Elite Oscar
8 years ago
Oscar Klefbom is an integral part of the Oilers young
cluster of players because he is one of the few defensemen among them. He has a
set of qualities that make him stand out and are easy to recognize. Klefbom is an
incredible skater, he has NHL size, he can move the puck relatively well, and
he looks like he’s been photoshopped. Some of his other qualities are more
difficult to recognize and some new technology might be what helps us see them
more clearly.
cluster of players because he is one of the few defensemen among them. He has a
set of qualities that make him stand out and are easy to recognize. Klefbom is an
incredible skater, he has NHL size, he can move the puck relatively well, and
he looks like he’s been photoshopped. Some of his other qualities are more
difficult to recognize and some new technology might be what helps us see them
more clearly.
Sportlogiq is a company that specializes in visual tracking
software. They have, purportedly, developed a software that uses game footage
to track events that previously required rigorous manual tracking or otherwise
might require embedded chip technology. Here is how they describe their product
themselves:
software. They have, purportedly, developed a software that uses game footage
to track events that previously required rigorous manual tracking or otherwise
might require embedded chip technology. Here is how they describe their product
themselves:
Backed by over seven years of university research, our
technology generates advanced hockey analytics using standard, single-camera
game footage. Our proprietary computer vision system uses a combination of
player tracking and activity recognition algorithms to flag specific game
events such as shots or passes, timestamp them, and record their xy coordinates
on the ice. Once the raw data is collected, machine learning and pattern
recognition techniques are utilized to extract meaningful insights, allowing
broadcasters, teams, analysts and fans see and understand the game in a way
previously not possible.
In addition to developing this technology they
also produce editorial content discussing some of their findings. Now, any time
we are dealing with the findings of proprietary information we are talking
about something we have no access to. We can’t verify this information in any
meaningful way, so keep that in mind. The hockey analytics community has always
been wary of new information that cannot be peer reviewed. As a once-upon-a-time
academic I am also skeptical of things I can’t look into myself, but what that
means for us is that we can’t assert this information is true beyond a
shadow of a doubt.
also produce editorial content discussing some of their findings. Now, any time
we are dealing with the findings of proprietary information we are talking
about something we have no access to. We can’t verify this information in any
meaningful way, so keep that in mind. The hockey analytics community has always
been wary of new information that cannot be peer reviewed. As a once-upon-a-time
academic I am also skeptical of things I can’t look into myself, but what that
means for us is that we can’t assert this information is true beyond a
shadow of a doubt.
Sportlogiq recently posted an article by Andrew Berkshire, their Manager of Editorial Content, regarding
Oscar Klefbom and his defensive abilities. You can read that piece here. It seems as
though our favourite abdominal enthusiast is particularly adept at removing the
puck from opposition sticks. As per their information, Klefbom is the best
defenseman in the NHL at this particular skill. Below is their table showing
Klefbom at 16 successful defensive touches per 20 minutes while the league
average is a shade under 10. The exact numbers for other Oiler defenders are
not provided but the article says that by their information the next two best
Oiler blueliners at removing possession were Petry and Marincin.
Oscar Klefbom and his defensive abilities. You can read that piece here. It seems as
though our favourite abdominal enthusiast is particularly adept at removing the
puck from opposition sticks. As per their information, Klefbom is the best
defenseman in the NHL at this particular skill. Below is their table showing
Klefbom at 16 successful defensive touches per 20 minutes while the league
average is a shade under 10. The exact numbers for other Oiler defenders are
not provided but the article says that by their information the next two best
Oiler blueliners at removing possession were Petry and Marincin.
When traditional hockey analysts talk about Klefbom being
able to break up the cycle, this is in part the kind of information they are
talking about. Indeed that is one of the qualities that has been ascribed to
Klefbom by people inside the organization and this might be a way to help
quantify statements like that. By eye or by number what’s clear is that the franchise appears to have found a gem in the former 19th overall pick of the 2011 draft. We could see last season that Klefbom was the defensive conscience of his pairing with Schultz. What we might not have realized was that he was performing well above the league average.
able to break up the cycle, this is in part the kind of information they are
talking about. Indeed that is one of the qualities that has been ascribed to
Klefbom by people inside the organization and this might be a way to help
quantify statements like that. By eye or by number what’s clear is that the franchise appears to have found a gem in the former 19th overall pick of the 2011 draft. We could see last season that Klefbom was the defensive conscience of his pairing with Schultz. What we might not have realized was that he was performing well above the league average.
One thing I’m not sure I agree with about the article is the
statement regarding Klefbom’s one-dimensionality. He certainly needs more than
a solid half-season in the NHL to prove it, but I think we were starting to see
Klefbom become more confident in the offensive zone as time wore on. As per
stats.hockeyanalysis.ca Klefbom lead the Oilers blueline in 5v5 Points per 60 minutes,
was second in First Assists per 60 minutes, and second in Shots
per 60 minutes. There is at least some indication that he could do a lot more
than simply shut people down.
statement regarding Klefbom’s one-dimensionality. He certainly needs more than
a solid half-season in the NHL to prove it, but I think we were starting to see
Klefbom become more confident in the offensive zone as time wore on. As per
stats.hockeyanalysis.ca Klefbom lead the Oilers blueline in 5v5 Points per 60 minutes,
was second in First Assists per 60 minutes, and second in Shots
per 60 minutes. There is at least some indication that he could do a lot more
than simply shut people down.
Certainly we are hoping that as Klefbom continues to develop
as a defender he will keep pushing his offensive abilities as well as his
already apparent defensive ones. With the addition of Sekera and Nurse knocking
on the door Klefbom finds himself in a position where he won’t have to do it
all himself. If the Oilers didn’t waste all of their luck on April 18th
then this might be a great environment for the young Swede to grow in.
as a defender he will keep pushing his offensive abilities as well as his
already apparent defensive ones. With the addition of Sekera and Nurse knocking
on the door Klefbom finds himself in a position where he won’t have to do it
all himself. If the Oilers didn’t waste all of their luck on April 18th
then this might be a great environment for the young Swede to grow in.
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