There is only 1 problem with this, at least, the NHL playoff experience part Not a shred of evidence for it at all. Richards' production dipped sharply after 2010. True, after he went to LA, he dropped from the first line and played behind Kopitar and had lesser mins. But, that cuts both ways: easier matchups etc. His points/60 trend dipped.



The "experience" of the 2012 playoffs made seemingly negligible contributions to the development of Schenn and Couturier. The former did not consistently flourish until he went to a team that played a style by then well established for that team for which he was well suited. The latter till a position change several years later.

Or consider the young players Torts took to playoffs in CBJ. Dubois, Werensky, Seth J, Panarin (still youngish). No evidence that I can see that this playoff experience led to a jump in any of their relevant stats.

I think this "playoff experience" value is one of the many hockey myths. Toronto has a structural problem with a lack of quality at D. Time and again, they fall because of that, and because if their forwards can be contained, they will not win close games. No amount of playoff experience is changing that. Tampa kept knocking at the door till the humiliation against CBJ led them to make lineup changes.

This is a vast topic, but I don't see much data showing that playoff experience is a significant factor in the improvement of a player.
- PT21

The shred of evidence is just the guys opinion. Even Richards talked about how his role in Philly differed from how LA used him on their way to 2 Stanley cups. You may think it’s a myth…ok…but most hockey people would disagree with ya.

The games now are meaningless till mid Feb or so when teams tighten their D sharply.

Tortorella had at least 3 successive seasons of CBJ teams at around 100 points or so. In those years, 1 playoff win. Nor did he set that team up for future success. They languished.

And yes, it most likely is. You want the young players to excel but the team to lose.
- PT21

If your young players are excelling you probably aren’t losing…

Who’s the next head coach here? Jonsey’s best bud Berube? Brad Shaw?
- Dkos

Brind'Amour

The shred of evidence is just the guys opinion. Even Richards talked about how his role in Philly differed from how LA used him on their way to 2 Stanley cups. You may think it’s a myth…ok…but most hockey people would disagree with ya.
- landros 2

Players are notoriously poor analyzers of the game. Look at any interview of any player after a loss in any sport. They say things like: we just gotta execute. We have to play harder. It there is an injury - it's next man up. We have to play for 60 mins. We have to bear down. Etc. etc.

I think the idea that playoff experience means a lot is something we like to believe. Life lessons and all that. I think players like to believe it is true.

Look at the playoff hardened BOS team last year. How did all that experience work out in the first round? How did the Eagles team full of playoff veterans handle adversity this year?

EDIT: their own game.

If your young players are excelling you probably aren’t losing…
- landros 2

Good point. This is one reason why I dreaded the signing of Couturier.

Players are notoriously poor analyzers of the game. Look at any interview of any player after a loss in any sport. They say things like: we just gotta execute. We have to play harder. It there is an injury - it's next man up. We have to play for 60 mins. We have to bear down. Etc. etc.

I think the idea that playoff experience means a lot is something we like to believe. Life lessons and all that. I think players like to believe it is true.

Look at the playoff hardened BOS team last year. How did all that experience work out in the first round? How did the Eagles team full of playoff veterans handle adversity this year?
- PT21

Players are notoriously poor analyzers or the game? Almost every head coach, every GM and every scout are ex players ? I’m at a loss.

Players are notoriously poor analyzers or the game? Almost every head coach, every GM and every scout are ex players ? I’m at a loss.
- landros 2

well ex selke did say nate thompson was a vital part and a big loss....so

Players are notoriously poor analyzers or the game? Almost every head coach, every GM and every scout are ex players ? I’m at a loss.
- landros 2

See edit. Sorry.

But honestly, I am not sure even that is not due to inertia. At least, in part. You see the analytics guys creeping up. You see a guy like Jon Cooper. Didn't he play lacrosse or something?

Hopefully, as time goes on, analysis will become more data driven instead of "in my experience" etc.

The Giroux trade and Niskanen for that one season were his best moves in hindsight. Everything else was mediocre to awful. There’s maybe a chance the Ristolainen trade breaks even when all is said and done.
- Sublime55

I forgot the nisky trade. That was a solid move as well. That trade even made provy look good for a short minute.
The RR trade I still think I would have kept that high end 1st rd draft pick instead. Maybe RR can pull a walker type development and start playing sound hockey in his late 20s. If that happens and we flip him for a 1st at the end of his tenure them that trade may wash out afterall
But you're right, other than that CF sucked at almost everything else that he did, aside from drafting. I am a big fan of some of his draft choices.
With that said, I think flahr spearheaded the draft picks and CF just went along with the recommendations flahr made. The good picks keep coming amd flahr kept his job for a reaaon

Good point. This is one reason why I dreaded the signing of Couturier.
- PT21

Hard to knock the Coots signing without using hindsight. It’s always a crap shoot signing guys into their 30’s. Obviously health is the great equalizer. It depends where you see your team at. Fletch had a much different vision about where he thought they were. He also got caught reaching on so many contracts and trades, that it bordered on incompetence at the end.

well ex selke did say nate thompson was a vital part and a big loss....so
- hello it's me 2050

That was his Eucre partner on the plane.

See edit. Sorry.

But honestly, I am not sure even that is not due to inertia. At least, in part. You see the analytics guys creeping up. You see a guy like Jon Cooper. Didn't he play lacrosse or something?

Hopefully, as time goes on, analysis will become more data driven instead of "in my experience" etc.
- PT21

I’m the opposite. I prefer guys that have played. Life experiences being the great teacher and all that. I agree analytics does and should play a vital role but it can’t always be a driving force in decision making but rather a useful tool.

