[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

When you start measuring individual players with these stats is when I get a little more skeptical. T

In 2014 The Lightning acquired Anton Stralman. A guy the Rangers were using on their second pairing but couldn't afford because they had to keep "guts" guy Marc Staal. The Rangers were in the SCF the year before.

Possession analytics showed that Stralman was one of the best players on the rangers in 2013-14, and he went to the Lightning the next year One thing stayed consistent, and that was the effect Stralman had on the teams' possession. The 2013-14 Rangers and Lightning, respectively were 7th and 11th in possession. The 2014-15 Rangers and Lightning, respectively were 20th and 4th in possession. One team went way down, one team went way up, and Anton Stralman while not the "only factor" is a pretty obvious contributing one they sorely miss.

Not all players influence possession. Some are "neutral". Some are bad especially in a role outside their reaction capability (Kris Russell, Deryk Engelland) and the eye test shows why. Some are really damn good (Stralman) and the eye test shows why. And yes, good teams had to get rid of some possession sinks to take that step. The Kings had to drop Jack Johnson from their top 4.

Analytics do show you who's individually making an impact one way or the other if there's a consistent trend. There isn't always one. The eye test isn't useless but it tends to confirm what the analytics show. On our team for example Backlund is Mr Possession. If you watch this team you realize it's not by fluke.

Individual possession stats aren't everything but they show trends. Trends to look out for when scouting a player. See: Michael Frolik.

They also show trends in coaching though. Something as simple as Calgary's dump and change versus L.A.'s change first, then dump and aggressive forecheck.

Mark Fayne had great advanced metrics in New Jersey, and has been a tire fire in Edmonton.

Fayne has good advanced metrics in Edmonton too. He's a perfect example of a guy who would see a resurgence on a good team. As was Petry before him. As is Gardiner on the Leafs.