Remember seeing some stat from 3 or 4 years ago about how Upshall is essentially the most average player in the league. I always think of that when his name comes up. Probably not a bad add for Edmonton even if he only ends up being a camp invite.
Which average.
One of the hockey theories I presented was
3d matrix of player situation usage based on Desjardins Comp, Team, ZS.
Later presented as inaccurate 2 axis player usage charts by Volman and others.
Thier are 512 situations with viable data variance to set the breakdown at that level.
Meaning thier are 512 situation averages to do a +/- performance comparison.
Like Scotty Bowman, I believe you build lines by strong situation fwd pairs.
Lines are 1st , 2nd, 3rd, 4th based on level of offence & Goal diff they can out performe.
Brodziak and Upshall.
Of the 60% of ZS that is from face offs
49.6% was in thier def Zone.
19.4% was in the OZ.
Of the 40% of ZS that is from coach’s bench change decision.
70% was without pocession..
They faced on average bott 1st/Upr 2nd comp.
The expected 0ff production for this situation is 1.40evgf/60.
2.09 was what they were.
Running a Def FO and Bench change PvP role is usually -22 unit Goal diff for 800 even minutes per season.
The pair played 458 ev min and were -2.
When the expected was -13.
So the were +11 relative to the expected unit Goal diff.
+1.44 evg/60min.
They were an elite 1st comp goal diff forward pair last year.
Allowing softer comp for the other lines.
I hope they show that same Elite talent paired in camp.
Top options for Even off production/ Goal diff fwd pairs.
RNH-Mcdavid-xxx
xxx-Draisatl-Puljujarvi
Khaira-Strome-xxx
Upshall-Brodziak-xxx
Lucic LW
Reider LW/RW
Kassian RW
Caggulia LW/C/RW
Rattie RW
Aberg LW/RW
Yamamoto LW/RW