Saving the defenders taking contact is surely valuable, but if playing the puck doesn't translate into wins, does it really matter that much?
I question whether Smith's puck handling is a net positive over the course of a year.
It seems to me that as a measurement talking point, it's not that impressive really. The number sounds big, but if you're saving defender's getting hit only to turn the puck over in the neutral zone for a scoring chance against, maybe it's preferable that the defender takes contact for a clean zone exit with possession.
You'd think if they had data that supported that kind of conclusion that that would be the talking point.
|