Brien Diffley signs for Sheffield Steelers - Confirmed

[Jayboy]

I suspect Petgrave and Saucerman are signed and the final D is one of the roles still to be filled. Given that I'm happy with this signing. D man stats are always a bit difficult to read as there's usually a lot of context that needs adding to really drill down in to whether they are where they need to be.

Whilst his +/- doesn't look as good last year, there's a number of factors that can contribute to that. Also worth noting that+/- is being used less and less by hockey analysts because of the number of factors that can affect the stat.

Denmark is a good league and he was wanted back there, and sounds like there may have been interest from elsewhere in the league, so certainly must have something about him.

I think it really is the forwards to be announced that will make or break our season (assuming I'm correct on Petgrave and Saucerman)

Agreed Ginger, there are a lot of factors which determine +/- stats. For example, Diffley may have been put on the ice against the oppositions top lines, which would undoubtedly impact his numbers.

I'd like to think Fox digs deep into the stats and looks at all elements (I'm sure he does).

For us supporters though, there's not much to go at in the off season, so looking at the stats is always an interesting angle which creates debate. For a defenceman I tend to take more interest in their +/- than points scored.

Forwards it's mostly about the goals.

Regards

Doom

+/- – Plus/Minus Rating

The plus/minus rating is calculated by giving the player one point for each even-strength or short-handed goal his team scores while he is on the ice and subtracting one point for each even-strength or short-handed goal the opposing team scores while he is on the ice.


Ive spoken to many seasoned fans and even some coaches that treat the +/- stats like they are voodoo or magic... they can be very useful to a team coach or analyst at best and at worst be as confusing as quantum physics at their worst... some of our best defenders over the years have had some god awful bad runs in the +/- stats when the team go through a rough patch or a player is out injured... and same can be said about a spare defenceman playing solely on a fourth line and penalty kill special teams, is so hard to judge on paper this stat, unless you watched him week in week out...

[ginger]

Corsi stat has taken over from plus minus, and even then is still treated with some scepticism as not showing true picture.

From wiki:

"Corsi is an advanced statistic used in the game of ice hockey to measure shot attempt differential while at even strength play. This includes shots on goal, missed shots on goal, and blocked shot attempts towards the opposition's net minus the same shot attempts directed at your own team's net."

Also use of RAPM and xG are now common - RAPM essentially an expansion on Corsi, and xG being expected goals.

These are the analytics I'd expect coaches (and player agents) to be using as they should give a much better insight than purely points and +/-

[smbmetal]

Welcome to Sheffield Brien.

Looks like he’s at a good age and not here for a final pay day.

Sounds like he will log big minutes.

[Jayboy]

Defenders are surely the hardest to judge by stats alone,
especially defenders that dont have a particularly strong offencive game (my type of defender)

[House_of_Steel]

Welcome Brien

[mark]

Defenders are surely the hardest to judge by stats alone,
especially defenders that dont have a particularly strong offencive game (my type of defender)

I'd rather judge a defender by the number of forwards they leave on the floor with whiplash injuries wondering what day it is, nothing beats a well executed check.

[Sully]

Defenders are surely the hardest to judge by stats alone,
especially defenders that dont have a particularly strong offencive game (my type of defender)

I'd rather judge a defender by the number of forwards they leave on the floor with whiplash injuries wondering what day it is, nothing beats a well executed check.

What’s one of those, I’ve forgotten what they look like

[greeny]

Welcome to the steel city brien