Magnus Paajarvi should start 2013-14 on the third line
Jonathan Willis
May 15 2013 07:27AM
When it comes to building hockey teams, I’m a firm believer that (to the extent possible in a salary cap world) every general manager should be a pessimist. If it’s a 50/50 bet that a player can recover from an injury, or return to his offensive form, or stay healthy, the G.M. should bet against his player. That way, if things go badly, he’s covered; if things go well, he has a pleasant surprise that can either help his team win or can be used to address an area of weakness.
That proclivity for pessimism is why I think the Oilers would be well-advised not to start Magnus Paajarvi in a scoring role next season.
Is it time for larger nets?
Jonathan Willis
May 14 2013 11:46AM
NHL goaltenders have been improving, year-over-year, in nearly every season since the league started tracking save percentage. In the early 1980’s, an NHL team could expect to score 13 goals for every 100 shots it took; today, they can expect to score on less than nine.
Are bigger nets the answer?
Sam Gagner vs. size
Jonathan Willis
May 13 2013 02:21PM
Does Sam Gagner struggle in games against bigger teams?
Every goal scored by Nail Yakupov in 2013
Jonathan Willis
May 12 2013 11:28AM
Nail Yakupov led the Oilers (as well as all NHL rookies) with 17 goals during the 2013 season. After the jump, where he shot from, how he beat the goalies, and video for every goal.
It’s time to change the NHL Awards process
Jonathan Willis
May 11 2013 08:46AM
The Professional Hockey Writers’ Association votes on most of the NHL’s major awards – the Hart, Norris, Calder, Selke, Conn Smythe, Lady Byng and Bill Masterton trophies are all decided by hockey’s scribes.
The time has come for the writers to step up and improve transparency.