Players are notoriously poor analyzers of the game. Look at any interview of any player after a loss in any sport. They say things like: we just gotta execute. We have to play harder. It there is an injury - it's next man up. We have to play for 60 mins. We have to bear down. Etc. etc.

I think the idea that playoff experience means a lot is something we like to believe. Life lessons and all that. I think players like to believe it is true.

Look at the playoff hardened BOS team last year. How did all that experience work out in the first round? How did the Eagles team full of playoff veterans handle adversity this year?

EDIT: their own game.
- PT21

This is just more silliness. Players in interviews? That's your evidence? LOL. Hockey player generally speak.in cliches in interviews after the game? That's not analysis. How about past NHl players who have become analysts, or GMs or coaches?
When a team like Boston has major injuries to their top two centers and goaltender. That can have an effect. What an awful example to use. You're showing your complete lack of any wisdom here.

Players are notoriously poor analyzers of the game. Look at any interview of any player after a loss in any sport. They say things like: we just gotta execute. We have to play harder. It there is an injury - it's next man up. We have to play for 60 mins. We have to bear down. Etc. etc.

I think the idea that playoff experience means a lot is something we like to believe. Life lessons and all that. I think players like to believe it is true.

Look at the playoff hardened BOS team last year. How did all that experience work out in the first round? How did the Eagles team full of playoff veterans handle adversity this year?

EDIT: their own game.
- PT21

To be fair, a lot of those canned answers are a way to avoid controversy, keep anybody from getting called out and to get the interviews over with.

The talk on the bench, in the room, before faceoffs and at practice will be much more pointed and technical. That stuff is mostly kept "in the room" tho.

Of course there are some dummies who are actually walking talking cliches. Like Hartsy haha.

Hard to knock the Coots signing without using hindsight. It’s always a crap shoot signing guys into their 30’s. Obviously health is the great equalizer. It depends where you see your team at. Fletch had a much different vision about where he thought they were. He also got caught reaching on so many contracts and trades, that it bordered on incompetence at the end.
- landros 2

No, I went on and on a couple of years ago about how his mere presence would worsen draft position and yet not be enough to take us to promised land. That's the part I meant.

Coming back to playoff experience, the reverse is also true. You don't seem to need much playoff experience to excel in them. A stark case is ROR. He had early insignificant play off experience, then went to BUF (drought). Then, late in career, goes to Blues and wins Conn Smythe!

Look at the young Giroux. His playoff performance dipped sharply the more experienced he became.

I’m the opposite. I prefer guys that have played. Life experiences being the great teacher and all that. I agree analytics does and should play a vital role but it can’t always be a driving force in decision making but rather a useful tool.
- landros 2

I know, my friend. I know.

That "useful tool" will likely become the primary tool. You will live to see it. It will be the coaches that will become the secondary, subsidiary part. Just wait till they unload those AI engines on the EDGE data the NHL is gathering.

I am not relishing this btw. I just see it as inevitable.

To be fair, a lot of those canned answers are a way to avoid controversy, keep anybody from getting called out and to get the interviews over with.

The talk on the bench, in the room, before faceoffs and at practice will be much more pointed and technical. That stuff is mostly kept "in the room" tho.

Of course there are some dummies who are actually walking talking cliches. Like Hartsy haha.
- Tomahawk

Fair enough. Good point.

The Giroux trade and Niskanen for that one season were his best moves in hindsight. Everything else was mediocre to awful. There’s maybe a chance the Ristolainen trade breaks even when all is said and done.
- Sublime55

Not a chance. The Flyers made multiple awful moves to accommodate the acquisition of Risto. Unless Risto scores the game winner in the cup sealing win. So very tiny chance.

I had to rewatch that first goal from frost to walker and that pass was an absolute beauty of a pass! The more that Frost keeps playijg the better he is getting.
Even the frost haters have to admit that frost has elevated his game recently. Now we just need to see consistency from him.
Oh, and his team mates need to bury more of frost's beautiful set ups.

I had to rewatch that first goal from frost to walker and that pass was an absolute beauty of a pass! The more that Frost keeps playijg the better he is getting.
Even the frost haters have to admit that frost has elevated his game recently. Now we just need to see consistency from him.
Oh, and his team mates need to bury more of frost's beautiful set ups.
- Bob Habib

How about the pass in tight to Atkinson? Also a.beaut.

Denver Barkey. There’s another new wave hockey name if I’ve ever heard one.

Yeah, he was the 3rd rounder.

Can’t forget we still have a 1st on deck this year in that deal.

Seems like a nice return after all.
- Hesh_

It definitely seems like we won that trade across the board.
Now imagine if Denver barkey continues to develop his game and it translates to the NHL.
That will make this trade a grand slam.
And add that other first round pick to the farm..... whew. Feltcher really did knock this one out of the park and I rarely ever say anything nice about CF.
Tips and barks and a 1st rd pick is looking quite lovely

You haven't supported your asinine statement that the current games are meaningless. That is hyperbole on your part. I would disagree that teams now play a drastically different style, especially on D. You're incorrect there. We're in the heart of the NHL season now. With 3 point games and parity, a significant slump right now would drastically effect a teams chances of making the playoffs.
- MJL

Agree here. These games are absolutely important. Every point matters and even a 4 game losing streak could dramatically impact the standings and playoff odds.
There are no meaningless games whwn you're in the hunt for the playoffs, especially when they're in striking distance for 1st place in the metro
Every. Point. Counts!

No, not really.
- MJL

Lol wrong again

No, not really.
- MJL

Lol wrong again