Other than Dom Moore this isn't a strong point of our roster. And it's important. I'm not saying I wouldn't sign Riberio because of face-offs (I wouldn't sign him because he's a time bomb waiting to go off), but don't downplay the importance of face-offs.
The average top line center takes about 1500 faceoffs, 2nd line center is about 1100 and 3rd line is about 825
So i'm assuming most people see Ribeiro as either our 2nd or 3rd line center, so figure he takes about what...1,000 faceoffs? to make the numbers nice and easy?
So an absolute ELITE faceoff guy is at about 59%, but let's say you're happy with what Dominic Moore gives you, about 55%.
Ribeiro will likely give you about 45% give or take 2 % points depending on the year.
so that 10% difference is the difference between winning 450 faceoffs and 550 faceoffs
100 faceoffs extra won per 82 games works out to 1.2 extra faceoffs won per game.
1.2
that's it. 1 measely extra faceoff win.
And i think we will all agree that Ribeiro will be given the cushy starts that Richards and Brassard tend to get, so when we lose those faceoffs, its not neraly as detrimental as when you lose a defensive zone faceoffs.
In short. 1 faceoff per game, to me, is insignificant, and not a valid reason to not sign the guy.
Stepan is basically the same %, are you guys willing to walk away from him when his next contract is up because he doesnt win faceoffs?
I would hope not.
To me, faceoffs just isnt a valid reason to not sign a guy. I totally buy the attitude question, and, while I dont particularly care about it, I Understand why someone would, and would want to stay away.
To me, 60-70 point centers who are power play wizards, who could conceivably be signed for 1 million bucks, are games worth taking. 1 faceoff lost versus won per game isn't going to change that.
