Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
My post was in reference to ricardodw's conclusions ("Gaudreau 12 ES goals and Monahan 14 did not do as much as Mangiapane to get the PP time. If Mangiapane were to replace either one of them as a PP shooter would the Flames have a better PP?")
You are clearly very sensitive with respect to this topic. Yes, Mangiapane's 5on5 stats were solid this year. No dispute.
But jumping to the conclusion that he was the Flames' best forward 5on5, is rather premature IMO.
1) all observation, by pretty much everyone, disagrees with the conclusion (he had a great year, but no one - other than those that completely buy into these stats - think he was the best forward)
2) his line had a hot streak - let's see if they can actually repeat that before he call him our best forward
3) he had a very high shooting percentage through that hot streak
All players (and lines) have hot streaks. The problem here is that there isn't enough other data to normalize his numbers. If he puts up more periods of excellent numbers, and the data continues to support this data, then we can start to have more confidence about our conclusions.
But so far, that conclusion is not only pre-mature, but conflicts with observation.
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In a normal year, Mangiapane likely wouldn't be in the discussion, but while the top guys (specifically the top line) struggled all year, Mangiapane played solid hockey and as a result, had among the top counting stats on the team as well as micro stats.
I'm not at all saying Mangiapane is the most skilled player on the team, or the best skater, or has the best shot, etc.. I'm sure Mangiapane doesn't have one particular trait where he's better than everyone else on the team, but he's right up there with Tkachuk in terms of his hockey IQ and knowing where to be on the ice at all times and his tenacious, never give up play style allows him to create offense out of nowhere while also helping limit chances in his own end.
He'll very likely never be the go-to guy on a team, nor will he every put up Gaudreau offensive numbers, but his elite work ethic and IQ combined with his above-average all around play makes for a very effective hockey player that leads to the excellent results he put up this year in which he had first line production at 5v5 while providing elite defense.
As for special teams, I know you weren't responding to me on that area, but that's where I agree with you and said it in a previous post how great offense or defense at 5v5 doesn't necessarily translate to great PP or PK effectiveness, but at the very least, he's earned the opportunity to get consistent PP2 and PK time.