GDB 45: Vincent Lecavalier
Jonathan Willis
January 18 2009 01:04PM
As we wait for the game against the Coyotes to begin, let’s consider two players over the past two seasons. Both are gritty, have good size, and are well-known and often mentioned as Top-10 players. Here are the numbers:
Player A
2008-09: 45GP – 28G – 21A – 59 PTS, +10
2007-08: 82GP – 40G – 66A – 106 PTS, -8
2006-07: 82GP – 56G – 54A – 100 PTS, +23
Player B
2008-09: 45GP – 15G – 22A – 37 PTS, +4
2007-08: 82GP – 41G – 44A – 85 PTS, -23
2006-07: 82GP – 49G – 57A – 106 PTS, -11
Player A is clearly superior to Player B. Outside of a slight difference in one season, he’s been a far better offensive performer, and his +/- totals are well ahead of Player B. Yet everybody, bizarrely enough, thinks that these two players are identical in ability, despite the fact that the statistics don’t support it at all.
The reason that everybody regards these two players as identical talents is because they are one player. Player A is Vincent Lecavalier, specifically his point totals against his own division, pro-rated over full seasons. Player B is Vincent Lecavalier against the rest of the NHL, pro-rated over an entire season.
I haven’t gotten into the effect of the various divisions on player performance, but it is something that we as Oilers fans should be wise to. We’ve seen the effect on Erik Cole, and it isn’t an illusion. The Southeast is the worst division in the NHL, by far, and it isn’t surprising that some of the league’s top goal- and point- scorers can be found there. It’s something that GM’s should keep in mind before making trades, at any rate.
It's something Oilers fans should keep in the back of their mind as they watch their team play the Coyotes and fantasize about what a new addition to the lineup could do to help the cause.
@ Travis Dakin: I had a great time. The boys were very kind. Except for Baggedmilk, he's a molester!
Amber wrote:
good.
@ Travis Dakin:
There will be more for certain. We want to try and be active charitable donation types. It will counterbalance the bad karma of calling Penner a 'tubby clown' if we give money to different charities we hope.
@ Hockey Gods:
Thanks dude. Actually the party was nice and tame. An Oilers victory, some beers, some laughs. An unrelated knife fight in the parking lot after.
You know. The usual.
jeanshorts wrote:
Thats sh1t I wanted to hear... no wonder she won't give me a lap dance. She is going to marry baggedmilk.
@ Wanye Gretz:
Sweet. So did everybody unmask themselves?
Travis Dakin wrote:
Yeah other than me, who is the best looking commenter?
Can someone tell me why MacT has Gagner out on the 1st PP while Hemsky is back? and yet when he was gone not so much?
Oh great.
Just spoke with BUCK75 over Twitter... He's at the game, sporting his Nation T-shirt, and telling people how awesome we are. <3
Travis Dakin wrote:
He's resting Reddox.
bingofuel wrote:
Of course he is... cause it's true. We're kind of a big deal.
EFF tie game... we are fighting 2 curses tonight. Retro Jersey Curse and Number Retirement Curse. I am going to sacrifice a virgin chinese food delivery boy to break this curse.
Hockey Gods wrote:
Before oyu do, will you order me some Kung-Pow chicken?
bingofuel wrote:
Whats a twitter?
Travis Dakin wrote:
has katz proven to anyone has cash or just cash flow - andy the name is kates not cats
I changed my underwear. We should start scoring now...
@ Hockey Gods: Inappropriate!!!! WAYNE ALERT WAYNE ALERT!!!!
@ Amber: Oh yeah I forgot, you are a taken woman. Sorry bagged.
Ron Jeremy scores!
That was a first line. Wow.
You could almost ice the entire 1986 Edmonton Oilers team with all the boys in the building tonight.
MUSTACHE!
Hockey Gods wrote:
i would of went but I am at the DR Mansion - I have a feeling that everyone would of yelled at me for my punctuation - but I would of made friends with free crown royal (flask) for everyone
Winner: Smid
Smider, nice tilt against a tough customer.
jeanshorts wrote:
linseman has the gregor look going
Smid the new Oiler Heavy weight
NICE PENNER!!!!
Where the hell did all the angry come from lately with Smid? He's trying to take Stortini's job!
Dropping Deuces wrote:
I refer you to Mr. Sexy's last two tilts...
jeanshorts wrote:
I just don't understand what people don't like about Smid. He's golden.
Big Sexy may have one of the most devistating punches in the league. And when he does it, it makes my (good grief - WG)
@ Travis Dakin
Touche
Wanye Gretz wrote:
a media friend told me 99 left his keys in all his fords at the compound and in his gated community - one left the home without permission (stolen).... not to worry when 99 allegedly buys - sponsor donation the whole training staff fords - losing one or two is not a big deal
penner isn't sucking as bad tonite
@ Amber: Me or Sheldon?
I wonder if Penner got a black van, candy and a puppy to go with the new mustache.
Travis Dakin wrote:
facebook for people on the go - basement dwellers
BILL RANFORD!!!!
Favorite Oiler ever
*giggles like a 5 year old*
I gotta get on face book.
Amber wrote:
I sold him mine.
Wanye Gretz wrote:
He was my brothers favorite player too. I used to love that puck flip on the glove thing he did.
They couldn't get Glen a suite to enjoy the game from?
Hockey Gods wrote:
Now how are you going to meet boys?
I have enough locked up to last a little while.
I like Penner. He is funny.
BAHAHAA look at that mustache! Beautiful!
Penner: 1 Principe: 0
Bah the plugs!
Travis Dakin wrote:
it only works if you have friends and people like me - i had over 3000 friends with a fake name and facebook DEACTIVATED my friend page- damm - had quite of few hotties that just graduated from high school wanting to friend me because of my hollywood and playboy mansion connections and anything goes at the palms LV
deep oil wrote:
What?