not even worth the energy.

I only asked for clarification on his point to make sure I was reading it correctly. But I'm not going to argue the point with him.
- bradleyc4

Yeah, totally not worth it.

We have to be careful to either obfuscate or avoid certain topics of discussion in here as to not set certain people off. It's oppressive, but exceedingly necessary for sanity.

They track side of ice, the type of entry (w/ or w/o possession, dumps, break-ups at the line, beats, etc), the guy attacking, and the guy defending.
- Tomahawk

Ok thanks.

He'd be sitting in the press box.
- PLindbergh31

Mez has not....

Yeah, totally not worth it.

We have to be careful to either obfuscate or avoid certain topics of discussion in here as to not set certain people off. It's oppressive, but exceedingly necessary for sanity.
- Tomahawk

love the nazi avatar T man!!! guy down at the dog fights wares one just like it

I have an honest question because I don't claim to be very knowledgeable about advanced stats. Does the zone entry statistics account for what side of the ice forward enter the zone or is it just a catch all stat for whatever defenseman is on the ice at the time?
- MBFlyerfan

People have tracked zone entries for all Flyers defensemen this year for all 82 games. This is entails which side of the ice was attacked, the defenseman on that side, and how that player gained entry.

This is a good overview and gives still shots of the main issue that is hurting MacDonald (and the Flyers): http://www.broadstreethoc...enseman-neutral-zone-play

I don't see how someone can watch the game and claim it's a team (and not an individual) issue, but to each their own.

What is significantly worse? Can you quantify that? Zone entry stats have the same problem that all fancy stats do. False data. And far too many variables to compare players to each other. They can't do that definitively, yet, they're used that way repeatedly.
- MJL

If you view them for one game, it can be misleading, but over the course of full seasons or careers, it becomes more reliable. If Mac's zone entry stats are continually worse than all other players, they have some merit. You can't just say "well, the team doesn't back check hard when he's on the ice."

Mez has not....
- missingmike

Sure he has.
What were the stipulations on the pick the Bruins traded to the Flyers going from a 3rd to a 2nd? I forgot.

neee ha boys!!!!! 0.99$ hamberger helper at cascade farmacy! 2 boxes for tonight s game smurfs r DONE!! going back payday and stock up and put some boxes aside for the holidays
- GodIsaCatholic

That's a slick deal. Sometimes there's coupons for $1.00 off 3, say whaaaaaaaaat.

Eh, it's not even worth the energy.

I only asked for clarification on his point to make sure I was reading it correctly. But I'm not going to argue the point with him.
- bradleyc4

It's past the point of absurdity. It really is.

I swear to God, you'd think that every single player on the Flyers has no holes in their game whatsoever and that they've won the past 26 Stanley Cups, because not a single player does anything poorly that us among the great unwashed can't see.

If I say Vincent Lecavalier can't skate and is poor defensively, that's a true statement, you know? But to hear it being told, you'd swear the guy was the reigning Hart/Art Ross/Selke/Conn Smythe winner who just happened to get bought out in Tampa and find himself on the fourth line here, because the rest of us don't understand what we're seeing

It's past the point of absurdity. It really is.

I swear to God, you'd think that every single player on the Flyers has no holes in their game whatsoever and that they've won the past 26 Stanley Cups, because not a single player does anything poorly that us among the great unwashed can't see.

If I say Vincent Lecavalier can't skate and is poor defensively, that's a true statement, you know? But to hear it being told, you'd swear the guy was the reigning Hart/Art Ross/Selke/Conn Smythe winner who just happened to get bought out in Tampa and find himself on the fourth line here, because the rest of us don't understand what we're seeing
- AllInForFlyers

4 decade Cup drought, yet they all poop rainbows. Interesting concept.

Man, if Lavi could talk Hartnell into coming back to Nashville...

Man, if Lavi could talk Hartnell into coming back to Nashville...
- hereticpride

I'd rather he draws Lecavalier back

People have tracked zone entries for all Flyers defensemen this year for all 82 games. This is entails which side of the ice was attacked, the defenseman on that side, and how that player gained entry.

This is a good overview and gives still shots of the main issue that is hurting MacDonald (and the Flyers): http://www.broadstreethoc...enseman-neutral-zone-play

I don't see how someone can watch the game and claim it's a team (and not an individual) issue, but to each their own.
- bradleyc4

You could watch the games, then read that -- or vice versa -- and see exactly what they're talking about.

It's not rocket science or voodoo magic. The guy gives up the blue line too easily! Period! Some things just are what they are.

People have tracked zone entries for all Flyers defensemen this year for all 82 games. This is entails which side of the ice was attacked, the defenseman on that side, and how that player gained entry.

This is a good overview and gives still shots of the main issue that is hurting MacDonald (and the Flyers): http://www.broadstreethoc...enseman-neutral-zone-play

I don't see how someone can watch the game and claim it's a team (and not an individual) issue, but to each their own.
- bradleyc4

Main issue? That over-analyzation of one particular player. To say that's one of the team's "main issues" is a bit much.

I would play defenders a bit timid if I was built as slightly as Mac. There's a reason they try to attack his side of the ice. That doesn't make him a bad player or the reason why were golfing right now (not that that's exactly whats being insinuated, but it was called a "main" issue").

The Flyers "main" issue, to me, is 5 on 5 play, and is more of a coaching issue than personnel issue. That being said, a different mix of personnel might make the coaches job easier.