Metrics, like most tools, are viable when they work with other instruments. After reading the GAR article, and seeing Sean's list, it's not one that would work for me. First of all, you can't predict how a team will finish, you can't measure heart and guts and that guy who will drive the net to get the GTG or GWG, or the one who throws his body in front of a shot with 10 seconds left to save the game.
They are all part of variety of 'metrics' that if you use correctly, will work. But you still need guts, heart, soul, moxy and leadership.
Sean's list had Nashville down way too low and the BJ's as well. Same with some of the teams on the high end that seemed out of place.
I think defensive metrics work better, for me, because I've seen over the years, just how valuable some great defensive players (forwards and d) are and how critical they are to a team's success, esp in the playoffs. I can't tell you how many times , over the years, seeing that center who can shut it down, control the faceoff, use his stick and body to position himself and make the other team change their strategy. Players that have high IQ, vision and instincts, stuff that you can't measure but lead directly to W's.
So, the GM's who know how to do both, get the right blend, and the coach that uses them to their best advantage, they will be a team that wins.
