LW Kyle Connor (2015, 17th, WPG) II

[L13]

It is indeed far less difficult to put up big numbers in the Big Ten than in Hockey East or even ECAC and I don't see how pointing that out is out of place in this thread.

That said, Connor is clearly a very talented player and should have a bright future in the NHL. I don't doubt he would have been one of the best players in the country this season if he played for BC or Quinnipiac too; I just don't think he would have gotten as many points.

 

[ps241]

UND was clearly the better team but I thought it was a highly entertaining game. Connor and the CCM line were really good but in the end the better team won. Good luck to UND in the frozen 4.

 

[Whileee]

It is indeed far less difficult to put up big numbers in the Big Ten than in Hockey East or even ECAC and I don't see how pointing that out is out of place in this thread.

That said, Connor is clearly a very talented player and should have a bright future in the NHL. I don't doubt he would have been one of the best players in the country this season if he played for BC or Quinnipiac too; I just don't think he would have gotten as many points.

Wonder how many points Larkin would have gotten in another conference. Connor had almost 40% higher points/game than Larkin did as a freshman last season at Michigan.

It was a remarkable season. Certainly, everything went right and the CCM line really clicked, but Connor's a real talent and should be fun to watch once he gets settled at the NHL level.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Jets need to sign him as soon as Connor shows the slightest interest in signing. He is one of the most impressive prospects in the world and is an American kid drafted to Winnipeg... Chevy cant take any chances here. Chevy would be playing with fire to encourage him to keep playing NCAA.

 

[lomiller1]

It is indeed far less difficult to put up big numbers in the Big Ten than in Hockey East

The difference in NHLe for the Big-10 and H-East isn't very big. It would be more accurate to say it's slightly easier to put up numbers in the Big-10.

 

[lomiller1]

UND was clearly the better team but I thought it was a highly entertaining game. Connor and the CCM line were really good but in the end the better team won. Good luck to UND in the frozen 4.

The lack of structure and systems play Berenson's coached teams have been accused of were on display here I think.

Emphasizing skill over system isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as a player doesn't spend to long there. If I were the Jets I wouldn't want to make sure they sign Connor so he doesn't spend another year doing that.

 

[L13]

The difference in NHLe for the Big-10 and H-East isn't very big. It would be more accurate to say it's slightly easier to put up numbers in the Big-10.

NHLe is calculated on the basis of a very small sample size, in particular for B1G, which is a new conference, skewed toward a particular subset of players. What is more, it is calculated on the basis of performance in both conference and non-conference games, which means it doesn't fully capture the variation in quality between conferences.

Looking at the average goals per game in each conference would be more informative. The average number of goals per game for Big Ten teams (in both conference and interconference games) this season was around 7.1. For teams in Hockey East it was around 5.5. Considering only conference games would probably reveal an even larger difference, but I'm too lazy to crunch the numbers right now.

In any case, Connor scored 51 points in 22 games against Big Ten opposition and 20 points in 16 games against non-conference teams this season.

I think it should be obvious based on the above that yes, it's easier for a good player to score more in the Big Ten than in some other conferences--although, granted, players usually perform better in conference games than non-conference games regardless of their team.

 

[Philip Kessel]

Jets need to sign him as soon as Connor shows the slightest interest in signing. He is one of the most impressive prospects in the world and is an American kid drafted to Winnipeg... Chevy cant take any chances here. Chevy would be playing with fire to encourage him to keep playing NCAA.

There is 0 chance connor stalls his development by playing in the NCAA for 4 years simply because he doesn't want to go to Winnipeg.

 

[Kismet]

NHLe is calculated on the basis of a very small sample size, in particular for B1G, which is a new conference, skewed toward a particular subset of players. What is more, it is calculated on the basis of performance in both conference and non-conference games, which means it doesn't fully capture the variation in quality between conferences.

Looking at the average goals per game in each conference would be more informative. The average number of goals per game for Big Ten teams (in both conference and interconference games) this season was around 7.1. For teams in Hockey East it was around 5.5. Considering only conference games would probably reveal an even larger difference, but I'm too lazy to crunch the numbers right now.

In any case, Connor scored 51 points in 22 games against Big Ten opposition and 20 points in 16 games against non-conference teams this season.

I think it should be obvious based on the above that yes, it's easier for a good player to score more in the Big Ten than in some other conferences--although, granted, players usually perform better in conference games than non-conference games regardless of their team.

Exactly. That's why when you consider just in-conference statistics, there were so many B1G players that put up better than a goal-per-game. Here's the list:

Kyle Connor

 

[ps241]

NHLe is calculated on the basis of a very small sample size, in particular for B1G, which is a new conference, skewed toward a particular subset of players. What is more, it is calculated on the basis of performance in both conference and non-conference games, which means it doesn't fully capture the variation in quality between conferences.

Looking at the average goals per game in each conference would be more informative. The average number of goals per game for Big Ten teams (in both conference and interconference games) this season was around 7.1. For teams in Hockey East it was around 5.5. Considering only conference games would probably reveal an even larger difference, but I'm too lazy to crunch the numbers right now.

In any case, Connor scored 51 points in 22 games against Big Ten opposition and 20 points in 16 games against non-conference teams this season.

I think it should be really obvious based on the above that yes, it's easier for a good player to score more in the Big Ten than in some other conferences.

Not disagreeing with your math the one thing I would add is before CCM after CCM. Connor started his season off on the 2nd line on his off wing. He still led the Michigan in scoring but all the numbers took off after he moved to the left wing on the 1st line. Not sure how many of those non conference games were during that stretch?

