An important clarification on the Chayka and analytics stuff is that while he, by definition, is absolutely an analytics guy, he is an analytics guy in the same sense that John Weisbrod is, by definition, an eye test guy: two men with no demonstrable track record, using mysterious criterion, making erratic decisions, and both of whom are armed with a thesaurus of buzz words which is often cause for concern.
That isn't to say with certainty Chayka's analytics are garbage, it's saying - like Weisbrod's magic eye test - some of the moves are completely contrary to publicly-known analytics which should raise heavy skepticism.
Chayka's former company - which still has heavy family involvement - tracks proprietary micro statistics. The reason we can't be confident in their impact or correlation on results-based outcomes is we don't know what they are, and they have undergone no public peer review. There is a chance they could be demonstrably brilliant and give the Coyotes a huge advantage, but there is an equal chance they are complete snake oil and are better served being thrown in the recycle bin. Or perhaps they are moderately useful but are being used inappropriately.
Unfortunately, throughout sports there are people and companies who are tremendously effective at advertising themselves and talking the talk - often via buzz words - which can harm a hiring organization. We've already seen it with Tyler Dellow fooling not one but now two organizations with his loudmouth style but fundamental lack of statistical understanding. Travis Yost whom TSN hired is another, though not nearly as dangerous as Dellow. This is only going to get worse as player tracking is implemented - boy are some organizations about to be sold complete junk.
All that is to say that nobody is wrong saying Chayka is an analytics GM, however grouping him in with all personnel and fans who are interested in analytics is exactly the same as claiming the eye test is garbage because of John Weisbrod or Pete Chiarelli.
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"I think the eye test is still good, but analytics can sure give you confirmation: what you see...is that what you really believe?"
Scotty Bowman, 0 NHL games played
"You ain't gotta like me. You're just mad 'cause I tell it how it is and you tell it how it might be."
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