ATD Chat Thread XX

[VanIslander]

Indeed, context matters.

Stats help illuminate - not replace - plays we see. The longer the lens, the more revelant the stat.

 

[tinyzombies]

I think it depends on what your objective is - are you trying to compile data, or make an argument?

If you're just trying to compile data, then the numbers that are presented are (more or less) accurate. It's no different than saying that Jamie Benn won an Art Ross, but Steve Yzerman didn't. It's a factual summary of what actually happened.

If you're trying to make an argument (or a greatest players list) - yes, for sure, you need to consider the context. (That's when you get into comments like "Yzerman would have won at least 1 Art Ross if not for Gretzky/Lemieux, and Benn peaked during an unusually weak season").

Factual summaries can (and should) support a position, but they're never a position on their own.

I’d also love to see adjustments for systems played vis-a-vis possible wins. For example: if Bergeron’s leash had lengthened he would have scored more but lost more. There should be an offensive score not based entirely on points tho, because if he can score out of that role, he deserves a higher offensive rating than he usually gets credit for. And same for an offensive guy who doesn’t defend - if that doesn’t lead to wins he should be penalized. Etc. for dmen who play zone for instance, they might have to play zone because that’s all they can do or maybe like Shea Weber it’s because they are dominant in a zone - even tho they give up medium danger stuff in volume. There’s no detail to stats.