Either way it seems safe to say he was a year older than Eichel, he played in an easier conference, he was still a freshman, he has had one of the more productive seasons for a rookie in NCAA history.

Is he going to be as good as Jack Eichel.....hell no.....could he be an elite 1st line scoring LW in the NHL......yes that may happen IMO.

 

[Canucks LB]

How does connor compare to boeser, who are both having ridiculous years?

 

[Whileee]

How does connor compare to boeser, who are both having ridiculous years?

I like them both. I think Connor has higher end skill, mostly because of his speed and quickness and ability to make plays at a higher tempo. I think his vision is a bit better.

Boeser has more size and a better shot. He's got a laser beam.

Watching them head-to-head yesterday, I thought Connor looked like the better player - more dynamic skill and speed.

 

[Stream*]

​

There is 0 chance connor stalls his development by playing in the NCAA for 4 years simply because he doesn't want to go to Winnipeg.

I guess that is why he posted that picture of himself and all his family and friends in Jets gear.

 

[JetsHomer]

Shocking, against good team his production isn't that great !

He was over a ppg against top 25 teams.

A Boston fan bashing Connor, shocking!

 

[Gump Hasek]

15/16 highlights:




Props to Hammer for putting that vid together.

 

[L13]

Exactly. That's why when you consider just in-conference statistics, there were so many B1G players that put up better than a goal-per-game. Here's the list:

Kyle Connor

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make, but if you perceived my comment as a criticism of Connor, I'd like to reiterate that I believe he would have been one of the best players in the NCAA this season regardless of the conference he played in. He's a great player and has nothing left to prove at this level.

 

[Icebreakers]

Exactly. That's why when you consider just in-conference statistics, there were so many B1G players that put up better than a goal-per-game. Here's the list:

Kyle Connor

All this shows is hes the best player in his conference. I think we all knew that already?

 

[veganhunter]

Not disagreeing with your math the one thing I would add is before CCM after CCM. Connor started his season off on the 2nd line on his off wing. He still led the Michigan in scoring but all the numbers took off after he moved to the left wing on the 1st line. Not sure how many of those non conference games were during that stretch?

Either way it seems safe to say he was a year older than Eichel, he played in an easier conference, he was still a freshman, he has had one of the more productive seasons for a rookie in NCAA history.

Is he going to be as good as Jack Eichel.....hell no.....could he be an elite 1st line scoring LW in the NHL......yes that may happen IMO.

Pretty much sums it up for me.

 

[portamoral]

sign this kid now

do it chevy

go quick

 

[Stream*]

All this shows is hes the best player in his conference. I think we all knew that already?

Or it could show that as a freshman, he is the best player ever in that conference.

 

[lomiller1]

NHLe is calculated on the basis of a very small sample size

Sample size is taken into account which is why not every league has a published NHLe. It seems the Big-10 makes the cut. With the number of highly regarded prospects that have been though Michigan and gone on directly to the NHL there seems to be plenty of data to make a comparison.

Looking at the average goals per game in each conference would be more informative.

Not really. The QMJHL has more goals per game than the WHL but the WHL has a higher NHLe

 

[93LEAFS]

Sample size is taken into account which is why not every league has a published NHLe. It seems the Big-10 makes the cut. With the number of highly regarded prospects that have been though Michigan and gone on directly to the NHL there seems to be plenty of data to make a comparison.



Not really. The QMJHL has more goals per game than the WHL but the WHL has a higher NHLe

You do realize the Big 10 as a conference is fairly new right? And some of its stronger teams have fallen off a cliff (yes Wisconsin, I'm looking at you, Minn has also been weaker than usual). The only UM players to have played in the Big 10 and in the NHL are Larkin, Hyman, and Di Giuseppe. So no, there isn't plenty of data to draw from.

 

[lomiller1]

You do realize the Big 10 as a conference is fairly new right? And some of its stronger teams have fallen off a cliff (yes Wisconsin, I'm looking at you, Minn has also been weaker than usual). The only UM players to have played in the Big 10 and in the NHL are Larkin, Hyman, and Di Giuseppe. So no, there isn't plenty of data to draw from.

It's a realignment, not entirely new teams. This is not an insurmountable issue to deal with and seeing as the Big 10 didn't find itself in the not enough data category I'm comfortable accepting that it was dealt with.

Getting into whether individual teams were better/worse in a given year is decidedly flawed approach. Tin statistical analysis you don't get to decide what data you like and what you don't after you have already calculated the results.

 

[Ace]

I don't see how going back another year is the right step for his development. He can play in the AHL if he needs to.

 

[93LEAFS]

It's a realignment, not entirely new teams. This is not an insurmountable issue to deal with and seeing as the Big 10 didn't find itself in the not enough data category I'm comfortable accepting that it was dealt with.

Getting into whether individual teams were better/worse in a given year is decidedly flawed approach. Tin statistical analysis you don't get to decide what data you like and what you don't after you have already calculated the results.

It's a massive realignment drawing teams from multiple conferences and adding independents. And that is not even factoring in the mess of comparing across conferences. Its pretty clear the Big 10 is fairly weak compared to NCHC and Hockey East, strengths of conferences can change, and especially when there was at best one year of data to adjust. The Big 10 has had 2 teams in the final 8 in 3 years of existence, Hockey East and NCHC have as many or more in this year alone.