Another off day after another loss. I thought I'd link to a few stories I've found interesting today.
Hockeynomics
Alan Ryder's Hockeynomics uses statistics to form opinion. This is rather refreshing considering that many sports writers form opinion, then find statistics to back up that opinion. Hockeynomics is unbiased; it lets the numbers tell the story. This week, Ryder looked at goaltender success in shootouts. His main findings, as they relate to the Leafs:
- There is very little correlation between goalie success in shootouts and the rest of the game. Translation? Strong goaltenders are often terrible in shootouts, and vice versa.
- Toronto is 7-16 all time in the shootout, good for 5th worst. This number seems very indicative of the Leafs' play since the inception of the shootout, but makes less sense when you consider that both Ottawa and San Jose - two very good teams - have been worse than them.
- Vesa Toskala is the worst shootout goaltender ever. He has stopped only 8 of 20 shots against. Andrew Raycroft comes in at 13th worst of all time, having saved 20 of 34. In other words, both Toronto goalies are really fucking terrible in shootouts.
What could have been...
This morning in The Sun, Scott Morrison reported a trade that almost was. It would have brought current NHL leading scorer Vincent Lecavalier to the Leafs in exchange for Tomas Kaberle, Nik Antropov, Jonas Hoglund and either Brad
Boyes, a first-round pick in 2000, or a first-round pick in 2002.
That's a big deal. Tampa Bay ownership decided it wouldn't part with Lecavalier, and I am almost glad. I mean, where would the Leafs be without Jonas Hoglund's years of service?
Brian Costello, you saucy bastard!
Brian Costello over at The Hockey News put together a killer article yesterday: THN.com Top 10: Reasons for trading Tuukka Rask. It's really worth a read.
Leafs to take in foozeball game
While the team is in Dallas awaiting their game with the Stars tomorrow night, they will take in the Thanksgiving Day NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets. What a nice diversion for a team that is circling the drain.
Before deciding on the foozeball game, a few other ideas were tossed around as possible day off activities. The runner-up to the Cowboys game was taking the interstate over to Nashville to see the Predators take on the Red Wings tonight - you know, to see how good hockey teams play the game.
It should also be noted that Bryan McCabe and Darcy Tucker both wanted to head over the border to Mexico to take in a ping pong show.
Hockeynomics
Alan Ryder's Hockeynomics uses statistics to form opinion. This is rather refreshing considering that many sports writers form opinion, then find statistics to back up that opinion. Hockeynomics is unbiased; it lets the numbers tell the story. This week, Ryder looked at goaltender success in shootouts. His main findings, as they relate to the Leafs:
- There is very little correlation between goalie success in shootouts and the rest of the game. Translation? Strong goaltenders are often terrible in shootouts, and vice versa.
- Toronto is 7-16 all time in the shootout, good for 5th worst. This number seems very indicative of the Leafs' play since the inception of the shootout, but makes less sense when you consider that both Ottawa and San Jose - two very good teams - have been worse than them.
- Vesa Toskala is the worst shootout goaltender ever. He has stopped only 8 of 20 shots against. Andrew Raycroft comes in at 13th worst of all time, having saved 20 of 34. In other words, both Toronto goalies are really fucking terrible in shootouts.
What could have been...
This morning in The Sun, Scott Morrison reported a trade that almost was. It would have brought current NHL leading scorer Vincent Lecavalier to the Leafs in exchange for Tomas Kaberle, Nik Antropov, Jonas Hoglund and either Brad
Boyes, a first-round pick in 2000, or a first-round pick in 2002.
That's a big deal. Tampa Bay ownership decided it wouldn't part with Lecavalier, and I am almost glad. I mean, where would the Leafs be without Jonas Hoglund's years of service?
Brian Costello, you saucy bastard!
Brian Costello over at The Hockey News put together a killer article yesterday: THN.com Top 10: Reasons for trading Tuukka Rask. It's really worth a read.
Leafs to take in foozeball game
While the team is in Dallas awaiting their game with the Stars tomorrow night, they will take in the Thanksgiving Day NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets. What a nice diversion for a team that is circling the drain.
Before deciding on the foozeball game, a few other ideas were tossed around as possible day off activities. The runner-up to the Cowboys game was taking the interstate over to Nashville to see the Predators take on the Red Wings tonight - you know, to see how good hockey teams play the game.
It should also be noted that Bryan McCabe and Darcy Tucker both wanted to head over the border to Mexico to take in a ping pong show.
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