Stats aren't really intented to give you a shift by shift breakdown but if you notice one guy has longer average shift lengths it might help focus your scouting to look to identify why that is and whether it's a problem that needs correction.
Nobody gets to watch every min every prospect plays. Stats can help refine and focus the process making it more efficient. They are complimentary not opposing sides, one doesn't replace the other. When people stop treating it as stats test vs eye test, and insteadlooking at how one can support the other they'll be far better off.
I completely agree with this. I find that fewer people argue that advanced stats have no place (does anyone say this) compared to how many blogger types argue is utmost importance.
Sure, and coaches can look at those stats and speak to the player and make adjustments. They may also notice that said player never gets off the ice when his line does as well. Both things will support a coachable moment, and it is better to have both to bring to the discussion.
Where advanced stats do very well is for the coaching staff to break down ‘the game tape’. Instead of having to re-watch the game and count instances, a private company has already done the leg work and more for them. They only need to find examples to show the player. I think there is tremendous value there, as does our head coach thankfully.
The advanced stats are a great evaluative aid, they just aren’t great for predictive measures, as they really can’t account for the multitude of variables in a single hockey game, let alone multiple games/teams/seasons, especially when looking at 18 year old draft eligible kids.
