On Christmas Eve, I did a statistical evaluation of the defence pairings. By those numbers, it looked like Jason Strudwick was easily the worst defenceman on the team. However, Jason Gregor made an excellent point in the comments — shooting or getting out-shot generally has a lot to do with the forwards on the ice. With that in mind, here are the numbers for Oilers forwards (even-strength only) in goals and shots for and against, with and without Strudwick. They’re probably worth considering when discussing an extension.
Horcoff: With -– 0GF/4GA, 20SF/38SA; Without -– 19GF/9GA, 243SF/173SA
Nilsson: With –- 1GF/2GA, 17SF/32SA; Without –- 11GF/13GA, 132SF/140SA
Cogliano: With -– 2GF/1GA, 31SF/43SA; Without –- 14GF/13GA, 147SF/150SA
Moreau: With -– 3GF/1GA, 29SF/61SA; Without –- 13GF/15GA, 160SF/201SA
Cole: With –- 2GF/2GA, 27SF/47SA; Without -– 10GF/12GA, 180SF/183SA
Penner: With -– 0GF/2GA, 18SF/34SA; Without -– 21GF/8GA, 194SF/139SA
Pisani: With -– 4GF/3GA, 22SF/38SA ; Without -– 4GF/8GA, 66SF/89SA
Stortini: With -– 2GF/3GA, 16SF/32SA; Without -– 2GF/3GA, 30SF/35SA
Brodziak: With –- 2GF/3GA, 21SF/50SA; Without –- 6GF/8FA, 102SF/121SA
Pouliot: With –- 1GF/4GA, 26SF/45SA; Without –- 12GF/5GA, 135SF/132SA
Hemsky: With -– 0GF/3GA, 16SF/34SA ; Without -– 20GF/12GA, 232SF/180SA
Reddox: With –- 1GF/2GA, 6SF/20SA; Without -– 2GF/1GA, 24SF/34SA
Gagner: With -– 1GF/1GA, 27SF/36SA; Without -– 14GF/15GA, 156SF/157SA
We’ll all draw our own conclusions here, but given that every single player has been out-shot by a massive margin (37:20 on average) when placed with Strudwick, I have to ask –- can any team win if it’s out-shot 37:20 every game? Is there any possibility Jason Strudwick isn’t driving these numbers?
Struddy with Carcillo on the ice…. = PURE GOLD!
He's good to have on the team and to have around but… He really shouldn't be a defenceman on the Oilers. That said, I do like him on the 4th line. It suits him much better. But when Pisani and MacIntyre come back where does that leave Strudwick. Or Stortini? Or Reddox?
ps. Good post Jonathan. All those numbers really mess with a guys eyes.
Not that it really matters but, what are his "numbers" as a forward? Is he the same?
Strudwick is easily the weakest link. But it's good to have him around because if he wasn't around who would fill in for the MacIntyres and the Reddox's? Damn, we would still be using Boulerice.
My sources are telling me Hartsburg will be fired Tommorow after morning practice, might last game. Murry to take over team interm. His job is also in may be gone, only problem Melnyk has is he needs Murry to rub the team but no trades with out Melnyk
Less drink. More think.
@ Mel:
Mel, Hartsburg is their 3rd coach in the last 100 games. They have tried different coaches and nothing has changed. A player move will happen before Hartsburg gets fired I would suspect. Firing the coach wouldn't change the results you would think, since it hasn't changed anything to date.
Mel, my sources tell me you will enter a 12 step program before the New Year and thing stop cause can for too much drink.
Judging by these stats Strudwick is Cory Cross, Jason Bonsignore and Ty Conklin all rolled into one craptacular waste of a roster spot…but anyone who has watched the games this season knows that that is quite the contrary. Strudwick has been very solid and one of the best bargain signings of the summer. I just think its a sign that stats can't always be the law when judging a player.
@ Drago:
You think so? I've been unimpressed watching Strudwick, and the difference between Staios with Strudwick and Staios without Strudwick is amazing, to use just one example.
Strudwick goes to the dirty areas, has grit and plays a character game, but he isn't helping the team win. He's the worst player on the roster right now, IMO.
Jonathon, I really don't have a position on Strudwick but I want to know what do you expect out of a 6th or 7th defensemen/4th line forward?
Where could he be better in your opinion?
Who would you rather see play the role he plays with the injuries we have?
I'm not disputing your comments, I just want to know your opinion.
@ shakey:
I'm fine with Strudwick as the 7th defenseman, or the 13th/14th forward. MacTavish playing him ahead of Smid was completely indefensible – thankfully he's since come to his senses.
The problem with Strudwick as a forward isn't Strudwick; the problem is that the Oilers are running three goalies, and they have Reddox, MacIntyre and Stortini on the roster too. Once MacIntyre gets healthy, that's three guys whose primary contribution is muscle at the tail end of the roster. The Oilers need some muscle that can play above the fourth line, and they need a fourth line that can contribute.
MacIntyre's got more of a heavyweight reputation than Strudwick, and Stortini's not only younger but a better hockey player and Smid's a better defenseman. What's Strudwick's purpose on this roster?
Jonathan;
I completely agree with you about sitting Smid and playing Strudwick…that was just wrong.
It's no secret Reddox will be sent back down once MacIntyre comes back so do you think they will solve this 3 goalie issue soon?
It looks like Roli has played himself into the undisputed # 1 spot so is Garon on his way out or do they keep all 3 until the playoff picture is cleared and move Roli if we're not looking like we're in the playoffs?
I meant to say Playoff picture is clearer…not cleared.
@ shakey:
Well, Reddox going out doesn't solve anything, really. Any team dressing two of Stortini, MacIntyre and Strudwick is running a fourth line that can't play – each of those guys is good at providing muscle and character, but there's only so much room for that if that's all the players are adding.
Jonathon;
Again, I agree with you but what happens next?
How is this solved?
@ shakey:
Better players. Either better guys on the top three lines, which would mean knocking down some players to the bottom line, or just some better fourth-liners.
Lowe/Tambellini aren't idiots; I presume the lack of action so far is because they're aiming high.
[…] Strudwick, who was easily the worst defenceman on the team, looks like a different player as a forward. He plays a safe, effective game and adds a physical […]