Eyes on Isles Roundtable: 2014-15 NHL Season Preview

Apr 8, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach Greg Cronin draws out a play during a time out against the New York Rangers at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated New York 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Question 9: What are your thoughts on advanced stats such as CORSI and FENWICK being used in analyzing a players ability/value? 

Chris: They’re solid tools for player evaluations. The Isles have been using them for years and have the most players drafted from the second round and back from 2006 up until this year in the NHL today.

Kenny: I’ll be the first to admit that I was very late to the advanced stats party. I wouldn’t even acknowledge them until this year. I think they’re very useful when used along with the eye test in evaluating a player but people who make claims based solely on advanced stats are quite frankly insane.

Kevin: I think those stats carry more weight than people are giving them credit for. We’ve seen it in baseball with SABERmetrics and how teams that employ those thought processes are successful. As with any sport, there are “purists” who need to see a guy “pass the eye test”, but as the technology in the game advances these stats will be more and more important.

Michael: I’m not the biggest fan. I’m more keen on using the eye test. There isn’t a better way to analyze a player than by simply watching him play. Different people use different tactics so I have no problem with advanced stats being used, but I’m not the biggest fan.