You could also classify a handful of players that were in the lineup tonight as deadweight over the past few years. The key is getting everyone going at the same time.
Now we're hoping to become the worst of the mediocre teams. Hooray!
Are we the world’s biggest slider or the world’s smallest burger?
His passing and vision are crazy. But he’s so tiny and slow.
We’re still only firing on a couple cylinders in terms of the kids playing effectively, which is supposed to be the point. No progress so far from Minty/Mac/Carlsson, a few signs of life from LaCombe, Cutter, and Z, major steps by Zell and Dostal.
I would quibble on Mintyukov. He's probably been the Ducks' best defenseman, all things considered. He's the only one averaging more than 20 minutes per night, he's playing in all situations, and he's got the best even strength expected GF% among all Ducks defensemen*. His defensive numbers aren't quite as good as last season, but he's also being trusted with more defensive zone starts than last year (and more than any other d-man on the team this season, even Gudas). Despite that, he's been generating more offense than last season and more offense than any Ducks' defenseman* this season.
So are the stats wrong? All of them point to improvement this year in his overall play. The eye test agrees for me as well. He hasn't been as flashy this season, but he's been way more consistently solid.
Not all of them, as you said yourself. You’re choosing to prioritize the ones that match your gut, which is ultimately what most people do with low salience stats like xGF. I don’t see him generating much and I don’t think he’s done well with the extra responsibilities he’s been given, even though I think it’s essential that he be given them.
The phrase "in his overall play" is important to that sentence. While his defensive numbers are worse, the context is that he's starting much more in the defensive zone than last year and than anyone else on the team. And he's generating more offense than last year despite that increase in defensive zone starts (on a per 60 basis), which has led to his xGF% increasing.
The stats are ambiguous and we’re using a different eye test. To me, he’s shrunken his game to adapt to a more overwhelming reality. When/if he learns to apply his skills in a new role, I’ll agree there’s been a step. Until then it’s just developmental churn.
